Just waiting...and waiting...and waiting

[athul]

Hi gang,

I'm a newbie to this VR.com site, but as I'm waiting for AVR surgery this site has caught my interest.
I'm 44 years young and have to have a new valve replacement and some other heart work done (aortic coartation, DVS hole ?? etc.)
I have a surgery date set for 12/5/2005 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati.
Been waiting for 3 weeks so far and didn't think it would be so tough. Tough to focus. Tough to sleep. To much to do, to many questions.
So now I'm moving my date up a week just to get it over with and begin recovery.
Think I'll be OK to enjoy Chistmas with my kids? Two little girls I'd hate to disappoint, oh yeh, & my wife (she's taking it pretty well considering she'll have to wait on me for a few weeks)
Doc says a mechanical valve is best. Not sure about the anticoagulants....for life.

Any advise on getting thru these last few days?

 

[geebee]

Welcome to a fellow Cincinnatian.

Who is doing your surgery? I had my last OHS at Jewish Hospital, surgeon was Creighton Wright - great surgeon and is even a really nice person.

You should be able to enjoy Christmas but you won't have a lot of stamina. Try and pre-plan everything and have family around to pamper you. Find a catering service for holiday food if possible so your wife can spend time taking care of you and not everyone else.

Will write more later - dinner's ready. Stay dry and safe tonight - bad weather is brewing.

 

[bvdr]

Welcome, The only suggestion I would have is to use these next couple of weeks to do what you can to make those first few weeks easier. Do your Christmas shopping, pay your bills, and do any errands you have been putting off. It is also a great time to examine your soul. The statistics are over-whelmingly in your favor of a positive outcome but there are rare instances where that isn't the case so it is a good time to update your will and get your affairs in order.

As far as Christmas? You should be healing nicely by then but will likely still have restrictions on weight lifting and a few activities.

Others will be along to also welcome you and offer some other suggestions.
Oh, I forgot, all plan on spending some quality time with us........you are part of our growing family.

 

[hensylee]

welcome to VR. You won't be doing any handsprings at Christmas but you will be able to enjoy. Do your shopping NOW! Don't want to disappoint your lovely wife.

Need to ask any questions? We know it's tough waiting; we've been there, done that - but there's always that road up the mountain and over the top and you, too, will get there. And you will be ok. Keep us posted.

We have some posts in here you might like to read. Just type a word in 'search' and you'll be taken right to some of them.

Don't sneeze after surgery.

 

[aussigal]

Welcome to VR.com you are here now amongst the most loveliest group of caring people who so freely give of their experiences about their trial and tribulations with Open Heart Surgery.

That is so good you have a date...many of us are still waiting for a date with the surgeon...

You have come to the right place..
cya round the forum

 

[Cris N]

Welcome athul,
I would agree with the others on how to spend your pre-surgery time. Try to keep yourself busy - this is a good time of the year for that. Many folks have recommended a mini-vacation if possible - sightseeing in a new location can be a great distraction too!

You might also want to look around on the site here for suggestions on what to take to the hospital, what to have ready when you get home (search for "recliner") and the like. Everyone is different, of course, but there are still a lot of consistent factors with OHS. Be sure to ask if you have questions - in additional to being a compassionate group there's also a lot of knowledge here, especially on the practical stuff.

FWIW, the anticoagulant issue doesn't seem to be nearly the terror that the rest of the world imagines.

I've put your surgery on the forum calendar... we like the patient to have someone pop in after the surgery to keep us updated.. maybe your wife would volunteer to do that???

Cris

 

[TomS]

Yes, you will be in shape to enjoy Christmas. These last few weeks will go quickly, just keep busy. Everyone approach is different. Beyond settling the work situation and getting my ducks in order, I went to dinner quite a bit, went on vacation, and threw a party beforehand.

 

[Georgia]

You REALLY won't want to be trying to put toys together, so do what you need to before surgery. I think it's a great idea to plan to have Xmas dinner catered. Assume you won't be able to do anything physically strenuous before and through the holidays.

The big plus is that you'll be able to be home for all the preparations and you can help write letters to Santa or address envelopes or sample cookies (by Christmas you'll probably have your sense of taste back).

Keep busy until your surgery - it'll be over sooner than you think.

 

[Curtsmum]

Isn't the waiting just a nightmare, we have 8 days left for my sons check up, maybe then we will find out more and maybe get a surgery date. I am getting my christmas decorations out tonight, yes i know its only november but i just feel like cheering myself up, hope you find things to keep you occupied and have a brilliant christmas.

 

[GaryReece]

Hi Athul

Hi Athul

My name is Gary Reece I am 45 years old and I live in Phoenix Arizona. I understand your anxiety leading up to your surgery. I was diagnosed with a severly leaking Aortic valve in January of 2004. I did not have surgery until August of 2004. The waiting was very hard. I also have to have 3 or more surgerys in the future for other heart related problems. I tried to focus on the positive when ever I was feeling anxious, not able to sleep, etc... They can do wonderful things these days and that alone made me feel better. I had the St Judes 25mm mechanical valve installed and it has been 14 months now and I feel great. I too was a little apprehensive about the anticoagulant therapy. However I can tell you from my experience that its not a bad thing. Its a small price to pay for having a valve that will last the rest of your life opposed to a tissue valve that will have to be replaced again in 10 or 15 years. I now do my own INR and Protime testing at home with a QAS Hemosense monitor. I have been very pro active in my treatment and that also helps releive anxiety. Also talking about your condition with anyone that will listen will also help. [email protected]

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Athul

I'm Evelyn, whose husband, Tyce, had AVR St. Jude's Mechanical implanted in June of '02.....Best thing we ever did, but the waiting was the WORST!!!

Tyce was fine with it, I was a wreck, so I can empathize completely with your wife. Talk about it, laugh, cry, whatever works, just talk about it....it's so important that you're both on the same page.

As far as the waiting period, just fill it as much as you can.....work, errands, chores you haven't gotten to in 5 years, friends, etc., etc., etc.,.....it will pass, not quickly enough, but it WILL pass.

We have a home monitor for Tyce's anticoagulation therapy.....easy as pie!!! I would recommend it for everyone. Our cardio was completely in favor of it, even though we're the only ones in his practice who do self testing. I wouldn't have it any other way.....we know EVERY week whether he's high, low, or needs an adjustment or not.....great way to go.

I will put you in my prayers, and your wife and family, too. You have found a great site.....we've been here over 3 years.....best group of people we've ever found.

Blessings.

Evelyn

 

[KEVIN]

Hey Athul

Hey Athul

Welcome to the club. I myself had just recently joined and am very glad I did. The information you can get from others who have gone throught the same thing is first hand. I have found it a tremendous help. So keep coming back. Go through the old messages and keep up with the new.

I am having surgery on Dec 1st. Was going to have it just the other day but a cath test found a few other things that need to be done. Mvr, double bypass and mabe the trucuspid valve. The waiting can be nerve racking. Not knowing what to expect. However. There is a family in this club who have a son waiting for surgery again. Forget their name off hand but here is there website http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/paulabrown . I visit it from time to time because this youngster has such a great attitude and is facing some of the same hurdles as we are,mabe more. So.........check it out and hopefully it will have the same affect on you as it did to me. I wish you luck.

Kevin