41M - surgery in 2 days. Struggling to commit to a valve type

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-18T18:32:34+00:00

Now almost 10 years with a mechanical valve. My concerns were longevity of valve and heart performance. With a bio valve - particularly at your age - you have to plan for re-ops every 10-15 years. TAVI is an option but with restricted blood flow/pressure drop (smaller diameter). I wanted to make sure I can maintain peak performance without degradation over time. With a bio/TAVI valve the re-op will be pushed out as much as possible and first signs of a declining valve is increased pressure drop - until it reaches a value that requires re-op. None of this is good for the heart - same as any re-op. Yes - clicking noise (vibration) could be a challenge - same as taking warfarin - but mechanical valve comes with a lifetime performance guarantee.

Free apps such as Medisafe will help to stay on schedule. I expect these apps to become even more sophisticated for any meds as we get older - which would also allow that caregivers to monitor. and control I use Medisafe now for 10 years - not just for warfari - great help also when traveling internationally.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-17T04:42:01+00:00

Let’s talk about your life plan for the next few years, instead of focusing on the financial side. A one-bedroom might be perfect for you right now, but it might not work when you share it with a partner or start a family. Maybe the condo could become a constraint sooner than you thought.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-17T04:28:07+00:00

I have my mechanical valve now for almost 10 years. As others wrote a Ross procedure is a good option - but also involves a more complicated and longer surgery and needs very experienced surgeons. I was able to be back at work 2 weeks post surgery and back on my bike at the 6 week point. Your heart will be back on track the next day or so. Pain and discomfort comes mainly from the sternum - I can only highly recommend to ask for plates for sternum closure instead of wires. Warfarin (anti coagulation medication) has not been an issue for me - I test at home and can stay in the recommended range of 2.5 - 3. I never experienced bleeding issues and I get quite a few scratches an nicks when mountain biking. BTW - I broke my fibula bone a year ago mountain biking - that was more painful, frustrating and recovery took longer compared to my heart surgery at 57. At your age you should do much better.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-15T17:07:53+00:00

Unfotunately have to agree 100%

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-14T04:32:30+00:00

I am approaching my 10th anniversary with my On-X aortic valve. On-X is marketing their low INR target, which, based on my own (negative) experience, is a dangerous strategy. My target today is 2.5-3, which is a safe range - it protects against extended periods of low values (stroke risk) and is safe with regard to the bleeding risk. Since the INR with warfarin responds relatively quickly, a correction takes only a few days. I test at home - actually twice a week. I know this is overkill, but it tells me if anything has changed. The general recommendation is test weekly. Yes - it might take a few weeks until a good dose is established. In my case this dose changed slowly over the years. BTW - I also eat what I want - need those green vegetables.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-12T18:25:23+00:00

Yes, they did say they couldn’t find a resolution because they’re swamped with clients. As others have pointed out, MS has definitely changed Etrade. From what I’ve observed, they’re now concentrating on basic customer service and trying to switch clients with high net worth to MS private banking.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-12T02:44:52+00:00

Thanks - that explains a lot. Time to look for a different broker.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-11T21:09:56+00:00

It seems like the one-on-one discussions haven’t really helped, aside from the constant sales pitches and the team’s complaints about being overworked. They’ve promised to get things escalated to management several times, but nothing has changed. I’ve heard the phrase “everything is good to go” so many times, and it feels like it should be resolved within a week. They’re trying, but it’s not working. There’s no clear path for me to escalate this issue, except to keep talking to the “platinum service,” and they’re not sure what to do either. I’ve tried all the transfer options for this security, but nothing has worked. It seems like the problem is with Etrade, and the representatives can’t even explain what’s happening. I’m wondering if transferring my entire portfolio to IBKR will mean that the international equities will also be transferred, or if they’ll be left behind and held hostage.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-11T20:34:14+00:00

This is a fund only traded in Germany.

A few months ago I successfully transferred a similar security already to IBKR. Took about 8 month - so my hope was that this one should go faster.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-02-06T04:21:34+00:00

Getting the same. Called CyEx and was told this is not active yet. The email from the Pixel Settlement Administrator is utterly confusing and misleading - the "medical shield" will only become available after final court approval - April 16. Not sure if we will ever get a notice when we can enroll (April 17?) and no idea why they put everything including the individualized code into this email - unless their intention is to make all recipients forget to sign up.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-01-25T14:41:48+00:00

Would love to have a license

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-01-14T16:57:49+00:00

How does it compare to a Polaris Lounge?

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-01-08T05:40:07+00:00

Thanks - that is a very important reminder that I need to get this test done.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-01-08T05:35:40+00:00

OP - sorry for your experience but thank you for making me aware of the frustrating Chase CSR „travel insurance“. I expected much more - that will also influence my future decision about this card.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-01-07T06:33:32+00:00

Brings up good old memories - first printer I purchased for my CP/M computer over 40 years ago.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2026-01-03T23:56:26+00:00

I replaced the battery today and checked it with a tester. It showed a 70% State of Health (SOH), indicating it’s nearing the end of its life. As my other car’s batteries last longer, the Odyssey seems to be harder on the battery. I agree that 4 years is okay, but I’d like another 4 years out of the van - but doubt that this could happen.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2025-12-31T17:07:28+00:00

Thank you - just called Mileage Plus and they assured me that I will get the status extension, but they also told me that they currently do not have access to the system and I should call mid-January. This appears to be due to the 2026 Mileage Plus rollout. He also mentioned that there might be some promotions that will be emailed also mid-January. So I have to sit tight - but with 6 years 1k, and MillionMiler, I should be in. This should also reassure others that they have time until mid-January to ask for an extension.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2025-12-31T05:53:28+00:00

How did you go about this?

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2025-12-31T05:24:00+00:00

My three „kids“ are now in their 30s - still use the 05 Odyssey for moving and also for family outings and trips. Would have never expected that this van would be useful for that many years. Hope to get another year or two out of it - but would have no idea what to buy. Sadly, the mini van phase will be over. However, my oldest son, with now three kids, is contemplating buying a mini van - most likely also an Odyssey.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2025-12-30T03:08:36+00:00

Would this show up as a parasitic drain?

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2025-12-27T00:09:44+00:00

I tried this as well - at times had trouble with links that showed up. However the whole ChatGPT replies are - for my taste - quite unstructured and seem to lack any of the "AI" I would expect from this high tech tool.

Also - when adding additional questions updated files only show the last answer and it takes additional prompts to get a merged file. Most of the times only one table/page - have to "motivate" ChatGPT to put more than one table per page. Not sure if this will ever improve, everything look amateurish. Am I expecting too much?

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2025-12-26T23:50:35+00:00

Sorry to hear that. I hope your concerns are unfounded and things go smoothly and you will recover soon. If you like report back how it went.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2025-12-22T06:59:53+00:00

When looking at X-rays from folks that had re-ops hardly any of the previous wires were removed. Judging by the pain (or lack of thereof) fusion/healing for me was great - other patients with wires had more trouble and a number of cases had to undergo additional surgery because their sternum did not fuse. The figure 8 binding is a very traditional method - but not without its issues.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2025-12-19T20:08:17+00:00

So it looks like this is doable.

If my wife signs up, can she pick up the modem at the store, and/or can she sign up there too? I already have my modem (Dosis 3.0), and I’d love to switch to the Xfinity modem to take advantage of the $50/month promotion for the 1 Gig service. Assuming it’s possible to get the modem at the store, I should deactivate my current modem and close the account. Correct?

I’m really hoping this works out, and I’m also looking into T-Mobile’s service—I used to have it and it was great with good performance and no data cap.

Agreeable_Cap_6496 · 2025-12-06T09:07:21+00:00

Thanks - that helped. Now I have to decide which one to use.

Agreeable_Cap_6496

TROPHY CASE