Time for a Valve Job

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Hang in there, Gene.

[Skip]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Gene:

You are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep the faith.

Skip

[Tbear]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Gene, you are in out thoughts and prayers.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Gene, Liz and I will be praying for you. We don't want to miss any visits with you.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers. I'm a big believer in the power of prayer. The thing that concerns me is that I'm feeling the way that I did before the valve replacement. It's not making any noise so it's probably something else.

We don't want to miss any visits with you.

Right back at you two. Not planning to go anywhere.

[wcoates]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Gene modern medicine! Thank God for modern technology. Gonna go see Dad today. Thirty years ago a pigs valve for Dad. (Brother and I wouldn't say hello we'd just go in and go OINK!) Lasted almost to the day they said. He was never going to have it done again. Well that changed, now the mechanical valve has been in ten years and going strong. He's had at least 30 years of life that he wouldn't have seen years ago,
__________________

[007Cruiser]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Yup, thank God. The mechanical valves last even longer than the 20 year life of a pig or cow valve. The downside is that the mechanical one requires you to use Heparin and get periodic blood work. I was given a choice and opted for a tissue valve.

[wcoates]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Gene right you are again. Dad facing the pig lasting only the 20 years was faced with a choice. Local Docs who did the first surgery sent him to The Cleveland clinic as they were afraid of scar tissue. Cleveland did mechanical about ten years ago. Says it will last him 'til he's 100. He was on Heparin and now for some reason Coumadin. Adjusting blood flow medicine before any medical procedure (last was a tooth extraction) scares him more than the surgery.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Bill, I had meant to say Coumadin. Senior moment. I was fortunate to have mine done by a student of Dr. Michael Debakey about six months before he retired.

[Will]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Pig heart valves? What if you're kosher or halal (Muslim)? I guess the mechanical valve takes care of that problem. So, Gene, your tissue valve must be from an animal, not mechanical, right? All this is very informative, so I hope you 'll keep us all posted. I offer my best wishes for your travels on the road to recovery. Sounds like you're making excellent progress. ----Will (surgically reconstructed where necessary)

[merlot4]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Sorry to piggyback on Gene's thread, but your interesting thought piqued my curiosity, Will, so after some Googling, it would be permissible for a Jewish person to have a pig valve since life takes precedence, but I couldn't find a definitive answer for how it might be answered within the Muslim religion. Apologies again to Gene for wandering off course, so now back to topic. I'm glad that you were able to make the right choice for yourself, Gene.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Will and Richard, I never even thought about that. There are two choices for a tissue valve either pig or cow. I chose the cow valve which might be a problem for Hindus. If I remember correctly, bovine valves are larger than porcine valves. So I'm sure that also comes into the picture.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Earlier this week I underwent spirometry (pulmonary function testing). Air enters and exits my lungs normally but oxygen is not leaving the lungs into the bloodstream at the correct rate. The most likely reason would be anemia. Unfortunately, I just learned that my blood work is not showing any anemia. That means further searching for the cause. Back to the pulmonologist and cardiologist next week.

[Guest]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

Positive thoughts going your way, Gene.

[merlot4]

Re: Time for a Valve Job

I'm sorry to hear that the cause hasn't been found. I hope this will be resolved soon and be taken care with a simple cure. Best of luck, Gene.