Have a surgery date

[pegne]

Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie

I have slept with a fan for ten years. Between my husband snoring and the fan I don't know how I get any sleep. I can't sleep in a hospital without a sleeping pill because I need the noise.

 

[joy]

Hi Anne-marie, One suggestion that I can make is, my mom brought out a bunch of undershirts for me to wear instead of bras, that way you don't have to have them hanging down or flopping around, and you will be too sore to wear a bra after surgery. For the first week home, I slept with my mom(she was out helping me), and then with my hubby. He had to be careful though. It will be nice to have someone there helping you 24 hours for the first couple of weeks, but then you should be ok, it depends if you have young kids or not? Good luck, you will do great! Keep busy as Paul said!

 

[Anne-Marie]

Hi Joy, thanks for the suggestions! I appreciate them so much. I think if the surgeon will be working on my chest, he should just lift and firm them up to help with the healing process. Then I wouldn't have to worry about bras.

I have 4 children but the youngest is nine, so I don't expect them to be demanding at all. They'll be in school during the days as well. My 12 year old is a bit of a neat freak, so I know she'll be a big help. My husband will be able to take leave from work and they have told him he can work from home if necessary.

I hadn't thought about having anyone sleep with me. I was planning on fixing up a room just for me. I'll see how I'm feeling, but now that you mention it, having someone near is probably for the better.

Peggy,

I used to work night shift and got so used the the fan that I couldnt sleep without it on. My husband couldn't sleep with it on. My daughter has a radio that plays white noise like the ocean or rain. Maybe I'll give that a try.

A-M

 

[Georgia]

Time to get this thread going again . . .

Time to get this thread going again . . .

Hey, Anne-Marie! Did you get your recovery room done? Did you take pictures? Pillarpaul's been worried about inspiring you to spend money wildly (tee hee); inquiring minds want to know . . .

Saw in your post that you're pretty scared/worried/concerned about your upcoming surgery. Please understand that you're more likely to have an experience like Paul's or Bonnie's or mine than like poor Andrea's or (heaven forfend) Ross's. Most of us are in the hospital less than a week (seems to be getting shorter and shorter) - I was in 4 days. Practice using the hated spirometer before surgery (if they've given you one); it'll help you afterwards.

I wish there were a way to help you calm down; Bonnie has said that it's much like childbirth; not something you'd want to do every day, but when you have that baby . . . well, the experience that's looming so large now shrinks afterward. It really helps to know what's going to happen up front; but don't let it become an obsessive, intrusive thought. Compartmentalize. Think good thoughts. Spend more money. Drink. Whatever it takes to relax and not dwell on your surgery.

When you get much closer to the event, I swear, your brain goes into some zone and there's some natural relaxation. You'll be much more detached and self-absorbed.

Keep posting the next few days.

 

[Anne-Marie]

Georgia,

It was so nice to open this thread up and read this post from you. I'm really getting nervous, but I also know that once I get past the surgery, I can work on mending.

I should take a picture of my recovery room right now. All the furniture is in the middle of the floor because I've been painting. It's a big mess! I'm going to try to finish it up this weekend. I chose a real pale yellow because I wanted the room to be a cheerful place that I can go to and relax.

Georgia, your timing for this post was perfect. I haven't been sleeping much at night and of course imagining everything that could possibly go wrong. Thank you for taking the time to write it out. It helps so much. What a treasure you are

A-M

 

[nadi]

Great shopping list

Great shopping list

This site has really helped me calm down!
There is a great shopping/idea list that Georgia posted for on nadi's upcoming surgery thread.

Happy redecorating!

Nadine

 

[pillarpaul]

Anne-Marie,

I sent you a PM on some thoughts for the week before the big day and how I dealt with them. Hope they help.

Paul

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Anne Marie,

Just wanted to wish you well on your forthcoming surgery. We will be waiting for you to join us at the top!

BTW, your recovery room idea is perfect! I love my family......but at that point in time I needed my space to rest and recover. You may want to send your hubby to the designated recovery room. Mine went to the guest room You may find more comfort being in your own bed. It was stange...I slept in the middle of my bed in fear I may fall out, LOL. Must have been all the meds.

All the best to you.

 

[Georgia]

Hey, Anne-Marie!

Hey, Anne-Marie!

A JAGUAR?????

Did you get your recovery room painted? Don't have much time left to finish it . . .

I'll be thinking of you this week. I know you'll do well. I hope you have someone to post for you while you're in the hospital; inquiring minds, you know.

Enjoy the next couple of days, and eat all of your favorite foods. And if you're really jumping out of your skin, contact your doc & get tranquillizers.

I got a huge case of the "calms" a couple days before surgery. It was like I totally internalized the inevitability of it all. It was very welcome.

You're in all our prayers.

 

[Anne-Marie]

HI Georgia

I'm feeling a mixture of calm and excitment....don't know if it's the surgery or the Jag. I'm feeling good this week, sleeping much better and just getting myself mentally prepared for this. I've felt better this week than I have in months, either the tension has lifted some or my heart spontaneously cured itself

My room is painted, but not nearly as fully decorated as I had planned. It looks pretty good though. Funny, I chose that room because the recliner was in there, but I've moved the recliner to my bedroom and bought a new chair for the recovery room. I didn't spend that much money, although I tried. It's a very lovely pale yellow, very soothing. It's now the den/reading room/mommy's sanctuary.

I'll give my sister the link for valve replacment and ask her to post a post-op update for me.

Thanks georgia! xoxoxoxox

 

[hensylee]

Mornin Anne-Marie - I remember your very first post and by golly, we are now at the foot of the mountain and ready for the first step! As you go in that door, remember all the folks here are thinking of you and sending our prayers and good wishes. We'll leave the light on for ya. GODSPEED

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Anne-Marie

We've been away on vacation, (see, there is a wonderful life after surgery) so haven't been on line. Just saw your post and know what you're going through. You will be fine....and you have to know you're doing the very best thing you can for your heart and your family. God is with you, I truly believe that, and he won't let you down. I will put you in my prayers till you get into your house after the long trek up the mountain. Please know you have lots of people you don't even know praying for and thinking about you!!!

Evelyn

 

[Anne-Marie]

Thank you Evelyn and Hensylee,

I was thinking last night how things have really fallen into place around me in the past several months. For example, I had a plan to pay off all my debts last year. This past December, I was able todo so. If we hadn't done that we'd be in dire straits with me not working and with little sick pay. That's just one of several positive things that have happened recently that make this situation much easier to handle.

I remember that first post too, hensylee, I was so worried. I think finding this place and reading the posts and the histories was the best thing for helping me face this surgery!

Thank you xoxoxoxoxox

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi anne-marie!
just wanted to wish you all the best in your upcoming surgery. you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
is there anyone who will be able to post and let us know how things go??
be well, sylvia

 

[Scottie]

Hi Anne-Marie

Hi Anne-Marie

Just wanted to let you know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and a speedie recovery ...You take care of yourself and let us know how things go ..we will be waiting to hear
Scottie

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Anne-Marie

I truly believe that I could not have faced my husband's surgery if it wasn't for this wonderful site and the members here. Everyone here has the ability to put things in perspective, listen to our fears, draw from their vast knowledge and quite honestly, CARE about what happens to every one on this list. I think once you've been there and have gone through all the fears, anxieties and concerns, you have a much better grasp of what people who are facing the surgery and their families have to deal with---thus you are in a much better position to give advice.

As Rossman said to me once, "You have to put it in someone else's hands." He was right. Once you realize that the control is out of your hands, it's much easier to face. I truly wish you and your family the very best.....please have someone keep us posted as soon as possible.

Evelyn

 

[Anne-Marie]

Thank you so much for the encouragement, everyone! Evelyn, I agree, this is a wonderful resource.

I've got so much to do today! There's no visiting at the hosptital because of sars, so when my daughter faked the "I have to stay home today, I have a headache", I let her stay! We're going to go watch Harry Potter again.

Thanks again for the cheering.....my house hasn't seen this much cheering since.....well, last night when the Leafs blew it

 

[Les]

Hi,
Wishing you the best on your surgery and recovery. You are in my thoughts, as well as all "valvers"! Take care!
___________________
Les AVR '93 / '95