Guestbook of Suzanne Finn

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Suzanne Finngot a new guestbook post

2277 days ago

Mike T posted a note for Suzanne that says:

Hi Suzanne, I am just reading your story now. I hope you are doing well. Like you, I have had a murmur for as long as I can remember and was never alerted ...Read more

Hi Suzanne, I am just reading your story now. I hope you are doing well. Like you, I have had a murmur for as long as I can remember and was never alerted to the fact that it could be attributed to something serious. At 40 (this year), my doctor referred me to a cardiologist based on our conversation and the fact that I had never had an echo. I had an echo which revealed a bicuspid valve and moderate stenosis. I am now on a yearly schedule to have an echo and follow-up. You mentioned that you went 30 years getting an echo yearly with a few progressions during that time. Can I ask what your baseline AVA/Jet velocities were and how quickly they progressed? This is all fairly new to me and I am trying to read as much as I can to educate myself as to what I should/can expect on the years to come. This site has been a great resource. I am very thankful to Adam and all of you that take the time to post here. It is definitely much easier to deal with when you know you are not alone. Thank you.

Suzanne Finn Mike, Just saw this message. I only check in once in a while these. I don’t have all my numbers a ... Read more

Suzanne Finn Mike, Just saw this message. I only check in once in a while these. I don’t have all my numbers along the years, but I know for the last few years my valve was less than 1/2 of normal. I’d had some symptoms for a while: palpitations, pressure, dizziness... but it all came to a head rather quickly over a span of 3-4 months last fall. Mostly great fatigue with increase in palpitations and shortness of breath with limited exercise. Now with my new valve, I am amazed on a daily basis how good I am feeling. You really don’t realize how the diseased valve is really impacting daily life. All the best to you. Hang in there.

Suzanne Finngot a new guestbook post

2445 days ago

John Formby posted a note for Suzanne that says:

Hi Suzanne - really great to read your story. Like yourself I opted for the mechanical valve during my recent operation on the basis that I’m 58 and do not ...Read more

Hi Suzanne - really great to read your story. Like yourself I opted for the mechanical valve during my recent operation on the basis that I’m 58 and do not want to run the risk of having to have a further operation in my 70’s. I had my aortic value replaced at Papworth Hospital in the UK on 29 January this year and im now into my 6th eeek post op. Everything is going well, I’m up and about, walking and have recently resumed driving. I do get tired in the afternoons but my Rehab course starts in two weeks and that hopefully will build up my strength and stamina. If there is a downside it’s that I’ve been told that I’m a warfarin “lifer” and will need regular blood checks to manage my INR. Over the last week or two I have been researching all issues around vitamin k consumption and the impact on my INR. This is making me confused and somewhat depressed. What I’m struggling with is the recommendation to have a consistent intake of vitamin K. Both my wife and I enjoy our green vegetables ( cabbage, spinach, broccoli, etc) which are high in vitamin K and also other high foods including mayo, green salads and coleslaw, but I’m unsure as to what is meant by a consistent intake. At the moment I’m avoiding foods with high vitamin k levels and my INR has varied in and out of my target range (2.5 - 3.0) . I do want to reintroduce these foods into my diet as I do enjoy them but am struggling to understand how best to go about this. Do I really have to have a small portion of foods with a high level of vitamin K everyday or is there a better way to go this? I would be extremely grateful to hear of your own experiences and would welcome any thoughts and advice you may have. In the meantime I wish you well as you move into the next phase and you look forward to your return to work. I’m hoping to start this phase in May 😁 Thank you John

Jim Harvey Hi John,
I am having OHS next month, mitral valve. It may be repaired if possible, but if not either ... Read more

Jim Harvey Hi John,
I am having OHS next month, mitral valve. It may be repaired if possible, but if not either artificial or mechanical replacement.
I've read stories about the mechanical causing ongoing clicking sounds to the point of not being able to sleep. I'm pretty thin, so concerned about that. What has your experience been?
thanks,
Jim

Rita Savelis John, most people have a fairly consistant intake of the foods they normally eat, vitamin k or not. S ... Read more

Rita Savelis John, most people have a fairly consistant intake of the foods they normally eat, vitamin k or not. So you can adjust your anticoagulants to what you normally eat. INR will go up and down but you will get to a point (weeks or months down the line) where you are more stabilised.
I eat everything and haven't changed my lifestyle on anticoagulants, but I remember feeling disheartened at the beginning.

John Formby Hi Jim . I wish you well for next month. To date I haven’t really noticed a clicking noise at all. ... Read more

John Formby Hi Jim . I wish you well for next month. To date I haven’t really noticed a clicking noise at all. I do get a “thumping” noise which is more noticeable during the evening when I am in bed. It is more noticeable when lying on my left hand side but quite often,when I am on my right hand side, it is hardly noticeable. The noise doesn’t really bother me and I’m sure that it will settle down over the coming weeks - fingers crossed 🤞
Regards

John

John Formby Hi Rita- many thanks for your reply which gives me encouragement. As you have highlighted, it is stil ... Read more

John Formby Hi Rita- many thanks for your reply which gives me encouragement. As you have highlighted, it is still early days and I need to be patient to see what works and what doesn’t and hopefully, when I’m further on with the journey I will be able to manage my diet effectively. Again - thank you for the encouraging words.

John

Suzanne Finn Hi John, My doc and nurses all recommended to keep eating what I would normally eat and they'd adjus ... Read more

Suzanne Finn Hi John, My doc and nurses all recommended to keep eating what I would normally eat and they'd adjust my coumadin levels. This took awhile as I wasn't really eating my normal until about a month post surgery. I've only been in my window, 2-3 for about 4 weeks. I also enjoy my greens. I add some to myegg whites in the morning and have a salad for lunch or dinner. I haven't shied away from the veggies.
Building stamina also took quite a while. This is week 15 post surgery for me and I am back to work for two weeks, that was an adjustment. Today, I must my own INR Home meter. This will make testing easier without the trips to clinic.
Hang in there, it seems a bit overwhelming at first, but pretty soon it all seems normal. Best wishes in cardiac rehab.

John Formby Thanks Suzanne. I’ve been keeping to veggies that are in the medium to low Vitamin K range for now ... Read more

John Formby Thanks Suzanne. I’ve been keeping to veggies that are in the medium to low Vitamin K range for now but have recently started adding small amounts of high vit K to my diet at lunch times with salads and coleslaws. INR slighly above target last week, but will be interesting to see my next results.
Thanks for the advice and your supportive comments

John

Suzanne Finngot a new guestbook post

2446 days ago

Eric Stromerson posted a note for Suzanne that says:

Hi Suzanne, glad your recovering well. I'm getting an ON X valve soon. I saw on your story that you sent home after 3 days?! Wow, that seems quick.

Suzanne Finn Yeah, we were surprised too. Docs had said 4-7, but all was going well. It was a bit nerve wrecking ... Read more

Suzanne Finn Yeah, we were surprised too. Docs had said 4-7, but all was going well. It was a bit nerve wrecking for a few days, but they sent in home nurses twice a week for 4 weeks, that was a big help. Fortunately, our HMO covered all but minimal co-pays. Best wishes as you embark on this journey. You'll be feeling better in no time, stay positive and keep moving, it helps.

Suzanne Finngot a new guestbook post

2528 days ago

Patrick Loy posted a note for Suzanne that says:

Hi Suzanne Sounds like your going really well - enjoy the new valve - I am in my 9th week of recovery. I see you have posted a great picture of yourself and ...Read more

Hi Suzanne Sounds like your going really well - enjoy the new valve - I am in my 9th week of recovery. I see you have posted a great picture of yourself and the hubby hiking in Ireland. Myself and my wife Ruth hike a lot around Ireland we live close to the Mournes & Slieve Gullion - we have hiked in Peru Austria & the states - I think it has been a big help in my recovery. Stay strong and enjoy the road ( Hills ahead) Pat

Suzanne Finn Thanks for the words of encouragement. We live near the Adirondack Mtns in NY and hope to get back h ... Read more

Suzanne Finn Thanks for the words of encouragement. We live near the Adirondack Mtns in NY and hope to get back hiking there this spring/summer. We've enjoyed three trips to Ireland, last spring to the Kenmare area - loved it. Hope to get back to Scotland for more adventures as well. Happy Holidays, keep on treking.