Mitralic valve repair/replacement

[shana23]

Hi I'm new to this site and I was sent here by a friend who thought it might help me in this moment of waiting...yes I'm waiting to go in for surgeory on the 12 of March.Must have a mitralic valve transplant or repair which ever is possible and I must say I?M SCARED TO DEATH I've been reading the site inside and out and it has been a big help.Thanks I'll keep you all posted and I'd appreciate any incouraging words i'm very very scared.Thanks Shana

 

[Ross]

Hello and welcome to the family Shana23.

You'll find everyone supportive and informative here. I think you see that already.

I know it's scary when you don't know what the outcome of this whole thing will be, but remember, many have gone before you and are doing well because they did. Waiting is the hardest part. You'll hear that time and time again. Try to find comfort in the fact that those who are going to do the job, are highly skilled and very professional at what they do. Before you know it, it will be over and you'll be on the road to recovery.

We were all scared. If you aren't scared then something isn't right with you, that's my opinion. Come to terms with yourself and turn it over to God. Let go of all the fear. There isn't anything you can do with it anyway, so let the creator have it to deal with.

If you need something specific or some of us to talk too, just give a post or yell and we'll be there to answer it.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Shana-

Welcome to this wonderful site. You'll love the support you get here. Try to post often, it will help you to get through this tough time.

Everyone here understands this type of heart surgery and much, much more. There are people here who are patients, and people who have loved ones who are patients. We also have some excellent people who are willing to share their medical knowledge when they can.

Ross is right when he says that the surgeons who do this are really experts. They operate on hearts a couple of times every day. So they know what's in there and know how to fix it. Everything you have they can take care of. They will pull together the very best operating room team to work on just you. You'll be the star of the day. You will be taken care of by expert nurses and other medical people on a one to one basis right after surgery. They will monitor your entire body and take care of everything for you.

This surgery is highly perfected and the mortality rate is very low.
It will give you back your life.

I hope you will come by a lot. Wishing you all the best.

 

[R0Y]

Shana,

Welcome to the site.

It's natural that you should be scared about your impending surgery. I cannot imagine how anyone who understands the nature of open heart surgery would not be. On the other hand, it is important to keep the fear in perspective. When your cardiologist says the surgery is needed, it's easy to focus on that and forget that your condition has progressed to a point where it is more dangerous than the surgery. Fortunately, the success rate for this surgery is estremely good. The odds are even better for someone who is generally fit, as your list of interests suggest that you are.

I had my mitral valve repair almost 7 months ago and the thing that most helped me keep my fear in check was the recognition that the surgery was essential to my health and well-being.

The fear is always there, but I'm sure that you, like all of the rest of us in this community, will find your way to cope with it and carry through to a successful outcome.

-- roy --

 

[shana23]

Thanks

Thanks

Just wanted to thank you all for the support it does help.I'm keeping busy get things ready for when I'll be in the hospital and that also helps me keep my mind off the operation but there are moments!!!!I have to keep a ggod face on for husband and my two boys and some times that is really hard..don't know who is more scared me or them and we are all trying to be good sports forthe other..it's a riot.The doctor gave me Xanax to take for anziety(sp)or when I have trouble sleeping but I can't bring myself to take it as I read that it is addicting now thats ALL I need.Anyway thank you all again you are a great group and I appreciate all of your words of wisdom thanks again,Shana

 

[Ross]

Shana, if anxiety is bothering you, take the medication. You can always be weened off of it later and for short term use, I doubt there would be any addiction. I'm telling you this because I talked to the doctors and nurses before my surgery and told them that I have a rough time and my fears. They did not heed my warnings. I ended up having to have a Continuous I.V. run of Ativan (24mg) to keep me calmed and not tearing the tubes out. I was addicted to Ativan by the time I got out. I had the shakes something awful from withdrawal. It took almost 2 months to be free of the withdrawal. I think if they'd done something like that for me before surgery, I may not have been as bad. Just trying to save you from excess worries.

The whole thing is hard on everyone involved. Your husband and children will deal with it differently as you will too. Try to have patience with each other and be sure to talk to the kids about it. I think they worry even more.

 

[tlhudson]

Welcome Shana:

This is a great site, glad you found it prior to your surgery. VR really helped me alot, from formulating questions to the doctors to handling my fears.

Having gone through it, we all know the worst is the waiting for surgery day. But put your trust in God and your doctors, in this order. After surgery it's alot of work, but you'll be better for it.

I just had my three month anniversay of surgery and never did I think it would seem so long ago.

You'll do fine.

 

[shana23]

thanks

thanks

Thanks tlhudson,Well I must say I've had more warm welcomes on this site and it has really helped me.Yes I'm scared as everyone is but I'm more worried about the ri-hab...I'm a very active sportswoman I do horseback trecking and I have my own horse and I'm afraid I won't feel like riding and that is very up setting...at the moment I tirerquite easily and I'm lacking in breath and I just don't have the energy that I had even a year ago.I feel very quilty as I can't seem even to have the energy to get in the saddle.Well i just hope to recover quickly.Thanks to you and all that are on this site it really helps one out .Hugs Shana

 

[hensylee]

Hey, Shana - welcome to our home - you are our first member who lives in Italy.

What brings new members here is fear. The second reason is our individual heart issue. Know that you are in good company because we have all been where you are. We are here to give informational personal experiences and support while you wait for your surgery, and afterward. The waiting is worse than the actual surgery! Of course you are scared and that is the most natural emotion when faced with the awesomeness of surgery, especially heart surgery. You will be fine, you just don't know it right now. You will have all our prayers as you go along so keep us posted.

As to Xanax, I have taken it for a long time. And, yes, it is addicting, however, if you take it ONLY when you feel you REALLY need it you won't become addicted. (Sorry, my sweet Ross, but it IS addicting). And break the pill in half, always use the lowest dosage you can get by with. But it certainly does help when you are so panicky and afraid. If used on a daily basis, you will be shaky (like Ross said about Ativan - tho Ativan is stronger in my opinion) coming off it. But it is a good drug. I have high BP and my dr office told me to go ahead and take it as it helps keep my BP in check, along with, of course my BP medicine.

God bless

 

[shana23]

mitralic valve repair/replacement

mitralic valve repair/replacement

Thanks Hensylee,I really appreciate all of the attention I'm getting here and it keeps my mind off of the operation!!!!Also I've taken Xanax only twice and yes even my doctor said to break it in half as I've never talen any thing like this befor....as I usually sleep like a dog and I've never before had a need for "a pill"so I'm a bit wary about taking it but one does feel good afterwards I must say!!! I'm American but I married an Italian and I live near Florence .We have two boys Christian 27-Luca 23 one cat at the moment Missey( had 3 befor) and my horse Shana who I love like a daughter and I'm neglecting her terriblyat the moment as I just don't have the energy to ride and spend hours like befor at the stable so I feel very guilty. I hope after the operation and two months or so to feel better...hoping for the summer Thank you and all the wonderful people here you have really ALL helped to make my wait bearable a BIG HUG and best to all Shana

 

[Ross]

Sorry, my sweet Ross, but it IS addicting

I'm not saying it isn't. I'm only saying for short term use, she may not become dependant on it. If it were some high dose, continuous I.V. drip, now that's a whole different story.

 

[hensylee]

I was hospitalized for suspected heart attack once shortly before the real heart attack - they didn't have any Xanax so they gave me a whole ativan - it knocked me out and I slept the whole time in there - just couldn't stay awake. I did not like Ativan. But those IV's - think they put the strongest stuff in them. Knocks you on your b***. Like you had, Ross

 

[Guest]

Hi Shana-

I'm glad you found this site because these folks here are the greatest! I had my mitral valve repaired and a bypass following a heart attack last June. I have been off & on Xanax and it has really, really helped. I was resistant to the idea of taking it at first, but now I don't even hesitate when I can tell that my anxiety is beginning to take over.

You will feel so much better after your surgery is done. I'm over 3 months post-op...Terry and I are about 3 days or so apart in our recovery....and I agree that I feel so good that the surgery seems like took place much longer ago! Waiting for the surgery date is hard....I just kept coming to this site and reading, reading, reading and asking, asking , asking questions. Everyone here was my biggest support system because they have "been there and done that" and they know what it's like to be living and surviving with heart disease.

Hang in there.....you'll be in my prayers as your date draws near!

Julia

 

[shana23]

pre-surgery

pre-surgery

Thanks for all the incouragement I do need it at the moment.The hospital called today and I go in on the 12th and the will operate on the 14th of March...so here I go I will soon be a FULL PLEDGED MEMBER of vrp.com lol I'm trying to keep up a good front for the family but I would really like to sit down for a good cry Guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself so I turn around and think "now it could be worse"others have done this ...so on but for once in my life I'm finding it difficult to be positive (is this normal?)I'm usually a very strong person but... and there are lots of those these days well any way thank and I'm sorry I rattled on so All my best,Shana

 

[Ross]

Sweety, that's the control portion of you that is HAVING to let go.
No one likes it, but there is no other way. You will do fine. It'll take a little while but you'll be back spunkier then ever. As far as I'm concerned, you already are a full fledged member of VR!

 

[pegne]

Shana

Shana

If you feel the need to cry, you can cry on my shoulder. I'm sure there are a lot of shoulders here that you can cry on. It is a very scary time for you but please remember that you have a family of heart friends right here just a click of the mouse away. Good luck to you and I will keep you in my prayers. Stay strong for the little ones but take the time you need for you. Peggy

 

[ccrawford]

Hi Shana

Hi Shana

Hi - Just another VR guy adding his welcome to you. There is a lot of information on the site that will help both you and your family members as you go through the process. Please take the time to explore as much of this as you can. Ross hit it on the head when he talked about giving up some control - that can be pretty hard for some of us to do, but its going to happen anyway so you might as well figure out how to deal with it and use the rest of us to answer questions and smooth the way for you. That's what its all about. While all of this is new to you, be assured that the doctors and surgeons have been through this many times, and its getting easier and easier as time goes on. Hope this helps. Chris

 

[Nancy]

Hi Shana-

All those feelings are so normal at this time in your life. Just let them sweep over you for a little while, and go with it, and then let go. You will feel better, and will be able to start getting ready for your surgery. Everyone has been there, the patients and their families as well.

Always keep in the back of your mind that the doctors who do this are very, very experienced. They've seen all the problems before, and know how to take care of them. The surgery is life saving. And when you consider a whole lifetime, the couple of months it will take to start feeling better and not to have this heart problem hanging over your head, is really very small. Who wouldn't want to do it to take care of this major problem and have some peace of mind?

You will have just enough time to prepare mentally for the surgery, to prepare your loved ones too. You will do just fine, and we'll all be here for you in the coming days. So come here often and use this wonderful resource.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[shana23]

there aren't enough words....thanks

there aren't enough words....thanks

There just aren't enough words or ways to thank all of you WONDERFUL people,Ross,Nancy,ccrawford,pegne,roy,joy,hensylee,tlhudson,mommy3ect... All of your words of incouragement have meant and mean so much to me.Hey guys it really helps!!!!I'll keep you all in my heart (lol lol) when I have my surgery and believe me you have all given me a hand.I love this site so much I'm passing it on to other heart patients and I want to do a Group on Yahoo in Italian to help over here similar to this to help the Italians sooooo once I'm out and running I'll get to work on it.Thanks and know you all are doing a great job.Shana

 

[ddarsch]

American overseas

American overseas

Shana:

I too am overseas, living in Barcelona Spain for the last 5 years. I notice that you live in Italy - I am in Milan a couple of times every year.

I am a mitral valve replacement (November 1991) and I have a porcine mitral valve since that time. I am very happy and would not make the decision differently.

I hope that you are more at easy with the procedure - the doctors are all experts and will do their best to ensure your health and safety

Dave