Something I forgot . . . and good luck

[Georgia]

Sorry - we have so many people going for surgery this week, that I wanted to mention something for pre-op preparations.

I was really upset and scared by the noise and stuff I heard in cardiac ICU. Perhaps this was because (1) of the physical arrangement in my hospital; and (2) I was in there an extra day due to lack of rooms in CPU. Further, there's no tv or radio in our icu. I had my hubby bring a dvd player with good earphones and Mozart. Really relaxed me and let me zone.

Just a suggestion that improved a period of time that doesn't need any more stress.

And I want to wish the very best for JoAnn, JetService and Susan W. JetService and Susan, the mountain beckons - may it turn out to be a molehill and the truck miss you altogether. Our prayers and thoughts will be with all three of you.

Please have someone post to let us know how you do.

 

[Nancy]

I second the motion for very best wishes for JoAnn, JetService and Susan W.

Bon Voyage folks, and smooth sailing. Please have someone post for you 'cause we'll all be waiting to hear.

God Bless and may you all have the very best possible surgical result!

Talk to you later.

 

[fyrfytr]

I third the motion, and hope that you all come out of this with flying colors and that it gives you and your family members Joy & Relief that everything is OK.
I hope that you find that when it is over you are like so many of us and say to yourself, why was I so scared this was not all that bad!
To all of you, you and your families are in my thoughts and prayers.
Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Dave
__________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[Ross]

The same goes for me folks. It's been great talking with you about all of this (Well Joann knows, she's been this route before) and now it's your turn to charge the mountain. We'll see you on the other side. Good Journey to all of you.

 

[sylviayasgur]

me too!
wishing you all the best. we look forward to hearing how you are all doing.
you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
be well, sylvia

 

[hensylee]

My prayers are with you. GODSPEED!

 

[Guest]

I was thinking we had a few headed up the mountain this week!

Best wishes to you all, JoAnn, JetService & Susan W. as you head up the mountain!

We'll be waiting here for you on the other side.

 

[bvdr]

More prayers for the three of you coming from North Carolina. Please do have someone post for you as we all we be waiting here to hear.

 

[Luc]

Georgia
What a great idea, thank you for sharing it with us. Mozart ,Bach or Monteverdi will always bring someone out of themselves and into a safe familiar place. All my positive energies and prayers will be this week group. Bon voyage.

 

[Granbonny]

Good luck to all

Good luck to all

Who will be having their surgery this week You will be fine. Just remember we are all here for you and please have someone to post..asap..Ross gets nervous Bonnie

 

[pillarpaul]

A prayer and godspeed for all of you from here, too. Keep thinking of the other side. I'm six months down that mountain and I feel better than I have in years. Enjoy the ride down.

Paul

 

[Susan BAV]

Thanks, all! And best wishes to JoAnn and JetService also; hope all goes well with you both! I have high hopes that I will feel much better, in due time. I feel fairly prepared for this whole thing and reading so many threads and posts reminded me of a lot of things that I had forgotten about my surgery 24 years ago. And I've learned a lot of new things too!

I clearly remember, however, the first time I stumbled across Valvereplacement.com, some months ago, and read the stories of how some bicuspid people felt before and after their surgeries; it was extremely enlightening to me and, as I once told Hank, this site MAY have saved my life (or contributed to the extension of my life). Apologies if that sounds melodramatic but I'm pretty sure there are others on this site who feel similarly. The extreme lack of energy that has slowly consumed me was not described as a symptom in any of the bicuspid literature I researched. It wasn't until I read first-hand experiences on this site, that I recognized the source of my nearly perpetual exhaustion. That alone does not mean anything necessarily, of course, but with the echo results, it was clear that I needed a second opinion. (The first opinion was for me to come back in a year or so for another echo.) And when the second-fourth opinions were "surgery," well, I'll be having the valve replaced 3-4 months before that first doctor's opinion of a "year's wait" is finished.

I know my story is nothing compared to some. But I am so appreciative that Hank founded this site and that you all contribute to it (and that I found it)!

Thank you, everyone, and best wishes, ~Susan

P.S. I don't really feel like I'm about to descend the mountain because I can hardly walk, even a flat track, without angina, let alone, get up a lousy incline! I feel like I've been wandering through a desert... lost, exhausted, dehydrated, and I finally see the oasis in the distance. There are just a few mean kicking camels between me and the clear pool of sweet lifesaving water and I mean to get by them...

 

[hensylee]

Susan, we let some of us RIDE in the truck instead of get hit by it when they have trouble trekking up the mountain. You have been awarded a special seat inside the truck - a four-wheel drive one. It will get you up there quicker - and safer.

 

[JetService]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes and prayers. And here's to a perfect and speedy recover to JoAnn and Susan as well! Today is my last day until the climb and I kind of regret getting things in order so fast. I have nothing left to do today but dwell! LOL! I did call the denist office this morning because I remember during my last appointment about 2 months ago, the dentist said I had a shadow under one of my teeth that usually represents an infection. They said since it wasn't causing me any problems, they'd just watch it on the Xray and see if it was increasing. I called to ask them if I was OK to go forward with the surgery and they said it would be fine and to just tell the nurses about it and make sure I take antibios when I get it fixed later. Then I had to finalize some disability paperwork and drive to the office. So I'm all done. Had a big huge breakfast with the wife and now its just time to look forward to feeling better and giving my heart some must needed relief. But just to make things interesting, the last few days, I've gotton a cough that, well....felt like I was getting a cold. But only one or two coughs in the morning. I'm thinking, "Oh geez, now I'm getting sick." But hopefully its nothing. I'll be sure to let the nurse know. Also, doing some last minute research, I read I should stop aspirin 2 weeks before surgery. I haven't. But I went into pre-registration testing yesterday and told the nurse I was taking 325mg of aspirin every morning per doctor's orders and she didn't say anything. So I guess its OK. I didn't take one this morning though. So all that's left is to call the hospital today after 3pm to get my official time. Hopefully all my blood work is OK and the surgery can go forward! I'm ready!

 

[MelissaM]

JetService -

Best wishes as you head into surgery and MAKE SURE they know about your possible dental infection!!!! This can be a source of bacterial endocarditis, especially post surgery. Having had this condition, I can tell you it is NO FUN and could possibly lead to more surgery down the line.

In fact, my surgeon made me get a letter from the dentist saying that I had seen him in the past three months and I was clear from any signs of an oral infection.

I don't mean to be an alarmist here, but please make sure your cardiologist, surgeon, nurses, etc, know about your tooth, and ask about being put on antibiotics post-surgery as a precaution. Even though I was a year out from my endocarditis, they STILL put me on antibiotics post-surgery, just to be on the safe side.

*jumps off soap box*

Now, have a great surgery and we'll see you on the other side!

Melissa

 

[Christina L]

To Jet Service and others who are having their surgery this week, I will be thinking of you and praying for those surgeons of yours to be in top form and that you will come down off that mountain very quickly, with a soft landing, and ready to hit the trail for home!

God be gracious and kind to you, and uphold you with His hand.

Chris