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Hello from Gustav. We are ridding this one out. We are fortunate to live in one of the higher areas of the metropolitan area, we have lots of food, water, generator, fuel, gas for the grill and even adequate ammo just in case. In my area there are a lot of people staying and at least for the...

It is time for the customary one year up-date: The first year and 31.5+ million clicks passed in a blur. Wow, that?s a lot of clicks; did I do the math correctly? I encountered a few hurdles on the way to recovery but managed to clear them all with the help of family, friends and the VR.com...

I ran my first race post-op today and had a blast. I was very slow but enjoyed the event after not racing for so long. I dominated the 50 year old with aortic valve replacement and freckles division. My original intent was to get in good enough shape to join the middle of the pack crowd...

After 58 days of successful antibiotic treatment for endocarditis I have been given the two thumbs up, had the PICC line removed and went for a short run. It felt great to run again. I have lost a lot of the fitness that I had gained post-op and gained a few pounds while on the sofa but I...

I am almost 7 months post-op but am now 5 days into IV antibiotic treatment for endocarditis; another bump on the road to recovery. Have any of you experienced this after your valve replacement? Was it resolved with antibiotics? What physical restrictions did you have during treatment? Was...

Hello everyone. I have wanted to do a 6 month status report but I wanted a race report to go along with it to post in active lifestyles; posting in post surgery sounds too medical and I have been trying to wean myself from a medical mindset. Scheduling conflicts and other issues have conspired...

I worked out with my Taekwondo/Hapkido dojang the first time since my AVR approximately 5 months ago Tuesday. I was kicked, punched and thrown to the mat (my defense is rusty) and suffered no ill effects except protruding sternum wires and bleeding from both ears...kidding, it was great fun and...

What is the significance of hypo-kinetic septal wall motion? How does it effect heart function? I have never discussed this with my cardiologist; there seems to always be issues of greater concern. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Philip

Where were you in recovery and training at less than 6 months post-op? I am almost 16 weeks post-op and am seeing very slow improvement. I am wondering how my recovery compares to what others have experienced. My endurance is improving; I can "run" 4 to 5 miles indoors at an 11:00 min. pace...

7/27/06: It has been three months since my AVR. I have made some small strides forward since my ?confession? a few weeks ago. I am allowed to run at a 13:40 + pace in rehab without being expelled or stopped from exercising. My resting heart rate is returning to near normal levels although I...

OK, I confess, I thought it would be easier to recover than it has been for me and that all the "slow take it very easy" recovery info was from light weights...wrong! I now know that I am the whimp in the group. At 10+ weeks post-op I struggle to get in 2 miles at an 11:00+ pace resulting in a...

It is time for me to start thinking about home testing to supplement the Coumadin clinic since I seem to cover the INR spectrum. Why is Coagucheck not available in the US? I have been told it is not a FDA approval issues and that it should be available here for patient use by the end of...

My INR tested today at 8.1, a bit too high for comfort. I was afraid I would be out of range because I have been struggling with the Dressler's/preicarditis and taking the anti-inflammatories then Tuesday I woke during the night with high fever, chills, sweats, vomiting and every other nasty...

The drugs are working so no surgery for me!! Today's echo showed a substantial reduction in the amount of fluid in the pericardium so I will continue with the medications in hope of a complete resolution medically. Makes me want to go for a run! Don't worry I will resist the urge, but when I...

I was doing great at 3 weeks post-op then the fever arrived. Yesterday it was determined the the source was Dressler's Syndrome a form of pericarditus. I have been given drugs to hopefully reduce the fluid and will return Monday for another echo to check the fluid volume. If the volume is not...

How hard can I SAFELY play on Coumadin?? As a martial artist (Taekwonodo) fighting by Olympic rules (full contact) I have decided that it is wise to give up the fighting aspect of the art. In our Dojang we do a lot of Hapkido as well, which always results in being thrown to the matt...

Hello everyone. I am alive and at home! I was discharged from Ochsner Wednesday, May, 3 a few days later than planed after a Thursday April 27 surgery. Surgery went well and I was able to be ex-tubated while in the surgery area so I have no memory of the vent. Soon after my BP dropped to...

Hi! my name is Teresa...Philip and I are co-workers along with a common bond of both having valve replacement surgery. Phillip is doing ok this morning.....he still has a low grade fever....the INR is 1.7 as of this morning. He sounds good...he expressed that putting his shoes on by himself...

25 mm Carbometics inserted - surgery went well - will be moved to ICU shortly - will hopefully be moved to regular room by this time tomorrow:p

Has anyone heard from Marguerite? Philip