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I can't believe it's been three years since my valve replacement. I feel good and am even getting used to the ticking of the mechanical valve. Thanks for all the support I've gotten from this forum over the past few years. Ian

It was two years ago today that I received my mechanical aortic valve. I feel very good and other than having a scary high INR once when I was on antibiotic for an unrelated condition I have had no problems. Thanks to everyone for all the support. Ian Howes

I've been on coumadin for two years since my valve replacement surgery. I self test/dose and have been able to maintain my range of 2.5-3.5 with very little playing around. I usually alternate between 6 and 7 mgs/day. Last week I had a bout of diverticulitis and the Dr. put me on two very...

I am excited. I got my home tester yesterday and can now join the ranks of self testers. It is a long story. My PCP didn't know too much about self testing and it would have been an uphill battle to explain the benefits to him. My Cardiologist knew more but his attitude was one of "why...

Well here I am three weeks and two days after surgery. I've never noticed but it looks to me in the pictures that I must have blown a stitch in the middle. I think it was when I had to sneeze and couldn't find my pillow so I tried to hold it in. What a mistake. Oh well, hope my shirt and...

First I get a new Aortic Valve and now my oldest daughter has given birth to my first grandson. He was born at 7:01 EST today, March 6, 2009. He weighed in at 7lbs 10oz. They have named him Mateuzs. My only regret is that they are way over in Montreal and I'm in Victoria. I'm sure in a...

Hello everyone, I realized I haven't posted an update for a while. I am still home after my little set back and I am feeling pretty good. I am walking three times a day and am up to 14 minutes each outing. Luckily the weather has cooperated and I've been able to get to the park across the...

Hi everyone, Just a quick note to let everyone know that I'm home again. I'm feeling pretty good, a lot better than last Thursday. I'm just hoping that this is the real thing this time. Rose and I are both a little afraid but I felt so good this morning. Ian

Ian is doing better but he is still in CCU...still a little bit of blood in his heart but not enough to drain...couldnt confirm if the bleed has stopped completely...a bit of a worry hemoglobin dropped a bit overnight but just a bit..All in all he seems better...hope it keeps up...Rose

I think he is getting a little better.Tomorrow the ultra sound will show if the bleed has completely stopped. And the cultures will show if the fever is viral or bacterial. Keep your fingers crossed ...Rose

Ian is a bit better.. the ultra sound showed that the bleed around the heart has stopped so they removed the catheter drain from his heart...His hemoglobin has climbed up a bit so they have decided to hold off on the blood transfusion.. His heart rhythms are good, colour is good, spirits are...

A week after surgery Ian was rushed to the hospital in A fib...His body was able to correct itself to normal rhythms after a few hours but.... he is so weak and pale his hemoglobin is way low... 82 ...so they discovered and internal bleed around his heart ...this was causing his heart distress...

Hi everyone, Well, your two steps forward, one back seems to be true. Yesterday I didn't think I'd be home until Thursday at the earliest and this morning the surgeon comes in and asks if I was ready to go home? I'm was a bit nervous, especially after my episode yesterday but after last night...

Ian had a bit of a setback today.His blood pressure dropped and he collapsed after leaving a coumadin seminar. He hasn't been able to eat much of anything and has had a bit of tingling in his right hand...For each two steps forward he seems to get one step back...So he is back on oxygen and...

Ian is still doing better and better...the fluid in his tissues added 12 lbs to his pre-surgical weight so the Doctor prescribed something to make him pee like crazy and he is lost all puffiness. He is off oxygen and has done a flight of stairs He might come home tomorrow if his heart beat...

I am so happy to say Ian is doing much better. I phoned the hospital late last night cause I couldn't sleep and they said he was sleeping well and doing good. That made me feel so much better... And today he looked great!!! He is off all IV meds and his catheter is gone... he is free to move...

Ian is still in the CVU and I am kinda relieved cause they are so good to him there...His pain is almost gone but now he is really nauseated and throws up...I think it is kind of a vicious circle with the pain meds making him sick but if they lessen his pain medication he gets pain...

Ian had a difficult night ...a lot of pain..not much sleep...had to have an ECG ? to rule out heart attack... Dr feels he has endo cartitis??? (inflamation in the lining of the heart)...I am a bit teary...I hate seeing him in pain...hopefully it will be better soon..he is still in CVU and they...

Ian is doing really good...His chest tubes are out !!! intravenous on right arm out !!! hasn,t had gravol since am....he is getting hungry ( smile)...nausea gone dizziness gone.....colour good...still in CVU but it is only cause there are no beds on the heart ward. Ian is in an incredible...

Ian was sitting up again and in no pain ...a bit nauseated still hasn't had anything to eat yet. Gets really dizzy when he moves... I am a bit worried...but ..he has walked a bit...I was sent home so he could rest better and will go back about 2:00 pm ....more tubes are coming out ...