Debbie,
Great to hear that you\'re doing so well. Although I don\'t have a mechanical valve, I\'ve heard so many people report hearing noise - maybe they added ...Read more
Debbie,
Great to hear that you\'re doing so well. Although I don\'t have a mechanical valve, I\'ve heard so many people report hearing noise - maybe they added some special oil to yours.
- Jim Smith
Debbie Argetsinger Jim,
The funny thing...I kind of wish I was able to hear something, just to know it's working. Never ... Read more
Debbie Argetsinger Jim,
The funny thing...I kind of wish I was able to hear something, just to know it's working. Never satisfied (as my husband would say). :-)
Hi Debbie!
Got your message . . . . 6 weeks is nothing! Everyone is different but, in general, it takes 6 months to a year to feel normal and have good energy. ...Read more
Hi Debbie!
Got your message . . . . 6 weeks is nothing! Everyone is different but, in general, it takes 6 months to a year to feel normal and have good energy. It\'s a gradual process with some steps backward but one day you\'ll suddenly realize you feel good. Probably better than you have in a long time.
I blamed being tired, and my memory problems, to getting older and menopause. Turns out it was my valve . . .
Be patient and ask your family to be patient . . . you\'ll get there. Rehab will help but it just takes time.
Feel free to email me at rickishine@gmail.com if you have questions along the way or just need support.
Good luck!
Ricki
Debbie Argetsinger I can't wait for the day I feel energetic! My doctor missed my valve problem even though I had been c ... Read more
Debbie Argetsinger I can't wait for the day I feel energetic! My doctor missed my valve problem even though I had been complaining for 2 yrs. about how tired and rundown I felt. I began to believe it was "in my head" and I think my family felt the same way. So, I guess we are all ready for this to be behind us. I will try to be patient (as you suggest).
Thanks for your offer of support. Like so many others, I am glad I bought Adam's book and found this web-site.
Not only is the human body amazing, but so is my mom! There would be times in the hospital that I\'d be sitting there, all comfy next to her hospital bed, not ...Read more
Not only is the human body amazing, but so is my mom! There would be times in the hospital that I\'d be sitting there, all comfy next to her hospital bed, not wanting to move... and she would pop up with, \"Well, Jamie, should we go walk again?\"
My prayers go out to everyone who has to have heart valve surgery- from what I\'ve witnessed, there is nothing easy about the surgery or recovery. I just hope that if I have to have the surgery in the future, I can face it with as much strength, determination, and \"monster\" status as my mom!
-Jamie Argetsinger
(Debbie\'s #1 fan!)
Debbie, great to hear you\'re doing well. At one month out, I still have that \"drawing/pulling\" feeling from time to time, but it has gradually lessened. ...Read more
Debbie, great to hear you\'re doing well. At one month out, I still have that \"drawing/pulling\" feeling from time to time, but it has gradually lessened. I\'m managing with an occasional Tylenol at night when my neck and shoulders are stiff. Blessings
- Jim Smith
Wow! I have to agree with DVB, \"Monster\" status is deserved. I can\'t believe you were doing laps and DVB did 6 miles in ICU?! They wouldn\'t let me walk ...Read more
Wow! I have to agree with DVB, \"Monster\" status is deserved. I can\'t believe you were doing laps and DVB did 6 miles in ICU?! They wouldn\'t let me walk until I got to the step down unit, even though they encouraged us to walk. Congrats on a speedy recovery! Lily
A mile in ICU! I hereby admit you to official monster status. Keep it coming, the body is indeed incredible. All that exercise turbo-charges the healing ...Read more
A mile in ICU! I hereby admit you to official monster status. Keep it coming, the body is indeed incredible. All that exercise turbo-charges the healing process. I did 6 miles in ICU before discharge - there wasn\'t much else to do. Now I can regularly do 8 mile runs. Focusing on physical recovery makes it really rip. You are doing fantastic. -- DVB
Debbie Argetsinger We were definitely encouraged to walk. Each day we cleared the board and restarted the lap tally. Rec ... Read more
Debbie Argetsinger We were definitely encouraged to walk. Each day we cleared the board and restarted the lap tally. Recovery is going better than I expected. But I was lucky-I only needed a new aortic valve. I had no other issues that could effect the process. In other words-I am healthy!
Hi Debbie,
I\'m sure it\'s not easy to accept the delay, but you will do great and will be fixed on Monday. My prayers will be with you then
- Jim Smith
Hi Debbie,
I look forward to following your journey post op surgery. April Fool\'s Day, right? :-)
I received my mechanical valve last July and I have only ...Read more
Hi Debbie,
I look forward to following your journey post op surgery. April Fool\'s Day, right? :-)
I received my mechanical valve last July and I have only heard it twice....once when I asked the nurse to use her stethoscope so I could have proof I received one and the other time was when I had a stuffed up nose one night. I could hear it\'s rythmatic clicking in my left ear and it was the most beautiful sound.
I was bumped back from my surgery dated due to my doctor had a flight delay in Hawaii. At least, he was will rested.
You will be fine. My prayers are with you.
Sheila Garrison
Debbie Argetsinger Thanks for your prayers. I'm sure everything will be ok (once we get going!!)
Hey Debbie,
I had my aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve. My surgery was 2/6/12 and I am doing great! I do not find the coumadin to be an issue. ...Read more
Hey Debbie,
I had my aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve. My surgery was 2/6/12 and I am doing great! I do not find the coumadin to be an issue. I am hoping to get a home testing kit before to long and be able to check myself. You will feel better after surgery. Prayers are with you. Take care.
Robert Hartner
Good luck again Debbie I am only a few days behind you. Duke\'s a great place - hopefully the heart surgeons will do a little better than the basketball teams ...Read more
Good luck again Debbie I am only a few days behind you. Duke\'s a great place - hopefully the heart surgeons will do a little better than the basketball teams this year !! (Just kidding of course).
My best wishes always.
Robert Tucker
Debbie Argetsinger Thanks for the good luck wishes and same to you! Our NC State Grad and UNC faithful son-in-law were g ... Read more
Debbie Argetsinger Thanks for the good luck wishes and same to you! Our NC State Grad and UNC faithful son-in-law were glad to see Duke go down-but bragging rights were short lived for sure!!
Hi debbie, i too opted for a mechanical valve- i am 49. I weighed everything up and figured i wouldnt want to go through this again (im 8 weeks post op) being ...Read more
Hi debbie, i too opted for a mechanical valve- i am 49. I weighed everything up and figured i wouldnt want to go through this again (im 8 weeks post op) being on coumadin for the rest of my life isnt an issue for me and at 4 weeks i was at the therapeutic range so they pushed me out to every 2 weeks to get it checked. I pass the hospital every day so location is good. I will be honest with you the ticking takes a bit of getting used to but i am hearing it less and less. My husband says he cant hear me so thats good as i wouldnt want to keep him awake at night :) i turned a corner about 10 days ago and walk around with a permanent smile on my face as i feel stronger than ever and can do 45 mins on the eliptical machine AND go for a walk everyday so be patient with your recovery you will get there. Good luck!
Hi Debbie,
I was on Coumadin for a short time (2months)
and it was not an issue. I had my levels checked often at first every 4 days then it was weeks apart. ...Read more
Hi Debbie,
I was on Coumadin for a short time (2months)
and it was not an issue. I had my levels checked often at first every 4 days then it was weeks apart. My cardiologists office uses a finger prick like the diabetes meters. I know there are others on this site that are young and have chosen the same valve, who are doing GREAT. You will probably hear from them.
Good Luck on your journey,
Jane ( Mitral Valve repair 12/5/11)
Debbie Argetsinger Thanks for the information. I think the mechanical valve will be ok for me, too.
Hi Debbie, best of luck next week you are going to do great! I do not have a date scheduled yet for my AVR I am still in the process of finding a surgeon, ...Read more
Hi Debbie, best of luck next week you are going to do great! I do not have a date scheduled yet for my AVR I am still in the process of finding a surgeon, but I will either have the Ross Procedure or tissue, I am 44 and do not want to have to deal with coumidin. This will be my second heart surgery in my life so far.
If you have any questions please ask away. You have come to the right place for support.
Cindy Pastrano
Good luck Debbie. I am only a few days behind you getting my second AVR on 4/3. We are about the same age. My first tissue valve lasted almost 21 years and ...Read more
Good luck Debbie. I am only a few days behind you getting my second AVR on 4/3. We are about the same age. My first tissue valve lasted almost 21 years and I\'m going for another. Not nervous either - just bring it on !!!
Robert Tucker
Hi Debbie. I use to live in the town right below you in graham.
I had my avr on 2/20. I am 38 and I went with a tissue valve. Didn\'t want to deal with coumidin ...Read more
Hi Debbie. I use to live in the town right below you in graham.
I had my avr on 2/20. I am 38 and I went with a tissue valve. Didn\'t want to deal with coumidin either. I know I will need to have another but my doc said I could expect 20 years out of this one. By then avr will be done by catheter.
I am doing 4 weeks post op. should get cleared to return to work next week.
Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions.
Jimmy Johnson
I am from: Mebane, North Carolina
The funny thing...I kind of wish I was able to hear something, just to know it's working. Never ... Read more
The funny thing...I kind of wish I was able to hear something, just to know it's working. Never satisfied (as my husband would say). :-)