AVR scheduled June 2

[astewart6]

Hi everyone! I am new to this board having only discovered it a few days ago. I am a 36 year old mother of 4 and I am having AVR on Thursday, June 2! I live in California. I have been dreading this for the last ten years since they told me when I had my youngest son that I would have to have the valve replaced. Well fast forward and my youngest son is now 11 and it's now time. I had a second opinion at UCLA and the cardiologist told me if I do not have the surgery I will probably only have 1 year to live! It's kind of different for me because I do not have any symptoms..or none that I can pinpoint. So it's hard to accept, but every single doctor has said the same thing. I am bi cuspid but the UCLA doctor said I am almost unicusbid. Anyway...I love this board and hopefully will be able to post up until next week when I go in and then afterwards also. Please send prayers as I am not taking it well (who does right??) Thanks!!! Angela

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome! We're glad you found us.

You may be surprised that after you've done some recovering that you had symptoms and weren't realizing it. When changes take place slowly, we adapt to them without knowing it. It's my guess that you will have a lot more energy when all is said and done.

What type of valve are you going with?

We look forward to getting to know you better.

 

[savysmommy]

Angela,
Welcome! Lots of great info and very supportive group here. I didnt have any symptoms either until I found out about my bicuspid valve.. then, things started to make sense. I realized that I did have symptoms but I just tolerated them, and excused them as nothing. As many probably do.

Good luck to you!

Shannon

 

[astewart6]

Angela,
Welcome! Lots of great info and very supportive group here. I didnt have any symptoms either until I found out about my bicuspid valve.. then, things started to make sense. I realized that I did have symptoms but I just tolerated them, and excused them as nothing. As many probably do.

Good luck to you!

Shannon

This is what my husband as says. I always just say I'm tired because we run a business, have 3 teenage girls, 1 rowdy boy, and i went back to school! So I am always a little tired. I'm scared about the procedure but getting information from people who have had it done helps. I am getting a mechanical valve. All doctors I saw recomended it due to my age. I don't want to go through another surgery. I look forward to lots of great information and making new friends here. I also read about a group who visits people in the hospital when they are having heart procedures and I definitely want to help others out when I am recovered. I think this is going to be a life changing time.

 

[Big-Chuck]

Avr

Avr

hello, just wanted to let you know that you will be in my prayers everyday. I am scheduled for mitral vlave repair or replacement on June 6th. I have found others prayers and as much info as I can get helps me tremendously. I am having my surgery done at La Jolla VA Hospital. I look forward to healing up and not feeling this way any longer.

 

[hensylee]

welcome to VR. You got by for 11 yrs, but it catches up eventually, doesn't it? My best wishes for your trek up the mountain on Thursday. Can somebody come in here and tell us how it all goes? We will be anxious about you. You will be back afterwards, I expect, to check with everybody about any questions you may have. And there will be some. GODSPEED!

 

[Phyllis]

Best wishes for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery. Now that you have found us, we will look forward to more posts.

 

[lance]

"Life changing time"--for the better

"Life changing time"--for the better

This is what my husband as says. I always just say I'm tired because we run a business, have 3 teenage girls, 1 rowdy boy, and i went back to school! So I am always a little tired. I'm scared about the procedure but getting information from people who have had it done helps. I am getting a mechanical valve. All doctors I saw recomended it due to my age. I don't want to go through another surgery. I look forward to lots of great information and making new friends here. I also read about a group who visits people in the hospital when they are having heart procedures and I definitely want to help others out when I am recovered. I think this is going to be a life changing time.

Hello there,

Wow doesn't your opening sentance say it all? The only thing you didn't mention was you thought you were getting lazy.

My mitral valve was replaced six year ago and probably just in time. Standing from a sitting position left me breathless and after walking about seven steps I had to catch my breath. Now I have a life thanks to the surgery. You will feel so much better after the usual recovery time and will be unable to imagine what life was like prior to valve replacement. I'm not ecstatic about warfarin but like everyone else I have learned to live with it.

Group visits to the hospital are a great idea--I wishe they had them when I was operated on.

Your surgery will be a life changing time alright--for the better.

Cheers

 

[gadgetman]

Angela,

Welcome aboard!!!!

Here the dues are cheap but the initiation is kinda rough .

Good luck on your pending surgery. Prayers and good thoughts are coming your way. See you on the other side of the mountain.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[mamsram]

symptoms??

symptoms??

I kinow a guy who is always tired and has no heart problems.So thats the problem, when is it related to heart trouble and when is it the natural order of things for you. I had no symptoms--heart was strong--arteries pristine.
Running a business, a house full of kids, and teenagers to boot--geez--I get tired just imagining it.
As for your anticipating pain, you had babies, yes?? natural childbirth? I was with my youngest daughter when she gave birth to her first-born and belive me, she had it worse than I did with my open heart surgery.
I wish you well and forget "fear of the unknown" the Drs. will do their best for you, it will look good on their stats.

 

[Susan BAV]

Hi Angela, and Big Chuck too-

All these Southern Californians!

Have you two looked at some of the other valvers' experiences in the Stories section of this site? I found that encouraging.

Anyway, best wishes to you both!

 

[karlaosh]

Hi Angela.

I'm having AVR June 1st, and I'll be thinking of you on June 2nd. I'm 40 with three boys--5, 8 and 12. Life's crazy! I've been fatigued, too, especially for the last year. So it's time.

You're going to do great.

Karla

 

[astewart6]

Hi Angela.

I'm having AVR June 1st, and I'll be thinking of you on June 2nd. I'm 40 with three boys--5, 8 and 12. Life's crazy! I've been fatigued, too, especially for the last year. So it's time.

You're going to do great.

Karla

Hey Karla...so are the boys going to see you in the hospital? I'm still trying to figure out when my kids should be there? They don't want to go to school that day but I'm not so sure they should be at the hospital. Any suggestions regarding children and hospitals? I think my teenage girls would be ok but not sure of my 11 year old son. I will say lots of prayers for you Karla on June 1!

 

[astewart6]

I kinow a guy who is always tired and has no heart problems.So thats the problem, when is it related to heart trouble and when is it the natural order of things for you. I had no symptoms--heart was strong--arteries pristine.
Running a business, a house full of kids, and teenagers to boot--geez--I get tired just imagining it.
As for your anticipating pain, you had babies, yes?? natural childbirth? I was with my youngest daughter when she gave birth to her first-born and belive me, she had it worse than I did with my open heart surgery.
I wish you well and forget "fear of the unknown" the Drs. will do their best for you, it will look good on their stats.

Haha...Yes I've had natural childbirth AND C-section and I had a valvuloplasty while I was 9 months pregnant (not fun) and I have been greatly encouraged reading everyone's posts....it's nice to know others have been through the same thing! I'm looking forward to slowing down this summer while I recover and spend some extra time with the kids while they are out of school. I am taking two summer school classes online though...I don't want to be too board.

 

[karlaosh]

Angela:

I talked to my 12-year-old about the surgery and gave him the option of being there at the hospital on the day of surgery or not. It looks like he's going to stay at his grandma's house instead, and his uncle may even take him fishing. I'm glad he's not going to be there.

The 5- and 8-year-olds are also staying at grandma's.

I'd like them to come visit me in the hospital maybe on Friday--when the tubes are all pulled and I'm out of ICU. That's the tentative plan at this point.

I'm looking forward to a lazy summer, too!

Karla

 

[astewart6]

Angela:

I talked to my 12-year-old about the surgery and gave him the option of being there at the hospital on the day of surgery or not. It looks like he's going to stay at his grandma's house instead, and his uncle may even take him fishing. I'm glad he's not going to be there.

The 5- and 8-year-olds are also staying at grandma's.

I'd like them to come visit me in the hospital maybe on Friday--when the tubes are all pulled and I'm out of ICU. That's the tentative plan at this point.

I'm looking forward to a lazy summer, too!

Karla

Karla.....that sounds like a good idea. I think my son will stay with grandma....I told my husband that I want him to make sure it's not too scary for the girls before they come in. They said they won't be able to concentrate at school (a likely excuse to miss school so I'm still not sure where they will be during the surgery. Let's keep in touch..sounds like we have a lot in common. My e-mail is [email protected] Angela

 

[Big-Chuck]

surgery soon

surgery soon

well looks like we all are gonna have an interesting summer to say the least. Maybe we can support each other as we are healing. I know that all of you will be in my prayers as I talk with my DAD everyday. Sure am glad I found this place. Also, before I forget my E-mail addy is [email protected]

 

[astewart6]

well looks like we all are gonna have an interesting summer to say the least. Maybe we can support each other as we are healing. I know that all of you will be in my prayers as I talk with my DAD everyday. Sure am glad I found this place. Also, before I forget my E-mail addy is [email protected]

Sounds like a plan

 

[coryp]

Sounds like a plan

Hi,

I have sent you an email to review. Please contact me if you like

 

[KimC]

Angela, just a quick note to wish you God's speed with your recovery. Keep us posted.