Adam's Posts

I wanted to provide a quick update after my 6 month check up with my Cardiologist on Friday. She said I'm doing fantastic and I've graduated to annual check ups now. My echo cardiogram looked great and my valve sounded good. I'm very used to taking Warfin and getting tested regularly. Being on blood thinners is just normal part of life now. It did take over 18 months plus for my chest pain to fully go away. I sill have some minor pain, but I also found out I have arthritis in my sternum, which is the root cause.

It has been a long time since I've updated my journal. I wanted to give everyone a quick status on my recovery now that it has been over 10 months. At this point, I'm basically back to fully normal prior to surgery. My regular workout is over 3 miles of interval running in under 45 minutes. After completing, cardiac rehab early, my nurse recommended that I should only do interval running going forward and limit my peak heart rate to 150 bpm. I try to run about 3 to 4 times a week. In November I ran over 17 times doing just over 50 miles. Unfortunately, I was working too much in December, so I was only able to get about 5 runs in. I'm starting 2018 out strong though with the goal to at least 15 runs in this month. I'm also back to skiing and trying to make up for missing the ski season last year. I'm doing normal chores and work around the house. I had a follow up appointment with my Cardiologist before Christmas. She said that everything looks great. My BPM, Blood Pressure and INR are all great. I'm scheduled to see her again in June and have another Echocardiogram at that time. She still has me on Metoprolol Succinate and Warfarin. I'm taking 7.5 g of Warfarin a day and my INR is staying between 1.8 and 2.2. Before my surgery, I was concerned about being on blood thinners, but they have just become a part of my daily life. I do watch what I'm eating, so I do not eat too many greens. I have had a couple of cuts where it did take a lot longer to stop bleeding but overall my concerns with bleeding have been put to rest. I can say that I'm not 100%. I still have chest pain at times with my surgery. My Cardiologist said because of my age, it may take over 1 year for my chest to fully heal. Usually it's more of an annoyance, than anything else. Plus it always gets better with rest. For those making a decision between a mechanical valve and a bovine valve, I would strongly go with the mechanical valve. To know that I won't have to have another surgery is priceless. I have gotten the nickname "Tick Tock" because it does tick and I can hear it at night. It is something that I'm completely used to now and it comforting to hear it doing it's job. This is my final entry on my journal, but I'm more than happy to discuss my experience with anyone. Please just reach out to me and I'm more than happy to talk.