Thanks Thomas. I think I am in almost the identical situation. I am 38 also. I just cannot decise on mechanical or tissue. I appreciate your thoughts on this. ...Read more
Thanks Thomas. I think I am in almost the identical situation. I am 38 also. I just cannot decise on mechanical or tissue. I appreciate your thoughts on this. I ask myself if I would be better off trying the mechanical and getting on with my life or tissue and hope to have perc procedures better in the future. I am glad to hear that you have not had a tuff time with Coumadin, does it stay reqular? Does the St jude valve have a chance of requiring a lower INR level? Again thanks, getting nervous about this as time is coming closer to doing the procedure.
Alex Vigil
Thomas Deakins Alex- My INR has to be right near 3.0 with the St. Jude valve so that is 3X thinner than the average ... Read more
Thomas Deakins Alex- My INR has to be right near 3.0 with the St. Jude valve so that is 3X thinner than the average person. I normally take between 5-10mg each day depending on the Vitamin K in foods I eat. I just did not want to go back through getting a full zipper again as they could not do a mini on me due to the Aorta issue. You will make the right call either way and I would suggest you discuss with your doc. All the best! There is a new mechanical valve that does not require Coumadin and they are using it in kids. It is being used in Africa for kids as well as they do not have access to Coumadin clinics. Ask your Doc.
Thomas,
Awesome to read how good you are doing. I am set for surgery on 01/22/13 at DUKE MC,I go back and forth on which valve to get. How did you decide and ...Read more
Thomas,
Awesome to read how good you are doing. I am set for surgery on 01/22/13 at DUKE MC,I go back and forth on which valve to get. How did you decide and is the Coumadin dosing going good,how long did it take to control? Thank you.
Alex Vigil
Thomas Deakins Hi Alex - You are in good hands at DUKE for sure. I was 38 when I had my AVR and choosing a pig or t ... Read more
Thomas Deakins Hi Alex - You are in good hands at DUKE for sure. I was 38 when I had my AVR and choosing a pig or tissue valve would have meant going through this again in 10-12 years. I chose the St. Jude valve as I went with the recommendation of my surgeon and others in the medical field as well as my own research. The fact that my lower ascending Aorta was enlarged and the possibility that it may need replaced was also a factor. The Coumadin is not a big deal as you get used to it. I do eat green veggies and just have to maintain or take them in moderation. I check my blood every week as I have my own INR machine (no Coumadin clinics) and my PCP helps me with the dosage. I like to think I am a walking chemistry experiment :-) Good Luck on your surgery and remember to take it easy for a while. You will feel like a new person as soon as the tubes and wires are out. I promise!
Thomas:
What a great anniversary entry--and so much covered in so short a time. Thanks for letting me know on my guestbook that after a year you still have ...Read more
Thomas:
What a great anniversary entry--and so much covered in so short a time. Thanks for letting me know on my guestbook that after a year you still have a pink area at the bottom of the incision. I do remember when my kidney was removed 29 years ago that the incision stayed purple for so long I thought it would never fade, and now, despite the fact that it goes around half my body, it\'s so faint it\'s hard to see.
Let us know how you do with the marathon. I must confess, I\'m not as eager to sweat as I was before I hit 70--artificial knees and repaired feet don\'t help! And, my cardio said I absolutely must NOT return to my routine with the personal trainer of the heavy weight lifting. Oh, well, the local Y has a good program for septegenarians!
Again, best of luck in your future, and may your valve beat all the odds and last 60 years! Either that or miraculous new procedures get developed.
Terry C
Congratulations from one of the new kids!!!!
I am almost 3 weeks post op & I can\'t wait to see what 1 year feels like!!
Enjoy your beautiful life.
Warm Regards, ...Read more
Congratulations from one of the new kids!!!!
I am almost 3 weeks post op & I can\'t wait to see what 1 year feels like!!
Enjoy your beautiful life.
Warm Regards,
Nancy H.
Hi Thomas, My brother in law Tom Molz just had the dame surgery. He has a page here. I just read your journal and am so blessed. You gave me some things ...Read more
Hi Thomas, My brother in law Tom Molz just had the dame surgery. He has a page here. I just read your journal and am so blessed. You gave me some things to pray about for Tom\'s recovery. Thanks so much for your courageous journey and sharing with everyone. I pray continued good health for you and your family for many years to come.
Blessings, Wanda Garnes
I cannot believe after all these years that I am just browsing through some names in my annuals and I type in yours. I couldn\'t believe it was really you. ...Read more
I cannot believe after all these years that I am just browsing through some names in my annuals and I type in yours. I couldn\'t believe it was really you. I never knew that you had heart problems in school. I read your journal and story. It is amazing. I am glad that you\'re OK now and doing well. You have a beautiful family. I hope to hear from you, I sent you a friend request on facebook. Stay healthy.
Hey Thomas,
Thanks for the message on my guestbook. I\'m interested to know if you\'ve had any problems with the blood thinner? How often do you have to get ...Read more
Hey Thomas,
Thanks for the message on my guestbook. I\'m interested to know if you\'ve had any problems with the blood thinner? How often do you have to get your levels checked? Also what restrictions did they place on you because of the blood thinner when your recovery is complete? Are you going to have to make any lifestyle changes? Also do you hear the clicking of the valve?
You\'ve said recovery has been like a roller-coaster.
I\'m just hoping that my valve will last as long as it can and then hopefully there have been improvements in the blood thinners or surgery itself. I have a bit of a needle phobia (I\'m working on that though) so getting my blood checked a lot is not something I look forward to. Obviously, I will want to have the surgery as few times as possible.
Thanks again for responding. If you have facebook, just look me up at pcsfd2@gmail.com, too.
Thanks,
Patrick in STL
Hi Thomas
Boy, you\'ve really been through the mill. I had to look up Pericarditis and definitely not pleasant. I hate to be educated at another\'s expense. ...Read more
Hi Thomas
Boy, you\'ve really been through the mill. I had to look up Pericarditis and definitely not pleasant. I hate to be educated at another\'s expense. I will be praying you get on your feet AGAIN really soon and enjoy that trip west with the family. You all need some fun. Cheryl, Ontario
Hey Thomas, I hope you get off that rollercoaster soon and can just spend some time on the merry-go-round. Seriously, we are praying for your complete recovery ...Read more
Hey Thomas, I hope you get off that rollercoaster soon and can just spend some time on the merry-go-round. Seriously, we are praying for your complete recovery and hope that you can get back to 100% soon. We are all so blessed to have Jeff in our lives--I know you have complete confidence in him, and so do we. Take care, and please let us know if you (or Kim) need anything. Get well soon! Gina Jefferies
Hi Thomas & Kim!
I was just checking your latest post (since I kinda got lost during the hospital days), and I noted your kind words about me and you encouraging ...Read more
Hi Thomas & Kim!
I was just checking your latest post (since I kinda got lost during the hospital days), and I noted your kind words about me and you encouraging people to check out my journal. That was so amazingly awesome of you! Thank you! You know, I think we needed every single prayer offered up on our behalf. Even though it was truly a roller coaster ride, we always felt God\'s presence and peace in an indescribable way. Though I\'m certainly glad to be on this side of it all, and I\'m begging God for no more setbacks, even though it was a difficult time, it was a precious time. Hope you guys are doing well. I saw that your family had all gotten the flu. Bummer! Hope your sternum was healed up enough to handle that. How has it been for you going back to work? You guys are just really precious people, and I am grateful for your friendship and support.
Duane
Hi Thomas
Was checking up on you and see you\'ve had the flu or some such thing. Couldn\'t imagine adding that to an already ailing body but glad you are seeing ...Read more
Hi Thomas
Was checking up on you and see you\'ve had the flu or some such thing. Couldn\'t imagine adding that to an already ailing body but glad you are seeing the bright side now. Good luck on your follow-up. I\'m four months post-op tomorrow and have been plagued by an irregular heart beat so hopefully when I see the cardiologist on Tuesday he\'ll have something reassuring to say. Hearing something reassuring from the cardiologist does help greatly. What are you doing for your rehab? So far I\'m just on the treadmill once a week at rehab and almost every day at home. I\'ve been keeping track of Duane\'s and Richard\'s progress daily. Looks as if both have turned a positive corner thank goodness. Continued success in your recovery. Cheryl, Ontario
Hi Thomas!
Well, here I go, 6 weeks after you! Peggy and I are busy bees getting everything ready to leave for Orlando first thing in the morning. Though ...Read more
Hi Thomas!
Well, here I go, 6 weeks after you! Peggy and I are busy bees getting everything ready to leave for Orlando first thing in the morning. Though it\'s all still overwhelming, I\'m relieved it\'s finally here. You can only stand the anticipation for so long! Thanks for your friendship, support, and prayers, buddy! You and Kim have been in many ways and at many times a lifeline, and we are grateful. May you continue to experience God\'s full grace and healing! I look forward to your updates when I resurface. Off I go!
Duane Hunt
Hi thomas!
Mike wants to know if you are available for a playdate next week. He\'s good company, if you like talkers. Pool, darts, swing dancing, putt-putt, ...Read more
Hi thomas!
Mike wants to know if you are available for a playdate next week. He\'s good company, if you like talkers. Pool, darts, swing dancing, putt-putt, real golf, tennis, handstands contests, cards, and jumpity-jump are all out of the question though. : )
Love,
The johnstons
Thomas,
I get the same looks at rehab makes you feel like a little kid that did something wrong. I have been keeping them wondering why I am there at ...Read more
Thomas,
I get the same looks at rehab makes you feel like a little kid that did something wrong. I have been keeping them wondering why I am there at such a young age it\'s driving them nuts I\'m going to play the game for a couple of weeks ........
Tim Marchand
Hi Thomas
Good to see you are making a speedy recovery. Doesn\'t time fly when you\'re having fun? No doubt you\'ll be able to start driving again soon and ...Read more
Hi Thomas
Good to see you are making a speedy recovery. Doesn\'t time fly when you\'re having fun? No doubt you\'ll be able to start driving again soon and then you\'ll really feel whole. Getting back into my own car was one of the best feelings in the world. I even had tears when I was driving just feeling so thankful to be whole again.
Glad you are doing rehab. Cheryl, Ontario
I am from: Farragut, Tennessee
