Karen H - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Karen H posted a journal

2556 days ago

Shannon Gray, Wendy Evans, Barbara Wood and 4 others reacted to this

Hello friends! I am 7 Days post op of a aortic valve replacement and am doing great. I am walking around by myself and everything and hope to go home tomorrow! ...Read more

Hello friends! I am 7 Days post op of a aortic valve replacement and am doing great. I am walking around by myself and everything and hope to go home tomorrow! Anyone getting surgery soon - here is my advice: 1. Once all your chest tubes are out postop- you will feel so so much better!! 2. The pain meds they give you will possibly bother your stomach, do not be afraid to say something if they do and them adjust your dosages. Also, if you like anything with ginger in it - like ginger chews, etc that they will Allow you to have during your stay, bring some. My stomach and my appetite have been the main issue postop so be sure to try to eat crackers and drink water at least until your appetite Slowly comes back. 3. Bring throat losengers - your throat will be dry and sore and this could help! Also bring tissues and an extension cord for your phone! That’s all I have for right now - if anyone has a surgery coming up and has any question, please feel free to reach out! Would love to help Our others on here as I just went through it!!

Bonnie Stone-Hope Glad to hear you are doing so well.

Would not have thought to bring an extension cord for my phone.. ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope Glad to hear you are doing so well.

Would not have thought to bring an extension cord for my phone...........Thanks!!

Karen H No problem Bonnie! I would also suggest bring a small notebook to keep
Track of when they give you yo ... Read more

Karen H No problem Bonnie! I would also suggest bring a small notebook to keep
Track of when they give you your pain meds so you know when you can ask for them again. I forgot
To add that to the list above! Best wishes And prayers to you!

Brenda Bryson Karin, I am glad you are doing well. My surgery was originally scheduled for Nov 10th of this year. A ... Read more

Brenda Bryson Karin, I am glad you are doing well. My surgery was originally scheduled for Nov 10th of this year. A week before I got a call and now it is Jan 4th at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I am having a Aortic valve replacement and aorta stretch. Kind of nervous about it. Thanks for the tips. I will make sure I have those items.

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hi Karen, Thanks for the tip about the notebook. I will keep a written journal for sure. In our ho ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hi Karen, Thanks for the tip about the notebook. I will keep a written journal for sure. In our hospital, we can "control" our pain by a push of a button. The surgeon orders the dose/frequency of pain meds and we self-administer as needed. Easier on staff and patients!

Karen H posted a journal

2580 days ago

1 person reacted to this

Hello! Can anyone share what life is like on blood thinners? Is it doable? Side affects? Would love to hear your stories - thanks so much!

Rita Savelis Hi Karen. If you look at my journal my last long post was about life on anticoagulants. I feel for y ... Read more

Rita Savelis Hi Karen. If you look at my journal my last long post was about life on anticoagulants. I feel for you because you are young and female. There are women on this site who had children while on anticoagulants. Everything is doable, but you need to get your doctors on board. Sometimes young women get tissue valves first and then later replace them with mechanical. But you and your particular case are singular. There may be a reason your surgeon thinks a certain type of valve is a good choice. I didn't have much choice. Repeat surgery was not a good option for me. Whatever choice you make is the right choice. I only wish we all didn't have to make choices. Don't be influenced by others. Your choice will be the right choice for you.

Karen H Rita - thank you so so much for this! I just read your post and it was so so helpful!! Thank you than ... Read more

Karen H Rita - thank you so so much for this! I just read your post and it was so so helpful!! Thank you thank you for sharing your story. It was a blessing to me!

Hi Karen. I agree with Rita. It's very important that you get as much information as you need to make ... Read more

Hi Karen. I agree with Rita. It's very important that you get as much information as you need to make a decision, especially given the fact that you want to have a family.
I, like Rita, didn't have a choice. I have an On-X mechanical valve in the mitral position. I was already on Coumadin for atrial fibrillation and given the fact that I have a number of medical issues plus my age (64), the mechanical valve was the only choice. And therefore the right choice for me.
It's like Rita said "Your choice will be the right choice for you."
I don't find coumadin therapy onerous. My rule: Just be consistent with your diet and get your INR checked regularly.

Shirley L Miller Hi Karen, I have not had 2 INR's the same and I am just 7 weeks post-op, after tissue valve and 1 by- ... Read more

Shirley L Miller Hi Karen, I have not had 2 INR's the same and I am just 7 weeks post-op, after tissue valve and 1 by-pass. I live 27kms away from my GP and thats where the lab is too, so I will be very happy to get off the warfarin.I m nearly 82 and so I will broach the topic with my surgeon when I see him 29th of this month. Otherwise I feel fine, and have done since about day 12.

Karen H posted a journal

2582 days ago

Bonnie Stone-Hope reacted to this

I have 3 weeks until my surgery and trying to prepare. I have been reading up on valve replacements, what kind, etc. my husband and I are still trying to decide ...Read more

I have 3 weeks until my surgery and trying to prepare. I have been reading up on valve replacements, what kind, etc. my husband and I are still trying to decide between tissue and mechanical as I am still young and we still want to have children. Thoughts and prayers appreciated!

Ruth Howell I realize this is last minute, but have you looked for a surgeon who can do a repair instead of a rep ... Read more

Ruth Howell I realize this is last minute, but have you looked for a surgeon who can do a repair instead of a replacement?

Rose Madura Hi Karen, it's a tough decision and a very personal one. Be sure to consider pros and cons of both a ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Karen, it's a tough decision and a very personal one. Be sure to consider pros and cons of both and include you cardiologist for input. But the final decision is yours. God bless you!

Bonnie Stone-Hope Because of your young age, your decision is tougher than an older person, like me.
Thoughts and pr ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope Because of your young age, your decision is tougher than an older person, like me.
Thoughts and prayers coming for you.

Civita Fahey Karen, as Rose said, choosing a valve is a personal decision and choose what works best for you..Its ... Read more

Civita Fahey Karen, as Rose said, choosing a valve is a personal decision and choose what works best for you..Its one that we have all had to make! Your young age would push you toward a mechanical but if you want to have children being on a blood thinner would complicate things..speak with your doctor and ask as many questions as you need.. Best of luck to you and my prayers are with you.

Steven Dean Really tough decision. I am young (32 now, 31 when I had the surgery) and went with a bovine because ... Read more

Steven Dean Really tough decision. I am young (32 now, 31 when I had the surgery) and went with a bovine because of a more active lifestyle.

Karen H Thank all so very very much for your encouragement and kind comments!! I am so glad I found this comm ... Read more

Karen H Thank all so very very much for your encouragement and kind comments!! I am so glad I found this community and this is so so helpful! Thank you all!