Carol's Guestbook

Carol, Its difficult to find on this site people who have had multiple valves replaced. My husband had his aortic and mitral valves replaced July 24 th. In NYC Presbyterian Hospital. I would like to read journals of people with multiple valves replaced further out and see how they are doing with two replacements. BTW my husband is doing remarkably well, praise God. Please write in my journal or maybe we could chat. I would be more than happy to give you my phone number.

Hi. On July 16, 2012 and On-X valve was put into my Aorta. I am 57 years old, and all pretests showed know other heart disease problems besides the stenosis of the old valve due to calcification deposits. I\'m just wondering what options I might have using different kinds of treatments (read stuff about aspirin and about the others). I will be seeing my surgeon next week and see also what he has to say. Presently being put on warfarin to keep my levels at 2 (whatever that means). Anyway, my name is Clark and I presently reside in Shasta County, California (Redding), and I am having fun researching all this stuff. My present disposition, for I have not researched much yet, is to go with an aspirin only thing. I do the wholistic health thing, a lot (not use many supplements though) and also understand that there is nothing that scientist can make without taking it from a plant (usually), and would rather just consume foods that do the same things needed to prevent clotting.

Since I wrote in the journal last I\'ve had both valves replaced (June 1st). I received the On-x valves and things seem to be going remarkably well. I\'m hoping to be able to take the plavix/aspirin regimen some time in the future bit I don\'t know exactly when. My doctor tells me in probably 5 years. I guess more studies are required. I had my surgery at Brigham and womens hospital in Boston by dr. Gregory Couper. It has been an overall good experience so far. I\'m feeling so much better than expected. 4 days post op and i hardly have any pain. The miracles of science!

Since I wrote in the journal last I\'ve had both valves replaced (June 1st). I received the On-x valves and things seem to be going remarkably well. I\'m hoping to be able to take the plavix/aspirin regimen some time in the future bit I don\'t know exactly when. My doctor tells me in probably 5 years. I guess more studies are required. I had my surgery at Brigham and womens hospital in Boston by dr. Gregory Couper. It has been an overall good experience so far. I\'m feeling so much better than expected. 4 days post op and i hardly have any pain. The miracles of science!

Hi Carol, my 20 yr. old Son, Tristan, had an On-X valve put in to replace his Aortic valve in November of 2009, 1 month before he turned 19. He has Bicuspid Aortic Valve. He\'s doing great now, but it\'s hard to get the Warfarin (Coumadin), INR tests to stay where his Cardiologists wants it (between 2 & 3). We are still waiting for the FDA Trial study to be completed before Tristan\'s Cardiologist will allow him to go off of Warfarin and just take Plavix & Aspirin instead. The good thing about this valve is it could last him a lifetime, whereas a pig or cow valve would have to be replaced once, and possibly even more than once, since Tristan is so young. Where are you having your heart Surgery at? Tristan had his at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Il. and his Surgeon was Dr. Geiss, and excellent Heart Surgeon. Tristan also had the Maze Procedure done during his heart surgery, to try to prevent him from going into A-Fib again (he went into it twice before his surgery), and so far so good, no more A-Fib. Bye, Kathy Claflin

Hi Carol, I am getting an aortic heart valve surgury this fall and am also considering an on-X valve. The Sioux Falls, SD surgeons have never put this type in any heart patients, but I like the idea of less blood thinners. I am also trying to find out more information about the on-X valve. Any information you or anyone else can offer would be very appreciated. Thanks - Ed Gilbertson