Guestbook of Rachelle Johnson

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Rachelle Johnsongot a new guestbook post

16 hours ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Rachelle that says:

Hi Rachelle ,
Wishing you good luck for your surgery .

Rachelle Johnson

5 days ago

Craig Howland posted a note for Rachelle that says:

Ticking of mechanical valve discussion

https://www.reddit.com/r/valvereplacement/s/rYaRONG93k

https://www.reddit.com/r/valvereplacement/s/rYaRONG93k

Rachelle Johnsongot a new guestbook post

5 days ago

Craig Howland posted a note for Rachelle that says:

Hi Rachelle…I am a 53M I am supposed to be getting Aortic Valve replacement on Apr 30 here in Canada. I had a tough time deciding what valve to go with also.

At ...Read more

Hi Rachelle…I am a 53M I am supposed to be getting Aortic Valve replacement on Apr 30 here in Canada. I had a tough time deciding what valve to go with also.

At first I was going to go with the mechanical valve also as this is what 2 different cardiologist recommended based on my age. I then saw my Cardiac Surgeon and he asked what i did for a living. I am career Fire Captain and do building construction also(decks, docks, sheds, floor, paint etc). He then asked what I liked to do for hobbies/sports and told him golf in summer and ski in winter… he thought because of what i did for a living and sports that i should consider a tissue valve. The biggest reason is the Coumadin. And he said with tissue first and then doing a TAVR… he could get to prob 70 without any major intervention.

I was still gonna go with mechanical and then had an appt with my DR. She started out in internal medicine before becoming a family Dr. She asked which valve i was gonna go with and replied mechanical. She asked if anyone had discussed Coumadin with me. We had a long discussion and started leaning towards tissue valve. I then called a family friend who is a nurse practitioner and explained everything…. She also said she would not want to be on Coumadin at this point in her life. Same age as me and is gonna retire close to same time as me.

As for the ticking, i did call one of the cardiologist back ( I had done some painting and drywalling for him a few years ago) and who originally recommended the mechanical to see if there was something that i was missing if i decided tissue… I brought up the ticking and he said you get used to it in about a month or 2. On the flip side he thought the surgeon was being conservative on getting me to 70 with tissue valves… he though more like 75-80 and that is based on 2025 technology.

Not sure if this helped or not… good luck with your decision and no matter what one u go with, life will be better

Yumiko Ishida Hi, Rachelle. I was 54, almost 55 at the time of surgery. At our age, at most we would only need two ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida Hi, Rachelle. I was 54, almost 55 at the time of surgery. At our age, at most we would only need two OHS. If we are lucky, when our new tissue valve needs replacement, it may be able to be replaced trans catheter. Unless you have a condition that puts you at high risk for having multiple OHS, or have multiple valves that need to be fixed and could go bad at different times, I would seriously consider tissue. I almost went with a mechanical valve but decided on tissue. I was already on coumadin due to afib and stroke, and was doing ok with it, so I thought I could just keep taking it, but my neurologist recommended avoiding coumadin if I can, as it would complicate my treatment should I have another stroke. I am really glad I went with tissue. I also have osteoporosis and being on coumadin made it worse. As Craig points out, your risk level depends a lot on what kind of activities you enjoy, so only you can decide which type to get. Once you decide, don’t look back!

Rachelle Johnsongot a new guestbook post

5 days ago

susan harris posted a note for Rachelle that says:

my son was in same situation. trust that you will get the procedure that is right for you. you are in the right place at the right time. trust that there are ...Read more

my son was in same situation. trust that you will get the procedure that is right for you. you are in the right place at the right time. trust that there are just some things you can’t control. i truly would have given my life for my son to have a ross. but it wasn’t meant to be. it will all be Ok!

Rachelle Johnsongot a new guestbook post

11 days ago

Maria DeMarco, Rachelle Johnson reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Rachelle that says:

Hi Rachelle ,
Welcome

I had emergency open heart surgery during covid times .
No visitors and not allowed off the ward .
I had a severely leaking mitral... Read more

Hi Rachelle ,
Welcome

I had emergency open heart surgery during covid times .
No visitors and not allowed off the ward .
I had a severely leaking mitral valve and was in a very bad way . My surgeon choose the best valve for me . I have a St. Judes’s mitral valve .
The sound of the valve is a comfort because I know my heart is beating and that I am alive .
I very nearly wasn ‘t . I got out of hospital in time for my youngest son ‘s 18th. Birthday .
Every day is a gift and I am very glad to be alive .
Wishing you all the best for your surgery .

Rachelle Johnson Thank you so much for that information. I'm just a little over a week before my surgery so I am gett ... Read more

Rachelle Johnson Thank you so much for that information. I'm just a little over a week before my surgery so I am getting really nervous and the thought of hearing myself tick is my biggest issue now that I have wrapped my head around what is about to happen.