I need more time

[dot4toto]

Hey Kman

Hey Kman

Hi there isn't it great to find such a wonderful group of friends that know how you're feeling.
I found this group in July when my doctor shocked me with the news that it was time to do my surgery. I could talk to my husband or friends but they only understood to a point. Then I got on the internet and started looking around for some info to help me make some choices. I had no idea I'd luck out and find this group at VR.com.

Having said that you will get through this and we'll be here to listen and the folks with the "know" will answer questions you'll have.

Remember no question is not a good question.

After the shock was over for me I just trusted my doctors and went with it.
They know their stuff and they are trying to do the very best for me. I'm a little over 4 weeks post op and it really wasn't as bad as I had feared.

Keep us posted and I wish you the very best on your journey....

 

[gageyk]

The waiting is the hardest part. It was not NEAR as bad as I had anticipated. The pain was NOWHERE near what I thought it would be. I am sure you will do fine. I am not nearly as technical about this as some but that is me and how I handled it.

We will all be wishing you well.

I'll ditto what cooker said. You'll be amazed at how quickly you recover and at the lack of pain.

My valve area was at 0.8 for over a year before I made the decision to have the surgery, I was asymptomatic though and on maximum heart rate limitations from the Cardio. After my annual echo the cardio said I could wait until symptoms appeared but he imposed further heart rate limitations. I decided that it was now or never. I was given 2 choices for surgery dates, one about 2 weeks after my consult with the surgeon and one a month later. I chose the latter so I could save some money to cover expenditures while I was off work for 4 weeks. It definitely helped financially but at times I wished I had gone for the earlier date. From my point of view waiting 2 more weeks shouldn't hurt anything.

Good luck with your decision and don't fret. Before you know it it'll be over and you'll be chomping at the bit to get on with your life.

 

[WayneGM]

I'm coming to this thread late, and can't add anything to the great advice you've already been given. While OHS is no walk in the park, it wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined it would be. In fact, the waiting pre-op and the patience to deal with the pace of recovery post-op were the worst parts. The surgery itself was over before I knew it and really wasn't that bad. The caregivers in the hospital were amazing.

Anyway, I just wanted to welcome you the VR community, and wish you well.