Kent Forrest - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

534 days ago

Patsy Stewart, Susan Lynn, Rose Madura reacted to this

I has been three weeks since my surgery and everything is going well. I am working will a team to keep my ANR where it should be, they have been very ...Read more

I has been three weeks since my surgery and everything is going well. I am working will a team to keep my ANR where it should be, they have been very helpful. I am testing about every three days. I am doing a walk for about 25 min daily and shorter walks in between. I state cardiac rehabilitation Thursday and am looking forward to starting that process. I am socializing with friends which has made this process easier. I count my blessings ever day that we caught this early and took care of the valve and aneurysm. This site has been very helpful with it's information about the surgery, recovery and the information that was provided by it's members. I have found for myself that the anticipation was far worse than the actual surgery and recovery. I wish everyone successful surgeries and recoveries

Ed Eller It's great to hear how well you are doing! I feel like we are in the same graduating class. I had si ... Read more

Ed Eller It's great to hear how well you are doing! I feel like we are in the same graduating class. I had similar surgery 2 days after you with a mechanical valve. I'm in a similar stage of recovery except my cardiac rehab is still 3 weeks from now.

Patsy Stewart This is wonderful to read! I’m sure you’ll do great with your cardiac rehabilitation. Go, Kent!~� ... Read more

Patsy Stewart This is wonderful to read! I’m sure you’ll do great with your cardiac rehabilitation. Go, Kent!~🚶🏻‍♂️❤️
You too, Ed! Keep moving and you’ll be ready for rehab!
Funny story…. I had a lot of cake customers checking in to order a cake. I was constantly saying I was in rehab, and then when I would hang up, the thought always crossed my mind that I should have said cardiac in front of rehab. Nobody ever ask what type of rehab I was in. I hadn’t really broadcast what was going on to everyone. Lol!! Get better!! ~❤️

Ana Brusso Hi Kent, so glad to hear your great progress in recovery. Continued good health and God bless you

Rose Madura Always great to hear successful stories! Yay! And so true...to be thankful it was caught early. ... Read more

Rose Madura Always great to hear successful stories! Yay! And so true...to be thankful it was caught early.

Kent Forrestposted an update

627 days ago

I am thinking of moving forward with a mechanical valve. Can anyone share their experiences with a mechanical valve and warfren.

Michael Klusyk Hi Kent. My original plan for surgery was a Ross Procedure but I ended up with ... Read more

Michael Klusyk Hi Kent. My original plan for surgery was a Ross Procedure but I ended up with an Edwards Inspiris Resilia bioprosthetic valve due to an issue during surgery. I specifically had this alternate plan to avoid Coumadin (Warfarin) due to my very active lifestyle and job. I encourage you to check out the Inspiris Resilia as an option. Check out my Valve Story and Journal if you are interested in my progress before and after surgery.

Steve Neal I went for mechanical valve with warfarin. Took a while to get my INR stable (about 6 weeks) but fine ... Read more

Steve Neal I went for mechanical valve with warfarin. Took a while to get my INR stable (about 6 weeks) but fine now. Life is normal for me really. It doesn’t have an affect on my day to day life (gym 4/5x a week lifting weights and spin). Bruise slightly easier than before but no biggie

David Stumpf Kent, I am 59 years old and went with a mechanical valve 9 years ago. I home test my INR level once a ... Read more

David Stumpf Kent, I am 59 years old and went with a mechanical valve 9 years ago. I home test my INR level once a week with zero issues. I still run/jog 4 miles a day and am very active. I am completely satisfied with my decision to go with a mechanical valve.

Rita Savelis Have had 2 mechanical valves for 7 years. It takes time to for your body to get used to anticoagulant ... Read more

Rita Savelis Have had 2 mechanical valves for 7 years. It takes time to for your body to get used to anticoagulants. INR goes up and down. But now I test once a month and eat what I want and no longer think about it. I was 53 when I had OHS and because my valves were damaged from cancer radiation therapy as an adolescent having multiple surgeries was not an option.

Kent Forrest Thank for the feedback

Mike Tirrell Hi Kent, I am 44 and have had my mechanical aortic valve for a year. I monotir my INR at home once a ... Read more

Mike Tirrell Hi Kent, I am 44 and have had my mechanical aortic valve for a year. I monotir my INR at home once a week or every other week. It's not been an issue for me at all. I don't have any bruising issues or anything like that.

Kent Forrestposted a journal

667 days ago

John Errico reacted to this

I am a 66 year old male that was diagnosed with non rheumatic aortic stenosis, thoracic aortic aneurysm without ruture and a bicuspid aortic valve. I am in ...Read more

I am a 66 year old male that was diagnosed with non rheumatic aortic stenosis, thoracic aortic aneurysm without ruture and a bicuspid aortic valve. I am in the process of looking for a hospital and surgeon for valve replacement and correction of aneurysm. Looking to find statistical information on hospital and surgeons in the Minneapolis area for number of valve replacement and aneurysms completed by hospital and surgeons.

Tom Everson Hi. I sure would consider the Mayo Clinic. Some have it rated as #2 in the USA

Mark Shaw Check https://publicreporting.sts.org/search/acsd

Adult Cardiac Surgery Public Reporting | STS Public Reporting

https://publicreporting.sts.org/search/acsd

The STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) contains information on surgical procedures submitted by participants—most often a hospital cardiothoracic surgery department or cardiothoracic surgery group at one or more hospitals; in some instances, a participant may be an individual surgeon.

Rose Madura I agree with Tom. If I lived in the Minneapolis area, I'd surely consider it. Do your research and ... Read more

Rose Madura I agree with Tom. If I lived in the Minneapolis area, I'd surely consider it. Do your research and I always recommend a second opinion. Start writing down questions you want to ask them...