Nervous

[jhowe]

Hi everyone,

Back when I was first diagnosis with Aortic Stenosis (2011) I found this with wonderful site. I would check in every so often and read stories of encouragement because I knew one day soon I would be facing the same. Well, that day is coming (Feb 5, 2014). I'm going in for a mechanical Aortic Valve replacement. I have to say, as much as I receive encouragement from family and friends I am still nervous not knowing what to expect.

My doctor tells me I'm a great candidate for the replacement as I am 58 Y/O in otherwise good health. He tells me that after I recover from the surgery I will then realize how bad off I am now.
I am pretty much just venting now as my nerves are getting the best of me, but any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Meanwhile, thanks to each and every one of you for all I have read.

Jim

 

[Jkm7]

Hi Jim,
All of us who have gone ahead of you for this surgery were nervous and it is to be expected. You wouldn't be 'normal' if you weren't. It seems such a huge event and, indeed, it is but many of us describe having a feeling of calm and peace come over us when we finally give in to the professionals. Most of us get to the point we know we have no choice but to submit to the surgery and when we put it in the context it is just another day at the office for the surgeons, cardios, nurses, techs etc who take care of us.

Once you have settled on a surgeon you trust, a hospital that meets your personal needs and decide which sort of valve...... your work is done. It is now the job of your professionals.

If you find the anxiety too hard to bear, many doctors are more than willing to prescribe appropriate medications to help get through these hard days pre-op. They understand how stressful it can be for some of us. Don't hesitate to ask if you think it would help you.

Be good to yourself in these upcoming days. Be with people you love and think good thoughts.
While this is tough surgery, it really is remarkably successful and the vast majority of us do very, very well.

Sending you all best wishes.
Please check in with us when you feel up to it post op.

 

[dick0236]

............ I have to say, as much as I receive encouragement from family and friends I am still nervous not knowing what to expect.

My doctor tells me I'm a great candidate for the replacement as I am 58 Y/O in otherwise good health. He tells me that after I recover from the surgery I will then realize how bad off I am now.
I am pretty much just venting now as my nerves are getting the best of me, but any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Jim

Any advice I would give you about modern OHS wouldn't be worth much since mine was so long ago......but if you are like the vast majority of people who undergo this surgery, you will do fine. Your comment "in otherwise good health" will go a long way in making post-op recovery easier....and you will be "up and at 'em" by spring.

 

[clay_from_nj]

Welcome Jim! The thing I kept in mind is that major surgery is, in one way, one of the easiest medical "procedures" to go through. They give you some nice sleep stuff, you close your eyes, re-open them, and the hard part is all over. The rest is just annoying irritants: catheters, itchy healing incisions, being poked with syringes and having things yanked out of you, not being allowed to have a really good night's sleep, etc. Attitude might not be everything, but you can slide quite a way through on a good one. I looked at my hospital experience as kind of a spa trip. Got to lay around being waited on, cable TV, free WiFi, 24-hour concierge. Someone else (not your spouse) does the cooking and cleaning and takes out the trash. Your only job is to heal. Heck, I don't know about you, but I do that anyway, without even trying! And this might be kind of obvious, but if anything should go wrong, you are, after all, already in a HOSPITAL!

 

[neil]

Hiya jim, agree with all the posts above, the waiting is the worst bit imo, if a big cry baby like me can do it anybody can, you will do just fine, ps no chasing the nurses till day 3 lol

 

[haggis basher]

Hi jhowe
It is very difficult the wait. One great thing in your favour: you at least know the date!
I was told that I needed a new Aortic' valve, as my running was getting too difficult. Unfortunately, I was only a
"public" patient, so was told it would be within 2-3 months. Everyday, i would check the postbox - no letter. This went on for 6 months!! By this time I could hardly get up a wee grade walking home! In anger, I finally called my cardiologist in tears - two days later, I got an 'urgent' call saying they had a cancellation, and could I make it in "TWO DAYS!!.
I was 71 age, and a top age runner. Now 2.5 years later, I am back to the running again, and never had any problems.
I only mention this, as I have no family, and had to rely on a few friends.
Good luck. I know you will be fine.
Brian

 

[epstns]

Hi, Jim,

jkm7 kind of re-stated my philosophy. Your job is to prepare your game plan. Choose your surgeon, your hospital, your valve, type of procedure, after-hospital recovery care choices, etc. Then, all you have to do is "work the plan." Keep a calendar of the key dates and appointments. Each day, do what is on that calendar. Otherwise, just live your life. By following that plan, you will get yourself through all the choices, all the tests, the actual hospital stay and back home to heal. Kind of de-stresses the proces and allows you to concentrate your emotional mind on yourself and your well-being.

Once it starts, it is like an escalator - you start at one floor and just get off at the next.

 

[Duffey]

You'll do great, Jim. Keep us updated post-op once you feel like typing out a post.
Godspeed
Mary

 

[Lynlw]

Just wanted to let you know I am sending good thoughts your way and looking forward to a great update

 

[TheGymGuy]

Been sending good thoughts all day. Hopefully, you post tomorrow or day after with some updates.

 

[river-wear]

I hope everything went well for your surgery today. They'll have you up and shuffling around in no time.