Hi Terri, prior to my surgery while doing research, I came to learn about the Heart Hugger Sternum Support Harness and purchased one online for $95.00 US plus S&H and duties (being in Canada). http://hearthugger.com/why-heart-hugger.php
I found that to be one of the best purchases I've ever made. It does exactly what they claim. At first, my insurance rejected my claim as it is not available in Canada (OMG) but making the wheel squeak, they eventually paid for the product but not the S&H or duty. I had and used our reclinery post surgery for about six weeks. I had rented an electric hospital bed ($200 for the first month) but only used it a few times; I preferred the recliner. As for help at home, my wife was home with me the first week and my son was here from Alberta for a month. Going it alone would have been a little too much for me to handle but maybe that's just me. Simple things like reaching up for a cup, opening the fridge door are quite the tasks at the beginning. For the first few weeks, I was very tired and had to take several naps. Brush teeth.. nap; have a shower ... nap; go for a 15 minute walk... nap; eat .. nap. I also felt kinda weak and really appreciated someone just being there, just in case. I was pretty sore the first few weeks also. You really do have to take it easy. Remember, it is a two steps forward; one step back recovery. Take it slowly; give it time. Accept any/all the help you can get and you will be fine..... Best of luck next week.... Take Care .... Eric B.

Hi Terri,

I took cardio rehab starting in late December - my ARV had been in July. It was still very beneficial. I never paid a cent (Medicare) for the 38 sessions. They explained that I had to begin within six months of surgery.

I went to the Cleveland Clinic from Denver and my out of pocket expenses for the operation was $0! I got ONE bill after three months for $2,066 but it had a notation NOT to pay as they were still dealing with my secondary insurance. I knew that insurance company wouldn't pay a cent since they didn't cover procedures outside of Colorado. BUT I have never gotten a second bill from CC and it's been over a year!

Imagine also the concept of ONE bill for the entire stay!

My surgery for a severely stenotic aortic valve was amazingly easy. I was 69 and went with a bovine valve. My thinking is that if I need another some day, science will have progressed to the point that the operation will be even easier.

I feel a million times better since surgery and, knowing what I now know, I wouldn't hesitate to have the same operation again. BUT I would go to the Cleveland Clinic again - that was the secret!

Anne Shannon

I went with a Bovine valve, here is my decision and factors: Hope it helps. Jack White

Bovine Valve vs. Mechanical(Pros and Cons):
BOVINE
-Coumadin
• Give up Physical Job or Activity:
• I want to be able to work on Tree Farm, yard, etc.
• Go Deer Hunting/perhaps fishing one day
• Football officiating maybe?
• Do all this without my wife worrying about me bleeding to death.
• I can hurt myself somewhat quite often…….
• 1 of 100 on cumiden can have stroke/bleeding
• Chance of stroke less with tissue vs. mechanical
• Monthly blood test
• Cost of medicine/forget to take medicine
• Bleeding while shaving, etc
• Major accident: friend's mother on cumiden that bleed to death.
• Future Elective Surgeries/Dental work
• Past History of Ulcer
-Fellow worker had mechanical valve (16years) still had replacement done.
-Cardiologist:
• Probably gets a trip to Vegas is he “sells” 5 mechanical valves:
• I really think the cardiologist is ok with any decision I make (I was unsure before Secretary call today).
• He was “stand backish” during Surgeons visit, but walked in on the conversation.
• Did not communicate strong opinion back to me via secretary. She stated it was up to the surgeon to discuss questions, etc.
• Stating in initial visit that the “Surgery was not a big deal”…( so therefore I can do it twice)
-Cardivascular Surgeon:
• Gave me choice
• If it happened to him……. His choice is bovine. He would go through the Surgery twice, no question.
• His face, when discussing that the cardiologist had talked about Mechanical exclusively.
• Video from Hospital, about his parents.
-Internet research:
• Cleveland Clinic, in 2009 performed 1,613 aortic replacement procedures, 85% were biological
• Study on biologic valves show, in 40 year old, these valves have a 50% chance of lasting 15 years or longer without decline in function. (I am a little older so that might be a small plus?)
• In discussion on internet, Dr. Gillivov, Cleveland clinic, states that “advances in preservation of tissue valves where they could last 20 years, some do, but count of 10-15 years”; in conversation with 65 year old man, that is replacing valve after 10 years: leaves the option open for Mechanical valve at that age of 65.
-My overall health forward (quit my vices):
-Future surgical procedures for an easy fix, or future of biologic valves longevity.
- Fellow Worker stated “Put a God made valve in”


Mechanical:
Pros:
• Does not have to be replaced: Maybe…………..
• Get Mechanical the 2nd time, if advancements are made in blood thinner/valve
Cons:
• Cumiden
• Some clicking sound

Hi Terri, I can relate to insurance company issues on claims. I certainly had my share of them with SunLife. In the end, it took making the wheel sound real squeaky; it finally got the oil. I can't comment on co pay being in the Canadian (Quebec) healthcare system but can say cardiac rehab is expensive but feel it is worth it. Mine is like a 3-month membership at the gym with a personal trainer/cardiac nurse. It started out with a $220 stress test and consult with a cardiologist to determine my maximum heart rate (mine is only 100 since I'm on beta blockers. At cardiac rehab, they check my blood pressure and heart rate before each workout and monitor my heart rate through out. I bought the Polar FT1 heart monitor for $100. I should not exceed 85% of my maximum heart rate which in my case 85 of 100. The total cost of my rehab is $910 and I go twice a week for an hour to 1.5 hrs each session. After battling with my insurance companies, my disability insurer paid $720. but like I said, you have to make noise (don't give up).... Eric B.

Hi Terri - I did cardiac rehab and did the whole 36 sessions. I found it worthwhile not only in order to get back into the routine of exercise, but to have the support of the nurses just to check in on me three times a week. This was especially helpful as we were watching my bloodpressure very carefully after surgery. I also met some great people who were comforting to talk to as the recovery continued. I did not have any trouble with insurance it was 100% covered for me - but again, that will depend on your policy (or policies in your case) If I were you I would call Anthem and ask for a nurse advisor or advocate to help you thru this process. They should be able to assign a case manager who can assist in sorting everything out for you and can even help with your coordination of benefits. It will make your life a lot easier. If there is anyway you can make cardiac rehab work - I would! Randa G

Hey there Terri, it's the 28 year old with the On-X valve again. I'm doing cardiac rehab right now, been doing it for 3 weeks. In fact I start back at work tomorrow and I'm kinda nervous about getting back into the swing of things I'm 9 weeks post op but have been on disability for 15 weeks, I had to stop working a month before surgery because of symptoms. On top of going back to work I will be going to work extra early to squeeze in time for cardiac rehab 3 times a week. We will see how it goes, might be too much too soon, only time will tell.

Concerning insurance, I have to pay a $30 copay each session. It really is nuts but I've made it a point to take advantage of everything I can that may make me get better faster. If you can't afford it then you can't afford it, many get well without rehab and you can too. If possible maybe you can go to a weeks worth of sessions just to get a feel for it and then drop out?

I just read your entry about wishing no one new about your surgery. I too am having open heart surgery, mine Oct.20. This is my second one. First one was two years ago. Repairs were done. This time replacements. That time I kept it pretty much to myself, husband and close family and friends. This time I am sharing with anyone who will listen. I want all the prayers and well wishes I can get. What I feel from others is "concern". I know I am loved and they only want the best for me. I value any input in my guestbook from my family and friends and others. I concider myself a spirtual person not a religious person. But I am putting myself in His hands for the best outcome for me. it's all in how you look at it, prespective, pity verses concern, I choose concern.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

And the beat goes on and on,
Frieda Monarch-Nowosielski

Hi Terry. The pity thing is a script, don't you think? Most folks don't really understand and their "pity" is a way to acknowledge your situation without it hitting too close to home. You are facing the life and death thing foursquare for a while now - you understand things they don't understand, and you see things they don't see. I'll bet that you don't get the pity thing so much from people who've been starkly confronted with their own mortality. Maybe when somebody offers pity it's just from a happy lack of experience. I'd venture their lack of experience in these matters is on the whole a good thing. Bon courage -- DVB

Terri:

I understand t hohatrrible feeling of being too tired to do anything. At least you are closer to having surgery done and back on the road to recovery.

Good luck,
Audrey

Terri,
I am laying here tonight in CV step-down at Cleveland Clinic. I had a St Jude aortic valve and composite graft placed last tuesday. Recovery is slow but deliberate. Dr Svensson recommended a mechanical valve to me. I am 39 and fiercely active. I run 35-40 miles per week and live life to the absolute fullest. He didn't think that a bio prosthesis would last 10 years. That was enough for me. My goal is One surgery and get back to life. Best of luck to you and your family. God Bless BTW. I have a St Jude Valve and my birthday is the feast day of St Jude !
Jim Davis

Hello again Terri, the clicking from the valve affects everyone differently. Half the time I barley notice mine and the other half its pretty loud. Nobody has told me they can hear it. The On-X valve is supposedly quieter than other mechanical valves but I don't know how true that is. As far as ghost hunts, well it may be an issue. I could of sworn the other day when I was making a recording where I was right next to the camera I could hear clicking in the playback. 50/50 chance you will have an issue with clicks.

Hi Terri, I fully understand how overwhelming it is to decide on either mechanical or tissue, then after that what type and model. I was going mechanical one day and tissue the next so I asked my surgeon what he would selected given my lifestyle, age and the progress being made in the medical field. He suggested the Medtronics ATS 3f Stentless Equine (Horse) Bioprosthesis Tissue Valve. It's made out of a baby horse's pericardial tissue (sac around the heart) sewn into three triangular flaps with tabs. I had my heavily calcified and severely stenotic bicuspid aortic valve replaced by one of these along with a graft of the ascending aorta due to an aneurysm through the Bentall procedure on May 10th of this year. My surgeon said I could get 15 - 20 years out of this valve as the horse valves appear to be more durable and contain less fat cells. Makes sense to me. No problems so far (knock on wood). Google it... Good luck with your decisions, surgery and recovery.... Eric B.

Hi Terri. Yes it is scary, not knowing for sure what will happen with the surgery. The odds are pretty good everything will turn out OK. Lots better odds than the no-surgery route. The thing with the surgery (I had OHS for mitral valve repair 5 months ago) is that there's lots of opportunity for anxiety until you go in to the operating room. Managing that is tricky - it sounds like you have a good start: lots of people who love you, you're getting educated about heart matters, you've made the key decisions putting you on track to getting better. Brave woman. Know that you are doing the smartest thing you can, and that you are giving you and your family the most precious gift imaginable. That's a good thought to bring to the fore when the demons loom - it will help banish them. Just imagine how wonderful it will be to wake up after and know that you have a future. It really is the hardest before. Afterwards people will be taking very good care of you. Bon Courage! -- DVB

Hey Terri! I'm 8 weeks post surgery and so far the coumadin isn't that bad. I'll tell you what is worse than coumadin, it was the surgery! I would not want to do it again! Everyone is different but for me I'm glad I went mechanical, by the way I'm only 28 years old. I received an On-X valve which is the "hot" new thing right now for mechanical valves. In about 2 1/2 years FDA approved studies will be finished and this On-X valve will most likely be approved for lower dose coumadin or plavix replacement for coumadin, no other mechanical valve has this option. Ask your surgeon about it! I'm really starting to feel much better now but the first several weeks after surgery was TOUGH, MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, MENTAL!!! I wish I didn't have to take any drugs but it truly is a small annoyance versus knowing I would need another surgery in 5 to 10 years because I'm so young tissue valves to last as long in younger folks. You may want to look into the ross procedure, younger people should get better longevity but of course there are some downsides to it as well. Either way any choice is better than what you got inside of you now, whatever choice you make will be a good one and once you make it don't look back! Remember anything can happen in surgery and your surgeon may have to go a different route, discuss a plan B with your surgeon just in case he has to make an executive decision while your sleeping. In the end I ended up with heart block and required an internal pacemaker, this happens like 5% of the time but it happened to me.

Hi Terri! I am almost 6 months surgery date and I was scared to death too! But in hindsight - it was not that bad. REALLY! I am in my 40's and like you did not want the mechanical valve. It was not so much the clicking - but the coumadin I wanted to avoid. I ended up with a cow valve. No regrets! Get some anxiety meds to get you thru the next few weeks if needed. I will be thinking of you and let me know if you have quesitons. If you read my journal - you will see my rantings..it may help or give you a laugh! :)

Randa Gaalswijk

Terri,

You can do this.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick