Scared!

[KAJ]

Hi Danny,

The members of this site are truly wonderful. They helped me to accept the fact I needed surgery and helped to calm my fears. They are also a great encouragement as I recover.

The heart cath is really not that big of a deal. The hard part for me was trying to keep my right leg still for 5 hours. I just had my AVR replaced and an aortic aneurysm repair at the Univerisity of Alabama Hospital Birmingham on March 16th. I live in Jacksonville, FL. The primary reason my cardiologist sent me there was because of scar tissue from major chest surgery at the age of 22. I am now 47. I tried to keep parts of my body covered but a nurse said "there is no modesty in the hospital."

As far as work is concerned, I agree with Ross. Before I left, I had to train another co-worker my job. He is already swamped with his own stuff and there is only the 2 of us in our office. I also stated I would check my work e-mail from home every day after surgery and try to help out. Boy was I wrong. I check and respond to e-mail every few days if that. I just do not have the physical or mental energy to deal with work stuff as often as I thought I would. Normally I am not the kind to sit around. However, I definitely see the need to rest. Earlier this week, the physical therapist for my cardiac rehab stated: Karl, you must remember, your body may feel like you do more but your heart still needs time to heal." In addition, you will not get much rest in the hospital.

Please do not hesitate to ask questions from me or anyone else in the group.
Keep us posted when you learn your surgery date.

Karl Jaeger

 

[KathyH]

Danny, Just want to add my welcome too! You already got alot of great advice. I just wanted to give you my opinion on the Ativan. It is addictive and since you are taking it without your own prescription, I would get a PCP and tell him about it. If you are taking it three times a day, it is not something you can just stop. Call someone and discuss it with them.
Kathy H

 

[Ross]

Danny, Just want to add my welcome too! You already got alot of great advice. I just wanted to give you my opinion on the Ativan. It is addictive and since you are taking it without your own prescription, I would get a PCP and tell him about it. If you are taking it three times a day, it is not something you can just stop. Call someone and discuss it with them.
Kathy H

Ativan is evil, I'll testify to that! Hospital had me addicted to it and it took almost 8 months to get squared away and detox. Of course I had a wee bit more then you. 2mg continuous IV drip for how many days I do not know, but Oh man, the addiction was hell.

 

[tobagotwo]

It does hang over you like a greasy, clinging cloud. However, you can look at it in the light that now you are going to do something about it. You're going to take away its hold over you, and there's nothing it can do to stop you from taking back control.

As far as work, you may well find there is apt to be some difficulty in concentrating for a while, perhaps due to leftover anesthesia. It's not uncommon.

If you do find yourself able to work, please do three things:

- Make sure you get out and walk a couple of times a day - good, long walks

- Stretch frequently

- Keep your feet up when you're on the keyboard

Besy wishes,

 

[Karlynn]

Danny welcome!
One thing I'd like to mention (others have covered a lot for you) is that you will probably feel much better after you've recovered from your surgery. When slow deterioration of a valve occurs, our bodies are often making small compensations for it that we don't even realize. Many here have come back after recovery and said - wow, I was worse off than I thought before surgery. So try to look on that as a positive.

And get a doctor to prescribe something for anxiety. A doctor not doing so is just cruelty.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Hi Danny,
My job might be comparable to yours -- I get to solve plenty of problems and sort out software bugs. I didnt feel like looking at code for around two months post-op and didnt get back to full speed until 3 months -- but at this point ( 4+ months ) I am able to concentrate better and for longer stretches ( although physical activity still tires me -- but thats probably from being a bit unfit post-op ).
All the best as you prepare for this -- many here to some extent or another understand your feelings and anxiety.
Regards,
Burair

 

[Randy & Robyn]

I can certaiinly sympathize with all of your anxieties, fears and outright terror at the thought of open heart surgery. I am following the same road as you are right now. I have aortic insufficiency and have two consultations with surgeons next week.

I'm sure you have been told how small the risk of major problems with this type of surgery is, especially in people in our age group. I am also aware that it still scares the heck out of us and nothing anyone says is going to change that.

I have learned from others in this forum that, with our condition, it is good to have the surgery while our hearts are in relatively good shape. The only thing I worry about is that I may still be in good enough shape to outrun the doctors and nurses during a last minute escape attempt on the day of my surgery.

Randy

 

[perkicar]

the Great Escape

the Great Escape

I can certaiinly sympathize with all of your anxieties, fears and outright terror at the thought of open heart surgery. I am following the same road as you are right now. I have aortic insufficiency and have two consultations with surgeons next week.
.........
I have learned from others in this forum that, with our condition, it is good to have the surgery while our hearts are in relatively good shape. The only thing I worry about is that I may still be in good enough shape to outrun the doctors and nurses during a last minute escape attempt on the day of my surgery.

Randy

LOL, Randy, I like that idea. Although make sure it's before you're changed into your gown so we're not showing our behinds to the world as we dash through the front door of the hospital! And that our families are there with the car running so we can make a quick getaway.

 

[Ross]

Although make sure it's before you're changed into your gown so we're not showing our behinds to the world as we dash through the front door of the hospital!

Ah but this is where you foil your own plan! If you take off butt naked, most visitors and the general hospital population will turn their heads away and won't be able to identify you as you book. Now Doctors and Nurses, well they see it as common place and it just isn't effective on them. I thought if I ran around on the floor nude, they'd let me go home early. They weren't even the least bit impressed and in fact ignored me.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Ah but this is where you foil your own plan! If you take off butt naked, most visitors and the general hospital population will turn their heads away and won't be able to identify you as you book.

Or they might suffer temporary visual problems from staring too hard at bright objects... either case you get off scott free ... not a stitch of blame

 

[Danny]

My cath is tomorrow

My cath is tomorrow

Hello all,

Tomorrow is my cath. I was feeling pretty good about it until last night when I started to slip back into dread and depression. Silly, I know, but there nonetheless.

I am feeling a little bit better today. I dread it (and dread more what I know is coming soon after) but I just want to get it over.

I go in at 1:00 and the procedure is scheduled for 4:00. I have been told I will be there overnight. I have never had any sort of procedure such as this and I haven't spent a night in a hospital since I had rheumatic fever at age 12. I am so medi-phobic (my own word). What a whimp I am!

I would really appreciate it if any of you could tell me exactly, step-by-step, what to expect before, during and after the cath. It might ease my mind a bit.

Also, do you have any suggestions or advice? What should I take with me? I have downloaded some soothing music to my iPod. Do you think they would let me listen to that during the procedure?

Thanks,
Danny

 

[CCRN]

Hello all,

Tomorrow is my cath. I was feeling pretty good about it until last night when I started to slip back into dread and depression. Silly, I know, but there nonetheless.

I am feeling a little bit better today. I dread it (and dread more what I know is coming soon after) but I just want to get it over.

I go in at 1:00 and the procedure is scheduled for 4:00. I have been told I will be there overnight. I have never had any sort of procedure such as this and I haven't spent a night in a hospital since I had rheumatic fever at age 12. I am so medi-phobic (my own word). What a whimp I am!

I would really appreciate it if any of you could tell me exactly, step-by-step, what to expect before, during and after the cath. It might ease my mind a bit.

Also, do you have any suggestions or advice? What should I take with me? I have downloaded some soothing music to my iPod. Do you think they would let me listen to that during the procedure?

Thanks,
Danny

Danny,

I think you might be pleasantly surprised about the cath. Many people I know find it very interesting and actually watch the procedure on a monitor.

Basically, you're covered and kept warm. Your groin area, usually right, is cleaned off with some red stuff called betadine (might feel cold) and the cardiologist will give you an injection of numbing medicine in the area that will feel sort of like a little sting. After that you might feel a little pressure in the area when he/she inserts an access cath. You might get a warm feeling when the dye is injected but everyone I know denies any significant discomfort during the procedure. At completion, pressure will be applied to the site which is not real comfortable but not considered painful by most and a large dressing will be placed on the area. The thing most people complain about is having to lie without bending the affected extremity for several hours. Most places allow patients to listen to music they bring and I suggest a good book for the post procedure time. Is this the information you were looking for?

 

[marg]

im scared too!!!!

im scared too!!!!

Hello,

I have been lurking here for a couple of days and put off joining because of a silly reason: joining would be another step in accepting as reality what I have been dreading with a sense of doom for years: that I need to have OHS to repair my aortic valve.

I have known for some years that this was coming. I had rheumatic fever when I was 12 (I am 42 now). I discovered to my shock about 6 years ago that I would eventually need to have the valve replaced. I visit my cardiologist every year to get an echo and every year I make myself sick with anxiety a month or two before about whether this will be "the year."

I had finally started to convince myself that I would be OK again this year, but when I visited my cardiologist two weeks ago, he said that my valve had gotten much worse and that I would need to have a cardiac catheterization and would then likely be referred to a surgeon for AVR. I don't think I heard anything he said to me other than that. I felt the blood rush to my head and felt as if I were in some kind of alternate universe. It still doesn't feel real to me. I am still in a state of shock, depression and extreme anxiety.

I felt the anxiety itself would kill me. It's hard to describe, but I think dealing with that is probably worse than the surgery will be. (From what I have read, I know many of you would agree.) My cardiologist wouldn't prescribe anything for the anxiety and I don't currently have a primary care doctor. My mother takes Ativan but doesn't take as much as her prescription, so she insisted that I take small doeses of it rather than let the anxiety stress kill me. I have been taking 1/2 of a 1mg 3 times a day and I think it has helped a bit. I'm not crazy about taking this without doctor's orders, though.

My cath is scheduled for next Tuesday. I have read from so many people here that it's no big deal, but I still can't wrap my mind around it. I am an extremely strong person when it comes to just about anything but when it comes to medical issues I am a total wuss. Even silly things such as knowing my groin will be exposed (I am very modest) freaks me out. I know, everyone says that the modesty thing has to go, but I have been this way for 42 years so it's not so easy for me!

This site has been a godsend! I have spent a lot of time here reading hundreds of posts and they have helped me feel better to some degree. Of course, the thing that makes me feel the best is to just not think about it at all! Denial is my favorite river! I have a hard time thinking about anything else and it is really draining on me and it must be on those around me. I bury myself in work and other projects, but the "dark cloud" is still hovering.

It's so wonderful to find a place where I know others have been through the exact same thing, though I'm still having a difficult time accepting the reality that I really do belong among you! I am still waiting to wake up from the bad dream.

There seems to be so many odeals ahead. I know everyone of you had some degree of anxiety and depression during this time of your life if perhaps not as bad as mine. I would love to hear how you got yourself through this.

Thanks to you all!

my surgery is in 4 days danny so i understand your fear. i'll hang in there if u do

 

[Danny]

my surgery is in 4 days danny so i understand your fear. i'll hang in there if u do

Marg,

I'm rooting for you! I almost envy you because you'll be on the way "down the mountain" while I am still dreading the climb.

Danny

 

[gadgetman]

To Danny, From Danny

Welcome aboard and a lurker no more.

Good luck on your cath tomorrow. As one who as been thru at least three I can say its easy. They are going to give you something to get you in a good mood (and I mean GOOOOOOD Mood ). The room will be cold (I commented that they could hang deer meat in there during my second trip) but you will be quickly covered by warm blankets. They are real good about moving you about while keeping your "equipment" covered (but in the mood you will be in don't think you'll really care ) As CCRN said they will clean your groin area with the cold stuff (usually warned before hand) and you will probably feel a slight sting from the numbing medicine in that area. You may also experience a pressure feeling when they start their trip. The dye always gave me a slight warm rush (again, they will usually warn you) but nothing uncomfortable. It will be over before you know it and the Doc will have the readings he needs to make further judgement. They will place a heavy compress over the groin site to limit bleeding and make you lay flat and not move. They will give you something for the discomfort if you need it (don't be afraid to ask). This will be the time your music and something to read may come in handy (I just took another nap). Your stay in the hospital is probably because of the timing of your cath. I went home after 6 hours during my first, stayed in a hospital overnight for my second (only because we were 100 miles from home and I didn't want any surprises), and went home after about 4 hours on my last. Just consider your overnight stay a "training session" for your upcoming surgery .

Good luck and,

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Nancy]

Last cath Joe had, they closed the wound with a collagen (I think) plug, and he didn't have to lie so still, and no heavy long term compresses. I guess each one is different.

 

[Karlynn]

Danny,
Best wishes on your cath tomorrow. It's not exactly a ride at Disney World, but all in all, not horrible. Just think of it as one of the things you need to do in order to get a wonderful, healthy life back on track.

 

[Danny]

They are going to give you something to get you in a good mood (and I mean GOOOOOOD Mood ).

Danny,

Given the funk I am in, I could really use some "good mood" stuff right now, so I guess at least that's something to look forward to!

Danny

 

[marg]

Marg,

I'm rooting for you! I almost envy you because you'll be on the way "down the mountain" while I am still dreading the climb.

Danny

THANKS FOR THE ROOTING DANNY, SINCE THIS WAS MY FIRST DAY HERE IM GLAD I HEARD A REPLY.GUESS THIS A REAL PLACE TO TALK ABOUT IT IF I COULD JUST FIGURE IT OUT HEHE. THANKS AGAIN AND CHIN UP I ENJOYED WATCHING THE ANGIOGRAM SCREEN KINDA COOL TO SEE YOUR HEART BEATING.
MARG

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The Cath 'table' is hard and flat. I usually ask for a pillow under my knees and a small folded (hand) towel under the small of my back. MUCH more comfortable.

If you are REALLY freaked out, tell the nurse or technicial. When the time comes, they can adjust the amount of VERSED to place you anywhere from "I don't care" to "I don't want to know or remember a thing".

FWIW, I like to watch the monitor to see the catheter weaving around my heart arteries. I lost count after 12 cath's (I didn't want to know which one was #13 )

'AL Capshaw'