Mac Truck

[Enudely]

I think I've finally figured out a good description for this feeling of waiting for upcoming surgery.
Getting cut by a knife hurts a lot, but it's not nearly as bad as if you were to KNOW that you were going to get cut, and stand there WATCHING.
I decided that I feel like I am slowly walking towards a large Mac Truck (a 16 wheeler) the Mac Truck is big and dangerous, and everything in my tells me to avoid it, but nevertheless, I continue to walk....slowly.... towards the moving truck. I know I am going to get hit.....I know it's going to hurt..... but I continue to walk. Of course, I MEAN to get hit.... it's the only way to save my life!!! A VERY odd sensation indeed!!! Purposeful injury. (and life-saving fixer-upper at the same time)
Anyway, it's late at night and I should be sleeping but instead I'm getting all philosifical on y'all

 

[Gemma]

Standing at the side of the road

Standing at the side of the road

Hi Elena,
Funnily enough, that's exactly what Jim and I said when he first found out that he needs surgery - how do you accept that you're going to go into the hospital OK and come out feeling terrible?
It's a very strange situation to be in. And here am I, watching him walking towards that Mac truck, knowing it's for the best, wishing I could run in front of it and drag him from under its wheels but finding I can't move. See myself as a bit of a modern day Superwoman I suppose!
Gemma

 

[Georgia]

Don't lose sight of the fact that you, Elena, and Jim don't exactly feel good. And you're saving your life. And strangely enough for as major as this surgery is, it doesn't hurt too much. It's scary, and recovery takes along time, but the actual pain isn't bad at all.

What amazes me is the kind of surgery people put themselves through to lose wrinkles and bags and cellulite. I really think that having these heart issues puts stuff in perspective.

So although we talk about the truck, it's not something you should be visualizing in preparation for surgery; rather you should visualize being able to walk and swim and bike without being short of breath and being tired more often than your grandmothers. It really is a re-birth for most of us.

 

[Enudely]

addicted

addicted

You're right, Georgia. Now that I have slept on it and am refreshed, I realize that this is certainly not a wise vizualization to spend much energy on. Really though, I don't have any symptoms except a heavilly pounding heart (o.k, so that's kind of an annoying one) . I'm hoping that after I recover I will feel amazingly good though. I imagine that my health has been compromized ever since that fateful trip to the dentist three years age (bacterial endocarditus) and I don't really know how bad I actually feel.
It's true though, it is an odd sensation waiting to be cut open!

ps. I am officially addicted to this site. I sign in at least twice a day now!!! I think it's the tension of waiting to hear about the date (should be any day now!)

ARG!

 

[Nancy]

Georgia is right!

This surgery is done to save lives, pure and simple, there is no other way to look at it. Sure it hurts and the recovery takes a while. Wouldn't you expect that of any surgery? If you broke your leg, you'd be hurting and in a cast for a long time.

Even if you have few symptoms at this point, the tests must have shown a life-threatening situation, or surgery would not be planned.

This requires a long term thought process. Years ago, anyone with valve problems wouldn't have survived. It is a real miracle that such marvelous surgery can be done. And even better, the survival rate is fantastic, somewhere around 98 percent for first surgeries and no complications.

The surgeons who do this are the most top notch. The care is fantastic. You will only be in the hospital about 5-7 days! That in itself always floors me. In a week's time, your major, major heart problems are a thing of the past.

This is better than any birthday present you could ever get. It saves and prolongs your life.

If my husband hadn't had the surgeries he's had, he would have been dead at age 50. He's 72 years old now. He has survived longer than many of his classmates who were the picture of health. It was surgical intervention and the care of excellent doctors that have kept him alive, plus living in this age of wonderful medical breakthroughs.

Best wishes to all of you.

 

[medtronic of borg]

great note

great note

For me it is a little different because I can not remember a time when the truck wasn't coming down the road at me. Kind of like the road runner wylie always got hit, over and over.

Med

 

[catwoman]

Elena:

I agree with Georgia -- DON'T think about the procedure, think about how great you'll feel afterward. And you will! It'll take some time, of course, but it's worth what you have to go through.

 

[MarciaB]

Hey Elena, mando lady,

You know it's really weird, but I DREAMED about Mack trucks the other night. I was driving one (always my dream job if I could figure out the gears) and I looked in the lane next to me and there was another truck there with two guys slumped over in the front seat. They drifted into my lane, and pushed me into a canyon wall on the other side. Weird. Well, I am sleeping better now that I have a surgery date. Looking forward to getting run over by the real thing.

Marcia

 

[Ross]

Forget about Mack, they are uncomfortable to drive. You need to be driving Kenworth with air ride suspensions and seats.