Is it normal to be so calm 2 weeks pre op?

[Guest]

I'm due to have heart valve replacement surgery in the next fortnight. Having had a major shock when the problem was detected back in July, I got over it and put it at the back of my mind as I knew the operation wouldn't take place for a while. I'm a 28 year old highly active sports fanatic who has never felt fitter in my life! I displayed no obvious signs of heart trouble and in a way its almost as if I've convinced myself I'm not even sick. I'm opting to go with a tissue valve replacement as both myself and my wife feel this is the best choice for us and I simply feel I'm too young for Warafin etc. Is it normal to be this calm on the lead up? To be honest the only thing that concerns me is the amount of cables that will be in my body when I wake up post op! My doctors have been extremely positive about my recovery due to my physical condition so I'm trying to focus on that!

 

[Zoltania]

Don't worry about the "cables" (tubes, lines, etc.) that will be in you when you wake up. I was worried about that too, but the only one I could actually feel when I woke up was the breathing tube. The only one that ever felt actively uncomfortable later was the chest tube, which came out on post-op day #3, and that didn't start to bother me until around day #2.

As for being calm, the only way I can see that being a problem would be if you were in complete denial about what is going on, and clearly that is not the case since you are here in this forum educating yourself.

Best wishes for a smooth and successful surgery!

 

[MrsBray]

I was eerily calm for the last 10 days before surgery. As a matter of fact, about 5 days before my date I was ready to march in tot eh hospital and demand they start early. Here's some advice: Practice standing & sitting without using your arms. Try getting in & out of bed without using your arms, and pay attention to what muscles you do use. Figure out NOW how to have your wife help you for the first few weeks home. Practice walking with exceptional posture. This will help alleviate back and neck pain. Sort out how you will sleep, keeping in mind that laying flat or on your side will be extremely uncomfortable for several weeks.
Just the thought of "drain tubes" made me queazy. Honest & true, I NEVER LOOKED DOWN. I don't know what they looked like, I don't know where they went, I simply ignored them. It was like there was a small grotesque naked troll by my knees that I didn't want to see, so I didn't.

 

[Agian]

It was like there was a small grotesque naked troll by my knees that I didn't want to see, so I didn't.

That's how I feel about my mother-in-law.

 

[honeybunny]

I'm having surgery on the 30th and am also calm; almost excited to have it done. This may change when surgery day arrives but I don't think so. Reading a lot of the "sticky" posts in various forums has helped alleviate many of my fears. My main concern is a potential glitch in my insurance coverage (long story) but even with that I'm thinking hey, it's only money. Thanks to this site and the folks who generously share their stories I am as prepared as I can be. Like you I was stunned by my May 29th diagnosis but feel blessed that the aortic stenosis was discovered before it killed me.

Good luck to you!

Michele

 

[honeybunny]

Good suggestion about not looking down; I'll keep it in mind.

 

[harrietW]

OK so l'm not going to look down either thanks for the tip. Lol yikes !!
What value replacement are you having out of curiosity? Your physical condition l am sure with help you so much. Generally if we're physically fit we are mentally as well.
I am also feeling a great sense of calmness .. but l think it's great not to have to much warning ! I was diagnosed in April 18 2013 no actually on my 53 rd Birthday May 5 th 2013 . I was in emergency in April . I was told by my internalist and a team of docs during a stress test l just might not make it here. That was 2.5 yrs ago. I see my Surgeon Sept 22 . My point being l have gone through absolutely every emotion possible including mourning my own life. I am in a really good place now but even in saying that it almost seems like it is not ever going to happen .. it's been so long. Deniel l don't know maybe. !?

At any rate you are most definitely in the right place .. l would be a crazy lady if it wasn't for this site. And that's the truth of it Best to you on this journey.
And honeybunny you are so close .. Sending big hugs !!

 

[epstns]

I have long "preached" to those near their surgery dates that the best way to manage pre-op stress is to simply develop your plan, make all your decisions and then just work the plan. Once all the decisions are made, you can relax and just ride it out until the date. I found that by doing this, I was able to enjoy the days before my surgery and was fully able to sleep and be as healthy as possible going in.

 

[honeybunny]

That's an excellent way of putting it, Steve. I am controlling as many aspects of this as possible, including what people need to know if something doesn't go right. The rest is not up to me until it's time to do the recovery work.

 

[cldlhd]

I don't even remember the breathing tube. My wife said I woke up suddenly and was acting somewhat irritated. She said they removed the tube not too long after on the 1st day. I don't remember a whole lot of the first 2 days after that the drain tubes were a mild irritant but hell I was glad to be alive and the surgeon said the procedure went perfectly so a couple of days of inconvenience is more than a fair trade off. My wife and mom kept me company and I video chatted with my son every day . It seemed like everyday another tube was being removed and on day 6 I was heading home. It was more boring than anything else, a lot of time laying around watching tv and there was no better feeling than when I got home and saw my son. That was only the 2nd time I'd been away from him and 1st wasn't under these kind of circumstances.