Bonnie's Posts

Just a quick note to all who await mitral valve replacement surgery and who have an atrial fib.-- it takes time. I wish my cardiologist had told me that the process really involves 5 phases. Phase 1: Enter hospital an get heparin drip started --remove patient from coumadin Phase 2: perform tests--angio and heart catherization to determione pressures. Phase 3: Heart surgery and stay in ICU Phase 4: Return to coumadin and wait till dosage to therapeutic level. (mine had to 2.2-2.3) It took 5 days. Phase 5: Home recuperation (Mine began yesterday on Valentine's day-- how fitting! I foound it hard to feel ok but to wait to go home until the level rose. I know that it was in my best interest to wait but if I had been warned about the possible time lag I think I could have handled it better. To all who have wished me well thank you for your kind words, thoughts and prayers Best Wishes to all, Bonnie If you are awaiting the surgery it is scary but you will be able to handle it-- a quiet peace will descend on you as they wheel you down the hall to the or. You will be worked on by some of the brightest and most adept individuals in the world. Have faith in them.

Monday: I have my coumadin level checked again. Magic number 2.0 Tuesday :I bite my nails waiting and don't sleep. Wednesday: I head off to the hospital(Rochester General-Rochester, NY) to be put on heparin. Thursday: I have an angiogram scheduled. I pray for unclogged arteries. Friday: I have mitral valve replacement. Saturday: la la land! Sunday: God willing and the creeks don't rise I will be napping through the Super Bowl and enjoying jello. No spicy Buffalo wings for this chick!

Problems: atrial fibrillation, mitral stenosis and regurg. Diagnosed: 1997 Prognosis: mechanical valve and continuing a life on Coumadin The doctors were waiting for the correct pressure and best time for this surgery. I must admit it was a bit like sitting on a time bomb. I have worked to lose weight, and get myself in the correct mental framework to do this. I think I'm ready--I hope I'm ready.