Ann Jackson - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3 hours ago

Hi Adam! I have a unique situation and just wanted to check base with any new information that may come your way.
my first aortic valve replacement was ...Read more

Hi Adam! I have a unique situation and just wanted to check base with any new information that may come your way.
my first aortic valve replacement was 2011 (age 59) with a bovine valve.
my second one was 2021 (age 69) but received a mechanical valve to hopefully avoid a third surgery in 10 years.
The problem is that Warfarin is the only medication approved for a mechanical valve, and I had a Cerebral hemorrhage 6 weeks after implanting the mechanical valve due to the warfarin.

The hemorrhage did a lot of damage and I know it’s likely to happen again.
I’m very grateful to be alive, just still have issues with dizziness and pressure in my head.

I am not a candidate for TAVR due to low lying arteries.

Thank you for any insights you may have.

I have really enjoyed all the amazing information you have sent.

Ann Jackson.

Ann Jacksonposted an update

1557 days ago

I wish all the new patients with upcoming surgeries the best!! These doctors truly do this like clockwork, and just hold God’s hand for support. I’m ...Read more

I wish all the new patients with upcoming surgeries the best!! These doctors truly do this like clockwork, and just hold God’s hand for support. I’m also needing some advice on Coumadin and brain bleeds. I had my second aortic valve replacement May 5, this time receiving a mechanical valve. Just before my surgery ( 3 days after my heart Cath) I was having extreme dizziness. Tried to find the cause before surgery but Drs just passed it off as needing a new valve. As a result, have had a time healing as dizziness was worse. I had a brain bleed (cerebral hemorrhage three weeks ago and have been in hospital for 3 weeks. Thinking Coumadin might be the culprit, they blocked it, then started again with heparin drip to bridge back to Coumadin. Neurologist at hospital needs an MRI, but surgeon says I have to wait 90 days after my surgery since it’s a mechanical valve. I came home Friday but about to go back as my head feels worse. I also lost use of my left leg. If anyone has dealt with this, would love advice. I’m in the Dallas Tx area. Thank you and God bless rack of you.

Ann Jackson God bless ALL of you!!

Susan Lynn Ann - Sending you positive thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how you're doing. I'm sure t ... Read more

Susan Lynn Ann - Sending you positive thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how you're doing. I'm sure they'll get to the bottom of your symptoms! Hang in there! ❤🙏

Hello Ann, just read your post. I’m praying for God to guide your medical team to find the remedies ... Read more

Hello Ann, just read your post. I’m praying for God to guide your medical team to find the remedies necessary to help you with your bleeding brain. Very sorry you are dealing with this on top of the surgery. God bless you and keep you strong and please continue to write and let us know how you are doing.

Cameron Peek So sorry for all you are dealing with. I don’t have any direct experience but have a family friend ... Read more

Cameron Peek So sorry for all you are dealing with. I don’t have any direct experience but have a family friend who had a similar problem. Her mechanical valve failed and some small metal flakes cause a brain bleed. I remember they did brain surgery before they replaced her valve. She is home doing well so hopefully you will get through this rough road and be back doing better. I will keep you in my prayers.

Ann Jackson Thank you so much for words of encouragement. You ladies are truly angels the way you lift us up in p ... Read more

Ann Jackson Thank you so much for words of encouragement. You ladies are truly angels the way you lift us up in prayer and concern. You have helped so many people.
I found out this week that I could have had an MRI, so still waiting to schedule it. It’s been frustrating since I feel so bad but hope to get some answers. My Coumadin level can’t reach more than 2.0 now so it’s scary.
My prayers continue that God will show me the way. God bless you all.

Ann Jacksonposted an update

1632 days ago

Shannon Gray, Susan Lynn reacted to this

Hello and very happy to read your posts. These are all so helpful as I will have my second open heart surgery next week to replace my aortic valve. My first ...Read more

Hello and very happy to read your posts. These are all so helpful as I will have my second open heart surgery next week to replace my aortic valve. My first replacement was a bovine tissue valve that lasted 10 years. Was sure hoping for TAVR, but due to small size of my valve and placement of arteries Will not be a candidate. Although I’m 69 years old, will be getting a mechanical valve to hopefully avoid a third OHS. Was interested in hearing from anyone with a mechanical valve. I’ve never been on Coumadin but it’s a small price to pay. Ten years ago I purchased Adam’s book and it was a lifesaver for me. I can’t thank him enough for all the information he provides and the chance to help each other. Prayers to those of you about to have surgery. It’s VERY normal to be afraid so turn it all over to God. We are in His hands!

Hello Ann, lovely post. Sorry you have to go through this again again. Glad you can get the mechanica ... Read more

Hello Ann, lovely post. Sorry you have to go through this again again. Glad you can get the mechanical this time around. Your blessings mean so much and I will pray for your surgery to go well and have a smooth recovery. You said it well, we are in God’s hands. God bless you

Ann Jackson Thank you so much Ana! How are you doing? You must be a night owl like me! It’s a little difficu ... Read more

Ann Jackson Thank you so much Ana! How are you doing? You must be a night owl like me! It’s a little difficult to sleep these days.

Susan Lynn Ann - Sorry you have to go through heart surgery again. There are many mechanical valve heart warri ... Read more

Susan Lynn Ann - Sorry you have to go through heart surgery again. There are many mechanical valve heart warriors on this site who will hopefully share their experiences. Wishing you all the best next week! We'll be sending you positive thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how you're doing!

Ann, I am a night owl. I agree with our sweet Susan Lynn. Hopefully our mechanical valve heart warrio ... Read more

Ann, I am a night owl. I agree with our sweet Susan Lynn. Hopefully our mechanical valve heart warriors will chime in and offer their experience. Hang in there Ann

Laura Julius I had a mechanical valve put in almost 8 weeks ago. I can hear my valve clicking if it’s absolutely ... Read more

Laura Julius I had a mechanical valve put in almost 8 weeks ago. I can hear my valve clicking if it’s absolutely quiet but to be honest I find it soothing. I’m so grateful to be alive and the sweet ticking from my chest is a joyous reminder. If I can figure out how to upload a sound file, I can share the sound of my “ticker.” 😊 I have read of others who can’t hear theirs at all. When I awoke from surgery, I could only hear it in one ear. Then it moved and shifted and sometimes I could hear it and others I couldn’t. Around week 4 it settled into what it is now. I am on warfarin. My INR hovers between 1.2 and 1.3. In four more months my range will be 1.5 to 2.0 but for now they want it closer to 2.5 and 3.0. I hear this is common, the patience needed at the start to get the dosage right. I’m happy to share any other thoughts about my journey, limited as it may be.

Rita Savelis Have had 2 mechanical valves since my double valve replacement 6 years ago. Anticoagulants take gett ... Read more

Rita Savelis Have had 2 mechanical valves since my double valve replacement 6 years ago. Anticoagulants take getting used to. It can be frustrating at first as your levels (of INR) go up and down. But that's how they work. I haven't changed my diet or my lifestyle. I get tested every 3 weeks or so. And now it's just a part of my life. I rarely hear my valves, except when the room is very very very quiet. Wishing you the best.

Ann Jackson I am so happy to hear from all of you. It is so kind of you. All of your posts are very helpful. It� ... Read more

Ann Jackson I am so happy to hear from all of you. It is so kind of you. All of your posts are very helpful. It’s really a scary decision. Since I will never be a candidate for the TAVR, my Dr here in Dallas thinks mechanical will work best to hopefully avoid a third surgery. My surgery is Wednesday May 5 at Medical City Dallas.
I’m having a little trouble finding the posts again to reply.
I pray for each of you to continue to do well and pray I can talk to you again soon.

You will have lots of prayers for your surgery to go very well. You are a woman of faith and that wil ... Read more

You will have lots of prayers for your surgery to go very well. You are a woman of faith and that will give you the strength and peace you will need to get through this procedure. You asked how I was doing and I am grateful to say, well with God’s Grace. Thank you for your prayers and wish we will talk again, write when you can. God bless you Ann

Ann Jacksonposted a journal

3673 days ago

I have been scheduled for surgery for an aortic valve redo twice in the last few years. As the surgery grew nearer, I felt better- and following echoes looked ...Read more

I have been scheduled for surgery for an aortic valve redo twice in the last few years. As the surgery grew nearer, I felt better- and following echoes looked better so they said I could wait with caution. Evidently my first surgery was with too small a valve. I believe it's actually the valve opening that's too small- not just the valve itself. I have a median grade of 50 in that ventricle, which causes the heart to work harder for such a small opening. I will at some point need a root enlargement or replacement, which will be porcine this time. Has anyone had experience with root enlargement or replacement? My husband and I are confused as to the next step.

Tammy Pilcher Hi Ann, I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced and also got an aortic root enlargement with a Dacron ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Hi Ann, I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced and also got an aortic root enlargement with a Dacron patch at the same time. My surgery was Oct. 31, 2014. My surgeon said I needed the enlargement to make my valve fit better. This was something we didn't know I would need until he got in there. It just added a couple of hours to my surgery. Instead of a two hour surgery, it ended up taking four hours. I've done really well and I'm thankful my surgeon took care of it. Keeping you in my prayers. God bless!

Tammy Pilcher I forgot to add that my valve is a bovine tissue 21mm.

Ann Jacksonposted a journal

4075 days ago

I found out today it's time for my redo. Have been through extensive testing the last few weeks including three types of echos, heart cath, CT scan, etc. I've ...Read more

I found out today it's time for my redo. Have been through extensive testing the last few weeks including three types of echos, heart cath, CT scan, etc. I've known for a while that my first replacement, 3 1/2 years ago did not do well. About 1 1/2 years after my surgery, I started feeling the same symptoms of dizziness, tightness in chest, out of breath, etc. But then it seemed to get better- or maybe I was just used to it! Lately I've felt worse and tests confirmed. This time I will redo complete aortic root with pig valve to replace my 19mm bovine valve. They will use a much larger valve. I would appreciate your thoughts and especially your prayers very much. I will be scheduling the surgery within the next three months.

Hi Ann. I have a friend here and her name is Ann Jackson too. Thank you for your message and readin ... Read more

Hi Ann. I have a friend here and her name is Ann Jackson too. Thank you for your message and reading your post. 3.5 years is not long at all. Sorry to hear that. I too want another pig valve. I've not had one problem with it and I feel that because it's natural, it's better. Makes no sense but that's how I feel. How do you know the size of your valve? Maybe it's on some of my paperwork. I'll have to look.