Kim's Guestbook

Bob M  I pray that your surgery will be textbook and your recovery will be uneventful. Tomorrow will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. God bless and rise up!

Kim Beck  Thank you so much! I'm sure I will have a lot of questions in the next few weeks. You make me feel better already though....the thought of giving up broccoli and wine was enough to make me consider a tissue valve. I'm not, I'm going with the On-X as well...but I own and manage a wine shop glad to know I don't have to change my career!

Kim Beck  Clare...Are you happy with your mechanical choice? I am so confused right now. I was confident that mechanical was for me based on my age...but I am reading about so many other people close to my age choosing the tissue valves. I didn't even know this was an option!! I really like the idea of no coumadin...but I also want an active lifestyle.Ugh!

Clare Auten  Kim, everything about my surgery was like a whirlwind. I found I had a bicuspid valve in late November. They found the aneurysm 12/26. Surgery was 1/9/14. I really didn't have time to research anything. Both my cardiologist and surgeon recommended mechanical. My husband asked the surgeon why. He said the lower anticoagulation for the On-X made it the way to go. The FDA has approved an INR range of 1.5 to 2.0. In Europe they are anticoagulating the On-X with just aspirin. ....no coumadin. Hopefully the FDA will approve that although the government is slow.

Clare Auten  I am over a year and a half post op. I have no restrictions. I mow the yard, etc. I have done 2 half marathons since surgery and training for one in October. I can't run the whole way but will do a run/walk.

Janea Christensen  Kim, you should read my story. I have walked your road. I chose tissue and now 9 years later I'm getting another valve. I really loved my tissue valve. This time I'm choosing mechanical. I am a busy mom with 4 kids.

Kim Beck  Thank you ladies. You have made me feel much, much better. I am confident (well, getting more confident anyway) that the On-X is the way to go for me. My cardiologist hinted that he thought there would be an alternative to coumadin within the next 5 years. My surgeon feels this is the best way to go as well.

But then again...I'm still waiting for that cure for Diabetes that everyone was talking about in the '80's LOL!!!!!

Meredith Bray  Hi Kim, I'm 44 and have an On-X mech valve, no restrictions. Within 6 months I was back to riding rollercoasters and going on road trips. I'm more active now than I was before I had symptoms. About my diet: Dark greens affect blood clotting. More kale/spinach/broccoli = blood clots faster. More wine = blood clots slower. I've had several informative discussions with my anti-coagulation nurse. For me, if I would like some wine then I also have a good salad (not iceberg). Cooked spinach is almost always a no-no, but fresh spinach is ok. It's not as daunting as it seems, I promise!

Kim Beck  Thank you Naomi...you bring up some very good points! Just when i think I have things figured out I tend to question myself again. I guess I still have 2 weeks to make the decision.

Naomi Ivker  Either decision will be the right one. Many good reasons to go mechanical. I don't react well to many meds and didn't want to add Coumadin to the mix. On the other hand, re-surgery is a terrifying prospect. I know you will make the choice that is best for you. Owning a wine shop, sounds wonderful. Good for you on taking steps towards a long healthy life!