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Dear Gang, many of you have said prayers, or sent out positive thoughts on behalf of me, and friends. They must have helped, both my friends, John + Richie, as well as myself have been snatched from the hands of death. John is doing miraculously well, but has a bone infection in his foot due to...

The last wiring job I got, left me with lumps of twisted wire just under the skin. A couple broke when they were twisting them, and they had to twist extensions on to close me up. They protrude so far that anything bumping them is painful, even a tight hug from my Sweety! I'm seeing my surgeon...

Dear valve family, I realized today how overdue I am on updates on my friends Richie + John, + myself, so here are 3 brief updates: 1. Richie is holding on living w/ CHF + minimal heart function. His wife whom he is separated from found him an apartment near his family last year, so he was no...

Been away (literally) all summer, + this is my first night home since July 1! As some of you know, I was under the impression I was in the clear until I got a call saying they wanted me in for a cath 7/5/11. I ended up admitted for 6 days while they managed my warfarin, + did the cath. Had a...

Hi gang! I haven't been around much, I see some of you on Facebook, but rarely check in here. I want to update you on the two friends I asked you to pray for. My friend Richie is doing OK. He has an apartment near his family, and is probably pretty good for him. My friend John has had one heck...

I got home from work tonight to find out on Facebook a good friend had a heart attack. I had been thinking of him as I drove home from work. He's a musician, and plays in a band I love every Tues night. I saw him last week, but left early. I heard he is "stable" but don't know more. He is a...

While my surgery was over many years ago, there have been a lot of feelings, and questions related to my valve, and ACT, that this place, and you folks continue to be an invaluable help with. Most recently you have helped with advice, prayers, and support for my friend, as well as helping me...

Another year! It has been a really good one, filled with reunions, and getting together with family and friends. My house has been undergoing renovations we've put off for 26 years, and I finally have a real bedroom with 2 closets! I had a wonderful Summer: visit from my sister who lives in...

About a year ago I asked folks to pray for my friend Richie. He seemed to do a little better foe a while, but is in rough shape. His care isn't being managed well, he lives in a camper on the back of his truck, and needs a new defib/pacemaker unit. They won't put it in, unless he has full time...

As many of you know, Cort does a road trip every year exploring different parts of the country, and meeting up with his online friends. Yesterday he came all the way to Mass. to meet with different groups of friends. He had a couple of his car buddies meet with us in my town. It was so nice to...

I usually miss these things, so forgive my starting this one early for dear Harry! Your valve bro, Brian

Just heard that the smoke down here is not from a local fire, but from Canada. Sure hope my brothers and sisters up there are safe. I thought a house had burned in my neighborhood there as so much. Your valve bro, Brian

The last batch of lancets I got from Philips Raytel are different, and seem to be of a smaller gauge. I have been having a hard time getting enough blood, despite soaking fingers in hot water. Last week I week I went through 5 tests before I got enough. I have been getting different error codes...

I was finally told that they would be my service provider through CIGNA. I tried to call them 3 times to get information, and was only able to reach a human once through their menu. He then tried to transfer the call and lost it.:mad:

My employer is changing insurance companies 1/01/10 to CIGNA. I haven't been able to get answers from them, or Philips as to how much my cost will be for INR home testing. Do any of you have experience with them? My plan will cover 90% after $350.00 deductable for the year. That's as opposed to...

Well the day is past now, but Monday was (as Mary noted) my 25th! While I mentioned it on Facebook, I had to come here, and share it too. It is wonderful to have this group, and in my mind, I am sending out a blanket of thanks to each of you in my celebration. Your valve brother, Brian

Anyone heard from her, or know how she is doing? I haven't heard from her for months. I hope she is alright.

One of my best friends has some very serious heart troubles. I believe he has been outfitted with an onboard defibrilator. He has had several "incidents" and was told to look into a transplant. He has a terrific wife, and two beautiful teenage kids. His name is Richie, and I would be grateful...

This has been a tough week here. Losing Tbone is painful, and hard to come to grips with for me. He was a wonderful, generous presence here despite his own suffering. There are at least a dozen others here, that I see doing this day after day, and there is wonderful new blood amongst us all the...

I was trying to get into the parking garage at work yesterday (we have to stop and have security check the trunk) when my PC called on my cell. My INR was 6.0, and he was following up to go over what I would do, and to see why it was so high. I explained that I'd been away for the weekend and...