Changing rooms!

[aussigal]

Shall I tease you guys with the answer from the surgeon or shall I let you in on the secret!


OK...

I got a reply from my request to be operated on...
He says


YES


the Gods and angels answered my prayers

 

[geebee]

Yippeee!!

Soon you will be on this side of the mountain. Good luck to you and happy you are so happy.

 

[Cris N]

Finally!!!! When?

Cris

 

[BillB]

I Too Am So Very Happy For You. The Past Few Months, I Have Followed Your Wonderful-upbeat Postings....your Optimistic Positive Energy Is Contagious. Wishing You The Very Best...congrats!

 

[aussigal]

Oh YEAH!...

Can you hear me singing Gina...

I am doing the happy-dance !

as for timing...

well that shall be discussed on Monday when I take my letter from the surgeon to my Cardioligist ...

Mr. surgeon recommends I should seriously think about getting this done within 12 months...
(goodie cos I wanted it done before Christmas! )

He quotes his operation figures and does about 20-30 of these a year ( the hospital does around 50) rates me a personal-risk of 8% this is my blow-out risk if you want to call it that! (this is a conservative figure -could be higher) and their hospital operational risk for me works out at 6% .

I am at the point where it is safer to operate on me than leave my annie alone...


so there ya go guys and gals...

sounds reasonable to me...I know any answer that was the one I wanted would sound good to me but I didnt go into this blindly...

Dr Hendel agreed with all my concerns and has offered to do the OP himself or he can recommend a surgon from my home-town to do the procedure the Bentalls one is what he recommends.

I do have a question for you lovely people...do i fly 4 hours to Sydney to get this wonderful chap to do it or do I stay here in Perth?....all thoughts welcome...I have family and friends in Sydney that would accomodate me if we go there. I am also goint to pop up and see my GP/PCP and get his opinion.

P.S. that weird noise you can hear is my blood pressure going down !

 

[OldManEmu]

The Bentall is named after the surgeon that first perfected the operation, it is the AVR and ascending Aorta replacement. These are very common operations, most of the mechanical valve manufactures have a range of valves with the Dacron tube already attached to the valve. Given it is a common operation I would ask this surgeon to recommend some one in Perth. Then ask your cardio about the recommended surgeon. It sure easier than travelling to the other side of the country. I only travelled about 15km from home for my AVR.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

( I should feel weird saying this )
Congratulations on your upcoming surgery.

I think you should go where you think the best surgeon/care is available for you. I had surgery away from home, and found the experience liberating, and arranging the move gave me something to occupy myself with before surgery.

All the best,
Burair

 

[Maureen]

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Only the other VR.Com members will understand that being offered open heart surgery is a good thing!.....I'm sure non members must think it very strange.

Anyway, I know how much this means to you, and I was thrilled to read your post this morning. Looking forward to your future posts as you schedule the surgery. You know we'll be with you every step of the way!

Take care.

 

[aussigal]

Thanks all for the continuing support and well-wishes...

It is weird




but yeah I'm excited to be getting OHS ...

The surgeon who I have been in contact with, also says that he would like to replace the beginning of the arch as well...
He seems to have put alot of thought and effort into me

Although I like the idea of surgery at home...I am unsure whether a trip to Sydney would improve my outcome or if the guys here are just as capable and thorough....at present I havent spoken with a local surgeon so I dont know who I am comparing this guy to...

I asked him to recommend a local surgeon or if he would prefer to DO me himself I would travel

this is gonna keep me awake for days.

 

[PJmomrunner]

WOOHOO FOR YOU!

I'm happy you're happy!

I vote for going where you'll get the best care--four hours away is not that far.

 

[Geo]

Congratts!!!!!!

Congratts!!!!!!

I am very happy for you as well. I have also enjoyed reading your upbeat and energizing posts. Regarding on the "where", I agree you should compare the two and go with the surgeon you feel most comfortable with and the one that has the most experience under his/her belt.
Best of luck.

George

 

[Karlynn]

I laughed so hard when I read your post. You are just like I was when I was okayed for surgery. My brother-in-law was telling people I was acting like someone who won a trip to Disneyworld, not a date to have my chest split open. But I was so very relieved to be finally taking steps to feel better.

So Hurray for you!!!!!!


And you have my prayers for a very successful procedure!

 

[Wise]

Good for you!. Congratulations on your good news.

 

[Cooker]

I am glad for you!!! I wish I was scheduled. I know you will do well and that you will be up and running in no time!!

Thoughts and prayers are with you and yours

 

[Mary]

Congratulations on moving into the holding area! If you have a possible twelve months wait, then I urge you to forget the issue for awhile and concentrate on enjoying your presurgery time.

 

[Georgia]

Congrats congrats congrats.

You are a posterchild for what sheer determination and assertiveness can accomplish when you know you're not getting the right answers. You go, girl!

We'll all be waiting to hear the details of when and where.

 

[Superbob]

Good for you, Aussigal! You are an inspiration to us here. Your positive attitude is wonderful. We will be pulling for you and I am confident you will do well.

Cheers....!!!

 

[Marguerite53]

WAY TO GO!!!!

My computer was down for 2 days and I missed the first moment of your post!! We'd had a nasty rain and wind storm. (of course I spent $50 for a service call so that the man could go in my closet and unplug and replug in my router -- massive blonde moment )

So HEY!! Here's the plan.......... we'll coordinate our surgery dates. Recoup at home for a month, er, no, 6 weeks, well at least until one of us can drive.........and then rendezvous in Hawaii for 2 weeks of true R and R. (I think Hawaii is about halfway between Australia and Oregon?? Altho having lived in Micronesia, you can probalby talk me into a return trip there too, if that's more in the middle........there must be an island SOMEWHERE that's in the middle!!)

All fantasies aside, good job sticking by your convictions and being your own best advocate. Not to mention for your children as well. You've learned the ropes, so they say....and done a fine job!

So good luck with all your decisions. Keep us apprised of your thinking and process. We all learn from each other.

Godspeed on this journey!

Marguerite

 

[aussigal]

THANKYOU all so very much for all the marvellous support ...

yes I do feel like I have won lottery ....


a posterchild for the BAVD tho...now that is a thought...wonder if i should call the TV station and volunteer for that hospital show where they showcase all sorts of ops , theres one here called RPA and its the daily happenings in a big city hospital..!? what an opportunity to educate!:

the other family members are hitting the panic-button now NOT ME!..

they were happy with me in the waiting-room ....

Oh well...they shall catch-up to me again soon.

Today I am going to go see my GP and have a nice chat with him about this...and of course take him my approval letter!

and I have managed to "raffle" the youngest kid who is driving us all bonkers these school holidays..he's off to grandmas to be spoilt...

K...Big Hugs

and yes..we shall have to co-ordinate Marguerite...an island holiday sounds divine,,,no kids right?..just spunky man-servants!? sunshine and beautiful beach...

 

[CCRN]

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I do have a question for you lovely people...do i fly 4 hours to Sydney to get this wonderful chap to do it or do I stay here in Perth?....all thoughts welcome...I have family and friends in Sydney that would accomodate me if we go there. I am also goint to pop up and see my GP/PCP and get his opinion.

P.S. that weird noise you can hear is my blood pressure going down ![/QUOTE]

Happy New Year, Praise the Lord and Pass the ammunition!

I have been keeping you in my prayers and if this isn't an act of God I don't have a clicker in my chest. (Just kidding)

As you asked......I would suggest you go with the Doc who has done the most valve/aortic surgeries. Not all cardiac surgeons do the procedure you need (Bentall with ascending aortic repair) on a regular basis. It is one of the biggest adult open heart procedures. Some of the docs I work with (cardiac surgeons) refer such cases to their partners with the most experience. I believe there are a few other members from Australia. Wonder who they chose? I knew this would be a great year. Good luck and may God continue to bless you.