New in town - Ross procedure coming up, 4 Dec 2012

[Ian]

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum over the last few months and I've found some of the advice on here and the personal experiences really helpful.

I've got a BAV, detected when I was about 5. I'm now 30 and I'm having the Ross procedure done in a few days (4th Dec, 2012).

Needless to say I'm somewhat nervous, but having read many threads in this forums and taken note from many of you, I've got some confidence in the future.

Special note to Allisoninoz, especially since she had the same procedure, in the same hospital by the same surgeon.

While I don't consider myself to be very fit, I'm glad that at this stage, about to go in for surgery, that I can still run 4km without stopping, hopefully all my training will help in the recovery.

I'm looking forward to getting this all over and done with and hitting the ski slopes in winter and continuing to travel the world.

Will keep you all updated.

Thanks for this amazing group. I don't know why it took me so long to introduce myself.

Ian

 

[neil]

hello ian and welcome aboard

 

[JiFaire]

You can run 4 km without stopping, and you don't consider yourself to be very fit?

Phbbttt. At this point, I don't think I can WALK 4 km without stopping! (which might be why I'm actually looking forward to getting some new plumbing).

Good luck to you with your procedure, and welcome here!

Jim

 

[spartangator]

Welcome, Ian. Great to have you (well, you know, all things considered ). All the best in a few days. We'll be thinking positive thoughts.

Your experience matches several of us, and we look forward to your upcoming stories of ski and travel.
--Brad

 

[Greg a]

WELCOME Ian :thumbup:

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum over the last few months and I've found some of the advice on here and the personal experiences really helpful.

I've got a BAV, detected when I was about 5. I'm now 30 and I'm having the Ross procedure done in a few days (4th Dec, 2012).

Needless to say I'm somewhat nervous, but having read many threads in this forums and taken note from many of you, I've got some confidence in the future.

Special note to Allisoninoz, especially since she had the same procedure, in the same hospital by the same surgeon.

While I don't consider myself to be very fit, I'm glad that at this stage, about to go in for surgery, that I can still run 4km without stopping, hopefully all my training will help in the recovery.

I'm looking forward to getting this all over and done with and hitting the ski slopes in winter and continuing to travel the world.

Will keep you all updated.

Thanks for this amazing group. I don't know why it took me so long to introduce myself.

Ian

Ian I have added your date to the family calendar ..................Godspeed

 

[Ian]

thanks.

I go to the hospital for pre-admission tests then admission in about 3.5 hours :eek2: then I'll stay overnight and they'll do the operation tomorrow morning.

I've been reading the "what to take" thread this morning, but the general agreement is that you'll need very little. I'll have my tablet so I'll let you know how it all goes as soon as I'm up to it.

Had some friends over for lunch yesterday and one of them is a nurse in ICU (different hospital), so she was great telling me what to expect and things to do and not to do.

I was quite pleased with myself that I was able to sleep fine last night. Lots of support from family and friends is great.

 

[Carol]

Godspeed to you. I am sure you will do well.You are in great shape.

 

[dpalz]

G'day and I wish you all the best Ian. Please remember afterwards to take it easy, even if you feel better than you thought you would. Time will pass quickly and you will have this in the rear view mirror before you know it.

 

[Ian]

Hi all,

Well today (Sunday) is day 5, with Tuesday being day 0, surgery.

I’m told the surgery went well, however I did have to go back under (not that I ever woke up in the meantime) because I was bleeding from my drain tubes more than expected. I also have (had?) a membrane in my left ventricle that was causing some restriction to the blood flow, but they’d never really understood what effects that had on my heart. My surgeon had a look a decided to take most of the membrane out. He thought that may have contributed to my instances of atrial fibrillation I’ve had in the past, but either way it wasn't supposed to be there and only extended the operation by 10-15 minutes.


The time in the ICU was just awful and I barely slept the two-ish days there. I was so thirsty but I couldn't drink as I would just bring it up, including bringing up bile, which has an amazing colour - really alien in appearance. I was so tired and felt so awful I really didn’t want any visitors there. There is so much commotion and people in the ICU, for obvious reasons, but it is not a nice place to be.


Wednesday afternoon I came up to the cardiac ward in the acute care 4bed room for 1 night. I was so happy to be able to sleep and I did a lot of that. Thursday I was feeling much much better after the rest and was able to walk around a bit. Later that they moved me into the solo room that I am still occupying. I can now do many laps of the ward (about 100m is 1 lap) without a problem, it eats up the day and if I get tired, all the better so I can pass time by sleeping. I’ve got to be careful not to push too hard too fast. Pain isn’t an issue for me - except when I cough, in which case it really hurts.



I now have all the tubes removed from me so I look a lot more human. I just continue to wear a heart monitor until I am discharged. I still have a lot of bruising on my neck where some tubes and monitoring equipment went in so it does look like I’ve been in a bar fight.



My surgeon and the cardiologist here are so far very happy with my progress. I’ll have an echo on Monday (tomorrow) and they’ll let me know whether I’ll get out on Tuesday or Wednesday (subject to things going well). Mu surgeon and the cardiologist have great bedside manner, which is really a pleasant change. Sometimes getting treated at a hospital is more akin to a car going to a mechanic.



Thanks so much to everyone for their support. I’ll let you know how the echo goes.



Ian

 

[healthandhope]

Glad to hear you are getting stronger. Take care.

 

[spartangator]

Excellent to hear. Keep us updated. All the best with the continued progress--and that coughing issue does get better eventually

 

[escargome]

Good to know you are getting stronger with each day. Take it slow and steady and you will be outta there in no time.