Eileen's Journal

Rex Austin   Hey Eileen.  I was told by one surgeon that replacement was my only option for my severly leaking mitral valve.  Done some research and found a doctor that was confident he could repair mine so thats the route I took.  Sincerely hope you get along great with your new valve.  It's a life changing event for sure!

Eileen Rivera Orench  Thanks Andrea, Grace, Raymond, Ana, Rose, Rob, Pamela, Rich, Klara, Rex!  
Rex, my mitral valve was in pretty bad shape and couldn’t be repaired.  I knew a replacement was a possibility. I struggled a lot before surgery, trying to decide which valve to choose in case replacement was necessary.  I went with a mechanical valve because, hopefully, I will have it for the rest of my life.  I definitely don’t want to go through another heart surgery. 
My life has changed. I will have to take medications everyday forever, but I’m working on taking good care of myself and to Keep on Ticking. My brand new On-X valve is pretty quiet! 
I’m happy your valve can be repaired. My best wishes to you and everyone.

Andrea Babcock  Thank you so much for sharing your experience Eileen and continued best wishes for your recovery. My husband Dean is getting all the pre-ops done currently. He needs open heart surgery to replace his Mitral and Aortic valve due to severe regurgitation. I have been reading a lot about On-X valves and they sound like a very good option. He will also opt for Mechanical valves since he is 64 and we hope will have a long life without another heart surgery. Good to hear that the On-X valve is fairly quiet. 

Susan Lynn  Eileen- It is a big decision, but you have a very experienced surgeon. More than 90% of mitral valves are repaired - my surgeon didn't even have me select an artificial option. But, if I had to, I probably would have picked mechanical because I never wanted to go through surgery again. However, after considering a life on blood thinners and the advances in medicine, a bio valve would now be my choice. Choose what's right for you and your lifestyle. I'll be cheering for you on December 1 as I celebrate my own 6th mitral valve repair anniversary!

  For my Aortic valve I went with the cow valve I didn’t want to be on blood thinners the rest of my life . I hope to get off bp meds one day  i feel the less meds is better but just my opinion

Abhishek Sharma  Well if you are 58 than most of people suggest biological valve  .. because no more blood thinners.   But at last its depends on u. 

Leti Tenner  You're in the right place to get lots of useful information, Eileen. Everyone has a very different experience, but it's all very informative. Take care!

Eileen Rivera Orench  Annette Sterzel, hopefully mitral valve repair, but doctor said we won’t know until he sees my heart during surgery.