Venkat - Thanks for the note and the encouragement! I see where you are having some various up\'s and down\'s and I do hope you start on a serious upswing ...Read more
Venkat - Thanks for the note and the encouragement! I see where you are having some various up\'s and down\'s and I do hope you start on a serious upswing soon. I guess the fortunate thing was where you were when you had your episode. Hang in there - you\'ve come a long way - I\'m pulling for you!
Dick Miller
Hi Ashok, sorry to hear you are having this issue. I know you just want it to be over with. Just remember...we are the fortunate ones...have been or will ...Read more
Hi Ashok, sorry to hear you are having this issue. I know you just want it to be over with. Just remember...we are the fortunate ones...have been or will be fixed. We are so fortunate that our first symptoms weren\'t sudden death!
Glad you were at rehab, where you got immediate attention. Keep us posted.
Still waiting...Linda Dixon
Hi Ashok,
This is all such good news. I just read your latest update.
Yes, I have been very busy this first month. My schedule has stablilized just this week. ...Read more
Hi Ashok,
This is all such good news. I just read your latest update.
Yes, I have been very busy this first month. My schedule has stablilized just this week. I\'ll give you a call this week too to see what you\'re up to & if you & Debbie need any help. Have been working & back to school but in a routine now between me & the boys. Keep up the great work. You have such a positive attitude! It\'s inspiring.
Talk to you soon, Ginger
Hi Ashok, good to hear from you. I am happy to hear you are progressing well. All in all, I guess some minor issues are to be expected and a small price to ...Read more
Hi Ashok, good to hear from you. I am happy to hear you are progressing well. All in all, I guess some minor issues are to be expected and a small price to pay for a repaired heart. (I know, easy for me to say...I haven\'t had my surgery yet). I hope you get your INR leveled out soon. I was on coumadin for several years for a PFO and found alternating between 5.0 mg and 7.5 mg worked pretty well for me, but everyone is different. Keep up the good work and don\'t overdo. Listen to your body.
Linda Dixon
Your story is exactly like mine, I am starting my 6 week post op and my biggest problem is getting the Coumadin level correct. It is a slow process, I now keep ...Read more
Your story is exactly like mine, I am starting my 6 week post op and my biggest problem is getting the Coumadin level correct. It is a slow process, I now keep a journal of what I eat and see if anything could be causing a problem. My Multi Vitamin had 60 mcg which is suppose to be half of the daily amount for a man, so I stop that but my levels are still low. Hopefully they will get this corrected in the next few days. Hang in there you are doing great. take care jim
Venkat Ashok Thanks for your feedback Jim. My last test came back at 3.9 so I will be reducing my coumadin, altern ... Read more
Venkat Ashok Thanks for your feedback Jim. My last test came back at 3.9 so I will be reducing my coumadin, alternating between 5 and 7.5 mg. I have been avoiding most foods high in Vitamin K until my Coumadin dose is stable and then will start experimenting with some foods high in Vitamin K and the Multi Vitamins.
Hello Ashok! Glad to hear you are doing well. One question about the INR...when they take your blood are they drawing from a vein or doing a finger stick? ...Read more
Hello Ashok! Glad to hear you are doing well. One question about the INR...when they take your blood are they drawing from a vein or doing a finger stick? I am a medical laboratory technologist and the PT, INR test can be very finicky. I am very skeptical of the quick finger stick methods, since there is such a great difference in technique among those obtaining sample, tissue fluid, etc. Also if venous blood is used it is imperative that the correct amount of blood be drawn. If you are a difficult stick and they have trouble with your veins that can also be an issue. PT, INR is very sensitive. All of this may not even be an issue, you may just need higher dosage. These are just some thoughts. Hope you get to correct dose soon. Keep us posted.
Linda Dixon (still waiting)
Venkat Ashok Linda, thanks for your feedback. Right now, they are taking my blood from a vein and not a finger sti ... Read more
Venkat Ashok Linda, thanks for your feedback. Right now, they are taking my blood from a vein and not a finger stick. My last test came back at 3.9 so I have been asked to reduce my dose and alternate between 5 and 7.5 mg.
Great news, Ashok! I know that coumadin regulation is a pain but keep on it. As for the bumps in the car causing you pain, I think you need to ask Debbie to ...Read more
Great news, Ashok! I know that coumadin regulation is a pain but keep on it. As for the bumps in the car causing you pain, I think you need to ask Debbie to get you a new Mercedes....
Mark
Ashok--in reading your journal I am so happy to learn that your surgery was successful and you are on the road to recovery. As you heal and rest, know that ...Read more
Ashok--in reading your journal I am so happy to learn that your surgery was successful and you are on the road to recovery. As you heal and rest, know that you are thought of often.
Sending healing thoughts your way for a speedy recovery.
Rick
Hi Ashok,
I\'m so glad you are back home and doing well. My prayers are with you and your family and I look forward to seeing you back at work. -Sherri
Hi Ashok,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad to hear you ...Read more
Hi Ashok,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad to hear you are home and recovering. Take care of yourself and have a speedy and uncomplicated recovery. Sarah
Hi Ashok,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. What a blessing to hear that all went well with the surgery and that you are on the road to a full recovery ...Read more
Hi Ashok,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. What a blessing to hear that all went well with the surgery and that you are on the road to a full recovery at home. It\'s a God send to have a wife, family and friends that will be their for you through it all. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. It means a lot.
Lachelle
Ashok, So glad your recovery is going well. Lots of people have been asking me how you are doing and wanted me to send their prayers and Get well wishes to ...Read more
Ashok, So glad your recovery is going well. Lots of people have been asking me how you are doing and wanted me to send their prayers and Get well wishes to you. If you need anything don\'t hesitate to call. Take care Nicole!!!
Hi,
I am 12 days since my surgery. Some of the bruises that I had were where they injected the blood thinner (coumidin).
I cannot believe how bruised I was, ...Read more
Hi,
I am 12 days since my surgery. Some of the bruises that I had were where they injected the blood thinner (coumidin).
I cannot believe how bruised I was, but certainly starting to heal. I also only used the tylenol for pain. One of the reasons that I have trouble sleeping is because of the positions I cannot get into, like on my side. I still stay on my back very propped up on pillows . I am going to a christmas house party in a few minutes. I can\'t believe that I feel well enough to go.
Jane
Thank you Venkat for your reply. Good information. My daughter will be accompanying me for my surgery. She says that she wants to stay with me in my room. ...Read more
Thank you Venkat for your reply. Good information. My daughter will be accompanying me for my surgery. She says that she wants to stay with me in my room. Is there a place for her to stay (in the hospital) while I am in ICU or would I need to find accomodations for her elsewhere? I\'m sure the consierge will be able to help when I get to that point in the process, but perhaps you know. I assume they did not let your wife stay with you in ICU. All of my records are on their way to Dr. Gillinov, so I should know more in a few days. Happy recovery to you!
Venkat Ashok Your daughter can spend as much time in ICU with you as she wants. There is a family waiting room att ... Read more
Venkat Ashok Your daughter can spend as much time in ICU with you as she wants. There is a family waiting room attached to the ICU which has comfortable couches but no beds. be. She could sleep there if she wants. Not sure how comfortable it would be. There are three hotels on campus:
Cleveland Clinic Guest House
Intercontinental Suites Hotel
Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center
listed in increasing price. There are also several hotels within an 1/2 hr driving distance. We made our reservations very early. But a couple we met who tried to make reservations at the last minute found that the hotels on campus were full and had to stay 1/2 hr away.
Please let me know if I can help in any way possible.
Hi Venkat, happy to see you are home and on the road to recovery! I am interested in your experience at Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Gillinov. I myself am planning ...Read more
Hi Venkat, happy to see you are home and on the road to recovery! I am interested in your experience at Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Gillinov. I myself am planning to go there from South Carolina for aortic valve replacement and dilated aorta repair and hope that Dr. Gillinov will do my surgery. Any tips or advice? Have a great recovery! Linda
Venkat Ashok Thanks for making an entry in my guestbook. I would rate my experience at the Cleveland Clinic Except ... Read more
Venkat Ashok Thanks for making an entry in my guestbook. I would rate my experience at the Cleveland Clinic Exceptional. During the three days or pre op tests, you are mingling with the 'general' population and there can be long waits for tests. But starting the day of the surgery, everything went smoothly with minimal waits. During surgery prep and then in ICU and during hospital stay, they really take very good care of you.
You rarely have to ask for anything twice. All hospital rooms (not ICU) are private rooms that are really nice with a wide window, flat screen TV, and a pull out fouton bed that your family member can sleep in if needed. We did rent a room at the Intercontinental Suites Hotel which has a restuarant and exercise facility and that made it real easy for my wife and I didn't have to worry about her wandering around trying to find a place to eat at night. But a little expensive.
The worst part of the whole experience is the ICU because you are exposed to not only what is happening to you but what is happening to other patients.
Everybody I talked to had a very high opinion of Dr. Gillinov and he is considered the best mitral valve surgeon at the Clinic. Someone remarked that he has wonderful hands. But he is very busy person and I saw him the day before the surgery and once during my hospital stay.
If you have any other questions, post them to my guestbook, or just call my cell 614 519 9311.
I am thrilled to know you are safelyback home, with only small worries still. I am sure that you\'ll recover quickly, as you are in wonderfully caring hands ...Read more
I am thrilled to know you are safelyback home, with only small worries still. I am sure that you\'ll recover quickly, as you are in wonderfully caring hands all around. My family\'s continued prayers are with you.
Kelly Monaghan
Ashok and Debbie, Pleased to hear that you were able to go home last night. Great news all around. Get some rest, and we all look forward to your recovery. ...Read more
Ashok and Debbie, Pleased to hear that you were able to go home last night. Great news all around. Get some rest, and we all look forward to your recovery. Hope to talk with you soon.
Tom M.
Glad to hear it went quite well...Now it is time for quiet and fast recovery...thinking about you and Best Wishes for a Speedy recovery!
Debbie - you have ...Read more
Glad to hear it went quite well...Now it is time for quiet and fast recovery...thinking about you and Best Wishes for a Speedy recovery!
Debbie - you have been a great support - now you need to take rest.
Best Wishes.
Venkat Punugu
quote
Aterial Flutter is a normal reaction to the heart being worked on and people spend to much time worring about the it, The Flutter will probably be gone ...Read more
quote
Aterial Flutter is a normal reaction to the heart being worked on and people spend to much time worring about the it, The Flutter will probably be gone in 6 weeks.. unquote
greatly relived from expert\'s mouth
APPA
Great job Venkot! So glad to read about how well you are doing. Hopefully the surgeon also fixed your slice. You will continue to feel better and better every ...Read more
Great job Venkot! So glad to read about how well you are doing. Hopefully the surgeon also fixed your slice. You will continue to feel better and better every day.
Take care.
JH Mattingly
I am from: Columbus, Ohio
