How did you prepare?

[brendamarlene]

Reassurance

Reassurance

I was frightened in ICU---I kept hearing all these bells going off--- so my advice is to have your family who visit you there to keep reassuring you that you are fine and that everything is OK

I had a "relaxation" tape, and I kept listening to it---weeks before the surgery as well as in the hospital.

I am facing a reoperation in the next few months, so I appreciate reading everyone's advice, too.

 

[MitralMan]

Phylllis, you have me so scared I'm laughing!! But this is a GOOD thing!

Phylllis, you have me so scared I'm laughing!! But this is a GOOD thing!

Having my arms tied down so I can't pull the thing out is not making me feel better!!!!

As my wife said when our first child was being born: I WANT DRUGS!!! GIMME DRUGS!! I want to be KNOCKED OUT COLD!!!

I'm still laughing out loud...THANK you! (sometimes we can't necessary tell from email or boards nuance or true meaning -- when I write "thank you," I mean it: you gave me a moment of real joy and relief!).

"The only thing I worry about is that tube...any way to avoid it?"
Mitral Man, I think everybody on this site worries about that tube. I can only tell you Dick's experience which was a good one. They have your arms tied down so you can't pull it out and when I first saw Dick in ICU, there were times when he was moving his head back and forth in frustration. A few calming words and touches seemed to calm him down and kept him from fighting it. He arrived in ICU at 1 PM and wasn't off the ventilator until the middle of the night because this being his first operation (at 70), the anesthesia really knocked him out and he just didn't want to wake up. In the weeks at home after the operation he kept telling me how calming it was to have me there in ICU and remembered me stroking his arm and telling him not to fight the ventilator. Now almost 12 months later, he doesn't even remember it and asked me where the tube from the vent went- down his throat or in his chest! I guess it's kind of like childbirth- you only remember the good parts! Put in a search for ventilator and you will come up with many other experiences and a lot of reassurance.

 

[karenm]

Another one about the tube!

Another one about the tube!

MitralMan,
I am now four weeks post op with a PVR, and I was also nervous about the tube (and IVs, and the TEE, etc). I do remember being in the ICU and waking up with the tube in. The doctor and my family were talking about how I was ready to have it removed, but since I was not yet awake they could not take it out. I struggled to wake up in order to get it out!! Once I was awake enough, it was removed. I remember that my partner had to leave the room as it was too much to watch, but there was no pain.

As I was waking up, and being very conscience of the tube (as that was the only reason I was chosing to wake up) I remembered the advice of one of my PV.com family members ...
"Do not fight the vent, it is there to help you, so just breath with is and it will be easier." I focused on doing this, while I focused on waking up and it was all fine! Really!!

~Karen

 

[MitralMan]

Karen, thank you.

Karen, thank you.

It feels like I'm practically LOOKING for things to freak me out. I don't understand it at all.

 

[Debrinha GT]

A little about myself

A little about myself

I've always been the sort of person who gets terrified of the unknown, especially when pain or discomfort is involved. However, when it's something I've heard so much about already by the time I need to get it done, I feel so familiar with the whole thing that I kind of forget my fears and start getting curious instead. I know it might sound a bit weird and even morbid perhaps, but that's just how I've been ever since I was a child. You will have so much information stored in you personal computer, and by that I mean your brain, that when it's finally time for your surgery, you will probably feel as if you'd done it at least a couple of times before. That's the beauty about this site! Apart from emotional support, we definitely go into hospital knowing more than we ever thought possible! Take care and God bless you!
Débora

 

[MomOfThree]

I keep hearing about this TUBE!

I keep hearing about this TUBE!

Thanks everyone so very, very much for your insights, thoughts, prayers and support!! I don't know what I would do without you all! It definitely makes going though this a lot easier. You've given me so much insight, comfort and just knowing that you're there for me makes A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!

I find myself going online, ALL THE TIME!!

Anyway, about this tube. Yes, it scares me also. Especially, since I have a problem with that whole gag reflex. I don't even like xrays for my teeth!

What I'm hoping is this: a) I won't remember it, b) I'll be SO HAPPY that I AM ALIVE that I hope that I relax, and, remember in my anesthesia based stupor, your good advice, to breathe with it. But, hopefully I won't remember it : )
(I can't get those smilies to work in the body of my emails only the title?).
-Martha

 

[Bryan B]

For all those F R E A K I N G out over the tube I'll give you my tube story.

First of all, my hands were not tied to the bed, so not all hospitals do that. I was worried about the tube as most seem to be before surgery. And I too had been coached to breathe with the vent if I woke up with it in. Well, sure enough I woke up with it in...but not "awake awake". I listened for the vent so I could breathe with it, but it was so quiet I couldn't hear it. No problem...drift back off to sleep...wake up...vent still in...drift back off to sleep...you get the picture. Then they woke me up and asked if I was ready to have it taken out, and of course I nodded yes. They said on the count of 3 and out it came in one motion. My experience was that the "tube" is a lot scarier before surgery than after it.

But don't get me started on the chest tubes.

 

[Turkey Hunter]

I'll tell ya.....

I'll tell ya.....

Martha and MitralMan and anyone else having the same feelings or thoughts...

Those of us who actually had a chance to prepare ourselves are lucky !!

There are those on this site who had no idea there was a problem and BOOM they wake up with people telling them they almost died. We should each count our blessings !!

As far as how I prepared......Family, friends, this site. I too had a terrible time believing that "I" was going to have OHS. When my cardiologist told me the size of my aneurysm and what the norm should be....I broke down and was just plain scared. However, I felt I couldn't talk about it at home with my wife. You see I had always been the 'rock' in our marriage. When her mom passed, it was I she leaned to, when our nephew passed, it was I she leaned. I underestimated my wonderful wife....she showed me that she was the 'oak' in our home. When I finally discussed my feelings with her I felt better....it was like the pressure lifted and I could begin to actually enjoy myself again. And I did, Hell I even threw a bash at the house the Saturday before my surgery. It was great....and I didn't let anyone go with letting them ask me the questions the were nervous to ask.

This part is horrible, but it helped me. We even had pool at the office regarding the outcome ( you get it)......... That was fun. It helped me to joke and laugh and just ...well.......buy the tickets for the day of my scheduled surgery and scroll God's name as the purchaser of the tickets.

It was God who knew the outcome.

We all prepare in our own way. Just simply realize the importance of the many things we each take for granted each day and appreciate each of those things.

Enough from me.

God Bless.

Ben

 

[Granbonny]

I had not found this wonderful site..before I had my surgery...so I went in not knowing anything..other than..I was told on a Thursday after a heart cath..I had an aneurysm..Cardio brought down to my bedside a very handsome doctor..who said, I cannot do it tomorrow. How about Monday?...So, I went to daughter's house. Spent the weekend watching my Grandson play ball, eating Sunday breakfast with family..driving back to Atlanta sunday night.. We stayed (daughter and hubby on the premises's of hospital in a motel.... Ordered pizza to our room.. Walked over to admitting..was given a good-feel shot.. My son and my sister came back for a few minutes for some kisses and hugs..and I was out.. Woke up Tuesday morning in a private room. Daughter said, hi..want to get up and take a walk..I said, sure..No tubes, ect..and no pain. ...My hospital, St. Joseph's in Atlanta is well known for their Cardiac nurses..rated #5... and I'm sure now..thier good feel shots Family told me during their ICU visits..I was sleeping like a baby...... Bonnie

 

[MitralMan]

Ben, thanks for the perspective and for sharing your story.

Ben, thanks for the perspective and for sharing your story.

You are a lucky man in more ways than one.

 

[tobagotwo]

There is quite a series of posts about "the tube," with all kinds of responses. I am claustrophobic and have a very strong gag reflex, and I thought it would be horrible.

In fact, when I woke up (with it in), I realized it had kept me alive for hours, and also that I had plenty of air. Not only did I not panic, I though it was kind of neat to be able to be so lazy you don't even have to breathe for yourself. I wanted it out to talk, and so I knew I'd breathe all right without it, but not due to any panic. And it's so far past your gag reflex, that gagging doesn't even get involved at all.

It's good to have someone there with a pen and paper, so you can write your thoughts. Also, if they normally use a lip clip to hold the tube in place, ask for tape instead (sorry, Burair, that I missed that for you).

Hmm. If you're expected to be on morphine, you might want to ask the surgeon for patient-controlled Fentanyl instead. It is a cousin of morphine, but usually has less stomach effects, and usually leaves you less doped-up feeling.

It was not the most painful thing I have been through, and several women on the site have compared the pain favorably over that of childbirth. I truly believe that most of the trauma of it I inflicted on myself with fear and angst in the last months of waiting. The surgery was a relief in many ways.

You'll do well, and we'll all be rooting for you.

Best wishes,

 

[geebee]

MomofThree

MomofThree

To get the smiley face in the body of your posts just type the : and ) next to each other and it will show up as a smiley face once you submit the post.
For other "faces" just go the FAQ section at the top of this page and click on reading and posting messages. Once there, click on "what are smilies" and you will see all options.
Smiles,
Gina

 

[MitralMan]

tobagotwo, thanks. I've decided I'll have to find something ELSE...

tobagotwo, thanks. I've decided I'll have to find something ELSE...

to freak out about. Or maybe, just maybe, the wonderful folks on this board have been so generous with their thoughts, experiences and comments that maybe I'll just settle down and get it over with...

There is quite a series of posts about "the tube," with all kinds of responses. I am claustrophobic and have a very stron gag reflex, and I thought it would be horrible.

In fact, when I woke up (with it in), I realized it had kept me alive for hours, and also that I had plenty of air. Not only did I not panic, I though it was kind of neat to be able to be so lazy you don't even have to breathe for yourself. I wanted it out to talk, and so I knew I'd breathe all right without it, but not due to any panic. And it's so far past your gag reflex, that gagging doesn't even get involved at all.

It's good to have someone there with a pen and paper, so you can write your thoughts. Also, if they normally use a lip clip to hold the tube in place, ask for tape instead (sorry, Burair, that I missed that for you).

Hmm. If you're expected to be on morphine, you might want to ask the surgeon for patient-controlled Fentanyl instead. It is a cousin of morphine, but usually has less stomach effects, and usually leaves you less doped-up feeling.

It was not the most painful thing I have been through, and several women on the site have compared the pain favorably over that of childbirth. I truly believe that most of the trauma of it I inflicted on myself with fear and angst in the last months of waiting. The surgery was a relief in many ways.

You'll do well, and we'll all be rooting for you.

Best wishes,

 

[Bryan B]

Mitral Man,

Here's a list of things to freak out over :

Breathing tube
Chest tubes
Pulmonary Artery Catheter (in neck)
Pacemaker Wires
Foley Catheter

All of these "things" are attached, connected, inserted into you after you have been sedated and you will wake up with all or most of them still there. I can't stress how little you will freak out once you wake up from surgery. First of all, when you wake up you will have a sense of relief that the worst is over. Secondly, pain medication is a wonderful thing and it's amazing how little pain you will be in. Discomfort...yes, unpleasantness...yes, but considering what your body has just been through I was surprised how little pain I experienced. It seems that of the things I listed above, everyone has a different experience as to which thing bothered them the most or least. For me having the chest tubes removed was the most unpleasant thing I experienced (but it only lasted a minute...and it felt sooo good to have them out). I've heard others say that having the pacemaker wires removed or the foley catheter removed was the most unpleasant thing for for them. For me those were a piece of cake.

Once the process starts however, you will be surprised how quickly it is all over and you are back at home recovering. I found that once I was in the middle of the process, all of the things I "freaked out" about before the surgery were not as scary as I had made them out to be. I hope this post helps and doesn't "freak you out".

 

[MitralMan]

Bryan, thanks a bunch!

Bryan, thanks a bunch!

Enough! I'm just doing to get this over with! For those of you ahead of me: we will ALL be FINE!!

Mitral Man,

Here's a list of things to freak out over :

Breathing tube
Chest tubes
Pulmonary Artery Catheter (in neck)
Pacemaker Wires
Foley Catheter

All of these "things" are attached, connected, inserted into you after you have been sedated and you will wake up with all or most of them still there. I can't stress how little you will freak out once you wake up from surgery. First of all, when you wake up you will have a sense of relief that the worst is over. Secondly, pain medication is a wonderful thing and it's amazing how little pain you will be in. Discomfort...yes, unpleasantness...yes, but considering what your body has just been through I was surprised how little pain I experienced. It seems that of the things I listed above, everyone has a different experience as to which thing bothered them the most or least. For me having the chest tubes removed was the most unpleasant thing I experienced (but it only lasted a minute...and it felt sooo good to have them out). I've heard others say that having the pacemaker wires removed or the foley catheter removed was the most unpleasant thing for for them. For me those were a piece of cake.

Once the process starts however, you will be surprised how quickly it is all over and you are back at home recovering. I found that once I was in the middle of the process, all of the things I "freaked out" about before the surgery were not as scary as I had made them out to be. I hope this post helps and doesn't "freak you out".

 

[Kay]

Mitral Man,

Here's a list of things to freak out over :

Breathing tube
Chest tubes
Pulmonary Artery Catheter (in neck)
Pacemaker Wires
Foley Catheteter

I guess I was fortunate. ONLY the breathing tube gave me trouble. All the others were a piece of cake! No pain whatsoever on the chest tube or any of the catheters. I felt the pacemaker wires and was amazed at how long they were -- they just kept coming and coming, like scarves out of a magician's hat. But all I felt was a little fluttery feeling in my heart. No pain or discomfort at all. All were total non-events but that breathing tube and it was awful and I remember every second of it CLEARLY.

I had the vent in for almost 5 hours after I started waking up. I had prepped myself for it and had planned to consider it a friend who had been keeping me alive. I tried, but it was not that easy. I tried to breathe with it but it was quiet and I couldn't get in sync with it. It seemed like every time I was trying to get a breath the tube had just snagged the air I was after and it resulted in a choking sensation. Not gagging, because the tube is way past the gag reflex, more of a panicky choking sensation, but it was over quickly and I would be in sync with the machine for a while and would relax...for a minute or two. Then it would start all over again, that machine and me both going after the same little bit of breath. The machine would win and I would start the choking sensation all over again.

The ICU nurses kept asking if I wanted the tube out. DUH, yes!!! Then they would tell me to stay awake and breathe on my own and they would take it out. So I would concentrate totally on staying awake. A few minutes would go by and I would doze off and a loud alarm would go off. And the cycle would start all over again. Awake, doze, buzzer, awake, doze....

It seemed to go on for hours. Finally, they came in and removed the tube. Except for the tape that was holding the tube on actually ripping some flesh off my face, it was a blessed relief and a simple procedure to remove it. It was out in a flash and my throat wasn't even sore. Dry as the Sahara, but not sore. My vocal cords were damaged for a few days and my voice sounded like a mouse squeaking, but it's back to normal now.

That breathing tube was the only totally unpleasant experience of my whole hospital stay. I've thought and thought about how I would do it next time to make it more tolerable. And the answer is nothing. It's just something you have to go through and you have to be awake or they won't take it out. And you want that! If they take it out too soon, and your lungs aren't completely awake, they have to put it back in. And this time you're not asleep! So prepare yourself for it and know it is not going to be fun but you WILl get through it, and recovery is a piece of cake once that tube is removed.

One final thought...

For me, faith in God to see me through was the most important preparation I could do. My prayers and the prayers of countless people around the globe carried me through the whole experience. That was such a comforting thought, especially in the bad times such as the tube. I read Psalms 91 at least a hundred times in the weeks before my surgery and said special verses over and over in my mind in the rough times.

All my life I've heard the expression that "there's no such thing as an athiest in a fox hole". Along that line, I suspect there's not many athiests in that holding area outside the cardiac OR!

Please know that you are in my prayers and I'll be eagerly watching for a good report after your surgery.

God bless you,

 

[punkin32180]

First off I dont think anyone can truly prepare themselves for the surgery... I was scared all the way up til the final day... but to make it more easier for you to sleep at night ask your Dr to prescribe you some ambien.. My doctor prescribed it for me for the week before surgery and I slept like a baby all through the week cuz I knew i wouldnt be able to .. Secondly ask to be put to sleep by IV instead of the mask that some anthestesiologists still use.. The mask always terrifys me not to mention the smell is horrible... plus they will give u something before surgery to relax you anyhow so you might not remember even going into the operating room... I am 24 years old and 10 months out of surgery and I am doing great... Thanks to everyoen on here that made my days leading up to the surgery more relaxed I even talked to a wonderful lady named Kathy on the phone the night before my surgery who helped me relax... everyone on here is amazing and I hope you find all the answers and suggestions you need... GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

 

[MomOfThree]

MomOfThree

MomOfThree

Hi Everyone,

I am Martha's husband, Pat. Martha wanted me to let everyone know how she is doing. Hopefully I am posting this message in the right place.

Martha did great with no complications! We are so happy that everything went well and so far it looks like she will have a speedy recovery. We are hoping she will be home by Tuesday or Wednesday.

The surgery was this past Friday and it was a very long day. It started with a catheterization Friday morning at 9:00am. All her arteries were clear. She was very happy to hear that news. The operation began sometime around 11:00am and she was in recovery by around 5:00pm. Not sure how long the actual operation took, because the hospital staff was not very forthcoming with her progress.

According to Dr. Colvin, it turns out that Martha had a uni-cuspid valve instead of the normal tri-cuspid valve. We were told that people in this situation usually need to have surgery in their teenage years and she lasted into her 40's. Dr. Colvin was able to give her a mosaic tissue valve with minimally invasive surgery. It is now day 2 and she is already sitting up in a chair. She spent a day in recovery waiting for a bed to become available. I will let everyone know how she progresses over the next few days.

Alos, I want to THANK everyone for their support. Martha has found this site helpful, positive and reassuring. She feels very lucky to have found this site. Thanks again...

 

[azpam]

Be sure to give her own very best wishes,thoughts, and prayers that she recovers swiftly! I was wondering how she was doing and knew it would be a very long day when she said her cath was that morning and surgery right after on the same day! she didn't have time to get nervous in between i bet. again alot of folks are thinking of her nationwide!

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Great news! Thanks for the update.

Please convey my best wishes to her for a speedy recovery.

Regards,
Burair