10 Days and counting

[carlapv]

Where does the time go? Here I am just 10 days away from my surgery. I am really ready to get this show on the road. It seems like I have been waiting forever. Got all the details of my medical leave taken care of at work, got everything ready for someone to take on my job while I am away. Got all my little goodies ready for the hospital including getting my hair cut (so I don't have to worry about it). Bought a bunch of new accessible clothes for after surgery , i.e., button up shirts and my first pajamas since I was a kid. So all that's left to do is WAIT!! But I'm ready and I know the time will fly by.

Carla

 

[Ross]

1 one thousand 2 one thousand 3 one thousand..........

It will come in all due time.

 

[KathyH]

Carla,
I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for your upcoming surgery. I see from your previous post you are having your surgery on your mitral and aortic valves- do you know what kind of valves you are getting? I think it was Rickiem that posted a good list of suggestions for the hospital, check it out. Best Wishes and try to have someone post for you.
Kathy H

 

[bvdr]

Hi Carla,

I don't think I've seen this mentioned before but also keep a small amount of money tucked away in a suitcase or something for incidentals you might need. When I was about 2 days post-op I heard the overhead announcement that the hairdresser was going to be on our floor that afternoon and if you wanted an appointment let the desk know. I IMMEDIATELY rang my nurse and was informed I would need to pay cash for this service. My husband was there so he had money but I would have hated to have missed that. I had my hair washed while I was in bed and then blow-dryed and styled. Afterwards, I felt human again....it was wonderful.

I too will keep you in my prayers. It seems like you have waited a long time because you have! I will keep you in my prayers. Who are going to have post for you?

 

[carlapv]

Thanks for the replies. Kathy, I don't know what kind of valves I will be getting. That's one of the things I forgot to ask when I met with my surgeon, that will be one of the things I ask when I go for my pre-op on the 5th. Betty, I will be sure to keep a little stashed away. I know that having your hair fixed must have felt wonderful. My husband Bill will be posting for me. I am going to get him to check out the forum closely in the next couple of days so he knows how it works. He's a computer whiz so he won't have any trouble.

thanks for the prayers and the support. Ross.....you always make me smile.....thank you!

Carla

 

[Ross]

The waiting is no fun, but the time passes and things proceed. Sometimes not exactly as scheduled, but on their own schedule.

 

[RickKiem]

Carla,

You are right! Time will fly. Both before and after your surgery. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was tidying things up at work and yet here it is 8 weeks post op. Wow! I know you are nervous but things will happen so fast and soon we will be talking about your recovery. There will be many people praying for an uneventful hospital stay and for a super easy recovery. Good luck and let us know whats going on in the next few days too.

Rick

 

[Enudely]

Hi, I'm with you and counting.... twelve days now until mine!!!!

 

[Marge]

Carla and Elena: Good luck and I'll be thinking of you both.

Gosh, sometimes I find myself wishing mine were next week instead of next month.

As much as I dread it -- I think -- anything to get the darn thing OVER WITH. Does everybody go through that?

 

[Heather Fisher]

Yep, everybody goes through it. It's the worst part of the entire ordeal. I would much rather get it over with than think about it over and over and over......and wonder and wonder and wonder..... Don't worry you guys will all do fine. You will have a whole huge group of people praying for you and behind you.

Heather

 

[hensylee]

Carla and Elena - slipped up on you, didn't it? That's how it goes - we wait and wait and wait; then all of a sudden..........

You have my sincere good wishes and prayers for a safe journey up the mountain to the good side.

GODSPEED!

 

[inventory]

Hello Ladies-
I know just how you two feel from being there last year at this time. I was scheduled for Feb 4th and at the last minute they cancelled till Feb 7th because of a Doctor's strike in my state.
I wish you both the best of luck, but I know you will not need it.
Everything will work out just fine.
Good luck and will see you when everything is over.
Al

 

[ccrawford]

Carla and Elena - My very best wishes to both of you. We'll be waiting to hear how well you did. You do both have your recliner all ready to go at home I trust ? Chris

 

[fisher6476]

Carla and Elena,
It really does slip up on ya and then it is done. I can't believe I am 4 weeks post op now and everyone was right,each day gets better and better and even the not so good days become manageable when you remember that. Godspeed to both of you.
Steve

 

[Christina L]

Carla and Elena,

God speed to both of you. The time will fly. I am now eight weeks postop and don't know where the time has gone. Of course for several weeks after the surgery and while in the hospital, you are kind of drugged up and "out of it." I didn't do much of anything for a while but walk around the house, breathe, and "stare" not watch the TV. The only thing I could watch on TV was the Food Network as I couldn't handle the least bit of commotion such as watching the news (which is usually all bad) or even comedies. I just loved to sit and watch someone cook - that was relaxing.

I will tell you one of the main things that got me through was thinking of all the people on VR.com that were praying for me and thinking of me. Whenever Wayne would post on how I was doing, the responses were so sweet and caring. These people here are really the only ones who really know (including me now) what you will be going through and have sincere empathy. Yes, our family and friends are wonderful, but....

Just know that you will be in a lot of peoples' thoughts and prayers - that will get you through.

God bless both of you and give you a successful surgery outcome and a smooth recovery!

Christina L.

 

[dawnwit15]

Hi everyone: I'm new to this forum, I'm a 29 yr old in NJ who has a mitral valve replacement scheduled on Jan. 14th, 3 days away!! My worst fear of this whole experience is waking up with the ventilator still in my mouth. Can anyone give me any advice on how to cope with this situation that is going to be a reality for me in a couple of days.
Good luck to all of you and your upcoming surgeries.

 

[fisher6476]

Hi Dawn,
Well, three days gives you a little time to read some of these pots I hope. Welcome to the site. Others should be along soon but let me tell you I had Aortic Valve replacement 5 weeks ago. One of the things I heard about and was worried about was the breathing tube. I told my surgeon and he said it would be removed as soon as possible. I was told by a lot of members in this group that the best way to handle the tube is to know that although it might be a ltlle uncomfortable just don't fight it. I kind of pictured myself in scuba gear and practiced in my head what it would be like to have to match my breath with the machine. In plain words again, don't fear it or fight it, let it work for you. As I was regaining conciousness after surgery I realized the tube was still in but i did NOT fight it and it was a little unpleasant but not painful, nor scarry. It was very manageable. Don't forget that just out of surgery you will be heavily sedated and the tube will be out before you know it. As to the first few days after the surgery, for me it was almost more of a pain in the Butt, than a lot of pain elsewhere. What I mean is that they kept me on good pain medication and sure I had some discomfort, but again thepain was very manageable. The fact that the nurses will be monitoring you so closely and so often is a good thing but a bit of a pain in the Butt. There will be a lot going on the first couple of days, and you will mamage fine! And not to minimize it, but the first couple of days went by pretty fast for me and the each day after gets better and better. This is major surgery but with todays technology you will be just fine. If there is anything I can do personally to answer questions for you you can email me @ [email protected]. You will be in my prayers. See ya on the other side.
Steve

 

[Marge]

Steve, I'm with Dawn on this breathing tube thing.

I'm claustrophobic. Any time I feel like things are closing in on me I tend to panic. Your scuba analogy scared me to death! I can't scuba; it took me forever to even learn to snorkel; even now, I can't snorkel without coming up at pretty frequent intervals for "real" air.

I had been reassuring myself with all the posts on the board that said the breathing tube would be gone when I became conscious. Now you tell me that maybe it won't be?

If I tell the people at the hospital about all this, will they make a note of it and take special precautions -- sedate me, or keep me as close to knocked out as possible to avoid a complete panic attack? It has always been a nightmare of mine, from which I've sometimes waked up screaming, to imagine myself in a position where I was in a state of terror where SOMETHING physically prevented me from speaking or expressing my fear.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Marge-

ccrawford (Chris) started a thread before his surgery regarding pre-surgery fears and the breathing tube. It's a terrrific thread because it starts out with the fear factor, and develops and ends with understanding of the mechanism of the breathing tube.

I hope you don't mind Chris, if I provide the link.

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3050&highlight=breathing+tube

 

[Marge]

Thank you, Nancy.

That (the link to the thread ccrawford started) was a very helpful & INFORMATIVE link. I realize you guys have answered all these questions and concerns so many times -- it is very nice of you to take the time to do it yet again. I hope that once I get through this I can also be helpful to others instead of demanding so much attention.

This breathing tube thing is just something I know I have to go through. Others have, so I guess I can. Or I should phrase that, I have to, so I will.

Sorry -- this thread should be about Dawn and Carla, so soon to climb the mountain, not about my fears.

Carla and Dawn: See you on the other side. Good thoughts, prayers, lots of hugs.