new one here, surgery date: august 17th

[misaacka]

I was in hospital for a week or so before surgery and because my surgery was on my birthday my Husband and son brought me a portable DVD player, one that plays music CD's and movies. Best gift ever!! It was great to be able to shut out the sounds of the hospital and the pesky heart monitor peeping! If you are able I highly recomend getting one. I use it all the time even now, it's great for drowning out snoring too ; )

Ah, great idea. I'm taking my iPad, so I can watch stuff on it, and I've got Audible on my phone, so I can listen to books (and music, of course).

Speaking of listening: did anyone listen to any of those "preparing for surgery" hypnosis tapes? I think I'm in a pretty good mental place for the surgery, as it is, but if the tapes are helpful, I might try one. I understand that some are designed for you to listen to DURING surgery. Do they allow you to have an iPod and headphones in the OR??? I sure wouldn't want the surgical team to be listening to hypnosis! I'd much rather the surgeon be listening to his favorite sound track for AVR!

 

[Lynlw]

Piglet, thanks for the encouraging words: I want my OHS to go exactly the way yours did! Only problem is, I don't know sign language, so maybe I'll just tell them ahead of time that my wiggling fingers will be trying to say, hey, get this tube out! That's actually my only other anxiety: that I'll wake up gagging on the tube. I've got a very sensitive gag reflex. BUT: thanks to the forum, I already know that it'll be there, so I won't be surprised, and I'm pretty good at conscious relaxation when I need to be. So I think it'll be okay, really.

Marguerite, I'm honored to share the day with your daughter! I know your vibes will be all the sweeter for it. That's so cute about the cow jokes . . . I wonder if he tells robot jokes for mechanical valves??? Actually, I'm quite clear in my own mind that I want a tissue valve. I know that the percutaneous valves aren't quite there yet for regular use, but I feel confident that, by the time I need a re-replacement, they will be, or at least there'll be substantial improvements of some kind in valves and procedure. The surgeon will have to convince me otherwise, and since the research department he leads is called "Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery," I don't see that happening!

Of course, you're right: what he finds inside trumps whatever I think I want . . . and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Welcoe , you have a GREAT attitude, i really think that helps alot, after watching my son gothru many surgeries and recvoeries. If you're worried about waking up on the vent and not being able to get your wants or questions across, hav who ever will be there with you take a small notbook and something to right with. Even on the vet if you are awake enough to try and communicate, you're usauslly (in our experience- Just ALWAYS wakes up on the vent) awake enough to write if anyone thinks to give you something to write with. It wont be the neatest but understandable .

PS. I agree with your thoughts about the chances of having a percutaneous valve replacement if you choose a tissue now.

 

[misaacka]

Hi and welcome !!!
We definately have one thing in common .....
My date is the 17th too !!!!

Hey VR sister! It's great to know I'll have company, come that special day. Oh, all the running around in preparation. I'm flying out of state for my surgery (leaving Sunday), and my cardiologist's office doesn't seem to have it all together on getting materials to my surgeon, so I'm about to drive over there now to see if I can get a copy of my echo on CD. Had to do that for the cath, as well. Sigh. But I feel better having these things in my own hot little hands than hoping that the records folks remember to send them in time.

You sound pretty cheerful, djteako . . . me, too. Let's try to keep it going!

 

[misaacka]

Welcoe , you have a GREAT attitude, i really think that helps alot, after watching my son gothru many surgeries and recvoeries. If you're worried about waking up on the vent and not being able to get your wants or questions across, hav who ever will be there with you take a small notbook and something to right with. Even on the vet if you are awake enough to try and communicate, you're usauslly (in our experience- Just ALWAYS wakes up on the vent) awake enough to write if anyone thinks to give you something to write with. It wont be the neatest but understandable .

PS. I agree with your thoughts about the chances of having a percutaneous valve replacement if you choose a tissue now.

Hi, Lyn! Thanks so much for the encouraging words and for the suggestion to have someone bring a writing pad and pen. I will definitely do that! (I'm an English professor, so writing is almost more natural to me than talking, heh!)

I'm also very glad that you agree with percutaneous. My cardiologist does, as well . . .

 

[njean]

Wishing you the very best with your upcoming surgery!

Stay calm and focused on what needs to be done so that you can go on with your life!

Also, keep in mind that this forum is made up of survivors and we have all been at the place you are at, and know the mixed emotions you are going through right about now.
I will be thinking and saying a little prayer for you on the 17th!

 

[Lynlw]

Hi, Lyn! Thanks so much for the encouraging words and for the suggestion to have someone bring a writing pad and pen. I will definitely do that! (I'm an English professor, so writing is almost more natural to me than talking, heh!)

I'm also very glad that you agree with percutaneous. My cardiologist does, as well . . .

EEK you're an English professor? you must have cringed alot reading MY posts lol. between typing with 2 fingers and needing surgery on one of those fingers, I can't believe how bad it is when I reread my posts. Just remember to do everything they tell you as far as walking around the floor as ofen as possible and the breathing exercises and you will do well.