Need some HUGE motivation

[nst2813]

First OHS at 6 mnths. 2nd OHS at 7 yrs to replace MV with a Bjork Shiley Mech Valve, which is on 27 years.Doctors have been telling me for the last 5 yrs to have an elective surgery, but scard.
I am at a point now, that i am starting to notice i am a little more tired and short of breath. I was going to have the surgery on Nov 6th of last year, and a week before i got a cold, and cancelled it.
At that time i was very scard of dying. Now, yes i am scard still....but i also want to move onto a healthy me with my wonderful, wonderful husband... THINKING of having surgery Jan 10 but need motivation!:smile2:

 

[escargome]

Well nst2813, seems you have traveled down a bumpy road. I believe the motivation that you require would be in wanting to live life with your husband for a long time. Yes, I know I was scared when I learned I needed OHS, but my family provided support and understanding when I was somewhat grumpy prior to surgery. So please, take that leap of faith in your surgeon. Things will be much better for you once the surgery is completed. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[Bina]

You are young with your whole life ahead of you........DO IT.
(that's easy for me to say, I spent over a year being in denial and shock)

 

[nst2813]

Thanks escargome...made me smile...

 

[nst2813]

Well, I am spending 5 years in denial....just scard if i will make it through on a 3rd time re-do......but its so nice to hear from people!

 

[Bina]

Well, I am spending 5 years in denial....just scard if i will make it through on a 3rd time re-do......but its so nice to hear from people!

Your first surgeries were as a youngster and usually another surgery as an adult does not hold as much risk, but
I don't know you, just saying....
Check out our member Knightfan2691 who just had his 4th surgery after being a CHD baby too.

 

[Jkm7]

OHS has become an exceedingly successful surgery. Your odds are so highly in your favor for a good outcome from surgery but are really lousy if you don't have surgery. There IS a point of no return. You can get so bad that it will be too late for surgery.

Anyone with any sense is frightened for OHS but we all take a deep breath and just get on with it. If we wish to live, and to live full active lives, there is no choice but to have the surgery.

I've had two OHS in four years, the second was going on four years ago. Of course, it's rough but my recovery from both was complete and bump free. I would not be here now without those surgeries. After the second, my surgeon said it was not a problem with my being a re-do as they call a repeater. These surgeons are so skilled and trained and for them it's another day at the office. For us, certainly, it's a very big deal.

Find surgeon/doctors you trust and give yourself over to their care. If you need some anti-anxiety meds to get through, ask for them. Many need some help dealing with the fear and anxiety and that is very normal.

Do it for yourself; do it for your wonderful DH.

 

[nst2813]

Thanks Jkm7 - you have some very valid points!

 

[dcc617]

I'm right there with you. I'm scheduled for AVR on 1/19 and am owning this from the beginning. The diagnosis was made 2 years ago and am glad that the 'sword over my head' will finally go away. I was scared at first but convinced that as long as it's not an emergency, I will prevail! While I remain symptom-free, I have noticed shortness of breath lately. Also, absolutely worn out towards the end of the day and crash around 8:30.

Hang in there. We're all behind you.

 

[Greg a]

My three grand daughters are all the motivation I need in life.

It was my understanding that you have had two OHS's and now were looking at ELECTIVE surgery for a pacemaker or ICD. When my ICD was put in or installed or implanted I had had worse dental work done than that was. I went in at 8am and was on the way home by 1pm I was awake in a twilight or friendly drunken state:biggrin2: and took part in the talk in the OR:thumbup: (niot sure I made a lot of sense:rolleyes2 except when the unit was test fired and was put a little deeper and brought right back out. Since then my ICD has paced me out of trouble once and revived me by delivering therapy (shocked) twice, It really is the angel :angel: on my shoulder.

 

[Boston Tiger]

You are young with your whole life ahead of you........DO IT.
(that's easy for me to say, I spent over a year being in denial and shock)

Oh, do I recognize what it's like to spend a year in denial! But finally, I started to feel some symptoms and took my cardiologist at his word that I had to get things fixed before too much damage was done, which would make the prognosis much worse. My motivation was being around to see my kids finish their high school and college experience, since we had invested so much time and effort into their development. NST, focus on all the great times you will miss with your wonderful husband if you don't get things fixed, and you will discover all the motivation you need.

Plus, you can count on getting good advice from the people on this website, who know what you are going through. How I wish I had found this site back in those scary days before the surgery.

 

[Debbrn]

I had my 4th OHS 1 1/2 years ago. I knew I felt bad before surgery. I did not remember though how good it felt to have energy. I am happy almost everyday about how much more I can do now. Please don't wait until you have permanent damage. I know OHS is no walk in the park, but I am glad I had my last surgery when I had it. Talk to the docs about the risks and benefits of getting the surgery over with. It is so nice not having it hanging over your head.

Debbie

 

[nst2813]

Hey Dave! Yes you will prevail! And, i think knowing that you are doing something to save yourself is the key....now if only my little brain could wrap that around it's head... Dave...I will keep you in my prayers for your surgery and a speedy recovery! thank you for encouraging me in a time when you are also going through the same thing....NST...

 

[nst2813]

My three grand daughters are all the motivation I need in life.

It was my understanding that you have had two OHS's and now were looking at ELECTIVE surgery for a pacemaker or ICD. When my ICD was put in or installed or implanted I had had worse dental work done than that was. I went in at 8am and was on the way home by 1pm I was awake in a twilight or friendly drunken state:biggrin2: and took part in the talk in the OR:thumbup: (niot sure I made a lot of sense:rolleyes2 except when the unit was test fired and was put a little deeper and brought right back out. Since then my ICD has paced me out of trouble once and revived me by delivering therapy (shocked) twice, It really is the angel :angel: on my shoulder.

Hey Greg - Yes I have had two OHS, but i am going in for a 3rd re-do, because my Mitral Mechanical valve has regurgitation....

 

[nst2813]

Oh, do I recognize what it's like to spend a year in denial! But finally, I started to feel some symptoms and took my cardiologist at his word that I had to get things fixed before too much damage was done, which would make the prognosis much worse. My motivation was being around to see my kids finish their high school and college experience, since we had invested so much time and effort into their development. NST, focus on all the great times you will miss with your wonderful husband if you don't get things fixed, and you will discover all the motivation you need.

Plus, you can count on getting good advice from the people on this website, who know what you are going through. How I wish I had found this site back in those scary days before the surgery.

Boston Tiger - Yes i should focus on all the things i still want to do with my husband....it is really nice to hear from everyone...it doesn't make me feel so alone....

 

[nst2813]

I had my 4th OHS 1 1/2 years ago. I knew I felt bad before surgery. I did not remember though how good it felt to have energy. I am happy almost everyday about how much more I can do now. Please don't wait until you have permanent damage. I know OHS is no walk in the park, but I am glad I had my last surgery when I had it. Talk to the docs about the risks and benefits of getting the surgery over with. It is so nice not having it hanging over your head.

Debbie

Debbie, something you said really stuck out for me - don't wait till you have permanent damage. And, right now i don't, but maybe i need to rethink and re-change my viewpoints on how im looking at this, as the end of my life vs. the start of the middle of my life with alot more enjoyable moments to come after surgery....