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I almost missed posting my aortic valve birthday. Aug 16, 1967 I had an artificial mechanical valve implanted. That was back in the "Dinosaur age" of OHS. Back then they didn't even put serial numbers on the valves. Several years ago I asked for a wallet card that had medical info should I...

A dozen, or more, years ago my Cardiologist would not permit home INR testing. It is a large 20+ cardiologist group. Now they not only permit home testing they have opened a "drive-thru" where you drive up and stick your finger out of your car window and they stick your finger......and off you...

My surgeon told me my valve was tested to last 50 years........I thought it would last 20 years. We were both wrong! August 16, 1967 - August 16, 2021 Here are a few myths that, in my case, are untrue: 1. Hair loss from warfarin.......not true, still have a full head of brown hair.....but...

I often see posts where people are concerned that their meter differs from the one at the lab. I went, this AM, to my PCP office for my annual "well check" that is provided by Medicare. While having my blood drawn for general lab testing I asked if they would do a finger stick INR to check my...

Today marks 52 years since I got my "ping pong ball aortic valve" installed......8/16/1967-8/16/2019. At my age of 83+ I now check the newspaper obituaries daily.......to see if my name is there yet ;) and notice that most of the folks listed are younger than me, so I guess my AVR can be...

After living successfully with my old mechanical valve for over 51 years I have developed a new, significant, issue......an Aortic Aneurysm currently measuring 5.8 cm. I just left an appointment with a trusted surgeon where we discussed, candidly, the "risk vs reward" of this type of major...

I just received a registered letter from my coaguchek supplier. Some strips from a number of lots have given some bad INR numbers. If you have had INR readings above 4.5 with any strips from any of the affected lots you need to get a confirming INR from a different source. Apparently this is not...

Today is the 51st anniversary of my OHS 8/16/67......and my docs said my valve would only last 50 years. I'm glad they where wrong:Smile:

I've seen recently that RCB (Bob Baker), may have passed away? Anyone have additional information?

Today, while doing my weekly hospital visits, I talked with an older gentlemen who had received a tissue valve and also had a chronic Afib procedure done. He will be taking warfarin from now on and was a little overwhelmed after reading a pamphlet concerning warfarin and vit K foods. I glanced...

Today is the 49th anniversary of my Aortic artificial valve. By coincidence, I also had my annual checkup with my Cardio today......and I'm good to go for another year. I have now lived long enough to begin having old age health issues. Altho the valve is doing great I have developed A-fib...

I had my annual checkup, number 47, with my Cardiologist today and these checkups seem to get a little more scary as I get older, I keep waiting for "the other shoe to drop" and for him to tell me that the valve needs replacing. His only comment was "I'll see you in a year for your next...

I just returned home from Emergency Care Center after a 2" gash in the fatty part of my left hand. I did it with a box cutter while stripping a golf grip off of club. Required fourteen stitches to close wound. While there was a lot of blood from the cut, it only took the stitches to stop the...

In 1967 my docs told me that this Starr-Edwards heart valve would last 50 years. I'm pretty sure I didn't believe them, but I did "take it on faith" that it would extend my life beyond age 40....which was the age they told me I wouldn't make without corrective surgery. I read with interest...

Today is the 45th anniversary of my surgery....Aug. 16,1967. Who'd a thunk it!!

Those of us on Warfarin try to manage our diets, activities, etc. in order to keep our INRs within a safe range and make dosing adjustments as needed......assuming that our diets or habits are to blame if we get out of range. My recent experience indicates that the real culprit MAY be the Rx...

The spring of this year,2012, I switched to Taro warfarin(5mg tabs) for a weekly dose of 35mg. My INR, which had been consistantly in the 2.5-3.5 range, abruptly dropped into the 2.1-2.6 range beginning about 5 months ago and immediately after beginning Taro. Earlier this year, I had taken...

Yesterday, my wife, who is a retired RN, was given a "wrong" prescription by her Walmart pharmacy. While it was not a critical mistake, it was a serious drug switch. She went online and found that Rx drugs should have the "strength", "color" and "shape" of the drug listed on a sticker that is...

I left an eye surgeons office today and I now have a better understanding of what new valve patients must go thru when dealing with valve choice and possible surgical procedures. I need caterac surgery and had to make a choice between three different procedures. I kinda understood my...

Much is being written here concerning heart surgery and "re-ops" down the road. I'd like to pose a few questions regarding future costs. When I had the surgery, in 1967, the total cost was under $8000 including 14 days in hospital, valve cost and doctors/surgeons fees. That cost today is 10...