Checklist for pre-surgery

[andy0531]

Hello everyone

I've been browsing this site for a number of weeks and it's been quite helpful to know I'm not alone. Guess it's time to own up to the fact that it's really going to happen to me as well. I'm scheduled for a mitral valve repair on June 26/27 at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Cosgrove.

Up until now I've been trying to avoid thinking too much about it, but now that it's just a couple of weeks away, it's becoming more and more of a presence in my thoughts. Although I understand the high probabilities of success - on an intellectual level - I'm beginning to get somewhat more emotionally involved! It's fair to say I'm a bit scared of the whole thing... but don't want to add to the stress my wonderful wife and 2 kids are feeling. Is this a normal reaction?

Also, I wonder if there is a good pre-op checklist of all the things I should be doing if I haven't already?

Thanks.

Andy

 

[Ross]

Andy if you weren't scared, you wouldn't be human. We all were/are. You've got one of the finest if not the finest surgeon you could possibly have. Cosgrove knows his stuff and will take good care of you.

Take the next couple of weeks and pamper yourself silly. Do the wife thing and go shopping! Get yourself some toys to amuse you during recovery.

As far as a checklist, what have you done? If you've been reading threads for a while now, you probably have all the bases covered.

Welcome to the forums. If you need more help, just ask.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Andy-

Welcome to a great site. You'll get lots of support here as you prepare for your surgery.

Everything you are feeling is very normal. You have a good opportunity to do a little reading on the site. Take a look at the Pre-Surgery section, and at the bottom of the list, you can select to look at posts from a while ago. There is a wealth of very good information on things that you can do to prepare yourself. Just about any and all are included.

Best wishes, and hope to see you here often.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

When it comes to being a little scared, you're certainly not alone Andy! If you are having symptoms, you are probably already resigned to the need to proceed and may even find a sense of calm coming over you as you approach surgery with the prospect of an improved quality of life.

Keep reading the Pre and Post Surgery Forums and perhaps the Reference Forum. The book "Coping With Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression" gives a lot of good information about the recovery period and possible emotional reactions. In many ways, heart surgery can be harder on your family than the patient since YOU are ready to start feeling better, you will be asleep during the whole procedure, and they will be anxiously awaiting the outcome. Your family may want to read some of the forums as well. Note the one specifically for family members.

On the "Just-in-Case" side, prepare your will, Living Will, power of attorney, medical power of attorney, Donor Card if you are so inclined, and basically 'get your affairs in order'.

Remember, the Cleveland Clinic is #1 and Dr. Cosgrove is a world reknown heart surgeon.

Best wishes,

'AL'

 

[martha]

Hi Andy,

Reading your post it was like my surgery was yesterday. Actualy it was two had a half years ago. Just a thought, now is a good time to practice with some relaxation tapes. Turn the ringer off on the phone, put on a tape on of some nice relaxing music. Light a candle, some incesce is nice. Close your eyes and let you self drift. If you fall asleep that is ok too. These tools will be helpful to you later as well. martha

 

[hensylee]

Were any of us scared????? Nah - only 100% of us! It's really not as bad as we perceive it ahead of time. Most of us have had really good surgery results and are up and going very quickly after surgery. I felt great and was able to be up and down the halls within 2 days. (out of bed the first day).

In preparation I just put my affairs in order like we all should anyhow, before any major event. Than sat back and let the surgical team run my life - and they did a good job. You will be just fine.

Just be sure to walk, walk, walk and breathe, breathe, breathe - as Bonnie will tell you as soon as she gets in here.

God bless

 

[fdegranville]

Hi Andy

Hi Andy

Welcome to the site. Any question you could possibly have can be answered here, before as well as after your surgery. As everyone has said you couldn't be in better hands and won't it nice to finally be able to say "I feel great" once you've recovered. I'm sure Steve will be along soon to invite you to "the waiting room", since you still have a couple of weeks. I hear he's getting some new magazines in. There is a small group on the site that do not have definite dates for surgery (although we know it's coming) that occupy the waiting room (I'm not sure exactly how many). They say the wait is actually the hardest part, but everyoone here will help you through it....
best wishes,
fdeg

 

[Rain]

Welcome to our little family here at vr.com.

Welcome to our little family here at vr.com.

Hey Andy,

I sent you a copy of a post 'PillarPaul' made a while back. I thought it was just fantastic! I would add that you will need lots of pillows for when you are trying to sleep in a bed and a recliner for when you are in the living room.

Francesca is right... the waiting is absolutely the hardest part.

Take care.

 

[ccrawford]

Welcome Andy

Welcome Andy

Hey Andy - Welcome ! Of course you're nervous, we all were, but the more you learn, the better you'll feel about the upcoming events. When I first found this web site, I could only stay on for a few minutes because my blood pressure would zoom. By the time I got close to surgery, thanks to all the help from these guys, I was pretty calm. I did have one brief anxiety attack exactly 24 hours from surgery time, but it went away quickly. When they wheeled me into the surgery, there was about 20 people there watching me roll in. I couldn't help think to myself that this is some party-I should have brought the pizza. I chuckled to myself when I realized "I am the pizza" It all went fine without any assistance from myself, and a little more than two hours later I rolled out with a single bypass and a mechanical aortic valve. They do a lot of these surgeries now Andy and its pretty routine-you have little to worry about and you have a bunch of experts here who will be rooting for you and here to answer questions. There are a lot of good posts regarding planning for surgery-Let us know if you have trouble finding them. The highest priority item on my list would be a Lazy Boy chair that fits you perfectly because this is probably where you'll want to sleep for awhile. Don't be bashful with questions. Chris

 

[nadi]

Pre surgery list

Pre surgery list

Hi Andy,

I am 5 weeks post op on Monday. I was petrified when I 1st learned I needed surgery. I credit this group with helping me get thru it!!!! The goup recommended I read past posts(as they have you) and that help a lot. It calmed the "unknown" fears down alot!!! I don't do well with the unknown. LOL

I also learned a valuable lesson here. When you ask a ?? about a possible problem listen to them! They are so much more informed than I was. I learned my lesson the hard way!

Georgia also posted a great list of things to do prior to surgery. She posted it on 4/10/03.

Good luck with upcoming surgery and may you have a speedy recovery.

 

[Barbara]

Hi Andy -
Just saw your post and wanted to send a quick note - I got my new aortic valve on June 10 - it will be two weeks on Tuesday - and it is amazing how the body is anxious to heal itself - I really feel pretty good - no marathons yet - actually no marathons ever - I don't do marathons - but you get the idea -
and I was really scared - but all went well - you will be fine - and when it's done, it's so unreal -
I will be thinking of you and will say a prayer - Something got me through this in flying colors - Try to relax - I did breathing exercises before - and kept pleasantly busy - Take care
Barbara

 

[Bob]

Andy, I had Mitral repair on Jan 15. It took about two hours to implant the ring and sew up the leaflet. I know telling you not to worry is easy for me to say since you are the guy having it done but really it isn't that big of a deal. Follow the advice you read on this site, relax, pamper yourself and soon you will be one of the "over the hill gang".

Recovery is common sense. The only caution I can give you is to avoid the macho thing. You don't have to walk five miles the first week, play a round of golf or go to the gym and lift. If there is one thing I see on this site is we men and our macho thing. Like the guy who played golf his second week out. Ease into it, a little each day. Sex is OK when you feel like it and can find a comfortable position. Help your wife and family to see you are recovering and are not going to die. This is very important to them. Just saying you are OK won't do it. Seeing you in action albiet it slow action is what they need.

Now when you are five months out like I am you can get back to lifting, running, etc. As far as impressing your fellow men just show them the scar. The other day at the gym a guy came up to me and ask about it and when I told him my experience he said he was going to go see his doctor about his chest pain. I hope he does. My point is that we become living reminders to other men to pay attention to their health.

Good luck Andy. If you have any questions or ned to talk drop me a line or throw it out to the forum. there are a lot of experts available.

 

[EVELYN]

Hello Andy and WELCOME!!

I was reading your post after being gone all weekend to a dog show in Rhode Island.....my veteran bitch placed second and 4th in sweeps and overall we had a wonderful time. It was absolutely wonderful to see my husband, Tyce, and our veteran, Logan, going around the ring together....it brings tears to my eyes every time I watch him go around. June 26 will be one year since his surgery for AVR replacement. We were just sitting here talking about how quickly it went and how fast everything happened......I definitely will put you in my prayers, but I think I'd just like to mention two items.....One, you have to know that life gets quickly back to normal after this surgery, and second, please don't forget the emotional strain it is putting on your wife and kids. They're trying to be strong for you, and you for them and boy, that can be quite difficult at times. So just take your wife in your arms and tell her just how much you care about her....the two of you will get through it together.

Good luck on Thursday.

Evelyh

 

[ccrawford]

Evelyn - that was very nicely said and I'll take it to heart. Chris

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Andy
I think everyone has covered just about everything. I didn't have much time to think about it as I saw the surgeon on the 18th of April and had the surgery on the 21st of April. You will be amazed at how well they will take care of you and how much better you will feel. Just remember to take it easy and good luck on your surgery. Lots of Naps and Walking. You will be in our prayers.

Dave
_________________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/2003
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Aortic Valve Replacement with a St. Jude Mechanical with graft sleeve.
Poudre Valley Hospital, Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[bvdr]

Hi Andy,

You are in my prayers. You, your surgeons, your family, and all your caregivers are on my prayer list. I hope you have a very uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery. Please have someone post for you and let us know how you are doing.

Betty(bvdr)

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi andy!
just wanted to add to what all the others said..... try and keep busy these next few days. spend lots of time with family, try and relax a bit, get either your recliner (or a similar chair) and/or lots of extra pillows ready for when you come home.j joey and i took photos of him in the hospital from start to finish_ we have it all documented!!
they actually allowed me to photograph him right out of surgery all hooked up to the tubes, etc!!!
interesting how when we look back on them, it seems so long ago, yet it's just over 1 1/2 yrs.

you will be in the best of hands, ask anyone here, we've all heard of dr.cosgrove.
the cleveland clinic also, supposedly, give you a packet that contains diane tusek's guided imagery tapes for relaxation_ use them, they are great!!!
hopefully you will have one of your kids of your lovely wife post and let us know how you are doing.

you are in our thoughts and prayers.
all the best, sylvia