New Here!!

[Bill/SanDiego]

Hello everyone!! Found this site yesterday after doing a google search, so registered today. I chose the username Bill/SanDiego but pondered "San Diego Chicken" or just "Scaredy Cat". What is going on is I have a bad mitrol valve and surgery is May 16th. at Scripps. I`m 54, retired and living the good life but I still have some MAJOR issues!! Like I am petrified of hospitals, doctors, any medical procedure, but most of all needles and blood!! And that angiogram thing they have to do gives me nightmares thinking of it!! I`m not afraid of dying on the operating table, I`m scared of surviving and spending a week in the hospital. O.K. just a few slight exagerrations here but basically true. It`s like the slight pain of a needle doesn`t bother me, but thinking about a needle sticking in my arm can make me faint!!!
So this gives me many dilemmas. I`m hoping for a repair, but not too optimistic. So will it be a pig valve or mechanical??? Another operation in 10 years or the bad stuff with coumadin including a blood test each month (they almost have to hold me down to draw it!!). Anyway I`m hoping some answers, guideance, and reasurance from this community and don`t you love the internet??? Thanks guys, Bill
PS-- Thanks Rick for your email!!

 

[Rich]

Welcome Bill

Welcome Bill

Bill,
You have come to the right place.
Here you will find answers to your questions and reassurance for peace of mind from a lot of great people.
I was 58 when I had my aortic valve replaced with a mechanical.
I didn't want to face another surgery if possible.
That was almost seven years ago and I'm doing great.
The Coumadin has not been a problem.
I never liked needles either but now it's no big deal.
I wish there was a site like this at that time but I didn't even own a computer then. All the information I could dig up was years out of date and very scary.
It turned out not to be that bad at all, not even close.
So once again welcome, I'm sure a lot will answer your post very soon.

Rich

 

[Christina]

Hi Bill,

Welcome to this great site! Soon you'll have lots of people answering your post, and we all have something different to add.
It is normal to be scared. We all were! For me the worst was the waiting before surgery. I waited three weeks.
What you need to do is educate yourselves, and become informed about this whole issue. Knowledge is POWER!
The more you know the less you fear! Many times they are able to repair a Mitral valve, so you might get lucky. I have a friend who just had her Mitral valve repaired, and she's doing well after two months.
As for Coumadin, it is not bad once it is in the therapeutic range, and you are able to keep it there. There are hometesting machines available (fingerstick), and you might look into that. I have one and haven't gone to a lab in almost two years. You need to find a doctor though that will write you a prescription for this.
I had my Aortic valve replaced in August 2000 and have a St. Jude's mechanical valve.
Please come back often and ask away. We are here to help eachother, so don't be shy.

Wishing you strength in the coming weeks!

 

[Nancy]

Hi Bill-

Welcome to the site. We're all your buddies now, and we all understand your anxieties.

There have been many, many folks here who have been just as anxious as you are right now.

There are several things to know about this surgery.

First, it is done to save your life.

Second, the surgeons who do this are very, very expert at what they do. They go into people's hearts each day, and sometimes more than once. Everything you have in there, they will know how to fix.

Third, these wonderful surgeons have their own hand-picked teams that work along with them, and they are also very, very expert.

Fourth, after surgery you will be taken care of by the most wonderful Intensive Care people. You will have one on one nursing care. These nurses are fantastic. They monitor everything minute by minute.

Fifth, pain management is very important to all of these folks, and the drugs used are excellent. The first day or so, you will not be much aware of what is going on.

Sixth, your stay in the hospital is going to be amazingly, only about 5-7 days, and some have come home sooner. Surprisingly, you will be up and walking by day 2 or so.

The very best thing you can do right now is to read as many posts as you can. It might be hard at first because it will probably make you nervous, but forge on ahead. Christina is right that knowledge is power. It really will help.

Remember that you can come here any time you want and ask any questions. There is usually someone here. At any rate, you will have answers pretty swiftly.

My husband has had 3 valve surgeries, 2 lung surgeries, and has a pacemaker, plus he's been in and out of the hospital hundreds of times for some very complicated things. You won't have all those problems, but I just want you to know that the human body has terrific powers of healing.

So welcome again, friend, and enjoy our site, there is a ton of info. here.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Greetings S.D. Chicken !

I can relate to that, but after dozens of medical procedures, I've learned to take them in stride.

Re: Needles

As a kid, I froze when the nurse gave me a booster shot in the leg and could hardly walk for a week.

SOLUTION to needles, RELAX the target zone and look AWAY.
You can tighten every OTHER muscle in your body, grit your teeth, or squeeze your eyes shut, but keep that target area LIMP !

Re: Heart Catheterization (Angiogram)

I was scared s***less before my first one. I watched the video 3 times, but when it was over, it was one of those "Is that all there is" kind of experiences. I've lost count of the number of heart cath's I've had. NO BIG DEAL. Just make sure you are at a hospital that does them by the thousands. The more they do, the better they are. I actually enjoy watching the Doc move the wire around to through my arteries on the monitor. If you are anxious, TELL THEM and they can put you in never-never land so you don't remember a thing. OH yes, those stainless steel tables are HARD on your back. I always ask the assistants to roll up a towel lengthwise and put it under the small of my back and to put a pillow under my knees. That makes it MUCH more comfortable.

Re: Coumadin

I wasn't thrilled about having to go on Coumadin, but after 10 months, I don't worry about it anymore. I keep a chart (and use a weekly pill dispenser) to make sure I get my daily dose. I live in the country and get a LOT of bumps, scratches, and nicks. NO PROBLEM.

Re: PIG Valves

I'm NOT a fan the pig valves. They typically wear out in 8 to 12 years. My FIRST choice was a Bovine Pericardial Tissue Valve which has a good track record (90% durability at 15 years and counting in the various studies). Others like Homografts. For reasons discovered after opening me up, I was given a St. Jude Mechanical Valve. Those valves have the BEST long term track record. The down side is they have a smaller aperature which limits the amount of blood that can flow during exertion. Say goodby to competitive sports.

EVERY Valve has it's pluses and minuses. Most people who can choose, go for the one with the least undesirable negatives.

Hope this helps. In the mean time, you would do well to read through some of the PreSurgery and Post Surgery Forum posts.

Just remember, everyone here (or their significant other) has survived Valve Replacement Surgery !

'AL Capshaw'

 

[hensylee]

Well, Bill, you just go ahead and faint. It's ok, really. After you have read some of the posts in here, you will accept your situation and be more comfortable with it. Just ask Pillarpaul. Needles become one more of the steps on the way to the mountain - and after, if you will be on coumadin. Fright is one more of the symptoms you have to deal with and maybe it is the biggest, because you can feel it more than you can feel what is really going on inside your body, but if you stick around here, fear will lessen as you read along. There are many who can tell you that it's probably the biggest emotion involved with this surgery, so you ain't alone - no way are we going to let you travel this road all by yourself, if you just stick in here and let us know how you are gettin on. Any time - day, night, 24/7.

And one day you will come back to greet another newbie and say all of the above. God bless

 

[TIM W.]

Welcome, Bill, to the VR.com family. I was really nervous about my surgery until I found this site. I recently had the Bovine Pericardial Tissue Valve "installed". If you prefer to not be on blood thinners, this may be the choice for you. My surgeon tells me some studies show these going for 20+ years now.
Like everyone has said, knowledge is power so keep reading. Keep an open mind and most of your fears will subside. Good luck and welcome to our family.

 

[Ross]

Hello Bill and welcome to our little home.

Are you sure that your not my brother? By the sounds of things, you and I match up pretty well when it comes to fears. Actually we all do. I don't have much to add as the others have covered the bases, but read around, ask questions and just talk to us. You'll feel a whole lot better about all of it as you gain more knowledge.

 

[Georgia]

Oh, Bill, Bill, Bill . . .

Oh, Bill, Bill, Bill . . .

My heart goes out to you. In mid-January I was exactly where you are. Incredibly sick, and scared to death.

Cardiac catheterization was the big one (although I was with you on needles, etc., too): When they told me I needed ohs (open heart surgery) I was OK - I knew I needed it - I didn't want to continue like an ailing 95-year-old. When they told me I needed a cath prior to surgery, I fell apart. My doc, being understanding, put me on tranquillizers immediately and on ativan the day of. And there was no "twilight" stuff for me - I was totally out. It was a piece of cake.

The point to this tale being that you really need to let your doc know how neurotic and phobic you are about this stuff. They will make some arrangements. You'll still have to have all of the blood work, but you'll get the really really good phlebotomists. This is of the utmost importance, particularly if you have bad veins. They'll also give you tranquillizers to get through the waiting period. They don't want any more strain on your heart than you already have.

I know how scary this is. But after a short while, I decided that it was a good thing that I had something they could fix. There are a lot of things out there that can't be repaired, so I've never asked "why me?". I plan to retire next year, and am eternally grateful for those who went all those years before me as guinea pigs to put me in this position. Bless 'em all.

I wasn't as fortunate as you in finding this site before surgery. I think it would have made a world of difference to me. Just know that the contributors here have (as a group) experienced just about everything that can be thrown at them. Some have been lucky (like moi) and sailed through surgery and recovery. Some have been challenged. There's always someone out there who knows the answers.

Keep posting and do look at other threads for a huge amount of information on preparing for surgery. Glad you found us.

 

[epstns]

Al - It might be all relative

Al - It might be all relative

Al, you mentioned that mech valves would end competitive sports for the recipient. I am not sure that it is a definite go/no-go situation. If the patient is able to participate while the valve area decreases, the new mech valve may actually be an improvement. At least that's what I'm hoping. My own aortic valve is said to be at 1.0 sq cm and I can still jog 3 or 4 miles at 9:00 per mile. From what I've read, the effective area of the St. Jude's mech is actually larger than what remains of my natural valve, so if I opt for that route, I may not lose much at all.

Just my $.02 as a frustrated "almost" engineer. . .

 

[Bill/SanDiego]

Hello everyone again!! It`s been 24 hours since I posted and I feel 100% better already!! Nancy, you`re so direct when you say "you have this surgery to live". Sometime I need a kick in the keester to get going!! In Jan. 2002, I went to see my doctor after having palpitations for a week. He asked me if I drove to his office. I said I had and he asked I could drive myself to La Jolla. I asked why and he said I needed to get to the emergency room NOW!!! So I protested, or tried to, and he read me the riot act saying if I don`t go I`ll die. A few months later, I was talking to him and told him about a conversation my wife and I had. We were discussing the modern miracle drugs of today and the level of care available these days. But also in the equation are doctors who care about their patients and I felt my doctor is certainly in that category. It`s obvious from glancing around this site that there are people who care here. Thank you everyone for your support. I`ll probably print up your responses and have my wife deliver them to me in the hospital at the appropriate time!!
One more thing! I learned that laughing after surgery is very painful!! Therefore I`m banning my brother and cousin from visits. These guys crack jokes at memorial services!!!
Again thanks and it`s really a blessing to find this site at this time!!

 

[hensylee]

Don't sneeze, either!!!

 

[pillarpaul]

Welcome

Welcome

Bill,

Welcome to this fantastic site (which you already know). I discovered it about two months ago, almost two months prior to my surgery (ten days ago now). This site made all the difference in the world. Like you I was sort of in "freak-out" land. I stayed very active in the forums, learning and learning some more. I went into the surgery with a calm that comes from support and lack of fear of the unknown. In fact,, a nurse in CICU read the pre-op report about me done by the surgeon's nurse. Said something to the effect of "extrememly knowledgeable about the surgery and post care." Another nurse assumed I was a doctor!

I GUARANTEE you that you will feel differently about the surgery once it rolls around if you keep reading here. Heck, we'll refund your membership fee if not fully satisfied

As for the heart cath, I've had two in my lifetime. I would rather have a heart cath than dental work. I repeat, I would rather have a heart cath than dental work. The second one especially was embarrassingly easy. I never felt a thing and I too enjoyed seeing my arteries on a monitor. You can always ask for a "happy pill" to calm you, too.

I have never had a fear of needles (just dental work!) so can't help you there other than to say, "Don't let them think you're a San Diego Chicken"! (Sorry, couldn't resist)

Keep in touch and keep coming back, Bill. All of us here are glad to help.

Paul

 

[nadi]

S.D. Chicken

S.D. Chicken

Bill, I too am afraid of needles!!!

Last Monday I had my angio done and Wed had to have a tooth pulled (per the surgeon) and as paul said I would much rather have the angio. I was with my Mother when she went thru hers(4 total) and she was miserable!!! She had to lay flat for 6-12 hours ect. Mine was started about 2:30pm (thre prep)and I felt the hospital at 5pm was able to get up and move around at 4:30pm.

I was also terrified about surgery until I found this site and started reading. I am now "semi" calm. This bunch is great.

I hope your hospital stay is completely uneventful! And may you have a speedy recovery!!!!!

Nadine

 

[John Cochran]

Welcome, Bill! As you've already discovered, there are plenty of wonderful caring people here who will answer your questions and give you support. No one who has gone through this is ashamed to say that they were anxious, which is certainly the normal human response.

However, if you have some real phobias (needles and hospital confinement) you should definitely discuss these with your regular physician, your cardiologist and surgeon. You won't be the first or last person with specific fears, and there is much that can be done to alleviate your anxiety before and after your angiogram and your surgery.

I found that when I discussed my anxieties openly with medical staff, they found ways to make me extremely comfortable. They can give you a pill before any IV needle is used that will make it so you don't care at all! There are things the anesthesiologist can do so that you don't remember any of the procedures you fear. The key is communication, and not being embarassed to discuss it (very hard for a lot of us guys!).

Best,
--John

 

[EVELYN]

Hello Bill and Welcome!!!

This is an absolutely great site---you are definitely at home here!! We've been on vacation for the last two weeks, so I haven't been around very much.

I'm Evelyn, whose husband, Tyce, had AVR surgery last June. He received a mechanial and we have had absolutely NO problems with his coumadin. We also do home testing, which makes it much easier---PROTIME RULES!!! Tyce turned 60 last week and couldn't even think of having another surgery which was why we went with the mechanical valve-----NO vein stick, only finger....much easier!

As far as hospitals go, well I don't think ANYONE would love this surgery, but when it's a necessity, the bottom line is that you go through it. Tyce was in pain and was given pain killers in the hospital. However, he was sent home ONLY with tylenol extra strength. After the second day he didn't even need it at night, and please don't think he's a martyr, he's not!!!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that everyone has been where you are now. Last year certainly wasn't the best one we've ever had, but boy is it different now. Tyce's philosophy was Face it and get it over with.....he was absolutely right!

I wish you the very best of luck with your upcoming surgery. At 54 you have many many years to enjoy life---why not make them the best!

Evelyn

 

[ccrawford]

Welcome Bill

Welcome Bill

Hi Bill - Welcome to the family. If you were to check my posts about three months ago, you'd find I was a wreck, and very anxious about lots of things. Virtually everyone who has responded to your post has also helped me, and like me, you will begin to regard them as a second family. Read as much as you can on the site, and you'll find the anxieties melt away. I'm scheduled for a cath tomorrow, with a high likelyhood of surgery shortly after, but I'm surprisingly calm. The cath is typically a non-event, and pretty interesting. Its also a good chance for a good nap since they like to keep you there afterwards for awhile to insure there is no leakage at the entry point. Keep us informed and don't be bashful about asking questions. You'll be amazed at the amount of information the 700 + members can share with you. Oh, by the way, you'll likely have a walnut sized bump at the entry point to the cath and a nasty looking bruise that will go away in about 3-4 weeks. No big deal. Chris