My mum is in operation now

[Rocky]

Hi there,

I posted a while ago bout my mum and between the jigs and the reels she is now having a mitral valve replacement. She was very very scared and didn;t want to go thru with it when she got into the hospital..I think having the post op recovery spelt out in such straight terms suddenly meant she felt maybe she didn't feel that bad after all. I hope we have done the right thing..I'm sure everyone feels like this prior to the op? I'm feelin very anxious for her and hoping that it will be worth it. It is definitely an awful feeling of losing control..am only hoping God is controlling it. But seems like in general 1 year before real full recovery?

Feelin anxious

Richelle

 

[Nancy]

Hello Richelle-

Welcome to this site. And my very best wishes to your mom, and may she have the very best surgical result possible.

I think you could think of today as the birthday of your mother's shiny new heart.

This surgery is done to save lives. Years ago people with valve problems didn't survive. Today, this surgery is highly perfected and prolongs life and allows for a much better quality of life.

It is true that there is a recovery period of about 6-8 weeks post surgery, then she should be feeling quite well. At a year she will definitely be feeling very well.

You will be surprised at how soon after surgery she will be coming home.

Please keep us informed as to how things are going.

And stay here with us and ask as many questions as you wish.

Nice to meet you.

 

[Ross]

Hi Richelle

All the feelings that you and your mum are feeling are perfectly normal. Control is a hard thing to let go of, but it is for the better.
Did you all make the right decision? Of course you did! If nothing was done, her life would be dramatically shortened.

Recovery is difficult at first, but it can be dealt with. Try to do as much as possible for her while she's in the early stages of recovery. The nursing staff is stretched pretty thin now a days and simply can't care for people like they should. That is where you come in or someone in the family.

Let go and let God. You have no control over this now and it's in his hands. Let him do his job.

Keep us posted.

 

[Georgia]

Hi, Richelle. Mr docs said that recovery will probably take about a year because my left ventricle's enlarged due to the double valve problem and the congestive heart failue. I went back to work just about 3 months after surgery and did quite well. I'm now 5 months out; feel good, not nearly as tired every night and have had a houseful of guests for a couple weeks. I can do most of all the housework I need to do without help; just can't seem to get it all done every week. That does NOT bother me.

I don't have great stamina, but no shortage of breath and I sleep like a log. I'm already feeling better that I did for several months before surgery.

My point is, that although they predict recovery taking a year, your mother will feel better MUCH sooner than that. And please get her to go to cardiac rehab - it's terrific and will speed up recovery.

You're a good daughter to help her so much. Be sure to let us know if you need answers or suggestions or just someone to talk with.