Suprised myself with a last minute decision...

[Karen7]

Hi Everybody,

I had my surgery Tuesday and I have thought about many, many of the threads I read here and boy, was I grateful for this resource and for all of you. I ended up making a last-minute change of valve plans -- literally within 12 hours of surgery. My surgeon called after viewing the pre-op MRI and he said the next surgery might be a problem due to the nature of my aneurysm repair and I thought my husband and mother were going to break from the stress of the impending operation. I was thinking I was too impatient and independant deal with coumadin and the dietary restrictions (by the way, when I told my son(12) that possibly I would need to limit my spinich and broccoli consumption, he thought I was joking -- it sounded too good to be true!) The day before surgery made me really re-think what I would put my family through, not to mention myself, at least three times if I were to continue to go with tissue valves.

Dr. Conte says his wife is exactly my age and if it was her, (or himself) he would choose the mech valve. We have a lot of kids and I wanted to keep the option of having one more open but it was only that, a possibility of maybe wanting one more some day in the future. Right now, seven seems like plenty.

Just before entering the OR, we asked for the mechanical valve. I am the last person that I thought would do this but ever since, I have had that peace that comes with making a good choice for myself and the people closest to me.

And, I don't know if it's just me, or if it's the latest of carbomedics valve, but I don't click :). Just a little un-looked-for bonus in a big decision.

[JimL]

Welcome to the other side of the mountain, Karen!
I have never regretted going with a mechanical valve; I don't think you will either.

[Natanni]

My husband Nathan is 34 and just had aortic valve replacement on 9/29/05 with a Carbomedics 29mm mechanical valve. He has a little click, notices it more in quiet places, but it is one the nicest little clicks I have heard :) We didn't hear it until a few days post op. They said it was due to swelling and Nathan is kind of a big chested guy. I was thinking that a 29mm was one of the larger ones, so maybe that has something to do with it. But that is only a guess, we are very new at all this!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

[Hank]

I think you made the right choice.

Regardless, I am glad that you feel good about the choice you have made. I think that you will find that coumadin isn't the demon that folks make it out to be.

I've been on it for over 6 years now and it doesn't bother me a bit..

[geebee]

Karen,

Glad to hear all is well. I am sure you will be fine with your choice. I am a 25-year coumadin junkie and have no problems.

Let us know how we can help.

[Karlynn]

Welcome home Karen. Wow, I was surprised too. Call it Holy Spirit, intuition or what not, I think when it comes down to it, that's how most of us make our choices. To go against that leading would most likely lead to future problems.

Welcome to the Valve Replacement Veterans Club.

We'll get you through the initial Managing Coumadin hump. ;) If you have one. Many people "assimilate" easily.

Since you were fairly certain you would go with a tissue valve, you may not have chosen to remember some of the Coumadin bit-o-information, so don't hesitate to ask.

A biggie - Don't diet the dose, dose the diet. (In other words, you are free to eat pretty much what you want, just be consistant. If you are a salad lover and had them just about every day - go ahead. Your Coumadin will be adjusted accordingly.)

Best wishes - bet those 7 kids just look that much more incredible now that you're on the other side of the mountain.

[CCRN]

Don't ya feel great? Now get up and eat all the broccoli, cabbage, spinach, and brussel sprouts you want. Probably don't feel like that right now but you will. I eat tons of the stuff and, other than the first few weeks, I haven't had any problems staying within my INR range. I know how you feel....I have pig and cow envy and often dream about dropping the coumadin thing. But, to tell you the truth, I'd rather dump the Beta Blocker. :)

It's great being on the other side of the hill from surgery. It's good to hear from you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for you and your family.

[Mary]

Karen,
I'm glad you went with what felt right to you. You will undoubtedly have peace of mind and no worry about trying to second guess your choice.

I heard on the mechanical/tissue valve debate with Oz and Cosgrove that approximately 90+% of the people who have valve replacement are happy with the choice they made (be it mechanical or tissue) and would choose the same valve again.

That's why each person's valve choice is THEIR valve choice. :)

[Ross]

Hi Everybody,

(by the way, when I told my son(12) that possibly I would need to limit my spinich and broccoli consumption, he thought I was joking -- it sounded too good to be true!)
Well I have news for you. You lied to him! You can have all you want, just be consistent in the amounts that you eat. Dose the diet you have, do not diet the dose. :D

[Karen7]

Welcome to the other side of the mountain, Karen!
I have never regretted going with a mechanical valve; I don't think you will either.

Thanks, Jim,
I like this side and hope to stay here forever...

[Karen7]

We didn't hear it until a few days post op. They said it was due to swelling and Nathan is kind of a big chested guy. I was thinking that a 29mm was one of the larger ones, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

Hi Annie,

You were right, I have a little click so far, nothing anyone else would be able to hear but I think when the swelling goes down more, it may be more noticeable. Mine is a 23mm. I like the sound. It reminds me of a successful surgery.

[Karen7]

I think that you will find that coumadin isn't the that folks make it out to be.

I've been on it for over 6 years now and it doesn't bother me a bit..

Hi Hank, good to hear from you. So far, so good with the thinners. It was much more demanding to watch my glucose during a diabetic pregnancy than it has been to watch my INR. :)

[Karen7]

We'll get you through the initial Managing Coumadin hump. ;) If you have one. Many people "assimilate" easily.

Since you were fairly certain you would go with a tissue valve, you may not have chosen to remember some of the Coumadin bit-o-information, so don't hesitate to ask.

A biggie - Don't diet the dose, dose the diet. (In other words, you are free to eat pretty much what you want, just be consistant. If you are a salad lover and had them just about every day - go ahead. Your Coumadin will be adjusted accordingly.)

Thanks, Karlynn,

No, I didn't read the coumadin threads very much and so I have some catching up to do but I did read some critical ones the night before surgery. So far, they have checked my INR every day and never needed to fuss with the dose.

"Dose the diet" is great advice. They were giving me potassium HORSE pills at the hospital (the were so big and so numerous that I asked for a nausea shot before I downed them the second time.) My potassium wasn't even that low...

Anyway, thanks for the help and you're right, the kids look awfully good from here.

[Karen7]

Don't ya feel great? Now get up and eat all the broccoli, cabbage, spinach, and brussel sprouts you want. Probably don't feel like that right now but you will. I eat tons of the stuff and, other than the first few weeks, I haven't had any problems staying within my INR range. I know how you feel....I have pig and cow envy and often dream about dropping the coumadin thing. But, to tell you the truth, I'd rather dump the Beta Blocker. :)

I tried to talk them into sending me home without a betablocker but my heartrate is still too high. But I know exactly what you mean.

[Karen7]

Well I have news for you. You lied to him!:D

Hi Ross,

And I have news for you: unfortunately, it's not the first time! :eek:

[Karlynn]

You can always do Stupid Human Tricks with your new mech valve. Every now and then I'll entertain my music team at rehearsal by putting a mic up to my mouth and letting them hear the click over our church's sound system. :D

Some of us have had to stay on Rx's for faster heart rates. It's one of those "luck of the draw" kind of things. Hopefully you won't be one of those, but if your are, it's just another pill.

[jkn2kids]

Karen-Really glad to see that you are doing well!!! I'm in the waiting room and getting ready to get a 2nd opinion at Hopkins on the 18th with Dr.Cameron.I'm wondering how your experience was at Hopkins.Did they allow someone to stay in your room after surgery? I'm trying to decide between Union Memorial and Hopkins.Any input would be greatly appreciated.Take care of yourself!!!

Kevin and Janene

[CCRN]

[QUOTE=Karlynn]You can always do Stupid Human Tricks with your new mech valve. Every now and then I'll entertain my music team at rehearsal by putting a mic up to my mouth and letting them hear the click over our church's sound system.

I'm so glad you shared that. I thought it was really weird and maybe I was becoming slightly demented when I opened my mouth to brush my teeth every morning and could hear that click even BETTER.

[ALCapshaw2]

I had my surgery Tuesday and I have thought about many, many of the threads I read here and boy, was I grateful for this resource and for all of you. I ended up making a last-minute change of valve plans -- SNIP

Just before entering the OR, we asked for the mechanical valve. I am the last person that I thought would do this but ever since, I have had that peace that comes with making a good choice for myself and the people closest to me.

I'm so glad that you found that "PEACE that comes with making a good choice" and that VR.com was able to help you with the information and experiences to be able to make a truly informed decision.

May you go forth and ENJOY a full and healthy life!
Don't ever look back and question your choice.

Best wishes for an uneventful recovery.

'AL Capshaw'

[ALCapshaw2]

I'm trying to decide between Union Memorial and Hopkins.Any input would be greatly appreciated. Kevin and Janene

Johns Hopkins is ranked as the #3 Heart Hospital in the USA, behind Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic.

'AL Capshaw'

[Sherry]

Karen, I'm happy that you have made the right choice for you and your family. I'm an eight year valver - coumadin user (geez, makes me sound like a junkie :D ) and really haven't had any problems to speak of. You'll do just fine.

Glad you found your way to our wonderful site. It will be so helpful in the days and years to come. It still helps me this many years later.

[Karen7]

Karen-Really glad to see that you are doing well!!! I'm in the waiting room and getting ready to get a 2nd opinion at Hopkins on the 18th with Dr.Cameron.I'm wondering how your experience was at Hopkins.Did they allow someone to stay in your room after surgery? I'm trying to decide between Union Memorial and Hopkins.Any input would be greatly appreciated.Take care of yourself!!!

Kevin and Janene
Hi Kevin & Janene,

I LOVED Johns Hopkins and yes, they have rooming-in after surgery if you get a private room. One of the instructions for roomers that made me laught was "please don't wear your pajamas in the hall." Who would do that? :o

All the nurses at Hopkins were excellent and I remember one speaking very highly of Dr. Cameron. I would go there again in a heartbeat :)

I did have two babies at Union Memorial and both were a good experience. I would choose Hopkins for cardiac care every time though.

[Mary]

Karen-Really glad to see that you are doing well!!! I'm in the waiting room and getting ready to get a 2nd opinion at Hopkins on the 18th with Dr.Cameron.I'm wondering how your experience was at Hopkins.Did they allow someone to stay in your room after surgery? I'm trying to decide between Union Memorial and Hopkins.Any input would be greatly appreciated.Take care of yourself!!!

Kevin and Janene

Please follow Karen's advice and go with John Hopkin's. When making the decision for OHS, you need to go with the best you can get.