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I think travel should be a non-issue......you will be well looked after! I flew from NC to Boston, much shorter distance for sure, but the airline really knew how to take care of me (including getting me up to the level of a small plane which had walk-up steps, via the elevator they use to load...

Kim- i had the echo yesterday and there must have been nothing awful. I'm waiting for a call. I now am on full-time oxygen (hope not forever) and that helps. It certainly is limiting- and a big change!

Kim- i know you have to be right. I had to cancel the echo this morning because I was too short of breath to get there! It's been rescheduled for Monday and I'l be there, even if i need to be rolled in. they are looking for pulmonary issues more than valve things, i think- I just want them to look!

So many differences! I had one a month after my surgery (May 2008) and none since. Lately I've been short of breath, so one is on the books for this Thursday- to try to see if it's heart or lungs. We'll see....... Forgot to say I see my cardio yearly: he just doesn't think an echo is necessary.

Still trying to figure out what's going on...... Back when I posted earlier neither my cardio or pulmonary doc seemed much concerned. I let it ride, but lately, with the onset of a cold have noticed how very out of breath I get. Only the pulmonary PA could see me - and she truly heard my...

Kim- How do I go about requesting an echo, if he doesn't bring it up. I really like this doctor, he has a fine reputation, and is well-trained. I guess I don't want to appear to be second guessing him. The blood clot idea has me thinking, too: we just got back from a cross-country flight and...

No allergies- good idea, though!

Lynlw, usually, during the day, I don't think to check because the shortness of breath isn't very noticeable. I do sleep with oxygen to try to prevent more pulmonary hypertension. My daytime levels are usually above 94, I would think. Sometimes, at night they drop- another reason for the oxygen...

I haven't visited VR in a long time, but need to ask a question...... The past month or so I have noticed that I am getting out of breath very easily. Just tonight I walked up our driveway (which has only a slight slope) and was so out of breath I checked the pulse oximeter (which I have for...

on the fence......... on the fence......... I got the regular flu shot a couple of weeks ago (and will get second one in Feb. as a booster, since i got the first one so early), but I'm a bit concerned about the H1N1 vaccine. Seems as if it's come to market very fast, no matter what we're told...

Hi Blanca, I can't say enough good things about Dr. Cohn. You will be in the best of hands. I had some issues that made me a problem for an AVR here at home in May of 2008 and we travelled to Boston to have Dr. Cohn, after doing lots of research. He's a bit short on bedside manner, but cares...

I have very little tolerance for these statins, but can stand just a wee dose........ so I take half of a Crestor twice a week, not to prevent calcification, but because they cleaned out a small bit of atherosclerotic tissue when they replaced my valve. They're hoping to prevent problems down...

Hi- I, too, couldn't really concentrate enough to read the books I had brought, but was glad my husband brought the laptop in each day. There was wi-fi on the ward and, at first, he read get-well wishes to me (and kept himself busy). Eventually, I was sitting up in the chair and able to enjoy...

I saw my surgeon daily until discharge and then hung around the hotel for four days for a final outpatient visit (and permission to get out of Dodge). At that point he welcomed me to return in a year, if I happened to be in the area, but we're not planning a trip. Local care seems fine :)

Jennifer- I wonder if what you describe about doctors coming out of medical school not having paid anything for their education is commonplace. Maybe some places, but not here! We hear instead of new docs emerging from training with crushing debt. My husband, who is a cardio and is retiring next...

Dee- I had the losing vision in half the field of vision in one eye for five minutes or so about two weeks after my AVR (at least I think that's when). It passed quickly and I took an extra aspirin- was going to my cardiologist in three days and told him then. They did a doppler study of the...

Our adult son and daughter-in-law were gardening and got into some poison ivy. Someone had recommended Zanfel to them to keep on hand and it worked wonders! It's an over-the-counter tube of stuff in the poison ivy section and isn't cheap- but a lot cheaper than a trip to the doctor! :D It might...

Regular shoes were fine for me: I wore the same things when I left that I worn when I came in. When we got back to NC I think it helped in recovery to get fully dressed every day (even though I only went for walks). Shoe size was never an issue- but then, I usually wear comfort-type sneakers :D

Norma, thanks for checking on Dawn-Marie. It's a worry when folks just seem to evaporate........ She's in my prayers. She always handles her tough situation with dignity and grace. Please let her know she's missed.

I had to think hard- because it wasn't nearly as bad as I had feared.......but I have to second Gina on the vent! Fortunately I was awake for less than two hours on it (and that was enough for me!). My lips were so dry and I just couldn't let them know the problem.