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My surgeon is concerned about me contracting endocarditis from a urinary infection. I have a history of UTIs, because I self-catheterize, which is why a homograft valve was selected for my valve replacement last year - lowest risk of the valve itself becoming infected. I started using "closed...

A report from me .... On Monday of this week I had my 1 year echocardiogram to see how my homograft aortic valve is doing. Cardiologist said it "looks OK" which was a relief because I had been having some chest area discomfort since late January .... ER docs said it was probably...

I am seeing my cardio on Wednesday, 2 1/2 weeks before originally scheduled, 'cause I want some assurances about these twinges I've been feeling for the last month. About 56 weeks out now from my surgery. I will keep this thread in mind.

This is good to read. My cardiologist told me last May that I would experience "weird pains" for "up to a year". It's past a year (as of the 2nd of this month) and I'm still having some pain. That it can take longer than a year is oddly reassuring, given what I've been experiencing the past...

I saw my family doctor today. He concurred with the Mon General emergency department's finding that the pains I have been having are NOT cardiac in nature. So that helps me relax a little bit. :) I did have a "healthy dessert" on Wednesday to celebrate my anniversary .... low-fat vanilla...

Larry, I am thankful to God Almighty that I've made it to my one year anniversary. Looking forward to a couple of big trips this spring and summer. I've got a timeshare exchange week reserved down in Branson in early May; this would be my first time flying on a plane since my surgery. I am...

I have been looking forward to tomorrow, the 1 year anniversary of my valve replacement surgery, eagerly. To remind you, I had a homograft (human) valve done because of my past history of urinary infections ... less risk of the valve itself becoming infected. But ... The last few days I have...

6 months-plus post op .... 6 months-plus post op .... Oh my.... long time since I've checked in here. I'm slightly amazed that I remembered my password. I passed 6 months post-op at the beginning of this month. Life is pretty much back to normal. I returned to work at the beginning of May...

Hi all, I'm long overdue checking in. To refresh your memory, I was scheduled for an aortic valve replacement with a homograft valve, closure of ventricular septal defect, and Cox-Maze procedure on February 1st. The surgery went well except that they were not able to do the Cox-Maze procedure...

Just checking in real quick. Pre-op testing went fine for the most part and we are a go for tomorrow morning. INR was a little high, but they will recheck it in the morning and if necessary give me a little something to help deal with that.

I have continued to enjoy black tea, both hot and cold, these past 3 years that I have been on Coumadin for atrial fibrilation. I often enjoy a mug of "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot" (in the famous words of Captain Picard ;) ) in the morning at work. No problems with it whatsoever.

So, almost halfway from the consultation to the surgery. 15½ days to go. Still have some things to wrap up at work. I'm starting to get a little more nervous. Part of this is because I asked Dr. Lee if I had a higher risk than the average patient. He said yes, but he said he was unsure just...

Dr. Lee and his staff asked me when I had my last dental appointment. I informed them it was in November and the dentist didn't see any problems. So, they told me that was sufficient. I may still call my dentist on Monday just to be sure (she is closed on Fridays). Also, they had me ask my...

They plan to transfer me to a rehab facility when my stay at the hospital is concluded.

My surgery date is set. Tuesday, February 1st at Monongalia General Hospital here in Morgantown. My surgeon is Dr. Kee C. Lee. http://www.keecleemd.com/ He has been doing cardiac surgeries for over 25 years. My cardiologist spoke very highly of him, said his experience is comparable to some...

I just read an article on New Mobility magazine's website that floored me. http://www.newmobility.com/articleView.cfm?id=1125&action=browse Basically this guy is a paraplegic. He had open heart surgery, and afterward could not lift himself for 6-8 weeks. He became, functionally, a...

Besides this forum, I am a member on several Catholic and Christian forums/email lists. I am also active in my Catholic parish as a lector and a member of the choir. This keeps me coming back to the thought that with so many people praying for me, how can I not have success? A few weeks ago a...

I gave my friend Daryl, who is the executor of my will, a list of accounts that will need to be canceled in the event of my death. Not a complete list, but ones that might be overlooked -- especially online ones, such as my subscription to MLB.TV which is only billed once a year. If you have a...

Thank you Marcia. I met with my regular cardiologist, Dr. O'Keefe, yesterday. He spoke very highly of the surgeon, Dr. Lee. I have been seeing Dr. O'Keefe for many years and he's always taken good care of me, so his recommendation definitely helps. Thanks to everyone for the welcome!

OK, thanks Debbie. That was the answer I was looking for. I wasn't sure whether a homograft was considered a "transplant" for insurance purposes.