March 30th almost here

[Diane Bornstein]

Hi Everyone,
This is Diane, My date to get the Cath and Root Injection what ever that is will be March 30, replacement surgery is on the 31st. I know it is the right thing to do. I will be in a new heart hospital in Jacksonville, Florida Baptist. The surgeon seems really nice and I feel comfortable with him. All of a sudden I am territified. Also I have this need to clean, pay the bills and write special notes to everyone. The information has helped me on this site. My kids have also viewed information. I have a lot of questions, like has anyone out there had seizures were extra precautions taken? I am packing PJ's with pockets for the heart mointer, and support bra because I am to big for comfort without something. Will I feel like reading, listening to music, or should I leave my Ipod at home. Now the big YUK, I am a smoker and quitting forever now, but this is really hard? I am getting the On-X vavle yet I don't see a lot posted on this type. I will be 50 in April, I have a clip on my right temple where I popped a vessel and it bled. I know God saved my life through that the odds were a lot different. Becasue of Momma and Daddy both having Heart Problems I guess I am afraid what else they may find to fix. The nurse explained to me yesterday that when they do the Cath they will find anything eles that needs fixing and fix it. Counting the days down. What do you do pre-surgery are there special things you do to get your self prepared? I am tired and all this cleaning is causing me shortness of breath and I have to keep sitting down but it keeps my mind busy? Please share yours thoughts with me and thanks to everyone for the eairler responses.

Diane

 

[Ross]

Stop cleaning! It will be there when your home and feeling better. Go out, treat yourself like a royal queen and do a few things that you've wanted to do and never have. The control factor is what is driving you nuts. We humans like to control everything and this one thing you can't. Let it go, turn it over to a higher power and try not to worry so much.

I'll let the women discuss the bra, but I don't think your going to be able to use it. I'm not sure how the woman handle it, but until your incision is healed, I'm sure they don't want to take chances of infection setting in.

Just take the few days remaining and enjoy life to the fullest possible. You won't feel like doing anything for quite a while after this and this is a big event that warrants some downright pampering.

 

[Tiffin]

I agree with Ross Don't bother with the housework! Enjoy the days full of sunshine! Besides by the time you get home from surgery LOL it will just be messy anyhow!

For the bra: I was not able to wear mine all of December and thru January only wearing when I started Rehab 3 days a week so I wouldn't bounce around. Even today since I have the underwire bra's but cotton cups and straps it still bugs the surgery site.

 

[KAJ]

Diane,

Ditto was Ross and Tiffin just stated. In addition, bring the music, it will help you to relax. I listened to my CD player while in ICU and of course after I was out of ICU. If you wear contacts, bring a pair of glasses. Trust me, you will not feel like putting in the contacts for at least a few days after surgery. I asked for my glasses when I first woke in ICU. I like to see what is going on around me.

The new heart hospital at Baptist is really nice. I also strongly recommned cardiac rehab when the docs give the okay. The folks at the Baptist rehab (in the heart hospital) are really great! . Who is your cardiologist and surgeon? Dr. Schrank is my cardiologist.

Karl

 

[Praline]

About a bra,

About a bra,

I bought 2 Cabernet bras, style 8032, from Dillards. One of them I bought at the store and the other one I ordered from Dillards at their online store. The bra has 3 fasteners in the front. I think the picture online only shows 2 but it really has 3. I started wearing it as soon as I came home from the hospital For me it is more comfortable than no bra. I still wear it without fastening the bottom, even at Cardiac Rehab.

This is what I ordered but what I got has 3 fasteners. It is very comfy.

http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/...t&search.x=6&Nty=1&N=1000301&Ntk=all&R=LF-172

 

[gijanet]

Just sending hugs and prayers................

Just sending hugs and prayers................

and I second the others. The housework can wait, but if you really feel like you must clean to keep busy, I will make the sacrifice and let you come clean mine.............

Hang in there. YOu will be over that mountain soon. Many more hugs. Janet

 

[Diane Bornstein]

Thank You

Thank You

I can't tell you how good it feels to have a support group online during these somewhat uneasy times. I really can't talk to my family about these things they have no idea right now bless thier hearts they are just saying yes to everything, the sure Dear, Ok , Cool Mom. I think they are more nervous than me. But I sure do love them. I have taken your advise and stopped the cleaning, looked at the picture of the bra and re-packed just in case but only one made of cotton with three hooks in front, I am so glad I can bring music it relaxes me like nothing else (other than a spa on a cruise ship) It's good to hear that the Baptist Heart Hospital is nice I like nice and it does mean alot during hospital and rehab; I watched my Mom go through it at another hospital and nice means alot when you don't feel your best. When I had my brian operated on they did it in the Baptist Downtown Main Hospital and they were very nice and I will never ever forget how sweet and caring they were. I'm glad to hear that I can look foward to the same at the Heart Hospital.

My heart doctor is Dr. Rama, Dr. Hassell is doing the Cath and Dr. Still is the surgeon.

I think I take a ride down the road tommorow afternoon with my husband and stroll down the roads of St. Augustine, have a ice cream and come home and walk on the beach with my kids and maybe grandkids too. God Bless you all and thanks again. This is a great help, it's like alot of angles in cyper space.

Thanks To All
Diane

 

[aussigal]

Hi Diane...

yes...I went thru that cleaning and bill-paying stage when I very first learnt I would need OHS but now that its almost time I caant be bothered...there are much nicer things to be doing than that stuff...and all that rubbish will still be here when I get home from hospital! even though the boys and dad will have attempted to clean-up! ...

I have decided to spend these last few pre-surgery weeks with my family doing stuff they want to do and that means listening to my 10 yr old gossip on about the playstation game or what he did at school etc and the older 2 going on about the latest skate-moves or new ipods and stuff like that...

you really have to re-arrange your mind and get your priorties right and it isnt easy to let-go of that motherly cleaning instinct...

I had to get valium to stop doing it...I was panicking really bad, now I am cool and relaxed...and my blood pressure has even come back down.

I am not a buxom beauty but I would feel weird without a light training-bra of some sort...but I may ditch that idea come post-op-day with a bit of a tender new wound in the middle there.

The new heart hospital sounds lovley...a nice atmosphere and good staff helps heaps.

I wish you all the very best for your upcoming procedures...dont forget to have someone post once your out of surgery...we like to know all our fellow valvers are over the mountain safely...

 

[geebee]

I would like to wish you all the best during your surgery and recovery.

Like the others have said, do fun things the next week. Forget the stuff that does not NEED to be done, spend a little time on other tasks and most of your time on being with family, having some chocolate, go out to dinner, etc.

If you can bring yourself to do so, forget the bra. If you feel you must have some support, find a camisole with cups. That will give you a little support but will not rub on the incision.

 

[Paul117]

Family comes first

Family comes first

I read all the comforting notes and I agree with them all, we were all scared, anxious, mad?, all of those things. The only thing I can add is that your family needs comforting from you! they are going to be in the waiting room for 4-5 hours not knowing what is happening. I found I could keep myself from being scared if I tried to keep my family and friends from feeling anxiuos.
Having family and friends will be the only thing you really need in the hospital.

Good luck look forward to when you can switch to the post op forum!

I'll be spending more time here on the pre-op forum myself again for awhile.

 

[KAJ]

Diane,

Depending on when you had your brain surgery at Baptist, there is a chance my wife may have cared for you at some point. She was an ICU/Med surge nurse but now works for Baptist Home Health.

If you have not done so already, remind your husband he will need to get his rest as well. It is nice you also have other family here in the area. When and if your husband feels like it or someone else in your family, you can ask them to post for you and update us on your status. Or, if you like, someone can call me and I will post for you. I will send you private message with my phone #s.

I hope you were able to go to St. Augustine with your family.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Karl Jaeger