Robert's Journal

Mike Roskowinski  Sorry to hear Robert. I feel your pain as I was stuck in the hospital for two weeks. It is not fun but it will be great when you go home.

Joey Hardee  What Mike said. :-)) Sorry about the irregular heartbeats. I'll keep praying you get over those and get home soon!

Joy Vera  Best that they keep you until they can get your heart rhythm straightened out but surely they'll get you home soon!

Rose Madura  I agree with Joy. I was released twice only to be brought back by ambulance because of arrhythmia issues. Hopefully, they will keep you until all is well. Trust me, as much as you want to get home, you don't want to go home until you are ready.

Julie M  Prayers for all to go well for you, Robert. May this third time be the charm! Clearly, you are a strong person & as long as you know God is with you, all will be well. Blessings...

  Praying that all goes well for you Robert and that you have a successful surgery on the 23rd and a complete and total recovery afterwards.
By God's grace you will be just fine my fellow heart warrior!
Peace and blessings to you.

Susan Lynn  Robert- You are a heart warrior and will put this surgery in the rearview mirror before you know it! You're mentally prepared and will do just fine! All the best! ❤

Michael Greco  Just read your story, Robert. I’m Mike’s wife posting under his name, since he’s the patient. Mike’s surgery scheduled for 6/10 will be his 5th one, so he’s in a similar spot, emotionally. His last one was 17 years ago, and he got a mechanical aortic valve at that time. He’s been on Coumadin since. I didn’t know him immediately after surgery, we first met about a year later, so I can’t comment about any initial period of getting used to the blood thinners, but in the time we’ve been together, other than remembering to take his pill, he’s had no issues with it. In the past 6 or 7 years things got even simpler since he is able to test his INR at home. We try to maintain a healthy diet in general, so we eat a variety of leafy greens and chickpeas and beans that contain Vitamin K, but as long as we remain relatively consistent with this, his Coumadin levels don’t require adjustment often. The only issue I can remember was from 10 years ago, when he was enjoying his woodworking hobby, and the jointer amputated the tips off three fingers. The local ER first gave him a large dose of vitamin K to stop the bleeding, which was only partially successful, but completely threw off his INR levels for a while. Eventually, things got back on track, but it did take several dose corrections and more regular testing to get the right dose dialed in again. Other than that and the ticking, which as I have mentioned in previous posts we see as a positive, the mechanical valve has not slowed him down at all! I’m sure your experience will be just as great, as long as you stay away from hungry power tools!

Louanna Miller  One day at a time Robert. I had mitral valve repair last August. I sure hope it last the remainder of my life. Can’t imagine another OHS.

You’ve been through it before and you will be on the other side of surgery soon. Just do what you know you have to do. Be gentle with yourself as you face this surgery and recovery.

Naomi Gray  Hi Robert, welcome to this group! For me, joining this group was the best thing I did as a part of my preparation for my heart valve surgery journey.

Susan Lynn  Welcome, Robert! Sorry to read that your mitral valve requires replacement, but there are many options that may be available to you and many valves are being replaced via less invasive procedures. Do your research, get multiple opinions, and make an informed decision. I'm a fairly recent mv repair heart warrior, myself, and also think about what I might do if I am in need of a replacement. Wishing you all the best! ❤

Rob Sparling  Welcome aboard, Robert. This is the train ride of a life time and these are the people to ride with. Hold on tight and keep looking forward! Please start reading our journals and you will find that you will transform and be ready for whatever God puts in front of you (with the medical science carrying a heavy load as well).