Jack's Guestbook

Hi Jack, I just read your journal and have so many questions. You went back to work in 5 weeks? Doing what? Also, I\'m so confused about the mechanical valve now. You made a great arguement against it because of the meds.....I chose it because I only want to go through this surgery once. Oh, man....so confused now. My surgery is in 2 weeks. Sheila Garrison Apple Valley, CA

Sorry to hear about your uncomfortable plight and yes, that drain tube removal was one the low points of my hospital stay. Now its on to the recovery road and there you will find great comfort in knowing your body\'s healing power. I am 8 weeks post op and all systems are a go for me as I\'m sure they will be for you. Terry T.

Well Jack, I am happy to both hear you are alive and well and that you posted your story! I can honestly say that I don\'t envy what happened to you. I am reading so many bad stories on this website of post op depression, personality changes, and complications with infections and further surgeries, I seriously wonder if it\'s all worth it. When I see the technology in having the 10 minute Edwards valve installed, I can\'t quite understand why we can\'t have that for everyone NOW! If I had a choice, I\'d go Edwards instead of having my heart and lungs shut off and a cracked sternum. Thanks again Jack for your efforts in reporting back so soon after my request. Sincere best wishes for a 30+ years of super health! Darren

Congrats Jack! Can you please take the time to let me know in detail how things went for you from the time you entered the pre-op room until your 1st day back at work? Your particular scenario is very close to mine and my anxiety level is through the roof. Sincere Best Wishes, Darren in Canada

Jack: Congrats on making the decision. I also have a bovine valve, and Friday will be 3 months. I had a bit or periocarditis the first few weeks, but that went away with ibuprofen. Expect to get SOMETHING that\'s a side effect, and don\'t get depressed when it happens. VERY best of luck on the 28th. Let us know whenever you can, or have a relative post for you. Terry C.

Hi, I am 3 weeks post op today and looking back have some very fresh impressions as to what helps a patient. 1- Remind them lovingly to use their spirometer. 2- get them anything their little heart desires food wise because my appetite was nonexistent until about day 5 then I was starving. 3- get a heat pack (I use a microwaveable one) for the stiff back and neck pain when you get home. 4- invest in one of those long body pillows to help the patient get in a comfortable position for sleeping which is quite a challenge. 5- take the stool softener if you are on a prescription pain med. 6- purchase several comfy tops/shirts that button up the front--over the head is not the way to go the first few weeks. That\'s about it, other than rest up and take care of yourself. Merry Christmas! Nancy H.

Hi Jack, interesting reading your entry and others opinions. I just turned 60 have had 3 open heart congenital surgeries, 30\'s hole repaired, 40\'s mitral valve repair and 59 this past Aug mitral mechanical valve. I really did not have a choice as numerous surgeons throughout the years reminded me no one wanted to reopen my chest again due to the amount of scar tissue in the chest and the heart itself. Sooo mechanical it was, Coumadin levels up and down, readjust dosage and I do have an INR meter for home use. Although I was until this past surgery a very active person and hope to be soon, avid swimmer, snorkeler, traveler, I do not dwell on the decision that was out of my hands. My personal opinion and with many years of nursing experience as well, every surgery has its risks. I find sometimes Dr\'s minimize oh you will be fine and in 15 yrs won\'t hesitate about another valve. After 3 sternotomies and each time being 10 or so yrs older, it is a big deal. I am just grateful to be alive. The clicking is intermittent and the least of any issue. Sounds like you have made a decision based on many resources, so far ahead of the game in having control of your well thought out decision. Take care and I wish you the best. Susan V NC

Hi Jack, It can be a difficult decision, but there is no wrong decision. Both choices have a great upside and a downside. The fact of the matter is, there is no perfect valve, but our best two choices are bovine pericardial or mechanical. It seems to me that every cardiologist and every surgeon have a different opinion on this topic, so I would really encourage you to make your own decision and have the surgeon\'s respect your wishes. It is your life that you will be living with the valve and the surgeon\'s know how to put in both types. I chose a bovine pericardial tissue valve just because I am still very young. I love playing sports and did not want to have to worry about avoiding contact since bruising is so easy on Coumadin. The big downside to my choice is that I will have to have the tissue valve replaced in about 10 years. I figured if I could get 10 more years of not having to take coumadin, I was going to take it. As far as mechanical, I have met a lot of people who have had excellent results. The mechanical valve lasts a real long time too, usually more than 20 years. I should also mention that there are no statistical differences with the success of either valve. They both work extremely well. My surgeon noted many times to me that there are no differences in the skill needed to implant either valve into the correct position. All in all, it is an individual decision that should not be forced by a physician. You can\'t go wrong either way, and I wish you the best of luck with your surgery. Just for some encouragement, I had my surgery June 1st and I felt 100% in August. Let me know if you have any questions at all regarding the surgery itself or the recovery period. We all are here to help! You will be in my prayers on the 28th. Trevor Nelson Rockford, IL

Hi Jack, As others have said it is a very personal choice, and their is no wrong choice between mechanical and biological. I had AVR surgery in May at The Cleveland Clinic at age 49 and chose a bovine valve. My local cardiologist was very much in favor of a mechanical valve, my surgeoen said the choice was mine, discussed all my options, but was pro biological. Having known all my life I would someday have this surgery I had done a lot of research, and was already leaning biological. I am very active, and did not want the constraints and worries with Coumadin. I was not worried about little cuts, but certainly big cuts would be problematic and the continuous monitoring was not ideal for me. I know that I will have to have this surgery at least once more in my life, hopefully in 15-20 years out. the likely protocal for AVR in the next decade is via catherter through the femoral artery, so nothing like last May. Having been through the surgery once, I know I can do it again. As bad as you think it will be, most of us will tell you it was easier than we expected. Best wishes in your decision making process. Choosing the valve is a toughy, even when you have a predisposition to choosing one over the other. Kind regards, Mark Keller, TX

Hi Jack, I am about to hit 40 and had my surgery on 12/15/09. I had a AVR and chose the St. Jude mechanical Aortic valve. The valve clicks but you get used to it pretty quick. The downside of a mechanical valve is Coumadin, but to be honest, it is not that big of a deal. I would rather have the clicks and Coumadin than having this surgery again at age 50-55. Make sure to ask how long the bovine will last you so you can factor that into your formula. I am sure you will make a great decision and have your surgeon give you some guidance as well. I went to Vanderbilt for my surgery and they did an awesome job. Merry Christmas and good luck! Thomas A Deakins Farragut, TN AVR 12/15/2009

Hi Jack, Welcome to HVJ! Your decision is a tricky and very individual one. I am 51 and just have AVR surgery and I opted for a tissue valve only because I did not want the clicking or having to have blood tests (because of being on coumadin)every couple of weeks. For me, that is too much thinking about my \"condition\"....I just wanted to move on. I know I will be following up with a Cardiologist maybe once or twice a year, but for me that\'s plenty!! I also was concerned with the bleeding risk of coumadin. As I said, everyone is different and you will know what\'s right for you after you do all your research and think hard about your lifestyle and how you see things going forward. Good luck with the decision and get as much info as you can. I think this is THE BEST place to find out what you need to make the decision...lots of real life experience. Do you have a surgery date yet?? Merry Christmas! Warm Regards, Nancy H.

Jack: I\'m 20 years older than you, so it made sense to go with the bovine valve. My surgeon said they should last 20 years, and by then they should have a better technique perfected. I was on coumadin for a month with unpleasant side effects, and I\'m glad I don\'t have to stay on it forever as those with the mechanical valves do. Now I\'m just on a baby aspirin a day. Of course, probably in 20 years they\'ll have solved the coumadin problem also. Terry C

Just piping in to comment on Art\'s statement about \"ER visits for small cut\".This is absolutely an exageration I am happy to say. Although i have a tissue valve I am and have been taking coumadin for 15 years without any ER visits although I have cut myself many times while cooking, etc. There have been so many on this journal that have had your dilemna, do what you\'re doing, question, research and decide and then don\'t second guess yourself. Good luck. Fran

I\'m 57 and I am trying to get the surgery scheduled for Dec. 27 or 28. I, also, have the tissue or mechanical option. I have chosen tissue. I am very active and don\'t want to take coumadin. I have spoken to 5 cardiologists/surgeons. 4 of them recommended the mechanical, 1 said tissue. All 4, that recommended mech. did so, but said it\'s your choice and \"there is no wrong choice\". The coumadin stories (ER visits for small cuts)I\'ve heard scare me more than another surgery down the line. 2 of the 4 also suggest that in 15 years or so, the surgery should be easier - through the leg, without having to open the chest. That is experimental, right now, but tests are going very well, all of them have said. But, I can\'t wait, since there is still much more testing to be done. I tried to get into the experimental program at Cedars (here in LA), but they only take patients that wouldn\'t survive \"through the chest surgery\". If you\'re active I would choose a tissue valve. Art Lacher