Not anxiety, but. . .

[epstns]

I think I'm getting impatient. My surgery is now just over a week out, Tuesday, March 1. All of the choices and decisions have been made. Now it seems that all there is to do is work the checklist (which meds to stop on which days) and work through the rest of the week. Next Monday I'm at home with family, awaiting the scheduling call for Tuesday morning. I've got my packlist finished, and just need to dump the junk into a small duffel to take to the hospital. This will seem like a looong week.

 

[Greg a]

Steve you are someone we all will want to follow is someone going to give hourly updates here ar are you setting up a careingbridge journal page as otheers have done
GOOD LUCK you have done all your homework and can be at ease with your choices as they are all well researched

 

[jklump]

I'm only 3 days behind you Steve. I've been trying to complete any home repair projects that need finishing up before the trip to the hospital. I was informed this morning of a plumbing leak in one of our sinks! There probably won't be any handyman chores done for a while.
I am going through periods of nervousness and periods of calmness(all within the same hour!) I suppose this is normal. I wonder how I will be next week. I report to the hospital at 8:00 PM on 3/3. I plan on working most of the day before . My brother-in-law is having gastric bypass surgey today. After learing what I have about this, I think I'd rather have OHS!

 

[epstns]

jklump - I'm with you on all the little projects that seem so important before a lengthy period of relative inability. I have been installing some under-cabinet lights, changing blown light bulbs, etc., and today I'll need to clear the sediment out of a faucet aerator for the wife. About the same way at work. I have the corporate tax returns filed, I'm finishing up the February financial statements and have daily tasks off-loaded to a wonderful group of staffers. Lots to do, but not much of it is all THAT important at the moment.

Greg - I will have my daughter keep things up to date here and at another heart-related site I sometimes visit. Probably not so much a blog as just periodic updates. Hopefully this will be a short, uneventful journey.

 

[Kimberly]

Steve,
I have followed your journey here recently and wish you the best!
May your recovery be uneventful and your heart stay strong!!

 

[neil]

steve this is the worst bit,one you had your op you be running after them nurses in no time

 

[ottagal]

Hurry, hurry...wait is what you are dealing with. Hopefully, you will find some other things to keep you occupied so that the week flies by, Steve! Hang in there...

 

[dmeehan]

I'm in the same place Steve. This week is going slowly so far. I did talk to a family friend today who had AVR back in 2001 and he helped calm me down. He reminded me, so I'm reminding you, they give you drugs as soon as you get on the table so the next thing you know, you're in CICU and really thirsty. We can SO do this! jklump, welcome to the first week of March club!

 

[Mentu]

Steve, I wasn't good for much else during that last week so I invited friends over for dinner or just to chat. A week from now it will be past tense. I worried about being able to take the cover off the strainer basket on the pump that moves water for the Koi. I don't think I could have removed it that first week home but by the end of my second week home I could do it without hurting myself. Since you are otherwise healthy now, I think you will be surprised at how fast you can begin doing things. The guidelines are not binary. As each week passes, you will notice you can lift more weight or push or pull with more force. I worried about how long I would be an invalid but it just didn't happen. I bet you will find that while you are home, you can do at least a few of the chores that pop up now and then but probably no ditch digging at first.

Larry

Larry

 

[drivetopless]

Good luck, Steve! Can wait to hear from you on the other side.

 

[epstns]

No ditch diggin? Well, to be brutally honest, I gave that up some years ago. Too many places to hurt after that sort of activity, you know. . .

I'm doing the best I can. Going to work all week, and a busy week it will be -- have to publish monthly financial reports. After that, the weekend is for family. Monday next is overflow and chill day, if I can still swing the chill. Last family dinner is planned for Sunday evening when my daughter and her "significant other" will be up on our end of town. Supper on Monday will be as light as I can tolerate, since I'm scheduled for Tuesday (hopefully AM early) and I don't want to have to deal with a heavy meal soon after getting out of ICU (if you know what I mean. . . ).

It just seems that all of the excitement is over until The Day. No more new revelations. No more decisions to make. Just get through the week and then Be There.

Go Class of 2011!

 

[Duffey]

I'd try to eat some really good meals this week. This surgery really messes up your appetite for a bit. I bet the week will go quicker than you expect.

 

[epstns]

I'm right there with you, Duffey. This week meals are focused on all the "fun foods" that I like, knowing that I may not have much of an appetite and that food may not taste so good for a while after all those magical chemicals. I think Sunday dinner will be at a favorite steak house with the family. Then Monday will just be something light and simple. Saturday is up for grabs. . . fish maybe. All week - home cooking by my lovely wife. I tell folks that I believe she could be a certified gourmet chef, AND she cooks with low fat and low sodium already! Now stop making me hungry, it is almost bed time. . .

 

[Bina]

The countdown begins...............I didn't get the chance for a special "last supper" because the hospital called
me in 2 days early, but it was Thanksgiving monday and we had enjoyed a nice Sunday dinner the evening before.
Cut those toenails short, get a haircut, and jump into the pool with us. You will do great !!!

 

[OldManEmu]

Steve
Having a date is good for the countdown. I didn't know the date until 5 days before scheduled surgery.
Once you have the date I know the impatience to just get it over with.
The waiting is the hardest part, and with the years in the waiting room, waiting shouldn't be too much of a drag.
Trust all goes well on the big day.

 

[Natina13]

23 days here and counting....doing tons of last minute things., so all my ducks are in a row. Set surgery up for March17, as I am part Irish, so thought it might be a lucky day for me. Even bought my Doctor a green headband to wear into surgery, that says "Kiss Me, I'm Irish", to make sure he is smiling and not as tense, as I will be. As the date gets closer, I am suddenly having strange thoughts like....April showers bring May flowers and June... they say June weddings are the most beautiful.... heck, I have not even been able to decide what type of valve I want yet, guess I am too busy trying to think of a good reason to move the surgery further away.
I do love seeing all your posts, knowing it means yours went well. I will be sending nothing but good thoughts and prayers... to all the March Club members , who will soon be on the road to recovery.

 

[Cooker]

Steve, wishing you the best ... I found that keeping busy helped a lot in the days before surgery ... Duffey is right, enjoy some good food ... I suggest banana pudding:biggrin2: ... Godspeed:thumbup:

 

[Bean Counter]

Best of luck to you. Get out there and exercise a little to work off some of the nervous energy.

 

[Nupur]

Steve, will miss you very much in the waiting room, but we are here to cheer your graduation! You are in such great shape I am sure your recovery will be very quick. All the best! Will watch out for your posts down to the wire and then from the other side!