Alerion
Well-known member
Well, I would like to respond to everyone individually but I'm afraid Heidi is going to start throwing my things out on the sidewalk if i don't leave the computer for a while!
I just want to say the point of this thread is not to have someone make the decision for me. That's absurd.
My point was (and thanks Nupur for putting it so concisely) to try and get an idea of how bad one of the variables in the decision making process is. That variable is re-op, and I felt it is under-explained/represented as a major factor, despite the fact that so many folks refer to it as THE deal breaker, as in "your first consideration should be to avoid having anymore surgeries, regardless of what it entails"
I think we're all familiar with the general thrust of this side of the discussion - re-op is risky so why risk it?.
I sure as sh*t respect that philosophy but I'm not so sure I won't trade one risk I'm uncomfortable with for another that I'm more comfortable with.
Jeez! I am a wordy S.O.B.! Sorry all.
Anyway, everyone's experience is important to me, good and bad. Not because I value anecdotal info above the stats I read on medical websites or the advice of my PCP or Cardio or surgeon, but because when making this kind of decision, more information is always better.
I sense some are sick of this noob topic, as it's been worked to death here (I've been checking the archives - Yikes!) but I'm sure most of you can appreciate the fact that some of us are still in shock from the DX let alone news of impending OHS and after 4-6 hours researching online, we naturally will start asking questions of the pros.
Mary makes the point that this is, in the end, not as big a decision for her as it might be for me or someone else. That's good to hear, but it doesn't apply to me until I have her perspective, that is until I've made my choice and there's no going back.
I think it's a big deal now because it's really the only control you get over you own situation. YOU decide what valve you get (Unless other medical factor influence the decision yada yada yada) and that's a big responsibility.
Mary, did you have the same view about your decision before your surgery - that this decision was no big deal?
If so, you have stones, madam, that I cannot match.
I happen to be a fervent adherent of Pamela's idea that -
"Sh*t happens and when it does, be close to a toilet and not a fan...."
I think I've settled on a valve, mostly due to the discussions I've read here, the support I've gotten here and from my wife, and the advice of an experienced surgeon.
So this thread has been an important one for me. I'm sure other trembling newcomers are reading it with interest as well and I hope your contributions help them as they have helped me.
This thread will die and another version will appear, as has happened so many times in the past. I hope you all keep the incredible patience and generosity that's been so forthcoming on this forum. Thanks again.
Now, I have to go get my clothes out of the yard.
I just want to say the point of this thread is not to have someone make the decision for me. That's absurd.
My point was (and thanks Nupur for putting it so concisely) to try and get an idea of how bad one of the variables in the decision making process is. That variable is re-op, and I felt it is under-explained/represented as a major factor, despite the fact that so many folks refer to it as THE deal breaker, as in "your first consideration should be to avoid having anymore surgeries, regardless of what it entails"
I think we're all familiar with the general thrust of this side of the discussion - re-op is risky so why risk it?.
I sure as sh*t respect that philosophy but I'm not so sure I won't trade one risk I'm uncomfortable with for another that I'm more comfortable with.
Jeez! I am a wordy S.O.B.! Sorry all.
Anyway, everyone's experience is important to me, good and bad. Not because I value anecdotal info above the stats I read on medical websites or the advice of my PCP or Cardio or surgeon, but because when making this kind of decision, more information is always better.
I sense some are sick of this noob topic, as it's been worked to death here (I've been checking the archives - Yikes!) but I'm sure most of you can appreciate the fact that some of us are still in shock from the DX let alone news of impending OHS and after 4-6 hours researching online, we naturally will start asking questions of the pros.
Mary makes the point that this is, in the end, not as big a decision for her as it might be for me or someone else. That's good to hear, but it doesn't apply to me until I have her perspective, that is until I've made my choice and there's no going back.
I think it's a big deal now because it's really the only control you get over you own situation. YOU decide what valve you get (Unless other medical factor influence the decision yada yada yada) and that's a big responsibility.
Mary, did you have the same view about your decision before your surgery - that this decision was no big deal?
If so, you have stones, madam, that I cannot match.
I happen to be a fervent adherent of Pamela's idea that -
"Sh*t happens and when it does, be close to a toilet and not a fan...."
I think I've settled on a valve, mostly due to the discussions I've read here, the support I've gotten here and from my wife, and the advice of an experienced surgeon.
So this thread has been an important one for me. I'm sure other trembling newcomers are reading it with interest as well and I hope your contributions help them as they have helped me.
This thread will die and another version will appear, as has happened so many times in the past. I hope you all keep the incredible patience and generosity that's been so forthcoming on this forum. Thanks again.
Now, I have to go get my clothes out of the yard.
