Just wondering

[jcat2006]

Hi all - I am new to this website and having only discovered it a few days ago have already realized that it will be very valuable to me.

My husband is having his third surgery on his heart. He was born with a heart defect and was operated on when he was 2 1/2 and then again when he was 20 to replace his aortic valve with a St Jude valve.

He is going in Jan 17th to have his ascending aorta replaced.

I am very nervous about all of this and it is all pretty much new to me since I only met my husband when he was 25 and have not been with him through surgery.

What I really nervous about now is that his heart surgeon has rescheduled his operation twice since it was originally scheduled. I was supposed to happen on January 5, 2006 and was moved to January 11, 2006. We got a call on Friday that the surgeon wants to extend his vacation and cannot do it until January 17 now.

My question is - Have any of you encountered this type of thing? From what I have seen he is one of the top surgeons in NYC but does this give him the right to do this to someone? We have three relatives coming in from out of town, we scheduled time off of work and then the doctors decides he wants to continue his vacation!

Is this normal?

Its obviously to late to find a new surgeon - Plus this surgeon also did my husband's valve replacement in 1995..

Is anyone can give me any feedback it would be great.

Thanks,

Jen

 

[geebee]

Hi Jen and welcome to you and your husband.

Sorry he has to go through another surgery; it never gets easier. It is much harder emotionally on the loved ones as we get to sleep through surgery and you have to wait around for news. However, the waiting time before surgery can be really tough but it can create a bond that is precious indeed.

Surgeries do get postponed although I have only heard of postponements due to emergencies not a vacation extension. It might seem a bit selfish on the surgeon's part but, at least, your husband will be operated on someone who is not overworked at the time. If he is a good surgeon, and there is no danger for your husband waiting a little longer, he will probably benefit from a well-rested surgeon.

Just try to consider this some additional time to spend with your husband and family. Enjoy the time, try to do something unusual, watch some sunsets, and take a few long walks. Surgery will be behind you before you know it.

 

[Lynlw]

Hi Jen, I'm sorry you and your husband are going thru this. I understand how frustrated you are feeling, because my son is 17 and also was born w/ CHDs he had his 4th heart surgery in May. HIS surgery was postponed 3 times also, (first time because he got sick) His origonal surgeon wasn't in practice anymore, so that made it easier for me just to decided to have it else where.We had talked to 4 surgeons, I preffered one, but Justin and my husband preferred another and since it was Justin going thru the surgery, and since the surgeon he chose WAS good, I went along with it. After the 3rd postponement, Justin thought "someone" was telling him so decide to go to CHOP, he did well. However if it was the surgeon that did his other surgeries, I just would have been angry but waited.
No I don't think it is normal I don't know of anyone that had the surgery postponed because the surgeon was having a good time on vacation, I'd be really angry, especially since it was alreeady postponed once. That's not right. I almost wonder if something else is up, Lyn

 

[hensylee]

welcome to VR. the whole heart thing is nerve wracking to us so we know what you are feeling. Others have had theirs delayed for one reason or another. If this doctor has done your hubby's surgery before, then they have a history together which sounds like it's a good one. One can never quite know all the reasons for some delays. Things just get delayed. Could be the surgeon got a great opportunity and took it. He knows whether it's an emergency and sounds like he didn't think it would hurt to put it off - regardless of how his patient(s) might feel. I would prefer a really, really rested surgeon, tho. Hang in, it will happen. We are here just for you so come on in, vent or ask - whichever you want and we'll be right beside you all the way. Blessins........

 

[Karlynn]

Hi Jen and welcome. As others have said, surgeries do get postponed. The office may have told you it was to extend his vacation, but it may be just a simple way to let patients know that he can't be back just yet. Maybe he had some family issues that came up that need attending to, or may he caught a flu bug, or whatever reason. If he's got a good reputation, I'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

As Hensylee (Ann) said, he probably had his staff tell him who was getting rescheduled and checked to make sure it wasn't an absolute emergency that needed direct attention.

So sorry that you have extra time to spend worrying. Spend it here with us.

 

[jcat2006]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It is true, the cancellation could be due to many factors and the vacation excuse could be just what he is telling his patients. Even if it is the case, i will feel better knowing that he is being operated on by a sureon that had a few extra days of skiing and will do a better job. I just felt really bad for my husband....he just wants to get this overwith.

Thanks again!

Jen

 

[Nancy]

Rescheduling surgeries happens. As others have said, you may not have the full picture as to why this happened.

But keep a positive mindset. Maybe the surgeon knows this will be a very important surgery for your husband, and is scoping out some new idea, or waiting to hear an important lecture which would help with his surgery, a presentation of new techniques or new equipment, or even new medications.

Not all vacations are fun and games. Docs do go to special seminars which keep them up to date and technically advanced.

I'll keep that positive mindset for you.

Everything works out for the best.

 

[momshell7]

Hi,
Sorry to hear what you are going through. My husband had his aortic valve and part of the root replace in October 2004. His surgery also got postponed and then three days before he was supposed to go in the surgeon's office called to see if my husband cared if some surgeons from Texas came to observe the surgery. My husband, of course, said he didn't care. Well,they then told him that they would have to postpone his surgery for another two weeks to allow the surgeons time to get here. Needless to say, after hearing that my husband said no. He was also anxious to get it over with, not to mention that I was a complete basketcase and I NEEDED it to be over with too. I will be over before you know it. The waiting beforehand is the worst part.


Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.


Michelle