Recap of who is left in waiting room

[Granbonny]

Hi Katie

Hi Katie

Is the Cardiologist..who will be doing your upcoming cath..the same one who did it before..when you had problems? If so, I know he will be aware of eveything. If not, hope the new Card knows your background..........Usually, the Card who does your cath..will have to find a surgeon for you..I'm sure it would not (surgery) be done right then. Need an appointment.. I met my surgeon after Cath on Thursday and he did it on Monday. Was busy on Friday. Forgot your age..but if you have to take coumadin anyways..go for the mechanical....I'm sure you are aware after your by-pass last Jan..you don't get back into things so quickly..Took me a full year.. Hope you have a supported family for the help at home for first few weeks. If they schedule you soon..you would have gone thru 2 open-heart surgeries within 1 year. This time..maybe you will be home-free. Love your posts and drawings..Bonnie

 

[bvdr]

What an incredible group that is now occupying the waiting room.

Steve, I'm glad we enlarged it when we had the chance. I'm glad you are still watchfully waiting....and doing it here with us.

Kenny, I too avoided anyone who even looked a little under the weather. Why take chances? We will be anxiously awaiting word on how things are going for you.

Nicole, I do so hope you soon get your date and some of this is behind you. I think you will be able to find information about handling the ventilator if you do a quick search on this site but if you have trouble let me know and I'll help you locate it.

John B, I think I would have dreaded the dental work you just had more that the heart surgery and I'm glad it is behind you. I'm glad you've got a date. It makes it easier to organize what needs to be handled.

Carla, again congrats on laying down the cigarettes and working on getting those lungs in top notch shape prior to surgery. I know you are getting 2 new valves...I thought I was too but only ended up with a MVR.

Lorraine, December 11th will be here and gone before you know it...well, maybe it won't. I thought the waiting was the hardest part but time did not stand still and eventually my date arrived and is continually becoming more distant. Anyway, we are here to keep you company in the interim.

Kathy, please bake, bake, bake. I can partake of anything edible over the net without care of sodium, fat, calories, or nutritional content. Make it very decadent!

Steve(fisher), December 5th. I'm glad you did join us pre-op and can spend some more time here before your surgery. When you get all healed up don't forget you waiting room comrades.

Karen, not everyone is up and leaving yet. If you are going to be here for awhile maybe you can help keep track of supplies for Steve. We are so glad you are here with us.

Katie, I'm proud of you getting your reports! Good for you. Sorry it didn't go well but we'll be here while everything gets sorted through and your fix-up is put into motion. I remember what you had gone through with that cath! I will be praying for totally smooth sailing this time.

Enudely, all your music sounds wonderful. Music truly soothes the soul.

Even though I don't respond to many threads, I do read them all with interest and each one of you and your needs is important to me. I wish you all the very very best and am honored to be able to share a part of my life with you.

 

[Nan]

Betty, what a nice idea, to check on everyone!!!

I guess I am also technicaly in the "waiting room" with my mitral valve at "moderately severe" regurgitation and the stenotic aortic St. Judes (surgery was already recommended for that, I have declined).

Our magazines sound interesting! Can we add day time soaps? or Judge Judy?

You are a great bunch of folks.

 

[MarciaB]

Betty,

I've been watching your posts for a while. I'm a North Carolina girl also, grew up in Greenville. I'm in the waiting room also but hopefully not for long - meeting with the surgeon this week. A surgery date must be like a due date, if it passes without the event - shear agony. Nice of you to ask about us.

 

[Bunny_Rabbit]

Oh I'm still here too. Just waiting....and waiting....and waiting some more. I have no idea when I'll ever get out of here. It'd be nice to leave and start living tho.

Elena, I'd prefer the banjo. It's a little more upbeat.

 

[Guest]

*scratches head*

Ya know....

*ponders the possibilities*

I could play my cello for ya'll in the Waiting Room....

*smirks*

Would anyone like that?

 

[mike shields]

I'm also sitting around waiting for AVR surgery, date has been set for Dec.19. I was wondering if everyone works up until there surgery or are they resting at home and taking it easy.

 

[LDS4EVER]

SO MANY OF YOU

SO MANY OF YOU

HI,this is to all of you who are awaiting surgery,you are much more prepared than I was I sure admire all of you for your courage,and interstright,I know that our Father in Heaven will be with you through the whole ordeal ,I think the hardest thing for me was the anticipation of it all ,after the surgery the breathing tube bothered me the most because I began to breathe inbetween the ventilator and the nurse said honey go with the flow dont fight it breathe with it ,i began to get nausa it wont be into long.the one lady said somthing about her pillow they usually give you a pillow that looks like a heart and you will be so greatful you have it for coughing ouch! I was 45 when i had mine and my mom was with me the whole time when i was going to be rolled into the or i held her hand so tight and cried like a baby saying mommy !mommy ! how greatful i was for her being there it still brings tears to my eyes ,depression always follows usually at home thats normal ,remember there is no time limit for all of you to get better you have your own pace take it easy when you get home it is imprtant to not stay in your pjs get dressed hold you head up with your hand if you can do that oh i guess you;ll have the old mans shoffel thts ok too lol i need help with a shower and my friend who had taken care of me for 6 weeks after i got home i said to her help i cant get my cloths off and embarassed to be naked in front of you she said well if you cant be naked in front of your best friend then who can you be naken in front of lol so she striped me and there i was in all my glory ,so ask for help because you deserve it and need it and crying is good to a shower for the soul i always so well i guess ive scared you all im sorry it wasnt my intention i just want you to know what lays ahead dont worry we are here if you need anything nite and day you have our love and support i hope i havnt offended anyone with the way i have worded this .take care and god bless each and everyone chris in ca

 

[epstns]

Wow, I guess I'm not so alone, after all!

Hensylee, I've been here waiting since last December. That's when I found out about my stenosis, and also found this site. Things were sort of scary for a few weeks, but it has settled down a lot since I've read most of the archives here.

Cort, we DID install a lot of improvements in the enlarged waiting room. Don't forget the big projection TV, with the theater sound system. We also enlarged the indoor and rooftop parking area so members would not have to deal with snow or leaves piled on their cars.

I think we just need some more activity in the room -- music, conversation, parties. . . and it IS the season, isn't it (smirk).

 

[Enudely]

Don't worry chris, you haven't offended me, I liked the poet tone of your post!
Well, my sergeon is supposed to be back in town today. I'm expecting a call from my cardiologist this week with some dates to meet the surgeon, get the catheter, and HOPEFULLY, the surgery date!!!! I think I will feel much better when I finally have a date! The uncertainty will ease a bit.
knight fan, we could do a guitar, cello duet!! I'll look around for some sheet music.

 

[MarciaB]

How about adding a mandolin? Those guys "on the other side" can have a basketball team, but it sounds like we've got the band.

 

[Ross]

Re: the waiting room....

Re: the waiting room....

Does it have online access? Hopefully a very fast connection.

Someone told me they were installing a real fat (OC-3) pipe. If this is true, there won't be any more problems with pages loading.

Short for Optical Carrier, used to specify the speed of fiber optic networks conforming to the SONET standard. The table shows the speeds for common OC levels.
OC = Speed
OC-1 = 51.85 Mbps
OC-3 = 155.52 Mbps ********
OC-12 = 622.08 Mbps
OC-24 = 1.244 Gbps
OC-48 = 2.488 Gbps
OC-192=9.952 Gbps

 

[Aunt Granny]

I am still waiting too. I will go in, like I said Dec 3 for the heart cath and then we will talk about surgery after that. Someone @ work told me her mom had to have stens(?) put in & afterwards she felt great. In the back of my mind I think maybe on the 3rd they will do that & then I can put off the surgery for awhile longer? I really think I am dreaming, but Hey it can be really nice where I live, even if the people are pink.
Seriously I am ready for what ever happens. I know that you guies have made this all alot easier. I have been able to inform my family of things because of yall! God Bless you all and everyone have a SAFE and Happy Thanksgiving.
One of these days I need someone to tell me how to put in pictures so that yall can see my baby girl.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

LOL!

It _IS_ the best Waiting Room....ANYWHERE

Steve, I figured all of those improvements were complete by now .

Hmmm....who ordered the Christmas decorations?

 

[Enudely]

Hey, I can play the mandolin too!!! woops, now we need a guitar player.
Aunt Granny, be careful what you ask for, Ross has been painstakingly trying to teach me how to post pictures, it has taken a long time, but I think I've finally figured it out. You all will know what I look like yet!!!
My surgeon is supposed to be back in town today. Expecting a call from the doc any day now. I could cut the tension with a knife.

 

[Susan Allen]

Hi Everyone,
WOW!!!! What anticipation.
I hope my update helps alleviate some.
I had the Ross Procedure on Oct. 23rd. My first post on this site made me look like a crazed maniac way back this last July.
Well I went for an Echo this last Mon. because I had fluid build up in my legs. The card. wrote in giant letters across the report Heart looks great - if I hadn't been told I'd never would have guessed this woman had heart surgery. Well don't you know how much I cried with great relief and happiness. All I take is 1 aspirin and 1/2 of Lopressor (helps regulate heart beat) a day. With the help of a little lasik my fluid is gone and has not returned. Starting back to work next Mon. My point to all this is - you are going through the worst part now. The surgery date comes pretty quickly and like many here can tell you a calm comes over you. Most of all even though your probably the most terrified you've ever been keep a positive attitude even about the vent and chest tubes. Just realize that you will be restrained and have the tube in your mouth - try hard to gain acceptance of it now and then when your time comes and you wake up take in your surroundings then close your eyes and focus on something else - you will soon find you fall back asleep and the next thing you know they are waking you up to take them out - I got this great advice from my surgeon's nurse who's seen may people go through it. This helped me tremendously and I also discovered it helps not to try to swallow.
Chest tubes did not hurt at all. I was given pain medication 1 hour prior to getting them removed - It literally took only seconds for them to be removed and all it is is a weird sensation. Same thing with the heart wires. Just be sure to take all pain medication offered - if you do you will be amazed at how pain free the whole situation can be.
I am in no way making this out to be easy but I was in mass hysteria when all this came about for me. I had to figure out a way to deal and decided my only option was mind over matter and it really helped. I truly now believe if you can get your mind in a positive place the body will follow.
By the way, I did not discover this on my own but had many extensive talks with a great gentleman from this website who called me and really helped me turn this negative into a positive.
I also spoke to a fellow employee's husband who also had the surgery and was really positive about the whole experience.
I hope this helps a little - the wait is truly hell on Earth.
Each one of you will be just fine and we'll have all kinds of great surgery stories to read soon.
God bless one and all
Susan Allen

 

[Luc]

I am waiting also

I am waiting also

Hello All,
Please save a little corner for me in the waiting room.
I am waiting for a second opinion (Jan. 20th) but the first cardiologist said that I am bicuspid, mild to moderate regur. with 62% EF. So I am still in the "let monitor the situation" phase for now. Since the original diagnostic was very different (first echo at 42% with moderate regur) I have decide to see a second cardiologist just to be on the sure side of thing.
I am still reading posts and learning, some are scaring me , but must reassured me. I am suprised how I am getting emotionally involve with the life of people I have never meet!!!!
This is a great place to be, I just do not know if I should wish for a long stay or a short one ? Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences.

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

to Betty and all

to Betty and all

Hi - I've been busy, but I am still in the waiting room, and hopefully will be in here for a long while. My next check-up is summer of 2004, so if there have not been significant changes, I can expect to remain in the waiting room. In fact, I think it needs a new coat of paint, don't you Steve Epstein??!!!

I just read about heart valves being made with patient's own cells - WOW! I'll be happy to wait for that technology. It looks promising. Been used in 23 patients with an ave. age of 44, and they are all doing well. New valves were functioning normally and no signs of calcium build-up. Also shorter recovery than usual for valve-replacement surgery and no postoperative fever.

Yup, I can wait for this!

 

[Ross]

Re: Peggy

Re: Peggy

Where did you read about that? Is it on this site somewhere? If not, should be

Here ya go Katie: http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5346

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi all in the waiting room.....

hi all in the waiting room.....

you know, for a waiting room this seems like kind of a nice place to be.
which one of you said it was the "best waiting room"? looks like it!
hope you are all well while you wait....
oh, by the way, steve, cort, maybe that bed from the lobby would be a nice addition to the waiting room???? relax while you wait??? haha!
take care all, sylvia