2 weeks to go and no sleep.

[Sethgold]

Hello I am a 36 Year old active male, I had open Heart surgery when I was 3 (1971) P/S was corrected. On Dec 13 I have a cath and then on the 14th I have OHS to replace my Pulmonic Valvue with a Pig Valvue. I am terrifed of not returning to a normal life. I am Asymptomatic ( no symptoms ) however my RV is enlarged and there is severe regurg. I am going to have the procedue in New York City, by Dr. Isom at Cornell on 68th ST. Has anyone had a procedure by this doctor? Any thoughts, I hear he is Excellent. I guess I am just scared and have nobody to speak with about this, all of my pears (30-40 yearolds) are in good health. It is very hard for me emotionaly even though I tell myself they do these all the time. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice on how to cope in the upcoming days. As well as any ones first had experience with this procedure. I hear that replacing the pulmonic valvue is way less common a procedure then aortic or mitral.
Please help!!

 

[geebee]

Oh welcome to the virtual world where you will get so much assistance that you will face surgery with a smile.
Of course you are scared. Every one of us who has "been there, done that" was scared of the thought of OHS. However, you will come to find that you will be able to do your homework and make decisions that will make OHS much easier and realize that your life will be better afterwards.
I do not have any info on the doctor you mentioned but, being associated with Cornell, I have little doubt he is well qualified. Also, I had a mitral replacement not pulmonary so I cannot address your specific issue. I am sure you will hear from others who can.
There are folks who went into OHS thinking they were asymptomatic only to find how restricted their lives really were once they had recovered from OHS (me included). I had changed my lifestyle to fit my restrictions so I thought I was doing fine. The things I could do after surgery that I had stopped doing before were amazing. I hope you find it to be the same.
Stay around, keep us posted and we will assist in getting you through this time and beyond.
Smiles,
Gina

 

[Kay]

Hi!

Welcome to our vr.com family!

I am by no means an expert on any of this, but I can tell you that before I joined this forum I was terrified at some aspects of my upcoming aortic valve replacement surgery. Although my surgery is very near, (just 3 days away to be exact), I am now in a total sense of peace and calm. This site is a huge part of the reason why.

The support and caring in this forum is incredible. Plus, you'll get all the detailed technical information you could possibly want. There are some serious experts here! After a few days here you'll not only be a calmer and more peaceful patient, you'll be a much better informed one. My cardio and my surgeon were both shocked at my knowledge of procedures, valve selection, etc. Trust me, you'll look back on this day as one of your luckiest for having found this forum!

Check back pretty often. You'll be blessed by the outpouring of love and compassion here. And all the information! You'll see what I mean shortly.

Again, welcome to our family!

God bless you.

 

[Sethgold]

I feel better alredy , knowing i am not alone.

 

[Kay]

Nope, you're not alone

Nope, you're not alone

Sethgold,

Go check out 78vette's post in the Pre-Surg section. It was posted a little while after you posted. It is titled something like "New with lots of questions"

Nope, you're not alone!

 

[twoboysdad]

Sethgold,

Hi and welcome to our family,

I am 37 years old and just had my second OHS 6 weeks ago. I know nothing about your doctor or hospital but I can give you some advice about being an active male the same age and going through this.

I too worried about getting back to normal after surgery. I have a family to take care of and I am the breadwinner of the family. But I am here to tell you that at 6 weeks post op, I couldn't feel better!

I am a Real Estate Appraiser. My job isnt too demanding and I can make my own hours. Most of the time is spent in front of the computer while 1/3 of the time is in the car. Against my doctors orders, my wifes wishes and my VR.COM family warnings, I went back to work less than two weeks after surgery! At first I took it easy and caught a few naps on my futon in the office. Michelle, My wife, drove me to my apointments until I was allowed to drive again. But now at 6 weeks, I am working full time, driving and feeling great.

I too had no syptoms. My Aortic Regurgitation was found at a routine checkup. I had no idea that I would ever need surgery again after my 1983 surgery. I chose the Stenless Porcine Aortic Root Valve. This time I know I will be back for a third surgery as pig valves dont last forever, but for me being an active person with two young boys, a lifetime of blood thinners was not an option.

Good luck on your surgery. We will all be hear for you so feel free to ask any questions.

Jeff

 

[Gnusgal]

I actually know of several people who have had to have their PV replaced. Most of them have congenital heart defects and I know them from other support groups, but I promise they ARE out there . You are certainly not alone. If you want me to try to hook you up with one of them I'll see what I can do, but it wouldn't be through this forum (it would be email). Let me know. I've got at least one person in mind...

I am sure that you will find the support and answers you need here. I didn't find this site until after my surgery, but it has certainly been wonderful in the two years I've been a member. It really is an extended family. So come on in and get comfortable.

 

[MomOfThree]

Hello!

Hello!

Hello and welcome!

While this will only be my first heart surgery, I think I know how you feel. It's scary and overwhelming. But this site is great to make you feel better. Everyone is going through similar situations, or has already been there. While I'm not having my pulmonary valve replaced, I'm having my aortic valve replaced sometime in December.

I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Isom. I too am having surgery in New York. I, too, live an active lifestyle (I'm 43) and plan on doing so after my surgery. I just found out 2 weeks ago that my surgery is so imminent, but I'm adjusting to it.

Let us know how things are going!
-Martha

 

[Georgia]

Welcome, Sethgold.

Just like any surgery, your age will be a great ally - you younguns bounce back much faster than us older folks.

And you will bounce back. Your problem will be people telling you how great you look and expect more from you than you're supposed to do. Be sure to take advantage of any cardiac rehab offered - gets you exercising earlier and the monitoring allows you to feel comfortable about the activity.

Hang in there. We're here for you.

 

[tobagotwo]

It's true. You'll likely bounce right back, and wonder what all the fuss was about. A bonus (if you can call it that) is that the pulmonary valve is considered an easier and less risky surgery than the aortic or mitral valve.

That said, there's still lots of room to be scared out of your jeans about it. Most of us were, on and off (mostly on for me). It doesn't matter how small that "bad number" is. We all just focus on that at some point, and it seems like the biggest number in the world.

Do things you enjoy. Treat yourself a little. Don't build up any huge credit card bills, though, because you will be around to have to pay them. Spend some time setting up your "nest" for when you get back.

If you need to let off steam, you can do it here. I seem to recall letting out a few primal screams on the site before my surgery. And I type loud.

You will probably become calm shortly before the surgery. It happens to many of us, and it's a real blessing.

Best wishes,

 

[Mary]

If you need to let off steam, you can do it here. I seem to recall letting out a few primal screams on the site before my surgery. And I type loud.

I think I've heard you let loose a few since surgery, or is that my own echo?
Anyway, screaming=good therapy
Mary

 

[dawnwit15]

Hi Seth

Hi Seth

Hi Seth,
Welcome aboard. I have the whole mitral valve and rhuematic heart disease going on so I am sorry I don't have any wise words of advice as far as your diagnosis goes, but I can relate to your age issue. I am now 30 yrs old and it will be one year since my surgery on 1/14/04. Can't believe nearly a year has past by. I understand it is probably hard for you also because our age. I also found it hard to try to explain to close friends my fears and anxiety about the surgery. I found it easier to find comfort with everyone here at this site who has been there done that and could understand the emotional roller coaster of OHS. I know my friends and family did their best but it's hard to expect them to understand 100% unless they have experienced it first hand. I also had my surgery in NYC however I had it at NY Presbyterian with Dr. Mehmet Oz. I have heard alot of great things about your hospital also so I am sure you are in good hands. Keep in touch and feel free to vent anytime!
Dawn

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi seth!
you are in great hands. wayne isom is one of the top guys around.
my dad had his avr done at st. francis hospital on long island since he lives there, but his first choice outside of there was dr. isom.
when is our surgery scheduled for? please keep us posted.
wishing you all the best, sylvia

 

[Sethgold]

Wow I love this board and it is great to hear from all those who have dealt with this in one way or another. My date is Dec 14th, I go in on The 13 for a Cath. I feel great and look foward to a full recovery. It is a little less scary now but it is still very REAL. Thanks to everyone for thier support. I really need it and I plan to update alot. Also anyone who needs any help that i can offer, feel free to ask. Also has anyone tried Guided Imagery as an approach to healing and realaxing before surgery? I read about it in the NY post when Curt Schilling Beat the yankees with stiches in his blown out ankle. It is pretty cool and i just started reading about it. I guess it is used in athletes to overcome pain but is very common in serious medical situations as well. just curious if anyone has tried it. I know it might seem hookey but some of us will try anything to relax.
Thanks

 

[PapaHappyStar]

hi -- i am about to have aortic valve replacement via the RP so it will be a pulmonary and aortic valve replacement at one shot. The surgeon I talked to today ( Paul Stelzer ) thinks the pulmonary valve replacement procedure is slightly easier than the aortic, i expect due to lower pressure in the RV.

One question I have is why are they using a non-human valve -- most RP's have the pulmonary valve replaced by a homograft and I assumed this was because there is greater availability of the pulmonary homograft. I will ask the surgeons this question as well -- another small tidbit I picked up today: The surgeon normally over sizes the pulmonary valve in replacing it to give a bit more time before stenosis sets in in the future -- I havent checked to see if there are any caveats to this...

am reading some literature, will post more if possible before my surgery. The gist is: A single pulmonary valve procedure is less risky than a single aortic, which is itself not a high risk procedure especially in a young healthy, active individual.

I think you are in excellent hands with Dr. Isom as well -- very eminent surgeon.

All the best with your surgery.

Regards,
Burair

 

[karenm]

There are a bunch of us

There are a bunch of us

Hi! As you have probably noticed, you are not alone. I am 44 and will be three weeks post op from my pvr on Wednesday. I do have a congenital heart defect, tetrology of fallot -- and with my pvr I also had a maze procedure (to help slow atrial fibrilation) and an atrial septal patch (to help with the "swiss cheese" wall between my atriums.) If you find some of my old posts you will see that I was also asympomatic and did NOT want to do this. Looking back I am glad that it is over, and I am happy that I will be feeling better every day for years to come. I chose not to have a mechanical valve due to my age and my doctors recommendations, so I will likely be facing a replacement in 10 - 20 years. Since when I had my first surgery (in 1965) they also thought that this was a 20 year fix (if I made it past childhood), I think the odds are good that by the time I need a re-do, the technology will keep up with me!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask -- either here or in a PM.
~Karen

 

[bvdr]

Sethgold,

I didn't use the guided imagery tapes but I do recall the concensus of those who have has been positive and recommend the use of them.

It is so nice to have you with us.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Sethgold

Hi Sethgold

I put you on our VR.Com calendar today...so, we will not forget your up-coming surgery. As far as sleeping, try the Tylenol PM..I had the stomach flu over the past weekend. Only thing, I could find in house for a slight headache. (Had bought it many months ago)..and found it made me sleep all night. Now, over the flu, I took another one last night..Same thing..went right to sleep. Bonnie

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi seth!
glad to see that you are feeling more comfortable with this whole thing....this site and the people here tend to do that for others.

when joey had his surgery i bought him these guided imagery tapes/cd's, but in the end they helped ME relax and sleep.
i think they are great, but check out this thread:

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=699&highlight=guided+imagery

hope this helps!
be well, sylvia

 

[Sherry]

Best wishes to you, Seth. We'll be anxious to hear how you do. I agree with Bonnie, Tylenol PM is pretty good stuff.