Bonnie's Guestbook

Hi to all ! Hope all is well. I’ve had my St Jude valve in place for eight years and all is well. Yes, I am on Coumadin but with the management team I have remained in range most of the time. I am glad for the mechanical valve’s longevity, if I had had a porcine one I would soon be due for a replacement.

Hi Bonnie, how are you doing? Glad you are home! You say you wish you had known the process, -- man I think it is just different for everyone. Re: Coumadin - I just vented on my husband\'s journal about his A Fib and being on coumadin and how he was never supposed to have to be on it because he opted for the cow\'s valve instead of the mechanical for work and bleedng related reasons. Now this A Fib has entered the picture, and as you may recall he ended up with the pacemaker (which in the beginning we were told did not mean he had to take coumadin either) we know several people with them that do not take it. So it IS the A Fib that is causing you to hve to take the coumadin? We are hoping he doesn\'t end up with it. He sees his EP doctor this Friday so we can find out more - we are so ignorant of all these developments - seems one thing gets cured and two more problems take its place - so much for just a cow\'s mitral valve replacement. Fun, fun fun. Hopefully you are enjoyng hte Olympics! Richard\'s wife, Susan

Hi Bonnie Great news to hear you are home and beginning recovery. Get your rest and work in your exercise and use that darn spirometer as much as possible. Things will improve. Cheryl, Ontario

bonnie welcome home! it wasnt that bad was it?haha. but seriously its great to have it behind you right? my coumadin is targeted at 2.25. i go every 2 weeks regardless. how are you feeling? jeff in NJ

bonnie, when is your surgery? it sounds like you may have had it already. i too am on coumadin for life,i got an aortic valve last year. you adjust easy,its not all that bad. jeff in nj jeffstoveken@yahoo.com if you want to discuss coumadin therapy or anything like that !id be happy to!

Bonnie, all the worrying in the world won\'t change what you have to go through - I learned that just being the wife of the one that has to get it done. Oddly enough as unbelievably scared and nervous as my husband was, the day of he was surprisingly calm - the buildup to it is so scary, I know. It is a really big deal and it takes time and seems and is overwhelming, but you will get through it and as you say - jello! Richard\'s wife, Susan

Hi Bonnie I had a mitral valve repair in Oct of last year. Once I was told surgery was next, I too felt I just wanted to get it over with and wished the pre-op tests could have been placed closer together. You have to believe the doctors know something you don\'t about how much time you really have before you hit the emergency stage. They don\'t let us valve patients get that close anymore so spend your time doing your research and getting yourself ready for a couple of months downtime! Try and stay positive and now that you have found this site, you will see all the great success stories and hopefully that will help you with your wait. There is lots to learn and a healthier life to look forward to. Cheryl, Ontario