Search results

Hi All! I haven't been online much since going back to work full time - life is pretty hectic. I am now 4 months out and most things are going well I think with a few minor problems I wanted to ask you all to see if anyone has experienced. One thing that just started to happen is when I...

I'm just wondering how long is it safe to be out of INR range when the risk increases for blood clots. My INR was either at the bottom of range or just below in the checks in the hospital but after leaving it peaked above range and has fallen out of range since. Is it usually a gradual...

This is just bouncing off of Coach14's thread about trouble feeling motivated after returning to work. Was wondering how much time off working every takes and do you think you had enough time? My employer has given me 12 weeks or however long I need, but I was considering returning at 8 weeks...

Hi all, I just can't believe how incredibly good my incision is looking, I just have to share. I don't know if this is how everyone's looks, but I am amazed at how the skin heals. I am attaching a photo, I hope you can see it. (Guys - ignore the cleavage!) I am now 3 weeks post op, my...

Wondering if this is common or if I'm being a baby, but my pain seems to be increasing. I am almost 2 weeks post op and know I do have weeks to go before feeling good again, but didn't think I would have more pain. I do feel numbness in my chest but I think some of the feeling is coming back...

Hello everyone! I made it through! I just read through all your posts and thanks so much for all your well wishes and prayer. I am feeling much better today. The first few days were alittle rough and the vent tube was really horrible. As I was coming out of sedation I started gagging and...

Hi Everyone! Wanted to give a quick post to say thanks for all your great support. My surgery is tomorrow and so far this morning I am doing OK. Just in "take care of business" mode right now. It's going to be a long day but I have plenty to keep me busy so it does not drag out. It seems...

My doctor is hoping to do a mini-sternotomy to replace my aortic valve. He said this should be possible as long as there are no other problems and he only needs to work on the aortic valve. He'll do a 4-5" incision, move a portion of bone to the side and go through the aorta to access the...

I was thinking about my boy and when would be a good time for him to come see me following surgery. He is 5 1/2 and just the light of my life - I think he's my guardian angel because my life has changed for the better since he came into my life. (He the one in the picture with me at my oldest...

Well - I have a surgery date now - September 9th. I am feeling stressed, anxiety, relieved, emotional all at once, I guess this is normal. I had a good cry tonight so that should help me deal with all the arrangements at work tomorrow. So embarrassing to burst into tears in the bosses office...

I am in the decision stage now of which valve to choose, my surgeon is leaning toward mechanical and cardio likes tissue for me. I am 44 and I really don't know what would be best. I am currently not that active, but have an active 5 year old who is a very busy fellow. I am not too active...

I was wondering if anyone else has had this same experience with the correlation between pressures and valve area. My valve area has rapidly decreased and is down to .63-.70 but my pressures are still within the normal range. My cardio does not know why the heart is not increasing pressure to...

I finally made it home from my first cath - was in hospital for 9 hours. Everything started out good this morning, no delays. During the procedure everything was looking good, pressures were still good. When Doc tried to get cath through aortic valve he was having quite a bit of trouble. It...

My cath is scheduled for tomorrow very early am. I am first on the schedule so good thing --- no delays. I am a bit nervous but thanks to everyone here I do feel better. I have had excruciating headaches this week though and wondering if that will effect me tomorrow. I did not think they...

Well I just met with new cardiologist and was very happy with the meeting. Although he is not convinced surgery should be performed soon, he wants to do the angiogram first to be sure echos are correct. If echos are confirmed surgery will likely be scheduled within 3 months. I am a bit...

I haven't been on this site in several weeks, my mom had emergency surgery (not heart related) and now she has moved in with us. She is 82 and can not live alone any longer. (All new stresses in my house.) Anyway, starting to get little freaked out about surgery. I saw a surgeon and felt...

Sorry guys I need to vent..... I just picked up all my records from my current cardiologist office - the one who didn't bother to evaluate my echo from 9 months ago with the one I had last month until I asked him about how they compared. Well, my last visit was 2 weeks ago and I was reading...

I have noticed many of you have aortic aneurysms and just wondered on the thought if it could be hereditary. I was reading that if a family has had this I should get it checked. My echos have only been of my "heart" evaluating the valves and not checking the complete aorta down to abdomen. My...

Was wondering if anyone has heard of taking statins - like Crestor - for valve calcification? My cholesterol is good but my doc put me on Crestor and his reason was it has been found to help the calcification in the valves. My pharmacist had never heard of such a thing so I really don't know...

Hi, I am new to this site - found it while searching around to learn more about Aortic Valve replacement. My doctor tells me I will need valve replacement some time in the near future but will not elude to how long. I have a bicuspid aortic valve and have known about a "heart murmur" since I...