New member saying howdy and THANK YOU

[KathyS]

I stumbled onto this site and WOW, amazed that I'm not alone! I was so young (21 Years old) when my first MVR unexpectadly occurred. I was injured at a car wash and got very sick....leading to endocarditas and had to replace my Mitral valve. 16 years later, my porcine got tired and that was replaced with a St. Jude mechanical.
My visits to the cardiologist were lonely...everyone in the waiting room was 30 years my senior and I felt so alone...nobody my age could relate. Many years have gone by and I still feel the same alone feeling. My friends don't get it, and most of them really don't know...
But when I found this site, I found a family of "get it" people! Even though you don't know me...I've read some of the posts and some of your profiles and guess what You GET IT! Thank you so much for this site Hank! What a wonderful resource.
Loving life and not so alone anymore! Thanks!
PS> I need to add that I've had my MMV since 2001 and still ticking...just went to Cardio doc Thursday...and he put me on Beta Blockers for the few palps I've been having...hopefully make me more comfortable! I already feel a tremendous relief.

 

[malibu82]

hi kathy! welcome to the site. i felt the same as you. at 27 i didn't have anyone to relate to until i found this site! nobody else can quite understand what we have and are going through

 

[AgilityDog]

Heck, I'm 51 and I'm still the youngest person in the cardio's waiting room! And no one believes I can still chase my dog around an obstacle course for fun.

 

[Mentu]

Kathy, I'm glad you found VR. It has certainly been a valuable resource for me since I started having significant symptoms in over two years ago. It is also good to share experiences from which we all benefit. Take care.

 

[Missy]

Kathy S, I love this story!
It is true that the only ones that get it are those that have been though it. And even if we haven't experienced the same problems we each have our own and can empathize with others.
Welcome to our group.

 

[MarkU]

Welcome, Kathy. You're right, there's lots of good folks here. I was 47 when I had my AVR and felt like a kid at the time - I think the average age in my recovery ward was about 75. That was 10 years ago, so now I'm getting to be one of the old guys!
All the best,
Mark

 

[Greg a]

A BIG BLUE RIBBON WELCOME TO OUR OHS FAMILY

 

[buncle]

Kathy we do "Get it". And your not alone anymore! Glad you found us.

 

[nngbwh]

Kathy, I just want to say and Hi and welcome you aboard. I'm glad you found a second home.

 

[neil]

welcome aboard.................

 

[Kathy McCain]

Welcome Kathy!

You've come to the right place. Lots of great supportive people on this forum!

Take care

 

[traveler]

Kathy,

Enjoy the forum!

 

[Jkm7]

Hi Kathy and Welcome.
This site has been suc a support for so many people.
I don't know how I would have gotten through my second OHS without being able to come here.
Happy you found us.

 

[Lily]

I remember how relieved I was when I found this site too. I found it interesting that your porcine tissue valve lasted sixteen years? Nice to read; mine's almost have that age, but in the aortic position. Welcome to the site and best wishes

 

[normofthenorth]

Lily, that pig valve didn't just last 16 years, it lasted 16 years after being implanted in a 21-year-old! Even in the newest and best studies, I think that's got to be better than average.

Kathy, you don't have to be a youngster like you, to appreciate the community here (though it probably helps). Those of us who are especially fascinated by our own condition, our progress, and the whole field of valve-replacement medicine and science that we've been unwillingly SHOVED into, we all tend to have WAY more interest and patience in this subject than anybody we know!

And it's not just true for valve-replacement, but ANY medical condition! Just as parents of young kids, or owners of poodles, find each other's stories fascinating -- while their friends, neighbours, and relatives find them BORING, that same thing happens to people with ANY medical condition! Put two of them together, and they're instant friends for life! But about two weeks after I tore my Achilles Tendon (a year ago), my Darling Wife (who's pretty close to my age) started rolling her eyes back at my stories about my latest development. ("Honey, you're not going to BELIEVE this! I just bent my ankle up past 90 degrees for the first time -- YAY!!") And now, 7 weeks after my Valve Replacement, it's exactly the same story. (How can my fluctuating INR, or the fact that my GP renewed my 2mg Warfarin prescription with one for FIVE-mg tablets, not be FASCINATING?!?) That's why I share my stories HERE, instead of boring her with them.

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi kathy,
welcome to this wonderful site. as you can see, everyone here is just so supportive and helpful. many of us have been here for years.
the site is informative, helpful, and there's so much "hand holding" and advice; as you said, we all "get it".
good to see you here.
be well,
sylvia

 

[Cooker]

Kathy, welcome to the zoo :biggrin2:

 

[Luckyguy17]

Lily, that pig valve didn't just last 16 years, it lasted 16 years after being implanted in a 21-year-old! Even in the newest and best studies, I think that's got to be better than average.

Kathy, you don't have to be a youngster like you, to appreciate the community here (though it probably helps). Those of us who are especially fascinated by our own condition, our progress, and the whole field of valve-replacement medicine and science that we've been unwillingly SHOVED into, we all tend to have WAY more interest and patience in this subject than anybody we know!

And it's not just true for valve-replacement, but ANY medical condition! Just as parents of young kids, or owners of poodles, find each other's stories fascinating -- while their friends, neighbours, and relatives find them BORING, that same thing happens to people with ANY medical condition! Put two of them together, and they're instant friends for life! But about two weeks after I tore my Achilles Tendon (a year ago), my Darling Wife (who's pretty close to my age) started rolling her eyes back at my stories about my latest development. ("Honey, you're not going to BELIEVE this! I just bent my ankle up past 90 degrees for the first time -- YAY!!") And now, 7 weeks after my Valve Replacement, it's exactly the same story. (How can my fluctuating INR, or the fact that my GP renewed my 2mg Warfarin prescription with one for FIVE-mg tablets, not be FASCINATING?!?) That's why I share my stories HERE, instead of boring her with them.

Kathy,
Welcome to the forum. It truly is a wonderful idea which allows "like" afflicted individuals to share, inform and comfort over a very large geography and across all age groups. Firsthand experience of members is so very complimentary to any information that the specialised medical practicioners can provide. You are 37 and already seasoned with 2 AVR's, whereas i had my 1st at 56 and cannot imagine having done this 35 years ago at the beginning of adult life

Norm from the North,

Very well said and worth the quote, this has been my experience as well. Pre-op and post-op, there is a relatedness that can be had with this forum, that is mostly unavailable in our smaller communities.

I, like Kathy applaud the contributing members of this forum

Best to all

Gil

 

[KathyS]

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!! My NEW BFF's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bigsidster]

KathyS wecome aboard.I am 60 years old and always think the old fart next to me is older when I am in to see my doc.I may be one of the old farts you were sitting next tld is good.Dead is bad.