Dawna's Guestbook

Get a workout partner or trainer and that'll help keep you working out and motivated. This new valve has given us a good chance at a longer life. Don't waste it. Good luck.

Hi Dawna, I had open heart surgery just over 2 years ago now. The incision has healed up really well but I still have a numb feeling and nerve tingling sensations under the scar. How long in your recovery did this take to settled down?

Hi Dawna. I had AVR November 2010. My surgeon suggested tissue valve, I was 42. He said I would need another surgery in 10-15 yrs I looked at him like he had 2 heads! So what is it like with the mechanical valve can you hear it (my dr said I would be able to hear mech)? Do you think the weight gain & fatigue are caused from the meds/valve as well? I recommend having your thyroid checked out if you haven\'t already. Prior to the heart issue I found out I had hypothyroid. Looking forward to hearing from you, Michele

Hi Dawna, I had many issued with warfarin, my INR just didn\'t want to stay in one place, I just kept eating all the greens I like, I told my doc that eating tacos without lettuce was just not right and that staying away from avocados was torture so I ate them, and had chamomile tea to my heart\'s content. I was on warfaring for over a year and I had bloody gums, one time my blood was too thin that when the nurse put an iv in, my blood just sprayed all over the floor, me and the beding, but I got to the point were I could tell when my INR was too low or too high. I\'ve lost a total of 41 lbs since last year and have not been hungry, I eat healty now and will not put potato chips or greasy chicken in my mouth, I refuse to drink sodas and have stopped eating table salt, the weight just came off. Try yoga, it has worked for me.

Dawna, I was on Coumadin for about 8 years until 2 years ago. You do not have to completely cut out any food. You just have to remain consistent so that your INR is consistent. In other words, if you eat salads now, you can continue to eat salads, just don\'t suddently start eating way more of them than normal. The one thing that you have to be very careful of is herbal supplements. Many of them, although \"natural\" interfere with the Coumadin. But as for food the main thing is consistency, no big jumps one way or the other. I really had no problems with the Coumadin. Good luck! Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

Hi Dawna- Have you considered Weight Watchers? It really does work. I lost 31 lbs about 8-9 yrs ago on the program. Walking is also good for you. Karen Campo

Sorry to hear you are having some issues, I am 3 months post-op with the mechanical valve as well, tick, tick tick. Friend of mine reminded me that the ticking s good, worry if it stops and don\'t go towards the light! I\'m also a paramedic with strange friends :). But my advice other hen what you know is talk to another doc if yours don\'t listen. It\'s your body and they need to see what is going on. Good luck. Steve

Hi Dawna! It has been too long. I\'m sorry to hear you are tired. The weight might have something to do with it, but there are probably other factors. If I could tell you one thing to do that will take weight off and perhaps have other benefits, it would be this: Avoid wheat! I have done this for several months, and it makes belly fat go. Of course, it will take a lot of discipline. So much of our diet has wheat in it or around it! And working in a bakery has you surrounded by wheat products. But once you settle into a wheatless routine, it gets easier to stay on it. My second piece of advice is this: avoid sugar as much as possible. These two things will do more for you than anything your doctor can tell you. Keep in touch. I am really interested in how you are doing. Don F.

Hi Dawna, Im happy to know that you are so well, just relax and dont push yourself to be stress when you start to work. its just a little friendly reminder...lol, good luck!!! I have also a mechanical valve and i\'m still working. thanks, with heart hugs.. andro d.