Greg's Guestbook

Greg- Good morning. Read your post this just now and if it were me, and being that your surgery wasn't that long ago, to be safe I would put a call in to your physician and pass along the information to them to see if they don't recommend you going in to see someone. Since you aren't feeling real good and you are working on your INR levels, perhaps on different medications while you are recovering I think it is safer to make sure someone trained answers your question with the bleeding just to be sure. A phone call will more than likely give you the reassurance you want and if you have to go in to talk to someone or have lab work or tests you will get safe, knowledgeable results. Just me and to be honest I would like to see you get on top of this so you can continue healing. Have a good day and take care Heart Brother.

Greg, Yes those are my thoughts exactly. I myself was taking 50mg. metropol twice daily. My blood pressure was going low and I felt light headed and dizzy. My cardiologist decreased my dose to 25mg. twice daily. As of right now I am down to 12.5mg two times daily and all is well. I would check with your cardiologist and see what he/she says. Good luck figuring it out. I am sure it won't be long and you will feel great. I am eight months post op. Am able to work full time, go to the fitness center, do water aerobics and everything I did before and more! I had a mitral valve replacement. Have a wonderful Easter!

Greg- Good move getting the "Draining" done! Know this must not have been comfortable for you but in the long run it is most important that the fluid is out of your system and buddy.....you just went through surgery and this is going to make your recovery better and healing faster, hopefully. You take care and by the way your cat recovering with you is priceless! Keep posting!

Hi Greg, hope you are feeling better and all the fluid has drained properly. Good that they are monitoring you and soon you will be out sailing. One thing that stood out in my research pre surgery (I delayed having it for several years) was they circulate a cold liquid while one is on the heart lung machine and I asked the surgeon pre surgery is that similar to one falling in icy water like a child and being able to resuscitate them, he said yes in a way it is, so now whenever I hear of a child like the baby from Utah upside down in a cold car surviving for 18 hours in the car crash which killed her mother I recall the heart/lung device, fortunately I was out for all the fun part and thank God they removed the tubing from my throat while I was out in lala land. Best wishes

Hi Greg - this is your family! While we're all on vacation in Roatan that you organized, we have been thinking of you tons! We love you. We wish you were here - and we are having a great time. In regards to your earlier post - we've picked out several sailboats for you (photos of those to follow!)

Hi Greg I just saw your note on Terri's site, I had aortic valve replacement surgery July 21,2014 and am doing fine, however, for the last month I have developed a dry cough and probably she see a doctor, I had a cold a month ago and it started at that time, but at times lately when I am speaking to someone the dry cough starts up, I don't think it is AVR related but wondered when was your surgery? also I read that the b.p. med I am taking 2.5 mg may cause a dry cough thanks for your help

Greg, Just got your note. Thank you for sharing the info! I have moderate regurgitation but am more acutely concerned about the risk of sudden dissection with a 4.9 cm aneurysm. I am glad to see that you are on the road to full recovery. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you regain your strength! Best, John

Hey Greg. That was a super journal entry about valve choice and efficacy. Great job! I am also interested in how and why valves calcify (stenosis). I was told that my stenosis was "probably" caused by an infection at some point in my life which affected my valve. Hmmm. As I read and search one can postulate it can be from poor diet or stress or toxins. However, it may never be proven in our lifetime, what causes stenosis so I've jumped over to cancer prevention and have found a wealth of information on "Quest for the Cure" (Youtube). Also on Facebook. I have the program (hard copy) and see many parallels with heart disease and causes and treatments. I'm making small changes to my lifestyle and diet and integrating them. It's a huge topic and I get tired of researching and finding contradictory information but I'm making progress and hopefully it will pay off. So much to do and so little time. Take care.

Welcome to this great Heart Community. I had my surgery July 29,2014. It was a mitral valve replacement. This was a difficult choice for me, tissue or mechanical. At first my surgeon suggested mechanical, as then I would probably never have to have surgery again. Then, he thought for a moment and said, I am about your age and really would not like to be on coumadin for the rest of my life. So that really got me thinking. My whole family did a lot of research. The decision was made after his comment, and research that I found on faulty mechanical valves. One of the other things that bothered me was many mechanical heart valve patients said, they could hear the beating of the valve. I am very sensitive to noises and was not keen on that. My valve is a pig valve. Recently had an echo and the valve is functioning well. I no longer have the fluttering, can breathe better, and can do more than before surgery. I am glad that you have figured out your choice. By the time we need another replacement the techniques will be improved. Now you can enjoy each day until surgery. Relax, and focus on positive thoughts. Remember you have a big heart family here for you. My surgery was done non-invasive, under the right breast. My scar is almost gone, and all is well. Sending healthy hugs from Michigan!

Greg, Good luck with everything! If you don't mind me asking, how large is your aneurysm on your ascending aorta? I was recently diagnosed with BAVD, moderate regurgitation, and a 4.9cm aneurysm. I am trying to figure out timing for surgery, and am frustrated by the lack of consensus from the 3 cardiologists and 2 cardio thoracic surgeons we have consulted.