Hi and Thank you!

[Linda]

Hi Everyone,
I found your site about 2 weeks ago and I can't tell you what a Godsend it has been for my husband and me. I'm having my aortic valve replacement surgery on Monday, the 17th. Though 12 years ago it was discovered I had a bicupsid valve it appears I never asked which one. I've always had it monitored, never had a problem, was a runner and ran the Long Island 1/2 marathon last year for the 3rd time. I started to try to run this past spring and found I couldn't get beyond a block without my throat closing over and feeling like I was going to pass out. Three weeks ago I went to the doctor to get an inhaler (says a lot about self-diagnosis!). Imagine my surprise when it was discovered that my aortic opening is less than a pinhole and I'm on semi-bedrest and waiting for the surgery. Quite the whirlwind month, that's for sure. This site has answered questions, calmed me down when the reality gets overwhelming and in general has been the peaceful place I return to to know that I'm not alone. I just want to thank you all for sharing your lives in this forum. It has been the safe place that I return to again and again. There's so much strength in knowing you're not alone. Thank you all.

With gratitude,
Linda

 

[Ross]

Hi Linda, glad to see you made it and welcome to our humbled home.

I put your date on the calendar, so in the mean time, ask away, tell away, release away. Were here for you.

 

[Christina]

Welcome to our VR.com family.

Welcome to our VR.com family.

Hi Linda... Glad you found us. Now pull up a chair, get comfy and ask away. That's what we're here for.
My surgery was in 8/2000 so quite a while ago already, but I am still active on this forum so don't hesitate to ask questions.
Knowledge is POWER, so get educated about AVR surgery because the more you know the less you will fear.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Linda!

One of the hardest things in going through surgery of this magnitude is feeling like you are all alone. As you can see by this web site - you aren't. Many of us have been there and DONE THAT! and we have the type of bond that soldiers feel in times of war.

If you get a chance, fill us in a little on yourself. Age, family, type of valve you chose.

Wishing you the very best on the 17th!

 

[Georgia]

Welcome, Linda. Just wanted to wish you the best of luck on your surgery (in case I don't get a chance to get online this weekend). Glad you dropped by and found this website before your ohs.

Have a nice weekend - eat well, drink well, see a good movie, and go shopping - NOTHING takes your mind off impending surgery like spending money.

We'll be waiting for word after your surgery.

 

[Yaps]

Welcome, this is a haven for us.

 

[momshell7]

Hi Linda,

Welcome to VR. You are now part of the a very great family. Wishing you all the best with your surgery. This is a wonderful place for you to find information and support. I also want to say it is also a very valuable place for spouses, loved ones and friends to get information and support. I am a spouse of a heart patient and I know I was helped more than you can imagine by all the wonderful people here.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Michelle

 

[bvdr]

Linda, welcome! A couple months before my valve problems were diagnosed I was working and felt so short of breath. Then I realized I was wheezing and thought I had developed asthma. I hadn't but the scenario is one we commonly encounter around here. As the others have said. We are here for you so make yourself comfortable as a new member of our family.

 

[aussigal]

hello and welcome to VR....I am pretty new here myself too ..

I think I would have gone crazy had it not been for the wonderful support and info here...

so Pull up a comfy chair and join us in the "waiting-room!"

 

[Sherry]

Welcome to our little net haven, Linda. You have definitely found the right place for support. Continue to get on and ask questions as you get nearer to your surgery. Some of us are a little more ancient (surgery-wise) than others, but we all have advice to give. Don't be afraid to ask.

Again, glad to have you here, and hopefully, you'll be back to running those marathons within a few years. We have several members who have run marathons and done triathalons after surgery. Quite impressive, indeed.

 

[Linda]

Hi,
I want to thank you for the kind and supportive responses I've been receiving these past few days. They help so much. Just to give you a little information about myself:

I'm 47 and an assistant professor at Long Island University in the Education Division. I teach at Southampton College in Southampton N.Y. and C.W. Post College in Brookville, N.Y. I have 3 sons, Jeff 22, Bryan 21, and Tim 16. I've been married 25 years this November 9th and my husband and I have planned a trip in February to go to Ixtapa Mexico for a week. We can't wait. I'm a runner and it was my running, or lack of ability to do it, that lead me to the dr.s' to see what was causing it. I had just run the 1/2 LI Marathon a year before with my son Jeff.

I think what I'm most amazed at and now currently nervous/frightened over is how quickly my health has weakened. I'm out of breath when I go upstairs, in fact I'm only allowed upstairs once a day since my catherization on Wednesday. I wonder about every feeling in my chest and I get so very tired so easily. The dr. who performed the catherization said that my previously assumed "pinhole" aortic opening was less than that, in fact he didn't know how blood was getting through. I'm feeling afraid to move at this point. Oprah's become a big part of my day!!! I'm looking forward to Monday but I'm also afraid of it, particularly the ventilator part. I've heard of people waking up and struggling and nurses not getting there quick enough so you feel like you're not able to breathe. Is that a normal occurrence?

Anyway, thanks for listening. Bless you all.
Linda

 

[Karlynn]

Linda,
If you weren't scared we'd be worried that you weren't facing this surgery realistically. It is a big event. And it's not easy, but it is a successful procedure and we have over 1000 members here that prove that. You will do just fine. Most often our fears tend to be bigger than the real thing. And we have many people that report just that.

Some people don't remember the ventilator, and some do. One of the tricks is to breath with it and relax, don't fight it. Most likely you will be drugged up enough that the memory of it will soon be a fuzzy one.

I will be thinking of, and praying for, you on Monday. Is there someone that can come on and post here so we know how your surgery went? We do tend to wait anxiously for the good news.

Enjoy your weekend - let your family spoil you rotten.

Best wishes.

 

[Mary]

Hi Linda,
Concerning your fears about the ventilator, I would discuss them with the anesthesiologist before you go into surgery. I talked to mine just outside the operating room and said that I had heard horror stories about ventilators for almost 25 years due to my husband's occupation. The anesthesiologist said he would make sure I encountered no difficulties, and I didn't.
I woke up once after surgery, just long enough to hear someone say, "Mrs. Stone, we"ve just taken the breathing tube out", and I thought that was the easiest thing I'd ever had done.
I really think if you mention your concerns, they will do their very best to make it an easy experience for you.
Good luck!
Mary

 

[TomS]

Good luck

Good luck

Linda,
I had my AV and root replaced eight weeks ago, and am still in awe of my total loss of time for the seven hours of the operation (It felt like I blinked), and the complete calmness that I had waking up in the ICU. Waking up and knowing some of the things to expect is 90% of the battle. (The respirator, your arms won't be totally free, you may be thirsty and if so, ask for ice). But, don't let thinking about the process itself scare you.
It all will go quickly, and the first 24 hours will be tougher on those in the waiting room.
Best of luck, you'll have this behind you in no time.
Tom

 

[JohnnyV_46]

Wow, less than a pinhole! I know that mine was bicuspid and not working properlybut I don't think it was restricted. Its been exactly 8 weeks today that I had my surgery. I feel so much better since having it replaced.Better than before I had any problems. Best of luck with the Surgery next week.

 

[Cris N]

Linda,

I can totally relate to the inhaler. I never knew I had a problem til I woke up in the middle of the night with extreme SOB. When I finally dragged myself to the ER late the next afternoon, Dr. diagnosed emphysema & wrote prescription for inhaler. Two months later I had my mitral valve replaced. He was clueless

So, I can also relate to the rather sudden whirlwind you're facing. I pray that your surgery goes well and that you have a quiet recovery. Hopefully you have someone who can let us know your status while in the hospital. And we look forward to hearing about it from you after you're home.

Cris

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome to our world Linda !

We have an expression here that goes " the worse it gets, the faster it gets worse" which would seem to apply to your experience.

I was scheduled for surgery on a Tuesday, with check-in on Monday. I developed chest pains over the preceeding weekend, went to the local ER and was given to option of going home or remaining in the local hospital for monitoring. I stayed at the hospital and they sent me to the surgery hospital by ambulence the next morning.

Shortly after being admitted, I was sent to the ICU where they inserted a "Balloon Pump" through a catheter to assist my heart and to allow it to 'rest' prior to surgery. If you can contact your surgeon, you may want to ask about that option if you are concerned or develop worse symptoms over the weekend. Someone should be "on call" for your surgeon at all times.

Where are you having surgery? Johns Hopkins by any chance? (Johns Hopkins is the #3 ranked Heart Hospital in the USA).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ALCapshaw2]

WHOOPS !

I got you confused with another poster from Baltimore.
Sorry about that.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[joanne6]

Hi Linda,

Hi Linda,

I am new to this site. Had Mitral Valve Repair almost 9 weeks ago. I can totally relate to your fear about the ventillator. I think everyone goes through that. Most likely you will not remember that part of recovery. I have very vague memories of the vent.
Have a wonderful day tomorrow. Try to relax and spend time with family. You will not totally forget about the upcoming surgery but eat well, drink well, relax and your body will be better prepared.
I just tried to keep in mind how lucky I was that there are such wonderful doctors now who do this kind of surgery every day. The nurses too are totally dedicated to what they do. You will be in good hands.
Please have someone let us know how you are.
Best Wishes,
Joanne

 

[LLJ]

Hey Linda! We're almost neighbors here on the east coast except I'm on the Jersey side. It's truely amazing what the body can do. I had a cardiac cath the morning before my bicuspid aortic valve replacement and the cardiologist couldn't ge the smallest wire through the valve to see what was on the other side,as it were. This didn't show in my doppler or my symptoms. (Ran 3 miles 2 days before my surgery)
Where are you having your surgery done? You will do great! We are the same age. I was also afraid of the vent,but barely was aware enough to care and only vaguely remember its removal. You will be sore and tired and those kids of yours will come in handy to make the bed and cook meal when you get home. Frankly, you will be amazed just how tired you are. Rest,Rest Rest!!!
Check the presurgery posts for all the info.(especially female related stuff)
WELCOME! We look forward to seeing you on the active lifestyles forum, as you may even join us for the Indy 1/2 marathon in May!
Laura