Anthony's Guestbook

Anthony Copeland-Parker  All you have to do is set a date for each and then put a plan together and then follow the plan. There will be setbacks but with your level of determination I am sure you will accomplish each of them. I do have second thoughts about my artificial valve and the warfarin and all I have to do with that and the complications it has caused but the past is the past and I don't dwell on it. Glad you were able to by pass all of that.
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Ginger, as you well know and probably more than others that nothing in life is easy. Using a home meter and not very good at it so I get bad readings every now and then. That is my story and I am sticking to it. Probably going to change meters since I changed insurance and the one that I am using is now out of network. Put me on a new Ace Inhibitor and only have to take it is my BP is either over 140 or 90. That is great motivation to eat right and exercise more. Off on a running cruise Friday so that should also help. All else is going well and great hearing from you.
Stay strong and inspire others.
Tony C-P

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Terrie
I must say I have cut back on posting here. I am setting up a blog of my travels. I will give you the information on the site via email and also let you know when it is up and running. Speaking of which, you are correct still going strong and think I have my INR numbers figured out. All that I will say is operator error. Hate to admit but it is what it is.
Talk to you later.
Anthony
Ha Ha

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Neil
That is fantastic. I remember the good old days when I could do a 4:09. Actually that was 4 years ago in Logan UT. I started running marathons when I was 45 and only planned on running one so you have a two year head start. Pretty sure I will get my medical back after 6 months after surgery but I am going to retire at the end of the year so might only be able to get my last flight in. Off to Des Moines for Marathon number 54 so thanks for the well wishes. I am sure I will need it since it looks like a hilly cource. It is also my understanding that the FAA only makes you wait 3 months if you get a valve repair instead of replacement like I did. I will follow along and wish you a speedy recovery. You will hear this all along the process but I will throw it out now. Being in great shape like you are will help a lot with recovery.
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Anthony
I must say that I went back and forth on the mechanical valve issue. I went into the surgery without ever taking any meds and the thought of taking a blood thinner was not very appealing to me. The fact that this same drug is used as rat poison did not help matters. I asked all of my three doctors their thoughts and most simply gave me the pros and cons of a mechanical versus bovine valve. I am sure you have done the research and my decision was particularly tough since my age of 59 put me on the cut off of going either way. They recommend mechanical valves for folks younger and bovine for folks order.
I looked at it this way. With my level of activity and how I look at life I think of myself as being younger than my chronological age so that had me leaning towards a mechanical valve. That coupled with not wanting to ever have surgery like this again led me down the path of mechanical. They say in 15 or so years when the bovine valve would need be replaced they will be able to do all these type of surgeries through the groin. I will be in my mid 70’s and that would still be major surgery. Also they say the mechanical valve that I have in 5 years or so they might have enough data to change the blood thinning requirements for the better.
Last but not least my surgeon is slightly older and a runner and when asked what he would do if it was him, with out hesitation, he said he would go with the mechanical valve. Mentally I think I would always have a fear that I would just wear out the bovine valve and that the mechanical will last way past me. I have not ill effects of the valve at all. In certain situations you can hear it click when closing but that is only when it is very quiet and you are either standing or sitting. I never hear it while sleeping and in most cases when I do hear it I do not pay it any attention.
The requirement of having your blood tested is the other consideration. For me I went in to my cardiologist once a week and within 15 minutes I was out the door after a simple finger prick. Once the number is stable you can go longer in between testing but studies have showed that people that test once a week do a much better of staying within the limits established by your doctor. I will be getting a home test monitor since I have been at this 3 months, which is a insurance requirement.
I have had no ill effects of Coumadin however I ended staying in the hospital a few extra days since it took awhile to get the INR number to where they wanted. I did see other folks leave a few days before me and was told that it all depends on the individual. Not a big deal, since I had to travel by plane back home after surgery it was good to have that extra time to recuperate in the hospital under the care of professionals.
I must admit that alcohol is an item listed on the prohibit list. The reason being is two fold. Folks that drink have a tendency to get themselves in situations where they might end up with an accident of some sort. The other is that will also thin your blood so drinking on top of taking a blood thinner is not a good idea. I am an occasional drinker and my numbers have been very staple and as a matter of fact once got into the desired range the dosage has been the same. I have two reminders set and I have not missed a day. I do eat a little something before taking it since I did notice it can upset your stomach on an empty stomach.
They will give a list of foods to avoid or eat in moderation and other over the counter meds to stay away from but if you eat a healthy diet it should not be a problem. For me if I had to do it all over again I would make the same decision every time. It remains to be seen if it was the right decision but in life there are many decisions that you make that are similar.
I do wear a Coumadin bracelet and have given up riding my bike from fear of bleeding out if I was to have an accident. I have been told by professionals that if you were in an accident and quickly under the care of a professional they have meds they can give you to thicken you blood back to normal range immediately.
I hope I answered all your questions and you can write me directly at Flyprkr@aol.com if you have any more questions.
Much surgery with your up coming and remember they do this everyday and no matter which way you go you will feel much better on the other side of surgery.
Tony

Anthony Owens  Tony, thank you so much! You're a wealth of information. I have made the decision to go the mechanical valve because I do not want to have this surgery again. I certainly hope the blood thinner requirements change in the future with technology and medical advances. Thanks for your emaiI, I'll keep you posted. You're a rock star man!

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Sandra
Fortunately the closes I have come to any of that is sometime I stand up to quick and get dizzy. Under normal conditions no problems. Hope it clears up for you soon.
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Terrie
It does take a village.
There is no way I can fail with the support that I have.
Thanks
Anthony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Terrie
After all you have been thru and you still found a way to say just what I needed to hear. I know the feeling of being out their and wondering how far you are away from home. Many a day I have worried while running that something would happen and would I make it back or would anybody be able to help if something was to happen. It got better over time bit then the concern shifted to did I bite off more than I can chew with the goal of Berlin so soon after my surgery. Each training run had both good and bad news. Yes I was able to get the mileage done bit felt worst than anticipated. Mostly just out of shape with out of breath or legs feeling like they weighted 100 pounds each. Some days were better than other bit always something that would make me wonder as the days ticked away with Bwrlin getting closer and closer.
The other problem is the web site. It must be me but I get so frustrated trying to figure it out. It must be a left brain right brain and no brain thing. So I found myself doing more reading than responding like before. Not all that sure of people are getting my responses or where they are going on the first place. Some cases a response is not always meant for the world.
I did have a set back bit it pales by comparison. The FAA just told me that for valve replacements they want 6 month before I can fly again. I was hoping for 3 months which was up last week. That puts me at the middle of December to apply and two months to review so I might have already had my last flight. After 37 years I really wanted it to end on my terms but as long as I can keep running I will be okay.
That brings me all the way around to the feeling you described. I had that two days ago on a slow 4 mile run. Took it easy and it all seemed to come together. I was able to process the bad news from the FAA and day dream about running with 20 thousand of my closes friends while sight see one step at a time.
I will be sure to post the experience and thanks for helping me get to the starting line
Anthony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Julia
Thanks for the info. Never was much good at swimming but did a lot of it training for the Iron Man several years ago. My form was really bad but maybe this time around I will do a better job. Thanks for the good luck on the Marathon. Did 14 miles the other day and that was my longest since my last Marathon in April before my Surgery. I guess I will just have to figure out a way to fake the last 12 miles. Actually felt pretty good but kind of worried which is unlike me. I will let everyone know how it goes.
Thanks again and once again glad all is going well with you.
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Eleanor
As you wroter about the fact that we are all different reminded me of how I noticed that. I prepared for the worst and was happily surprised when that event was not as bad as I expected.
I see you are paying it forward with your detailed advise to those behind you.
Very helpful insights and I am sure they will hep many. I know that my writing really helped me get all those experiences out in the open to help me recover. I trust the same is true with you.
Thanks
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Ginger
Seems as though we walked hand in hand along in the journey. I see you are well on your way and offering advise to others as we both tried to pay it forward. I appreciate all your encouragement and smiles along the way.
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Julia
I was reading over your last entry and noticed the comments about your fast heart rate.
My surgeon putting me on Beta Blockers and Ace inhibitors to slow my Heart Rate back down and to lower my blood pressure. I thought it was going to be temporary but when I went in for my 6 week post op exam with my cardiologist he kept me on the sam dosage. Not sure what meds your are on but might want to look into the ones I mentioned. It seems a faster HR is one of the by products of surgery.
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Terrie
You should also write while in retirement. You always seem to give me goose bumps reading your words of encouragement or laughing out loud on your day to day stories.
I look forward to reading more about your journey as we all pay it forward to those along side of and those behinds us on this journey.
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Lynn
You are right about that, it's never too late. Looks like you are trying very hard to start a new chapter after surgery. Take it slow but keep at it and the rewards will be great. Running marathons is not for everyone but getting and keeping fit is for everyone.
Glad I could pay it forward and hope to encourage others along the way.
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Mike
Glad I could be of some help.
Time will start to speed up now.
Try your best to remain calm and have confidence in the great team of surgeons and nurses that are going to take great care of you. You will be surprised how fast you will bounce back. I will be following along and sending encouragement your way.
I am 8 weeks post surgery and ran 7 miles in the heat of Atlanta Ga this past weekend.
Tony

Anthony Copeland-Parker  Sorry it has taken me awhile to respond. Going back to work has taken away all my free time but it was not as bad as I had thought it would be. Will keep Disney as an consideration. Looking forward to seeing you and the cast of characters in the Caribbean.
Tony