Beth,
I haven\'t seen a post from you in a while and was wondering how you are doing. As I wait for my surgery on 9/8, I am very anxious and continue to read ...Read more
Beth,
I haven\'t seen a post from you in a while and was wondering how you are doing. As I wait for my surgery on 9/8, I am very anxious and continue to read journals on this site. It seems to calm me. I have a question......now that you\'ve been on the coumedin for a while longer, how are you feeling and are you having any issues with it?
Hope your recovery is progressing.
Julie
(SC)
Beth Graves Julie, I have been doing great. I am still working on my coumadin levels. Everything seems to effec ... Read more
Beth Graves Julie, I have been doing great. I am still working on my coumadin levels. Everything seems to effect the levels. I really think it takes awhile to get your body adjusted. I am sure you will be just fine.
Beth
Hi Beth,
I was reading through your journal and so happy that you are progressing well. I have to get a Aortic Valve Replacement and was wondering why you ...Read more
Hi Beth,
I was reading through your journal and so happy that you are progressing well. I have to get a Aortic Valve Replacement and was wondering why you decided to get a mechanival valve. I believe you originally wanted a tissue valve. What kind of side affects, if any, are you having on the coumedin? I am so stressed about picking the best surgeon and the type of valve. This site has calmed me a little though.
It\'s great to read everyone\'s story and how great they are feeling after the surgery.
Take care!
Julie
South Carolina
I am really thankful for this site also, it has helped me tremendously.
In response to your question the reason that I chose the mechanical valve was because the pig and cow valves will wear out. Before my surgery I had static pulmonary hypertension and my doctors were concerned. Pulmonary hypertension causes more stress on the valves and could have worn a tissue valve out faster. They were also concerned that if that happened I would physically not be able to handle a second heart surgery. Fortunately for me when they replaced my mitral valve it corrected the pulmonary hypertension also. As far as problems with the coumadin I haven't noticed any physical difference. There have been some issues with my INR levels being too low and when that happens I have to give myself shots of Levonox until I can get it back up. I would imagine that over time all will level out, I've only been on it 2 mths and 9 days.
I understand totally how stressing it is trying to make this decision because once you make it and have the surgery its done. Research, Pray and Trust God to help you make the correct decision for you. You are ultimately the one that has to live with the what you decide.
Hi Beth. Just checking in to see how your recovery is going. Jon Farmer
Beth Graves Hey Jon, sorry it has taken me several days to get back to you. I am doing well. It sounds like we ... Read more
Beth Graves Hey Jon, sorry it has taken me several days to get back to you. I am doing well. It sounds like we are bouncing back at about the same rate. Coumadin levels seem to be the drawback. Keep at it, eventually we will have it under control.
Beth, your days sound a lot like mine. I have started to avoid the naps and that helps me sleep through the night. I initially had a lot of back/shoulder pain ...Read more
Beth, your days sound a lot like mine. I have started to avoid the naps and that helps me sleep through the night. I initially had a lot of back/shoulder pain but that is getting better too. If I sit or lay for a while, I have some pain around the incision but it feels more like muscle than the skin. I start rehab on Tuesday and my wife goes back to work on Thursday. It\'s going to be a lonely week until I get permission to drive. I\'m glad you are doing so well. It\'s hard to believe where we were just a couple weeks ago. Jon Farmer
Beth,
Soooooooooooooo great to hear you are at home now!
By the way, who was your surgeon?
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick
Beth Graves Thanks, Adam. My surgeon was Dr. Edward Savage. He and his staff at Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL we ... Read more
Beth Graves Thanks, Adam. My surgeon was Dr. Edward Savage. He and his staff at Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL were awesome. Even his nurse Barbara came to see me several times after my surgery. Beth Graves
Hi Beth. I know how frustrated you must be. Just hang in there. How are you feeling? I was so surprised at how fast everything happened. I\'ll continue to follow ...Read more
Hi Beth. I know how frustrated you must be. Just hang in there. How are you feeling? I was so surprised at how fast everything happened. I\'ll continue to follow your journey to recovery. Jon Farmer
So happy you are doing so well. This is not an easy surgery to get over and still be upbeat, but you have done it! I know God has guided the Dr\'s and has ...Read more
So happy you are doing so well. This is not an easy surgery to get over and still be upbeat, but you have done it! I know God has guided the Dr\'s and has protected you. You continue in my prayers each day, and I am thrilled that you may get to go home this week. When you feel up to it, give me a call and we will come and bring lunch. We all miss you.
Cathy
Beth, glad you are doing so well but you have not posted (or else I did not see) what they replaced the mitral with (mechanical or tissue) and also did they ...Read more
Beth, glad you are doing so well but you have not posted (or else I did not see) what they replaced the mitral with (mechanical or tissue) and also did they do anything to your other valves that also had some regurgitation. And is your pulmonary pressure back to normal. I am interested in this because my surgery is July 12 and I have a couple of the same issues...and am going to CCF in Ohio. Thanks - when you feel like posting more details, but no hurry
Beth Graves I had a mechanical valve put in because of all the possibilities. Fortunately they only had to replac ... Read more
Beth Graves I had a mechanical valve put in because of all the possibilities. Fortunately they only had to replace the mitral valve. As far as the pulmunary hypertension there is know way for them to know until after I am healed from the surgery.
Beth, so glad things are going so well. Like I said before, text book that is what we pray for - sounds like you are saying that your pulmonary pressure is ...Read more
Beth, so glad things are going so well. Like I said before, text book that is what we pray for - sounds like you are saying that your pulmonary pressure is back to normal - Praise GOD, Emilyrae Helfen
Beth, it was so nice to hear from you. Our prayers have been answered - it sounds like it was text book. so happy it is over. write more when you feel like ...Read more
Beth, it was so nice to hear from you. Our prayers have been answered - it sounds like it was text book. so happy it is over. write more when you feel like it. Praise GOD
Beth, we are waiting to hear from you husband - if he reads this, please post we are getting anxious to hear. Thanks - know you are doing fine, but he is probably ...Read more
Beth, we are waiting to hear from you husband - if he reads this, please post we are getting anxious to hear. Thanks - know you are doing fine, but he is probably like my husband\'s going to be - not wanting to leave my side even to set up laptop.
Hoping to hear from you soon and keeping you in my prayers
Emilyrae
Beth, you are all \"Prayed up\" now a wonderful vision I use when I am in a situation where I have no control and the only one that does is our GOD, then I ...Read more
Beth, you are all \"Prayed up\" now a wonderful vision I use when I am in a situation where I have no control and the only one that does is our GOD, then I picture myself curled up in his lap like a little child under that tree with all the other little children kneeling looking up to him (we have all see that picture as children I\'m sure) It comforts me to know that he has his arms around me -- as I drift off. GOD bless you. Emilyrae
Beth Graves Thank you Emilyrae. I will go to sleep tonight seeing myself safe in his arms.
Beth, we are praying for you. we love you so much and cannot wait till you get back home and on the mend. We are here for you whenever you need us. Joanne, ...Read more
Beth, we are praying for you. we love you so much and cannot wait till you get back home and on the mend. We are here for you whenever you need us. Joanne, mike and mark.
Hi Beth. I have been thinking about you all day. I have tried to stay busy but my mind often drifts away to what awaits us. I hope you are holding up well. ...Read more
Hi Beth. I have been thinking about you all day. I have tried to stay busy but my mind often drifts away to what awaits us. I hope you are holding up well. I hope you don\'t mind me saying this but it\'s comforting to know I\'m not alone. I\'ll be praying for you. Jon Farmer
Beth Graves Jon, I don't mind at all because I feel the same way. I will be praying that all the prayers going u ... Read more
Beth Graves Jon, I don't mind at all because I feel the same way. I will be praying that all the prayers going up for me God will encompass you with also. Tomorrow is a new birthday for both of us may we use our new physical life to Gods glory.
Beth,
You are totally in God\'s hands, He is the Great Physician, and we are claiming His promise that \"By His stripes, you are healed.\" All of our SS class ...Read more
Beth,
You are totally in God\'s hands, He is the Great Physician, and we are claiming His promise that \"By His stripes, you are healed.\" All of our SS class as well as my family--church and personal--are praying for a swift recovery and back to normal very soon. Love you, girl. Caron
Beth Graves Thanks Caron. I hope you have been having a wonderful time visiting your family. By the time you ge ... Read more
Beth Graves Thanks Caron. I hope you have been having a wonderful time visiting your family. By the time you get back home I will be on the swift recovery side! Love you too!
I am from: Lakeland, Florida
Beth