Newbie...Having AVR this coming Tuesday

[Kahunaz]

Hi All..

Hello to everyone...I sure am glad I found this site. I am a 41 yr. old male with a "Very" tight bicuspid aortic valve. I've known bout the defect for several years...shortness of breath and the usual fluid retention issues made me seek a cardiologist for his assessment...YIKES he says we need to do it NOW and replace an enlarged part of the aorta. I am very obese which I know complicates things further...(5'7" and around 400lbs.)...I had a gastric procedure and was 135-140 heavier..But I am going to be operated on at Loyola University Hospital in Maywood Illinois..(supposed to be a great place for this type of thing)..

The surgeon says recovery time may be longer because of the size issue...but he's done people that were larger and in worse general health...and they did fine.

I guess I'm just having all kinds of anxioty issues right now..and looking for some re-assurance from those who have "been there"

God Bless everyone.

Thanks so much for at least having a place for me to vent.

Carmen

 

[Mary]

Carmen,
I'm glad you found the site before your surgery. You'll get plenty of reassurance from those that have had valve replacement along with a big heaping dose of encouragement from those of us in the waiting room.

The gang will be around in a little bit to extend their greetings. In the meantime,

 

[geebee]

Carmen,
Welcome to this great website.
It sounds like you have a knowledgable surgeon who has explained everything to you. I am sure you will find much improvement after surgery. Once you have your valve fixed, you will have more energy to continue on the weight loss path you have bravely started. Also, you are obviously no stranger to major surgery having gone through the by-pass.
I can tell you are well on the way to make sure the rest of your life stays wonderful.
I salute your endeavors and I wish you well. I will pray for an easy and speedy recovery.
Please let us know how your surgery goes. Now that you are a member, we will worry about you and want to be updated.
Take care.

 

[Eowyn Rose]

Welcome Carmen

Tuesday is a great day to have an operation I had my AVR surgery on a tuesday too. I would not worry about your size. Once you have the operation you will be able to move easier. Not a heart stopping you from walking. it might take longer to get better but there is no race to the finish line. Take care i will think and pray for you this tuesday.
By for now
Ewoyn Rose

 

[Kahunaz]

Thanks everyone..

It's indeed comforting to know that there are people that care enough to keep something like this going for the benefit of other "scared-ie cats" like me!!

I do not fear the pain..and am indeed looking forward to the "much better" quality of life.....I just wanted some feedback about making it thru the operation with my size. The Dr. said not to worry..but you know how that goes..

Thanks again!!

Carmen

 

[Ross]

Hi Carmen and welcome

It will be rough, that is a given. Nonetheless, you should do fine. I would expect your recovery is going to take a while longer then most, but only God can truly determine that. If you have any other questions, fire away.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Carmen! There are quite a few of us in the Chicago area. I'm not knowledgable about how weight issues play in to the operation, but I would trust what your doctor says. ALL of us here had 2 choices - have the operation and increase your chance of living, or - don't have the operation and die. We all took the first choice.

Do you have anyone that can post for you and let us know how your surgery goes? We all wait anxiously to for news of our members having their big day.

Best wishes. I just put you on the calendar.

 

[Kahunaz]

Well Folks... the Dr' was pretty honest with me. He said the operation itself will probably take an hour or so longer because of the obesity, it takes longer to..."open & close".

I have been on coumadin and Lanoxin for years so I guess I'll go "mechanical" as far as the valve goes. But according to the Doc..(I don't know how large a heart valve is supposed to be)...but the Dr. says that the opening of my current valve is the size of a "pin"...yep..a pin..

Carmen

 

[gadgetman]

Carmen,

Welcome aboard and vent all you want. Of course with your surgery only two days away you won't have much time (unless you can get an internet hook-up in ICU). You've got a lot of folks on this site that will pass prayers and good thoughts your way. You are not alone in this.

We have a lady (she writes a "gossip" column for the local paper) that had the gastric procedure during the summer of last year. She had complications (bleeding and such) but has come thru it with a loss of over 85 pounds so far. As some have already said, we get only two choices when the valve(s) goes South. The second choice doesn't leave much future.

I have my first follow-up with my Doc on Tuesday after my surgery on Jan 21. Hope he says things are going along great. I feel real good. I can now walk without having to stop to get my breath. Keep us posted on your progress and recovery. We'll be here.

Danny

 

[FredH]

Good Luck Kahunaz

Good Luck Kahunaz

Carmen,
Good luck. Do you have someone who can keep us informed of your progress while you are in surgery and recovering? When is your surgery?

Fred

 

[Kahunaz]

Yes I do..I will have my lil' bro post a few times as to my progress(I hope) and thanks again for the well wishes

Carmen

 

[Kahunaz]

Well folks....Thanks for the warm, well wishes..It does mean alot to know that people do care for others AFTER their immediate crisis is over. I hope to be welcome as a member here as a supporter to others.

I will have my brother post a short note or 2 on my progress until I can come back and say "Hi" myself...hopefully telling you all how good I feel.

I'm just so nervous I find it difficult to breathe.

God Bless everyone!

Carmen

 

[Mary]

You'll do fine! (Easy for me to say, since I'm still waiting!)
Please remind your brother to post so we know you've made it through the hard part, then we'll be waiting for you to come back and tell us your experience.
Good luck and God Speed.
Mary

 

[RCB]

Thinking of you

Thinking of you

Hi All..

..But I am going to be operated on at Loyola University Hospital in Maywood Illinois..(supposed to be a great place for this type of thing)..

It is a great place and I'll be on 294 tomorrow driving to see a friend in Schaumburg. When I take the road to 290, I'll be sure to think of you.
Your going to be fine and home very soon. We will be waiting to hear from you.

 

[tobagotwo]

It is a scary thing to approach, but gets so much better on the other side.

You will be in my thoughts tomorrow. Do well.

Best wishes,

 

[Kahunaz]

**Update**..........kind of...

Hi Folks....yes it is me....Carmen....Well...to make a long day...and a long story short. I'M HOME..I and the most patient, loving, beautiful, caring understanding wife, got up at 3:30am to make sure we were at Loyola before 5:30. With my mind racing a mile a minute...we got there early!!!

Started what seemed to be the "normal" pre-op type thing, they even shaved my chest and was ready to go....then after what seemed to be an endless waiting period the Dr'z assistant came in with the "good news, bad news" thing...Good news was they were saving someones life this morning....BAD.....not MINE..(That was supposed to be funny)....anyway....I got **BUMPED** for a double Lung transplant..as bad as I felt because I was "mentally ready" to do this thing. I felt bad for the person needing the lung transplant....and the fate of the doner.......and now I have to wait 9 more days..

One word sums it up..... ****UHGGGG****

Just thought I'd drop a line to all...

Thanks!!

Carmen

 

[Kay]

Bummer!

Bummer!

Mentally prepared, up at 3:30 AM, shaved chest...and then no surgery? That's terrible! I can't believe you have to wait 9 more days! Why not tomorrow?

My AVR was 11 weeks ago today and I was so ready for it when the time came that I would have gone crazy had it been put off! I'm so sorry you're having to wait those extra days.

My valve was very tight too, but not as tight as yours, and I can tell you that the difference you will feel after your surgery will be amazing. You've forgotten what it feels like, if in fact you ever knew, to have blood pumping through your body as God designed it to. I have so much energy now and am exercising more and actually enjoying it. Before I was so short of breath I nearly passed out. Weight loss is MUCH easier with a working heart!

You're in my prayers for a successful surgery and smooth recovery and a new start to a brand new life. You've already taken a major step with the bypass surgery. My sister had it in September and she is looking tall, thin and gorgeous now, but anyone who thinks that is losing weight the easy way is sorely mistaken. I could NEVER do it. I mean NEVER. My hat's off to you!

I'll be so eager to follow your progress. It's going to be exciting to see your new life unfold before our eyes.

God bless you,

Kay

 

[Mary]

Oh Carmen!
We've had members who experienced last minute postponements, and I didn't envy them at all.
Having said that, I would make the most of the next nine days.
Mary

 

[geebee]

Carmen,
I know surgeries get postponed but I can't believe they are making you wait another 9 days. Seems a little mean. However, I guess it's a bit dangerous to argue with people who are going to cut your chest open .
I suppose you can try and think of the time as an unexpected "vacation" and spend the extra time with your family. I hope the wait is not too difficult for you.
Let us know how you're doing.

 

[Toronto Guy]

**Update**..........kind of...

I'M HOME......and now I have to wait 9 more days..

Carmen

Hi Carmen

Stay cool and stay positive

Looking forward to hearing good things from you on the other side

In a few months, this interlude won't amount to much more than a blip in your memory

I speak from recent experience

Be well

Phil