I'm new here

[Alliebugg]

Hello I'm new just looking for info. I have an appt on the 16th of April to talk to the surgeon. I am very nervous. I am 34 years old just had a baby 4 months ago and now all this. I just don't know what questions to ask the doc. I have mitral stenosis, mitral leakage and arotic leakage. Any advisewould be help especially where my kids are concerned, I don't know how to explain this to them. They are 17,15,13,7 and 6.​

 

[RCB]

W O W !

W O W !

Oh my gosh, 34- 6 kids-three teenagers and a newborn!
It is a miracle that you even have time to use the computer
to post here.
My advice would be to read as much as you can here and
then write down a list of questions for your dr. This forum
has a search function at the top that will bring up the germane topics.
We are always here to help- don't be shy about asking
questions.
Get some rest- your schedule with your kids is making
me tired just thinking about it. Good luck!

 

[xtremlee]

Hi Im 34 also and had surgery April 1st 04. I explained to my young ones that the dr was going to fix my heart and I would be better than ever and that was about it the older ones may want to ask more questions just be honest with them. This is no walk in the park but it is doable and worth it in the end.

 

[Harpoon]

In the "Pre-Surgery" section there's a thread entitled, "What do I tell my 6 yearold" that has all kinds of suggestions on how to fill in your kids on what's going on. Well worth reading.

There's a lot of other good information here and a LOT of people who've had experiences similar to yours or are experiencing them now...

Browse around, keep a notepad and pen handy for jotting down questions and feel free to ask whenever the mood strikes you.

This is a great place to be.

Welcome. =)

 

[dawnwit15]

Welcome

Welcome

Allie
Hi, I'm 29 and was diagnosed with mitral stenosis, aortic regurgitation and a leaky valve as well. My heart condition was brought about by rheumatic fever when I was a kid and it was misdiagnosed as strep throat so it went untreated for years. I just had open-heart Jan. 14th. Like xtremlee wrote, it's no walk in the park, but the 6 weeks of recovery is over before you know it. Do you have anyone with you to take care of the kids while your recovering? It's going to be tough to lift the baby to your chest while your incision heals. I know you must be very frightened, I was too. If you are recommended for surgery at this point you know you have to go through with it. You'll will feel 100% better afterwards and will be able to enjoy life with your kids to the fullest. If you don't mind me asking, did you have any difficulty with your last pregnancy due to the stenosis? I don't know what state your in, but if your in the NY area, I highly recommend NY Presbyterian Columbia University Hospital, specifically Dr. Mehmet Oz, director of cardiothoracic surgery--in my opinion he is the best. We are all here for you and know the emotions you are experiencing. Keep us updated on this site.
Best of luck.
dawnwit15

 

[Alliebugg]

Thanks For the encouragement

Thanks For the encouragement

Thank you all for the encouragement! I also thought I should let you all know a little about me. Yes I do have 6 children but 2 of them are step-children, the 7 & 6 year old, the 17, 15,13 and 4 month old I actually had. But things are very busy here. Yes I dod have someone here to help with everything after the surgery and I think the kids understand that they are going to have to help out more than normal for a little while.
Thanks again,
Alliebugg

 

[bethanne]

the good news is....
hi and welcome to vr.com. It is a great place wherever you are in the process, waiting room, pre-surgery or post surgery. One thing that I found very encouraging here was all the testimonies from others about how much better they felt once they crossed the other side of the mountain.

Personally, I am still in the waiting room (second opionion with new cardio tomorrow ) so I cannot offer personal experience. I can only echo what others have shared. Read through the forum and learn as much as you can. Also be sure to post any questions and concerns you may have you will find people here that have been through this already and can answer questions you may have.

 

[medtronic of borg]

Being honest

Being honest

Try to expain it in terms the 17 year old can understand to the 17 year old. Then ask him/her to help you expain it to the 16 year old. then the 17 & 15 to the 13 and so down the line until you are all sitting in the room discussing it. It will take a naturaly simplfy as the word is passed down the line. The little one needs to know very little of the details.

I know of one woman it worked for.

Just food for thought.

Med

 

[Jed]

This is the place!

This is the place!

Hi Allie,
This is the place you need to be. The people are great and there is so much information here its amazing. And the best prt is that it comes from people who have been through it, not some Dr whe read about it or seen others go through it. I myself am getting ready to have OHS soon. I am a 40 year old male who loves to stay active. I have to have me Mitrol and Aortic valves replaced. Lucky me right? lol My emotions go from "no big deal" to "oh my freaking god". One thing i have going for me is this site. It has and its members have been a godsend. Welcome and join in. Lots of luck and love to you, Jed