Got A Date! Reality sets in.

[RandyL]

Just sheduled my AVR for Jan 5th 2006. Getting nervous now. lol Now I have to pick a mechanical valve. Looks like the St. Judes Regent is the best way to go. Anybody want to give me anymore ideas? I sure would like to be off any kind of drugs afterwards but I guess the wayfarin is not an option.

 

[Ross]

Make a couple of choices in case the first won't work out. I don't know anyone that escapes drugs afterwards, so don't even worrry about it. Warfarin is not evil, only those that do not take it and proclaim to know what it does, are.

Take the short time left and enjoy yourself. Go do things that you've been wanting to do, but found reasons not too. Live it up.

 

[jkn2kids]

Randy-.
I'm in the same boat as you are.I found out after 18 months of waiting that my surgery will be on Jan 9th.Now I'm terrified of actually going through with the surgery.I waited so long to get a date and now I'm wanting to put it off.I hope you get through everything ok.There are people here that will help you through the whole process

 

[hensylee]

It's natural to be nervous beforehand. If you can just try to enjoy the Christmas/holiday season that might help you to get through til Jan 5. It's just around the corner. We are here to help you get there, so come on in and we'll talk. Any time.

 

[jrocco]

Last Jan 12 the Dr found the leaky mitral valve and Jan 31 I had OHS to repair it. It was a short wait and I was pretty good with it until the day before the surgery. I got myself all worked up and became terrified! I imagined the worse, my heart rate went sky high, I was really a mess. And then I had a nice talk with my wifes cousin, who works in cardio research, she talked me down and I was fine.

You know this is a very safe surgery. It's not a lot of fun, and at the time I thought what am I doing to myself letting someone operate on me! Now that it's over I am so glad I went through it, I feel better, and the surgery and recover is not all that bad.

You will both be fine, and my thoughts are with you during the wait and after the surgery.

 

[gadgetman]

Randy,

Getting a date tends to put things in focus. Get things in order, set up that recoop nest, and enjoy your family and friends during Christmas and New Years. Prayers and good thoughts are coming your way.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[blessed1416]

RandyL- I'm sorry to hear about your AVR on January 5th, but if it's any consolation-I, also am scheduled for MVR the same day as you. I guess you are experiencing the same anxieties about getting through the holidays without constantly thinking about preparations for your pending surgery. This is not the best time of year, but would there ever be a perfect time? Probably not! Have you had open heart surgery before? I had my valve repaired 3 years ago, so back then, "ignorance was bliss." This time I know what's in store for me. The worst part of recovery for me is having to depend on others to help me through the first few weeks. My husband is a wonderful, supportive husband and I have 2 teenaged children. But my family depends on me to keep the household running. Anyway, it means a lot to have another person to share similarities and concerns with. Please keep me updated about your pre-surgery concerns, and especially keep in touch when you are recuperating at home. In the mean-time, you will be at the top of my prayer list. I pray that God will lift you up to receive His miraculous healing powers and that you find amazing stregnth and peace during this phase of your life. Good luck and God Bless! Gail

 

[aussigal]

see what happens when you hang around the waiting room...eventually it gets to be your turn


fabulous hey...but then reality sets in...mmm...I was thinking that would be the case, here we are thinking we are doing so well knowing all this beforehand but it just gives us more time to dwell on it...I prefer the find and fix method myself...shame my cardio is the wait "n" see kinda bloke .

All the best for the date with the surgeon guys...well done.

 

[McCln]

I have a St. Judes valve four years ago and am still ticking. Am on warafin and doing great. There are time when my body is out of wack, allergeries, and the meds mess up the INR. But otherwise, keeping as active as I can get, walking mostly. It is a good choice despite the warafin. You must try to keep as active as you possibly can to keep the heart healing and get stronger. Good luck and keep coming in with your progress reports. Welcome and be happy.

 

[bvdr]

I remember the feelings of having an actual date scheduled. It was a mixture of relief and fear at the same time. I was home alone and it seemed so unreal. Now it is a distant memory. I can tell you one thing. It is sure nicer to be on this side of the mountain! Have a Merry Christmas, get your surgery done, and then go on and enjoy the blessings of a brighter future.

 

[bvdr]

Randy-.
I'm in the same boat as you are.I found out after 18 months of waiting that my surgery will be on Jan 9th.Now I'm terrified of actually going through with the surgery.I waited so long to get a date and now I'm wanting to put it off.I hope you get through everything ok.There are people here that will help you through the whole process

jkn2kids, my post above also applies to you. You both are in my prayers for successful surgeries and complete recoveries.

 

[tobagotwo]

There's certainly nothing wrong with a St. Jude mechanical valve, and you won't go wrong making it your choice.

However, you might want to look over a couple of the other candidates one last time. They get good press, and have some newer features that might be of interest to you.

On-X: http://www.onxvalves.com/ValveInformation.asp

Sorin/Carbomedics: http://www.sorin-cid.com/bicarbon.asp

ATS: http://www.atsmedical.com/Content/iropvalve.php

My own current favorite is the On-X. It has a low blood-cell damage rate and seems to be on the low borderline in its coagulation requirements. However, I'm not the one who'll be wearing it.

All are made from pyrolytic carbon and should theortetically outlast their owners. Only the St. Jude has actually been out there long enough to be able to crow about it, though.

Best wishes,

 

[Granbonny]

Randy...JKN2kids ( got a first name?)..and Gail....Will be thinking of yall as the time gets nearer..Will check and see if yall are on our caledar..so we can all wish you good luck..when the time arrives...You all will be fine..The surgeons will be coming off of a nice long Xmas vacation Enjou xmas...and ask away for any pre-op questions.. Ask for soft, button down front P.J.'s for xmas presents.You will live in them the first week home.Want to be walking a lot in house..also, slippers with good rubber soles.Stock in lots of juice...Food will taste yucky for a few weeks..Bonnie

 

[RandyL]

I read somewhere on here about all these tubes that have to be takin out after surgery ie. bladder cathereter, chest tubes. Is this the norm, if so I am really hating this whole deal. I thought they just cut you open replace your valve, sew you back up and that was it. Somebody please enlighten me with the other joys of this deal.lol

 

[hensylee]

Tubes? Yes, there are. two chest tubes in the soft part below the ribs for drainage. Many operations require drainage tubes. These come out within a couple or three days. There are two little bitty wires to the left of the other two that are for jump starting if needed - these come out the day you go home (or the day before). I don't even know if I had a catheter (bladder). If so, it was gone when I woke up. These are small potatoes compared with the rest of it, so not to worry.

 

[jkn2kids]

Bonnie-
Thank you for your support!! My name is Kevin and my wife's name is Janene.I'm sure everyone was stressed out as the time of surgery approached.

 

[Phyllis]

Put you on the calendar for January 5th, Randy and wishing you the best.

 

[Kathy Canistro]

Hello

Hello

Hi Randy,

My name is Kathy. I was terrified once I got the date of June 23rd, my surgery actually got postponed 1 week, I was so scared that I felt relieved about the delay. As others have posted it is much better on this side of the surgery. I did not know of this wonderful group before my surgery, it sure would have helped. I was in 4 days no complications they know their stuff and I did not suffer. The 2 chest tubes did not bother me at all I had the cath for 2 days and the external pacemaker and everyday they removed something, I gor 2 ST Judes valves and the coumadin is not so bad to deal with. I was only out of work for 6 weeks, considering the big deal it is pretty amazing.

I hope you can enjoy the holidays and that the weather won't be too bad beacuse the more you can get up and walk around the better you can fell. Follow all the doctors advise and you will be better in no time.

Kathy