Here goes. I'm new.

[Blnmakerr]

Trish:
Glad you found us. VR.com is the place for comfort and the best information. As you said, we have "been there, done that"....I can tell you that I am 64 and had BAVR in September, and now feel 100% again...

Ask as many questions as you can. In this forum there are the answers. I can't begin to tell you what a help this forum was to me before and after my surgery...

Best of luck and we all look forward to greeting you on the other side of the mountain....

 

[Philip B]

Whining

Whining

Hi Trish,

Welcome aboard.

Don't worry about the weight thing; you'll probably loose anything you gain during the next two weeks. It takes a while for food to look and taste good after heart surgery.

It's okay with us if you vent and whine. We understand how you feel because most of us have been down the same path. Personally, I did a fair amount of whining before my AVR surgery last March. My wife got to put up with most of it (it's that for better or worse; in sickness and in health thing). I'm not sure she totally understood how I felt, but she had an extreme amount of confidence in my surgeon and his team. She never waivered.

If you're only two weeks out, try to focus on each step you have to take as you approach surgery. It also helps if you can engage in something that you like to do to help get your mind off your upcoming surgery. This said, I doubt anything will totally get your surgery off your mind, but focusing on something else seems to help avoid being totally consumed by the emotions associated with the upcoming event.

You're in good company here!

-Philip

 

[Marguerite53]

Welcome to our wonderful group!

To address your second post.... you may indeed experience discomfort for awhile when you first return to work as a hairdresser. This will not be excruciating pain, but rather annoying stiffness and soreness. The thing I found with the sternum healing (I assume they are doing a full sternotomy on you?) was that once the surgeon and cardio both pronounced it "healed", as in bones are grown back together now....you can drive and start lifting more, the pain was more a nuisance than a worry. As long as you aren't going to pull yourself apart, you really don't have that sensation of pain. You will get tired, though. That is the part that you don't expect. Oh sure, you'll be able to work and work and push for a day or two, but then that 3rd day!!! You'll be tired!! It takes several months to build up that energy reserve. But then....once you're back on track.....you won't believe the energy level you will have!!! You will be a new person.

About the weight. I went into surgery very overweight. I did not attempt to lose weight prior to surgery because my surgeon said it just was not possible to lose enough weight (don't bother!), so just start moving some. So I started walking. I found a middle school track close by where many people run and walk, and I just walked on level ground (any incline was a huffer-puffer) for a few miles several times a week. I think it really helped me. I would encourage you to do it. "Mall" walking is a good idea, too. If you need more encouragement, do a search on our member, DerBiermeister. HE is a walker!! and a great cheerleader for it!! He also had a lot of great questions prior to surgery which received great answers.

Now that I am almost 2 years post surgery, I am losing my weight, slowly but surely. I'm a firm believer in "the tortoise wins the race" mentality, so I am going about it with a lifestyle change. You really cannot change your lifestyle right now because you really are so much more ill than you realize!!! It may take you a longer time to feel really recovered (it did me, I'm sure) but you will have the energy to get yourself in better shape post surgery. Honest.

Now, of course, if your doctors or surgeon are telling you otherwise, their word is gospel, not mine!

Feel free to start new threads with any new questions. You'll get more answers that way!

Best wishes.

Marguerite

 

[ruth]

Hey there Trish, Welcome!

Your story sounds all too familiar....

I think you never know until you get to the other side exactly what you'll find. As for being a hairdresser, I have no idea, I type for a living. With time you'll likely get back to your previous activities and then some.

We're all different but we all share this experience. And we all know that at some very real level "it is what it is". There's no good option other than surgery once you've started to feel symptoms as you have. My bet is you may have symptoms you don't even know about but think you're just "getting old" or some such.

Oh, and here it's not called 'whining' it's called 'normal people reacting to an abnormal situation around other people who understand' .

Welcome, and I wish you all the best.

Peace,
Ruth

 

[Trish]

More thanks

More thanks

You can't imagine the comfort I've found here.

I've been running around trying to tie up loose ends, new will, etc. as well as making the last round of tests. Ever hear of a venal dopplar? I have varicose veins on one leg and they're going to check them out.

I'm working right up to two days before surgery. The cath appointment maker laughed when I told her what fit into my schedule. But she did it!

I wasn't overweight before I got into this. It's the sympathy eating I'm enjoying with my friends and family. I have home made cream filled chocolate cup cakes on the counter waiting for my tea kettle to whistle.

OOPS! There she blows.
Love is food, I guess.
Trish

 

[MikeHeim]

I worked until two days before my surgery and was glad I did. I figured work would be a pretty good diversion during the last week, which it was. If eating makes you feel better, I would say don't worry about it. Your surgery is two weeks away, so I doubt you are in danger of gaining enough weight to make a difference. In fact, I lost about 15 pounds from my surgery, so any weight gain would likely be temporary anyway. Just try to stay reasonably active so your body is ready for recovery. Best wishes.

 

[dan777]

Hi Trish and welcome !

In the words of the immortal philosopher Rob Schneider, "You can do it !!!" (hope you watch Adam Sandler movies)?

Anyway, here is wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery.

 

[cp172]

Hi Trish,

I like your strategy. Work right up to the day of surgery and keep cup cakes and tea on the counter. My surgery is next week and I plan to work until the day before. Your in my prayers.

God Bless,

 

[ruth]

I have home made cream filled chocolate cup cakes on the counter waiting for my tea kettle to whistle.

OOOO OOOO ! Cupcakes!!

I'm on my way over, leave the light on for me!

You got the right attitude.....

 

[marie]

Welcome to VR. It is a wonderful source of support and information and certainly a laugh or two. I had my surgery eight days ago and I am 67 years young. I went through all of the pre surgery jitters and you will too. It's certainly not a surgery for wimps but none of us here are wimps and neither are you. Try some relaxing music, read something not surgery related. Ask lots of questions if you have them. Someone will come along that can help. I'll be thinking of you and keep us posted.
Earline

 

[Trish]

Getting closer

Getting closer

Today I got all the info for the cath on Monday. I was in the middle of doing a dye job when the call came and I continued the color while my client wrote down what the nurse told me. The nurse got a kick out of my "relaxed" attitude. She said she was glad I didn't need any anti-anxiety meds. After I got off the phone, I had to sit down and do deep breathing for ten minutes. Trying for "normal" is hard but I think after surgery is when I need to pamper myself.
Again, it is so good to read other people's stories and I'm grateful for finding you all.
I keep feeling as if I'm going to wake up soon and this will all be a bad dream.
Trish

 

[Karlynn]

I think you are experiencing the worst part of valve surgery - the preparing and waiting. Best wishes!