I Passed Panic Phase On Tuesday

[pamela]

I think our reluctance to impose on our family and friends as we go through the difficulties of this life-altering event is due to our emotional denial that we need help. There is nothing more affirming of a problem than to accept aid and assistance through it, and as the patient, that final acknowledgement of need is to surrender our last illusion of control.

Thereafter we must leave our hearts and spirituality in the hands of others. Pray they're having a good day.

 

[sue943]

Layne

I didn't have a support group per se, I managed. Prior to going into hospital I changed my bedding then covered my mattress with a large towel which I could change rather than change my bedding.

Shopping, I used mostly stuff from my freezer which I had put there prior to my OHS. When I needed fresh milk etc I did ask a neighbour/friend to take me shopping next time she went.

In the main I used taxis for getting to the doctor for check-ups.

Things like my laundry, I used to put a small quanitity of things in a bag and then drop it down the stairs. Cleaning just didn't happen, I just let it get dusty.

I did find that when I asked for help people were only too willing, I just didn't like to ask so only did it when desperate.

 

[laynekulwin]

Wow!

Wow!

I just returned from a short business trip - Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Beautiful country and the Sierra Nevada's were resplendent in their snow capped beauty. Perhaps I have been in a minor phase of denial, or just put so much of this out of my mind... but, I discovered that the altitude and my AVR problems were not necessarily mutually compatible! WELCOME BACK TO REALITY! Nothing major happened, but I was just uncomfortable much of the time, experiencing shortness of breath, burning in my chest, exceptionally tired... etc. One week from today, I will have my angiogram and thereafter will schedule my AVR surgery. I am actually looking forward to it! (Now, I must be crazy, for sure) It will be a relief to get this taken care of and move on to more pleasant tasks and assignments in my life.

I want to say that I was just awestruck by Karen's post and wanted to thank her (as a fellow newbie to the group). Each and every one of you have given me such wonderful suggestions, affirmations, shared experiences... but, Karen - your words just hit me full force and seemed to be the encouragement and support that I needed today. Thank you.

Dick 0236 - interestingly enough, one of the many things that I'm struggling with is the question of what kind of valve to use as the replacement; animal tissue or mechanical? I was just blown away when I read the signature information you have - 1967 mechanical value - on warfarin since then with no other heart surgeries or complications! That did a great deal to put me more at ease with the prospect of using a mechanical valve and spending the rest of my days on some blood thinner.

Sue - when I read your signature information, I am to understand that when you finally went back to work you were laid off the same day? If true, that just stinks! Makes me happy I'm self-employed,
although, there are no sick leave benefits when you're the boss! After all that you went through - heart blockage, recuperating issues, etc... you are one resilient and special lady. Kudos to you!

Anyway - I'm back at home and getting mentally and physically prepared for the angiogram and my date with the surgeon.

Thanks again to all of you for your wisdom, wit and witness to those of us that are starting our journey.

Layne

 

[ctyguy]

Stay Positive !

Stay Positive !

Layne,

Im 3 weeks post-op from an AVR. This was my first surgical procedure of any type that I could remember. I had my tonsils out when I was 2 but I don't remember that so I don't count it. Most folks will concur that they had the same types of anxiety about going into a heart procedure that your feeling. I know that I several emotional breakdowns prior to it. When I was diagnosed my surgeon let me know that I needed this procedure much sooner than later. My valve was bicuspid and extremely calsified. The valve was only opening to .9cm and the gradient flow was over 115. So I chose the earliest possible date and I was operated on 15 days after initial diagnosis, very quick ! I think that was almost a blessing in some ways because it didn't give me alot of time to think about what I was about to go through. But I think those two weeks were much harder on me than the recovery has been thus far. Creating a living will hit me hard for sure. Every little twitch or minor pang I would feel in my chest was unsettling. After talking with folks on this website (which has been a blessing to me in so many ways) I found alot of those little pangs were probably my stomach and reaction to the the anxiety I was feeling. My wife tried to console me and Im glad she was there for me but it still didn't change the fact that I was about to have this procedure done to me. Im a very control oriented person, its one of the reasons I don't really like to fly. If they let me actually fly the plane I would probably be fine, but since they don't I still have my little supersticious (sp ?) routine that I go through. I've flown hundreds of times on business but I still don't care for it.

My mindset changed about 3 days before my procedure, I went from nervous/pessimistic to a mindset that I just want to get this over with. I met with the surgeon and anestigia team the day prior the surgery and even though they tell you step by step what will happen I left the hospital that day knowing in my bones that I was going to be fine. Sounds like your getting to that point as well and I think if you can maintain that mindset you will have a much easier time leading up to it. To be honest I wasn't really nervous at all when I went into the OR. They didn't give me anything on the way in so I was wide awake when they rolled me in. They gave me the standard questions, name, birthday, what procedure was I having done and the next thing I knew I was waking up in ICU. One day later I was moved to a step-down and within 4 more days I was physically ready to go home.

This type of procedure is huge for anyone because we are going through it. But just look around at the signatures of the folks on this website, it has given me so much inspiration. Valve replacements that have occurred over 40 years ago and these folks are still going strong ! My roommate after the surgery was 77 years old. He went in for a valve repair but once he got to Cleveland Clinic they found that he also needed 4 other procedures done at the same time. If memory serves me correctly he ended up with a valve replacement(repair wasn't possible), 3 bypasses, and a small hole in his heart repaired. His surgery was on a Thursday and I watched him leave the hospital the following Wednesday ! Truely inspirational !

I wish you all the best and Im sure you will come through this with flying colors. Keep that "lets get it on" mindset because it will serve you very well not only leading up to the procedure but also after your home and recovering.

Scott