So I'm going under the knife, soon...

[Kogarashi]

I didn't get a chance to last time, so I'll wish you luck this time around. I'm likely to need a valve replacement about 15 years down the road or so myself according to my cardiologist, so my sympathies.

I keep telling my husband (a scientist, though wrong field) that this is why they need to step up research on 3D printing replacement body parts from the recipient's own genetic material, so there's no (or at least less) risk of rejection.

[csquared]

This is one of those times when I would suggest you go with the best alternative, not the cheapest.

Good luck!

[mjr]

Don't know why they'd use one from a cow's heart - from what I've heard, pig valves are more commonly used due to a pig's heart being closer in size to a human heart.

My understanding is that it's a longevity issue. The cow ones last longer, based on what I've read.

[wolfie]

For heart valve replacements, there are generally 3 ways to go:

- Artificial valve (no rejection due to foreign tissue, but can wear out)
- Valve from a cadaver's heart (won't wear out, but like any transplant needs lifetime immunosuppressive drugs to avoid rejection)
- Valve from an animal's heart (for some reason, less likely to be rejected than one from a cadaver)

Don't know why they'd use one from a cow's heart - from what I've heard, pig valves are more commonly used due to a pig's heart being closer in size to a human heart.

[mjr]

So to update this, as I did in the other...

It's looking like early February. They're gonna use a cow valve (or a valve made from cow vein, or something like that).

[mjr]

So my wife has decided she's going to put me on some type of insane diet. She's going to do it with me, but it's almost a "rice cake and water" diet. It's her version of the Pritikin diet from the 1970's.

She's doing it because I gave her some numbers from some blood work I had, and she didn't like them.

[Lady Legira]

*hugs*

No matter how often you go under the knife you never get used to it. Feeling very much the same for different reason (surgery for cysts of doom in 16 days).

Listen to the instructions they give you and give them as much info as possible about previous surgeries and reactions to the knock out meds as you can if you've had previous. I'll be letting my surgical team that I'm asthmatic, have one kidney, had previous surgery in the same area and I vomit like a good one afterwards if they don't give me anti-nausea drugs (I once threw up over a nurse who now knows not to stand near the head of a patient while they come round).

[csquared]

While it is natural to get freaked out over heart surgery, you need to fight it and stay under control.

And while this will not help you feel more at ease, please make sure your will and advanced directive are in order. It will be one less thing for Mrs MJR to worry about.

I will second you r team lead's advise. Double check how your disability works, going back part time too soon may screw up your benefits.

[mjr]

Not to show vulnerability here, but when this creeps into my thoughts, I get terrified. I've got a family (wife is a stay-at-home mom, and our son is 10), so I'm praying (literally) that everything goes well.

[Gizmo]

Best of luck! I hope it goes very well for you.

[drunkenwildmage]

Good luck!

[Eireann]

Best of luck! You'll be fine, and your team lead sounds like a great guy!

[mjr]

Thanks, everyone! This is one of those things that, from time to time, absolutely permeates my thoughts.

I've already talked to my team lead, and he's suggesting that I don't work at all during my recovery period.

[iradney]

Holding thumbs!

[Crossbow]

Best of luck to you!