Totally starting to relax!

[ruth]

Thank you all for the generous and wonderful moral support and practical suggestions. I've read and re-read the threads and derived a great deal of ideas, insight, comfort and yes, a few chuckles, from them. (quote: "I heard the unmistakable screech of unlubricated portable scale wheels grinding into my room. I turned one baleful eye on the perpetrator....."). I'm still giggling when I think of those experiences.

Clearly I came to the right place to voice my concerns. You're right, all I really need to bring with me is a good attitude and a supportive significant other. I've packed my bag with things I may or may not use. The rest will work itself out. In some ways it feels like being on a roller coaster, all the worries of the clickity clackity way up give way to the unavoidable eventualities, such that they are. I'm sure it will be quite a ride, as it is called here "over the mountain".

Stretch has generously offered to present me with the "Tawdry Shirt" either in person or by snail mail. I'll wear it with pride and pass it on to the next honoree.

I wish all of you & yours a happy, and above all, HEALTHY New Year.

Warm Regards and Many Thanks,
Ruth

 

[michellep]

Yikes! I am joining the presurgery wait. My aortic valve surgery was officially scheduled for Jan 12. Yikes. I am glad that I have been following your threads. I feel prepared and my bag is 5 pounds lighter. I love all of the amusing notes. I guess I will be too soon after Ruth to share the shirt but that's ok. Ruth, here we go!

 

[lynn]

It's funny that once surgery is scheduled and you've got all your stuff together that there is a sort of peace about it. Best wishes to you both

 

[ruth]

Michelle - I likely will still be at Wash Hosp Ctr when you are in your surgery but I assure you that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you all the best . We can compare stories, and hopefully some amusing insights from the other side.

Lynn - Thank you, best wishes on your upcoming procedures as well.

Ruth

 

[Adrienne]

Good luck to all of you, and of course a happy and HEALTHY new year!

 

[Nan]

Best wishes to all of you! And Ruth, I was so glad to read that you are feeling that pre-surgery calm that so many have! Will look forward to pix of you in "the Tawdry Shirt".

Hope the rest of you also "catch" that calmness.

Happy New Year to All!

 

[Superbob]

Ruth, Michelle, and Adam -- Best wishes to all of you. Great to hear that you're getting some reassurance. Look forward to hearing of your successful journeys to improved health.

 

[Magic8Ball]

It's funny that once surgery is scheduled and you've got all your stuff together that there is a sort of peace about it. Best wishes to you both

Word.

Best of wishes to you all with the upcomming surgery, its a walk in the park...

 

[marciemarine]

Good luck to all of you on your upcoming surgeries! I think the pre-surgery time is worse than the surgery (which you are unconscious for) and the recovery time. I know when I came to consciousness after my six hour double valve replacement, it was night time and all of my family had gone home for the night. I woke up and didn't know where I was for a minute and when I realized that I was in the IC my first thought was the I was still alive and I didn't feel badly and I was grateful and happy about that! The worst was over! And the respirator tube had already been removed! I wish that for all of you! Marcie

 

[gadgetman]

(quote: "I heard the unmistakable screech of unlubricated portable scale wheels grinding into my room. I turned one baleful eye on the perpetrator.....").
Ruth

Ruth,

Jest wait until they roll thet durn corntrapchun in at midnight jest befo'e yer t'be released an' insist they need t'weigh yo'. Of course this hyar is jest af'er yo' (at 11 PM) finally got thet dadburn multi-funckshunal horspital bed as smooth as a baby's bottom an' is enjoyin' th' fust fine night's sleep yo've had in a spell. Go figger. ah reckon mine was bein' rolled in by Nurse Cratchett. She sho'nuff'dn't take "no" fo' an answer.

Good luck on yer pendin' climb up this hyar mountain.

May God Bless,

Bubba

 

[Guest]

First and foremost ... good luck to those of you with upcoming surgeries. Thoughts/prayers coming your way!

(quote: "I heard the unmistakable screech of unlubricated portable scale wheels grinding into my room. I turned one baleful eye on the perpetrator....."). I'm still giggling when I think of those experiences.

He he he...so am I .

You're right, all I really need to bring with me is a good attitude and a supportive significant other.

Hmmm.... While I agree with the good attitude, since some of us don't have significant others, I'd alter the last part of that to be "supportive person" or "supportive family (member)" or "supportive friend"....



Cort:33swm."Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Look at everything that's come and gone" ... Bryan Adams ... 'Summer of 69'

 

[OldManEmu]

I never had a date

I never had a date

I didn't have a date to fixate on. Once I was given the all clear from the endocarditis I was just told I would be contacted on a Friday to front at the hospital on the following Tuesday for surgery on the Wednesday, it took from June 2004 until October 2004 for the call to come, then it was a false start as surgery was cancelled on the Wednesday at the doors of the operating room after I was premeded and I was told to return in 2 weeks. In this time I went into class 4 heart failure, since I have learned from the surgeon that I was close to death, his estimate <2 weeks. At least time is on your side.

 

[StretchL]

Glad you're feeling better, Ruth! You're going to breeze through this.

Noni and I are heading to NoVA to visit family today or Monday. We'll bring The Shirt with us. Zap me a note with your phone number or give me a call on one of the numbers on my web site and let us know where we can drop it off.

Michelle, I'm sure there will be plenty of time for Ruth to get The Shirt to you after both your surgeries.

Best wishes to you both!!!!!!

 

[Marguerite53]

Wow. Three of you going in within days of each other. I had my surgery buddy, Aussigal. It was very very helpful for me to wake up and be worrying about someone other than myself (I was first by several hours.....international dateline stuff). I encourage you 3 to PM each other if you have time, and garner that extra special support.

Ruth, I'm glad you are finding some peace and conviction. This is not easy stuff, but certainly it is something we have all been able to do and the vast majority of us have been able to come out smiling.

Somewhere, there is the second shirt from BobH (Tobagotwo)...is there not?? Does David Fortune still have it?

Very best wishes to our 3 "New Year's" surgeries!!

Marguerite

 

[ruth]

MichelleP, I tried to send you a PM and it didn't work. If you'd like me to forward the shirt on to you, I'll be happy to do so. Just PM me with your address.

 

[tobagotwo]

Three days' difference between ops is cutting it close. Let me know if it's too close, and I will send Tawdry Shirt #3 to bridge the gap.

Best wishes,

 

[michellep]

Bob H,
Adam should get the shirt before me. He has been waiting for this day for much longer than I have. I'd love to have it also. I also don't want Ruth to feel like she has to remember anything. She needs to just relax and heal. We'll figure it out...

 

[Susan BAV]

Best wishes, Adam and Ruth and Michelle!

 

[Blanche]

Adam:
Time is of the essence. You must take the shirt when you get it. THe schedule is tight and your fans want to see you in your success shirt. Don't let us down. Best wishes to you and yours,
Blanche

 

[MaryC]

I'm a new user to this web site. I am getting in the upcoming surgery line behind Ruth, Michelle and Adam. My mitral valve repair (hopefully!) is scheduled for 02/08 - also with Dr Ryan, Adam. After 13 yrs of monitoring my heart status, I am still in shock that I am actually having the surgery! Good luck to all of you on your surgeries.

MaryC
Mitral valve repair scheduled 02/08/07 in Plano, TX with Dr Ryan