I'll be moving on to the Pre-Surgery forum soon.....

[Teresa UK]

I know you'll all understand what a watershed this is. It's a year since I discovered I had a problem, and at my last check-up with the cardiologist we agreed that my symptoms are such that its time to have this dodgy valve replaced. I've been referred to a surgeon at the London Chest Hospital and have an appointment for a pre-op angiogram at the beginning of April, and hopefully soon after that the surgeon will be able to give me a definite date. It's a little bit surreal at the moment but, luckily, I'm quite a philosophical person and accept that there's no alternative and this is something I need to go through. I've seen people I love go through far worse. Strangely, I'm worrying more about how my husband and boys will cope with having yet another family member go through major surgery, as I'm usually the tough one. (We've had a rough time over the years supporting my mother, father and sister through major illnesses, but they've each now passed away - my mum just a few months ago.) BUT, I'm starting to think about all the pre- and post-op advice given on here to prepare myself and the family as much as possible and I'm feeling very positive. Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know what's happening in my little corner of the world.
Take care everyone. Teresa

 

[Cooker]

Teresa-- Sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. I lost my mom several years back and it is hard. I too am in the wait mode on my AVR. I know this is a big deal but the time between finding out I had a problem and the surgury has been good for me. It has let me get ready on all plains(emotional, mental and spirtual). I know we both will do great when the time comes and our family members will be a great help and hold up just fine. I have also been the rock in times of crisis but I know my wife and extended family will step up to the pump

Keep your great outlook and keep in touch.

 

[Karlynn]

Praying that everything pre and post op will go very smoothly for you and your family. My sympathies at the recent loss of your Mom.

 

[geebee]

Since you have to have surgery, I am happy for you that it will be done with soon. I will add you to my prayers and hope everything goes perfectly.

I, too, am sorry to hear about your mom. Short of losing a child, I think the death of a parent is the worst loss we ever have to face. I admire your attitude and strength during some really tough times.

 

[aussigal]

Hi Teresa,

I have a cousin Teresa in London and everytime I see you post I think its her...lol...I am sure there are hundreds of Teresas in the UK...

I am up to the same as you..."changing-rooms"...

all the best...I shall pray for you too...

 

[hensylee]

glad to hear you are getting on with things, sorry y ou have to go through it, tho. We are here any time, you know.

My daughter's name is also Teresa. Odd how everyone wants to spell it with an H......

 

[Marguerite53]

Hello Teresa. Sorry to hear that the inevitable is arriving at your doorstep, but many of us are approaching that threshhold, so at least we will have each other for comfort!! Your attitude sounds wonderful. Especially since you have had such an emotional year. I'm sure you are somewhat tired.

This is a great place to come in the middle of the night, in the middle of the day, and in the middle of a low or a high. Visit often.

Look forward to hearing more from you.

Marguerite

 

[Lotti]

Hi Teresa in London

Hi Teresa in London

Welcome to this friendly site. In september last year I had my angiogram and I am now only two weeks away from the big op. I shall be in Leicester. I hope that your guys will move as quickly as mine if the need is there. Sorry to hear about your trials. I had 2 of those, father in law and uncle just before christmas, so I know how hard it is. Have you tried the chat room here. I'm there at the moment. Come and say hi!


Good luck for your angio. If you need a friend we can pm if you like


Lotti ( Uttoxeter, England)

 

[Granbonny]

I hope you get a date soon after you see your surgeon in April.Many will vouch that the waiting is the hardest part of OHS......I lost my Mama 5 months before my surgery.....I know if she had been alive, it would have been scary for her to know what I was going to have done...Family told Daddy very little....age 87 at the time...and I didn't want to worry him...I know your hubby and boys will feel better..if they could come on and read some of the threads..or you could tell them about what you read....about recovering at home, ect.Let them get involved with post-op stuff. Help buy a recliner, get meals planned ahead, ect. You don't say how old they are..but if they are older than age 10..I'm sure they will understand.My grandson was age 10..He knew I would be having my heart fixed.. Climbed in my hospital bed with me on day 3..All my tubes were gone..He understood, that I could not play with him for a few weeks. Still, I went to see him play ball at 3 weeks post-op.........Let us know if we can help with any pre-op questions. Bonnie

 

[sue943]

Good luck

Good luck

Hi Teresa

I went through it last year, two valves replaced. My cardiologist and cardiac surgeon are based at St Geoge's in Tooting although my onward care is in Jersey by a cardiologist based in Birmingham - work that one out! Actually I will be seeing him tomorrow, and it will really be a pleasure as he is pure 'eye candy' and a delightful man to boot, he even sent me a Christmas card.

The speed of my progression from perfect health to requiring surgery 'within a couple of weeks, rather than a couple of months' was rapid, less than six months.

Personally, I found the angiogram completely painless and quite interesting to watch on the screens. The worse bit was having to walk up and down the ward a certain number of times before they let me leave, I was never one for exercise!

The day I had my angiogram they also did an echo and it was later that day that the bombshell was dropped about the urgency for surgery. I actually had the surgery three weeks later as I opted for private treatment in St Anthony's rather than St George's on the NHS, the latter might have been faster and it would have been the same surgeon, Mr John Smith - excellent man, Dr Pumphrey was my cardiologist in London, again a super person, very pleasant and efficient.

To be honest I didn't actually worry about the surgery at all, I was very pragmatic, if I died, I died, not a lot of point worrying about it. I just put my affairs in order, arranged with my sister that she would have my funeral from her home to save my children the stress if the worst happened. I wasn't at all scared. Then I woke up in ICU and thought 'Oh, so I am still here'.

That might sound very strange but that was my feelings over it all. Then once I had my surgery, and more to the point the emergency with complete heart block a couple of weeks later and survived that, my life turned around. Suddenly I was feeling so much better, glad to be alive, and celebrated by treating myself to retail therapy big time. Although I am normally a bit of a shopaholic I didn't buy much on the run up to my surgery, but oh wow have I made up for it.

From hardly being able to walk and being out of breath even in bed I now go to the gym three times a week.

You will be just fine - just be glad that you are not going to St George's, although the hospital and treatment there is really excellent, the food is dreadful!

 

[Teresa UK]

Thanks, everyone, for your kind words. I find great comfort from this forum at all sorts of strange hours - I often sit in the dark in front of the glowing screen reading the thoughts and experiences of people from all over the world. Its marvellous. By the way, Sue 943, I too had lithotripsy for kidney stones (years ago) - and found it a completely bizarre experience - all that J-stent stuff and peeing gravel for days afterwards !! (Sorry, that sounds a bit gross. Gross but true, unfortunately.)

 

[sue943]

Lithotripsy

Lithotripsy

By the way, Sue 943, I too had lithotripsy for kidney stones (years ago) - and found it a completely bizarre experience - all that J-stent stuff and peeing gravel for days afterwards !! (Sorry, that sounds a bit gross. Gross but true, unfortunately.)

At least it didn't give you endocarditis, or I hope that it didn't!