Discussion with Surgeon/Date Set

[JetService]

Well, its official now. I went to meet the surgeon and unfortunately, he didn't say, "We were wrong. Your valve is perfectly fine!" LOL Oh well. He didn't tell me too much more that I didn't know thanks to my Cardiologist and you folks. But he did make me feel a lot more confortable about the whole thing. He assured me that this was a routine surgery for him and everything will be fine. He of course left the door open for 'possible but very rare complications', but I certainly expect that speech. He did bring up the bio valve and even the Ross Procedure. He said you definately should have the mechanical, but wanted to just let me know the options. I asked about the Ross a little more in detail. It didn't seem too favorable about it. He cited the biggest advantage of the Ross is the ability for the valve to grow with the patient and that I don't need that anyway. So this Tuesday (Oct. 7) is the big day. I'm not too worried about going through the surgery itself (since I'll be knocked out anyway), and you folks have given me a ton of info on the post-op recovery period. Also, the long-term Coumadin issues where fairly spelled out by the surgeon. It was obvious to him I was concerned with this and he did mention the 1% annual risk with it but kept insisting that as long as the number is stable, I should have no worries. However, there's still one small area I'm a little nervous about and that is the 'wake-up' from surgery. Can you give me your experience with this? Did it seem like mere minutes that your were out of it (like it did for me with gallbladder surgery)? How bad was it? Was the respirator tube in your throat horrible? How did you feel? Did you even remember it or too wacked out to remember or care? Was a loved one there when you woke up? Or a nurse? Your personal stories are much appreciated!!!!!

Putting on the mountain-climbing boots,
Darren

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Darren,
You have one of the steps complete with a date set and it sounds like you the others taken care of also with your choice of valves and talking with your surgeon.
As far as the surgery goes I think everyone goes in and comes out a little different. The only thing I remember before going in was the OR orderly shaving me and the nurse starting an IV. I don't remember talking to my family or the surgeon before I went in. After the surgery which didn't seem all that long but is was about 5 hrs according to my wife. I don't remember the breathing tube and I don't remember being CICU except for the two nurses names on the board on the wall. All I remember is waking up in my room on the heart floor the next morning. I didn't even have that much pain.
Good Luck with your surgery and please have someone keep us posted on how you are doing.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dave
___________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[bvdr]

Hi Darren,

I'm so glad you have such a quick date and that this will all be behind you. I had a different surgery than you are having so I will let others do that area.

The whole issue of being intubated and on a ventilator is one that so many of us feared. Some have absolutely no recollection of it at all. My very first awareness after surgery was when the staff was around my bed getting ready to remove the tube. The tube came out quickly and easily. I wasn't at all fond of the staff in the ICU I was in but that is a different issue and I was only in there for one day anyhow. I told my surgeon that I didn't want to remember being on the vent so maybe he ordered something for me. You might want to do the same just to cover your bases.

My family had been in before I was awake and shortly after I was extubated they let them come back in again. The whole ICU thing is so foggy to me and I only remember little bits and pieces. What is noticably absent from my memory is any recollection of pain in the ICU except my eye hurting since somehow it had gotten scatched and some burning pain and pressure briefly when my chest tubes were removed. I don't recall any early surgical type pain at all.

Time went very fast for me. I was under anesthesia in the OR for 507 minutes (I got the statement today) and it wouldn't have made any difference to me if it had been 50 or 5000 for as much as I was aware of it.

It seems like most everyone has some little gliches along the way but don't let that throw you off balance. Sometimes it is an arrythmia, sometimes lab work that is out of whack, dizziness, fluid retention or what have you. Most of these things are very easily handled and don't effect your outcome.

Read some of the old threads because they are full of information that might help you.

We will be here waiting to hear from someone about you so please don't forget us. We won't forget you and many prayers will go up in your behalf asking for a successful sugery and smooth recovery!

 

[tommy]

Hey Jet,

You sound like your head is ready for this. Good for you. As for waking up, I hope that yours is as smooth as mine. After AM surgery, I slept until the next morning. I rmember my pastor complaining about me sleeping during his sermons, but that it was totally inconsiderate to sleep through his hospital visit. LOL. I remember a sponge bath in the morning and that's about it. The next thing I knew I was being wheeled into room.

My best suggestions for you are to continue to be active in the recovery/recuperation process, and to take your time. It's okay to focus on your own well-being.

God Bless

 

[Guest]

Hey Darren!

Glad to hear that you've got your day and that you will not have to wait too long before it happens.

Ditto with what all the others before me have said....I don't remember a thing about the tubes all coming out. I barely remember my husband talking to me after the surgery and one of the nurses telling me that some one would be coming to remove the breathing tube. I do remember waking up in my room and wondering how I got there!

You are going to do just fine. You've got a great attitude about things and seem to be mentally prepared...you seem alot more calm than I did a week (or less) before the big event!

We'll see you on the other side of the mountain!!

Julia

 

[Gnusgal]

As for me, I remember only small snippits of ICU. I'm pulling from two different OH surgeries, and in each one I remember different things. I used to think I remembered quite a lot, until my mom and husband started telling me things that had happened or I had done and I had NO recolection of it at all. In another thread about the respirator tube I had stated that I remembered it very well. Only, when I talked to my husband I found out that there was a LOT about it that I don't remember. And I only remember them removing the tube from my first OH, not my second one (but I had a MUCH better hospital staff IMHO the second go round).

Like others have said, there is very little pain the first day or so, because you're so doped up you can barely feel your feet . But seriously, you're going to end up surprised at how little pain you feel. The majority of the pain was actually in my back, rather than my chest. I think that is a complaint many of us had. The hospital staff is pretty good about making sure your pain is managed. Just make sure you take meds BEFORE you start hurting, rather than after. By the time you go home, though, you won't need the "hard stuff." The worst time for pain is just as you're waking up. For one thing, it's been the longest since you've taken any pain meds, but mostly (I think) it's because you've been in one position for too long (if you turn over, you'll wake yourself up) and your body will be stiff and sore.

Many people suggest sleeping in a recliner at home. I personally did not do that. But I'm sure it's a great option. Fortunately for me, I went to stay at my mom's the week after I got out of the hosptial and she has one of those adjustable beds. I really didn't sleep with the bed inclined, just had it inclined to help me get down to a flat position (getting up and down can be difficult). Be sure to have a "security pillow" around at all times for getting up and down, coughing, and worst of all... SNEEZING. If at all possible, avoid sneezing for the next year . I swear, it's been over a year since my surgery, and sometimes I still have pain when I sneeze if it sneaks up on me.

Well, I've probably gone on long enough. You sond like you're going to do great! And let me tell you, short waiting times are the way to go... I think the worry beforehand is worse than the surgery itself, or the recovery!

 

[hensylee]

depending on your level of consciousness, you will remember only a few things. My tubes were out when I woke up. I recall a few folks - friends/family - coming in, but only vaguely. You won't know very much until you are fully conscious and the pain meds will take away much of the pain memories.

 

[KimC]

Darren,

I'm still trekking at a lower peak, so I can't provide any post-op insights. You're fortunate to have such great doctors looking after you.

Don't be surprised if you have a visitor look in on you next week. (Not me, but my MD brother).

Please drop us a note when you're on the other side of the mountain.

Peace,

 

[Christina L]

Lucky

Lucky

Darren,

You will soon be over the mountain! Can't you tell just by reading all these posts that you will have a lot of support and prayers going up for you on the 7th!! Like someone told me, we will enjoy the holiday season so much more - we will have so much to be thankful for (my surgery scheduled for 11/05).

I will look forward to hearing the great news of the success of your surgery and the ease of your recovery.

God bless!
Chris

 

[Birky]

surgery

surgery

I don't remember much except waking up in ICU and seeing my family come in and out. I was off the breathing tube before I woke up. All I remember prior to surgery is being wheeled into surgery and a lot of people in yellow. Started the IV which then knocked me out. My family said it was about 5 hrs. I was made very comfortable pain wise. My daughterinlaw said that I asked her to get me a Coke when I was in ICU. As everyone said, the 1st day or so you aren't moving around too much. Next morning made me get out of be and walk to chair. Good luck

 

[Perrster]

Don't forget your walking stick

Don't forget your walking stick

You'll do fine.

Just go with the flow and the hospital will get rid of you in about 4 or 5 days. [I went home after 4 days and back to work (1/2 days) a week later].

I remember someone telling me there was a whole baseball team (albeit, they weren't the Cubs!) of 9 professionals in the operating room that morning. That seemed to calm me and I had complete confidence in every one of them. Sure 'nuf I'm clickety-clickin' away 3-1/2 years later.

I will be thinking of you on your day. God Bless.

Best of luck.

Regards,

 

[mamsram]

"We were wrong. Your valve is perfectly fine!"

I just had to laugh. Everytime I went for the results of the echo, I thought just maybe the Dr. would say "one of the flaps must have been stuck and freed itself, its o.k. now" But alas no such thing happened.

Gee, it looks like the op is a breeze, its the getting back to where you were thats the hard part. And it takes so long. Time does march on and we will get there. yep, me too 28th.

hope everything is as easy for you as it can be--my best to you.

 

[tlhudson]

Darren:

I remember bits and pieces after the surgery. I do remember waking up a few times prior to the tube being out and having a feeling of phlem in my throat and trying to tell the nurses about it. They just thought I was fighting to pull the tube out. And I think they would zap me with some sleep juice.

I woke the evening of the surgery to call my wife, who by then had gone home (8PM), to tell her I was fine. Of course, she raced right back to the hospital. Bless her heart.

Then to a room on the heart floor the next day.
I was in on Monday out by Friday.

What time on the 7th are you scheduled to approach the summit of the mountain. We will be praying, you'll be in good hands.

Best to you and yours.

 

[JetService]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Having any sort of expectations is extremely helping. I'm starting to get psyched now and in a strange way am looking forward to putting this all behind me. I know Monday evening and Tuesday morning pre-op will be nerveracking, but I'm REALLY looking forward to my first coherent day. My mind is starting to play games with me and I'm my chest has a nervous 'pit' in it when I'm sitting and thinking about everything. Just to be sure they weren't any 'real' symptoms (which would be EXTEREMELY coincidenctal), I played a little scrimmage soccer at my son's practice. Seems when I'm active, I feel fine; resting and thinking is gets uncomfortable. Immediately after the practice, I also managed to take my son to the local 'Haunted Castle' we do every year. He begged me too do this before "they cut my stomach open". Yesterday was good for me because I think I was starting to play the role of a sick person and laying around feeling sorry for myself. Tonight is my last bowling night until my six week trek and Saturday, the neighbors have planned a nice party in my honor. One thing that always come out of something like this is no matter how depressing the news on TV gets, you get to see the wonderful side of human nature. From kids holding your hand; neighbors vowing to take care of your lawn without being asked; coworkers cheering you on; this forum; etc. You really appreciate the people around you and its moving and sometimes overwhelming. My colleagues have already arranged home visits and prepared meals for my wife's sake. It's just unbelievable! Finally, I know I've only been focusing on my surgery coming up, but I've been keeping up with all others posted whom are nearing there big day, and my family and I will of course include all of you in our prayers and well wishes!!! Thanks everyone!!! Cheers

Darren