Hey Bill/SanDiego--You there??

[Nancy]

Hi Bill-

I see your surgery is coming up and was wondering how you're doing as the time approaches.

Fill us in.

 

[Bill/SanDiego]

Hello Nancy-- Thanks for asking! The surgery is scheduled for Fri., the 16th. and I`m sort of O.K. about it. I know I could go off the deep end anytime but so far only one bad night! But to be honest, I`ve been afraid to even read this board for at least a week, plus we`ve been away to Yosemite for a wedding. On that trip, I printed out Peter Easton`s thread about valve choice and now am totally confused but will talk to my surgeon Tues. (I`m leaning toward a pig valve). Today my wife says that our grand daughter (we have guardianship) may be coming down with a cold, so I`ve been hanging out with her trying to get it so my surgery will be postponed.
Our trip to Yosemite was great, and on the way up I picked up a whoppie cushion which the father of the bride put to good use!!! Hoping to fish all day tomorrow, consult with doctor Tues and spend Wed. doing little things around here to get ready, then it`s the cath thing Thurs. and I think spend the night in the hospital for Fri.!!! YIKKKKKKKKKKKES!!!!!! It`s coming FAST!!!
Again thanks for asking. My wife knows the bounds of my fear and will be a huge help babying me through this!

 

[hensylee]

You don't realize how quick it's coming til you say - well, Monday I am going to......, Tuesday, I am going to do this......and first thing you know you are there! Just hang out/or in and you will be just fine. Telling myself that, too. God bless

 

[Nancy]

Hi Bill-

Nice to hear from you. I can understand your last minute jitters. But it will be over with soon, and then you won't have to worry about that pesky heart anymore. But the good news is that you are feeling well enough to purchase a "whoopie cushion" and torture people with it. (You could take your little whoopie cushion to the hospital and use it as your "heart pillow". Might raise a few eyebrows, LOL.) So I guess your sense of humor is still there. Joe and I use humor to get us over the rough times. Humor is a good tool.

Please ask your wife if she would be good enough to let us know how things went for you, after your surgery. We would appreciate it lots.

You will be just fine. Take care.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Bill,
Prayers and best wishes for a speedy and uneventful trip over the mountain and recovery..................Betty

 

[Georgia]

Hey, Bill - you can run but you can't hide

Hey, Bill - you can run but you can't hide

Hi, Bill. Know how you feel on the approaching BIG DAY. ARGH.

If you're super jittery, tell the doc; they can give you tranqs to take the edge off. There is NOTHING wrong with getting some help; you'll be in better shape for the surgery.

I found that as the day approached, I became very fatalistic and accepting about the surgery. I was exceedingly calm and focused inward. I think others have had the same experience. It's a big plus, and I think you'll probably have a similar experience.

Sounds like you've been having a good time. Continue - really good food and drink go a long way to mitigating the nerves. And you want to take advantage of this week.

Got a good recliner? If not, get one. Buy books, stock up on friends' movies, make a little nest for recovery. Believe me, you'll be glad you did!

All my best wishes for you; I've been very fortunate in my recovery and wish you the same.

 

[Bill/SanDiego]

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and words. This forum has really meant alot to me and I thank you all for your support, your encourgement and advice.
Today, my wife and I met my surgeon, and got some encouraging news. He said that a high percentage of bad mitral valves are repaired and not replaced. So we`re very hopeful my old, defective, abused heart may still beat on with effiecency without a strange valve in there. But if the old heart isn`t good for a repair, we`re leaning toward a tissue valve.
But all this pondering may be for naught. You see the surgery is set for Fri., but according to one of my aunts, Art Bell is predicting the end of the World Thurs.!! And I`m so desparate to avoid surgery, I`m hoping he`s right!! But there is a wonderful lunar eclipse set for Thurs. shortly after moonrise and it`s been proposed to go out to the parking lot with hospital gowns and really eclipse the moon(s).
And if I don`t make it through surgery, they asked me what to do with my leftovers. "Surprise me!!" (Apologies to Bob Hope)
Again, thank you all for the inspiration and hope you give. And especially the insight of the ones who have gone through OHS!!

 

[hensylee]

Well, Bill today is Thursday - and you are nearly there. For tomorrow I want to wish you GODSPEED

 

[nadi]

You will be fine

You will be fine

Bill,

You will be fine! I had my surgery 5/5 out of the hosp 5/11!!
The only pain I had/have is in the shoulders/arms and wonderful meds take care of that!! that and lovely massages!

The worse part for me is the itching.

Once again you will be fine and we will see you on the other side of the mountain.

May you have a speedy recovery and God Bless

Nadine