A little pep talk please ...

[karenm]

Hi all. I am going in on Tuesday for an angiogram, and then have my PVR, tricupsid ring, ASD patch and possible pacemaker and Maze procedure on Wednesday 11/10. I am looking for a little pep talk from those of you that have been through this before ... if possible!

Thank you for your support as I got to this place, and through my date change about ten days ago. I felt completely asymptomatic about 12 months ago when this was all sprung on me. I have lots of symptoms lately ... but I think that is mostly hyperawareness and stress of the coming surgery. If you have some comforting words to share I'd sure appreciate them in the next two days ... before I log off and head into the world of breathing tubes and heated blankets!!
(And Yes, I have arranged to get an update to you via a friend)
Thanks,
~Karen

 

[Nancy]

Hi Karen-

You're certainly going in for the ultimate overhaul! Lots of work going to go on under the hood, sounds like.

My husband Joe has been through three of these surgeries, also two lung surgeries, which he says were much more painful than his heart valve surgeries.

Please remember that the surgeons who do this are highly trained, and have been in and out of hearts many times per day in most cases. It pretty much routine for them, and they know how to fix everything in there. Guaranteed that what you have as a problem now, your surgeon has seen before, and has fixed before.

After surgery you will be taken care of with the most intensive care available in the hospital. It will be one on one, and you will also have the comforting care of all the bells and buzzers of all the electronic machinery which will be monitoring you and keeping you extra safe. After you get out of the ICU, the magic "eye in the sky" will be monitoring you with your little friend the portable monitor. You'll be up and taking your first walk about day 2, and you'll be home in from 4-7 days, on average.

You'll have good pain meds to take.

You'll have about 6-8 weeks of recovery at home, and will get better and better each day. The first couple of weeks at home you will need loving care of family and friends.

Many people resume their old life after 6-8 weeks. The final recovery will come after a year or so, but it will be getting better each day during this time.

My very best wishes to you.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Karen,

I'm sure you have all the medical information you are going to need but I want to remind you to let your doctor and anesthesiologist know if you have problems with your shoulder, neck, back, arms or anything that they may need to know. If you do, ask that they be especially gentle and careful about positioning you. It may save you some pain afterwards.

You know we will be here waiting to hear how you did and until then will be holding you in our hearts and in our prayers.

See you on the other side of the mountain where the grass is greener!

 

[Debrinha GT]

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers!

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers!

Hi there Karen, I just want to say that I'm happy that you found this site before your surgery. I wish I'd had something like it to fall back on long ago, but it's never too late since I'm getting ready for my fourth MVR(replacement). Anyway, I wish you good luck, and I'm sure you will make it to the other side of the mountain safe and sound. Take care!

Débora from Brazil

 

[Jed]

Stay Positive

Stay Positive

Hi Karen,
I wish you all the luck with your surgery. I had my aortic and mitrol valves replaced and my tri-cuspid repaired and it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. By no means was it easy but i did what the staff told me and i was up and walking in no time. The pain wasn't nearly as bad as i thought it would be, unless i coughed or sneezed. I am almost at my 4 month anniversary and already back to work at a very physical job. I am still having issues with shortness of breath and tiring easily but all in all i feel that i am doing pretty good. In fact that has been a bit of an obstacle. On the outside i look great and seem like all is "normal" but i know differently. I feel it when i over do it and do something stupid but others don't see that. They just see me smiling and doing whatever needs to be done. Anyway i am sure you will do just fine. Have faith in your surgeons and staff and in god and just as important in yourself. Know in your soon to be repaired heart that you are the strongest link in your recovery. You are the one that matters and be confidant and strong in your approach towards your surgery and recovery. Bring it on baby, lol. Good luck with all my prayers and faith, Jed

 

[geebee]

Karen,
I truly wish you well and would like to give you a few thoughts (from one who has been through this 3 times).
You will find that, shortly before you go to check into the hospital, you have become much calmer and less concerned than you will be the next couple of days. I think most of us get to that place where, knowing we have made the decision to make our lives better and more "livable", it is out of hands and in the hands of those "higher" than us. It makes for a great quietness.
Once you have checked into the hospital, you will be kept so busy with all the preparations that you will have little time to think about things. Do not hesitate to request sleeping pills if you are there overnite prior to surgery - it makes a long night disappear.
After surgery you will be so medicated that very little will impact you. Once you are off the respirator and more aware, the pain you experience has the positive impact of making you realize YOU MADE IT AND ARE STILL ALIVE. I always said "bring on the pain" for that very reason.
Good luck, God bless and we await the good news from your "reporter".
Smiles always,
Gina

 

[tobagotwo]

Karen,

I had my cath the day before surgery, too. You can ask for the twilight medication to be dialed all the way from Barely Aware to Obnoxiously Present. I had mine at OP last time, because I wanted to see and know everything.

When they do me again in twenty years, I'll probably go for BT. I've seen it now, and I have discovered I'm incredibly sensitive right where they have to clamp down on the artery when it's over. My interventional cardiologist (who is also my regular cardiologist) got a good laugh out of it, and told me that it's not very common to be that sensitive.

Heck, he deserved some payback on me...I'm not an easy patient.

You know that all our hearts will be with yours Wednesday as you go in for your surgery. You may not see us, but we'll be there.

Best wishes,

 

[countryboy]

A Big Hug

A Big Hug

I am 16 days post op from AVR. This site was a great help to me and answered many of my questions. As someone said, I had a sense of extreme calmness come over me two days before my sugury. I had/have wonderful support from my spouse, children, friends, and my church. This support is a big help.
I don't remember much after the gas doc said he would see me in a few hours. I woke up in ICU very thirsty.The breathing tube was taken out--no problem with it in or coming out and was given a sip of Dr Pepper--tasted wonderful. The nurses in ICU took great care of me. I remember the on on day shift would always stop and massage my feet on the way in or out. I was moved the second day to my room and started to walk to regain my strength. I wnt home on the 5th day.I have had no pain medication since the night I came home except for advil/tylenol sometimes twice a day.
I went to church today--pews are rough on the back and shoulders. I have had no pain--lots of discomfort-but nothing terrible. Listen to your doctors and especially the nurses, They took wonderful care of me. I was in Presbyterian in Dallas.
Best of luck to you.

God Bless,

Bobby

 

[Karlynn]

Karen, are you having this done for ABC's Extreme Makeover Show? Just trying to give you a chuckle.

You are, and will remain, in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Harpoon]

"Extreme Makeover: Cardiac Edition"


=)


Count up a how many of us in here are post-op (some several times over) and still rambling on about all this crap we share.


You're in good hands and we'll be here when you get back.

A "quasi-" Tibetan phrase/blessing for you:

"A safe journey, and a safe return."

 

[Abbanabba]

Best wishes for Tuesday & Wednesday, Karen. You'll be back here telling us all about it before you know it!

Positive thoughts your way...
Anna : )

 

[Bryan B]

Karen,

All I can share are my experiences, so I can't guarantee your experience will be the same as mine...but here goes:

The day before surgery and the day of surgery I was much more calm than the days leading up to the surgery.

Once they started the IV in pre-op and gave me some "happy juice", I was just along for the ride after that. All of those "scary" things I thought about before surgery weren't as bad as I thought they would be once I was actually "in the moment".

As long as you or a loved one speak up, you will never be in much pain. Just make sure to stay ahead of the pain and don't try to be a hero. I was surprised how little pain I experienced. Sure I was uncomfortable, and having some of the apparatti removed was unpleasurable...but only for a moment (I liken it to removing a splinter...hurts coming out but feels so good once removed ).

Once you are up and walking (usually within a day or 2) you will start to feel human again, and each day gets better from there (especially the day of your first shower ). You will have good days and bad days, but you will find that with time your good days will increase and your bad days will decrease as time goes by. For me, by 4 weeks post-op I was feeling pretty good.

Good luck and I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday and Wednesday!

 

[Sherry]

Best to you, Karen. You'll be in our "hearts" and on our minds.

 

[karenm]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the pep talk!
I am closer to the "calm state of acceptance" ... but I might still end up going kicking an screaming!!!

I'll let you know how I do via a note to Ross, and then soon via my own words. I GREATLY appreciate all your love and concern.
~Karen

 

[Kay]

Karen,

You're in my thoughts and prayers and I'll be eagerly watching the board to read about your successful journey. With all you're having done, you're bound to feel like a whole new woman on the other side!

God bless you as well as your surgeon and family tomorrow.