still seems like a dream

[Blake777]

Hello, I'm back to talk to my friends. I havn't been feeling well and the blood pressure medicine is doing a number on me. My doctor said he doesn't think it is the medicine, meaning, I guess I'm getting worse. When I take it I have a hard time beathing and just really tired but only when I walk, then sometimes it doesn't bother me. I'm having a little bit of chest pain with it also. Had another TEE last week and it is now from Moderate to Severe to Severe. It still feels like a dream and I really wish I could wake up. My doctors appointment is tommorrow and I know he's gonna want to schedule surgery. I know I have to have it, it's just all to scary. I know I need to snap out of it and fast. But I just can't get a grip on this. I don't think these surgeons do mitral valve surgery here in OK., just coronery artery surgeries. I asked my doctor and he said there was one good heart surgeon in the hospital I will be going to. Should I go out of state? Anybody from OK., or had mitral valve surgery here? Still battling the Insurance thing, but hope everything will work out some how. How bad is it after surgery? or are you pretty much out of it? Please don't hold back. Thanks

 

[Nancy]

Everyone who's had to have this surgery, feels just about the same as you are feeling right now. It's a very normal reaction.

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. That in itself is stressful.

Don't know anything about OK and surgeons there.

My husband has had 3 valve surgeries, and 2 lung surgeries. The recovery is about the same for both, except that lung surgery is more painful for a longer period of time (according to Joe).

After surgery your pain will be controlled very well. For the first couple of days, you'll be drifting in and out of it. And probably on the third day or even the second, they will have you up sitting in a chair and may have you taking a couple of steps. By day 4 or 5 they will be talking about sending you home. So the hospital stay is pretty short amazingly.

You'll be sore for about 6-8 weeks, but it will get better each day. Many people are surprised that it isn't as painful as they had imagined.

I'm sure you will do just fne.

Best wishes.

 

[medtronic of borg]

finding the right dr.

finding the right dr.

If you are in a small town I'd be looking for a largeer one near by to go to. But ask the surg. if he /her has done one. If so are they still here today? ASK ASK ASk!!!!

Med

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Blake

As Nancy just said what you're going through is a VERY normal reaction. You will get past it. I think if I've learned anything at all from Tyce's surgery, I've definitely learned that a person goes through three or four stages with heart problems, just the same as with cancer diagnosis.....as stated by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

Right now you are scared to death and are not at all sure where or what you should go and do. Trust me, my friend, everything will sort itself out. Just a word of advice---go to a surgeon/center where they perform many. I'm from NY, so I surely don't know of any centers in OK....ask your Cardio who he would let do the surgery to him. If he can't come up with someone, find someone whose opinion you value and make an appointment.

Remember, waiting too long isn't good either....

I wish for you the very best.

Evelyn

 

[Blake777]

Reassured once again

Reassured once again

Thank you all again. It seems like whenever I write here I am full of confidence and when I leave I get scared again. So I will keep on writing until you all get sick of my posts. I am blessed to have you all here for me. I have been praying a lot and know I have someone else very special on my side. And he has guided me to this site, I'm sure of it. I live in Oklahoma City, which is a pretty big town and when my cardiologist said there was a surgeon that could perform this surgery, he seemed pretty confident. So I'll put it in the Lord's hands. But I will keep asking questions, questions, questions. One more thing. Do you always have a catherization before surgery and isn't it a very delicate procedure? I think that's what it is called.

Thanks again !

 

[Ross]

Most people do have a cath, but not always. Sometimes there is enough evidence gathered that a cath isn't necessary. Delicate procedure? Not that I've experienced. Sure they have to be careful, but I don't think I'd say it's delicate. You don't feel anything, but waiting on your back afterwards is the pits. I found it difficult to just lay in one position for 6 hours.

 

[Bryan B]

I'm 43, and if it weren't for the fact that I smoked for 20 years I wouldn't be getting a cath before surgery. My surgeon had all the information he needed from the echo. Buuutttt, since I'm over 40 AND smoked all those years he wants my coronary arteries checked before the surgery.

Blake, this is the 4th cath for me. Granted it's been awhile since I had one, but they are no big deal. Ross is right, the worst part is having to lie still afterwards. My cardio is using a plug, so I think I only have to lie around for a couple of hours. I understand your fears, as do most of us I'm sure. Just take one step at a time and you will get through this. I'm the poster child for whining and venting about going through this, and I'm here to listen and help where I can if you need to do the same.

 

[Guest]

Blake,

Even though I've gone through 3 surgeries, I still understand the "still seems like a dream" phenomenon. Heck, even looking _back_ on the surgeries, they seem like a dream.

Best thing to do is to relax. Period. I know...easier said than done, but it is best to stay as relaxed as possible .

No, you don't need to snap out of it fast. You should give yourself time to come to grips with the situation. We all handle this differently. No right or wrong way exists.

As for after surgery, it really isn't all that bad. Some issues can arise, yes, but as I'm sure others will tell you (if they haven't already) the waiting is the hardest part.....


*turns to Bryan*

I noticed (in another post) that you are in Nashville TN...that's my favorite city . Good luck with your procedures, too.

Cort, "Mr Road Trip"/"The Uniter", 30swm w/pig valve & pacemaker
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[Karlynn]

Blake,
You will be fine. Surgery is going to improve your life. It will take a while to recover, but once you do, you'll not regret having had it done. Be patient with your recovery process. You will have pain and discomfort for a while, but I'm just about 100% certain you will feel so much better.

Keep the faith!

 

[Bryan B]

Thanks Knightfan!

I'm having my cath at Centennial in N'ville, but having the surgery at Duke. I lived in NC for most of my life and still consider it home, but N'ville is a cool city with lots to do and the people are pretty friendly here. Let me know if you come for a visit and maybe we can hook up for lunch or dinner.

 

[catwoman]

Blake:

Where in OK do you live? Tulsa, Norman and OK City should have some pretty good-sized hospitals.

And you have lots of company in that "I must be having a nightmare" train of thought. We've all thought that at one time or another. And those thoughts pass.

The heart cath was quite interesting, better than watching TV. I was amazed that I had no pain from it.

 

[Missy]

I have never had mitral valve surgery in Ok. ( I had my replacement in Tucson) but my son had back surgery in Midwest City and Ok City saved my daughter in law when she was flown in there from southeast Ok from complications delivering.
I lived in Ok for years and my son still lives there. When he was in the hospital I remember seeing a very nice heart center there.
I thought Ok City was noted for some of it's heart surgeons! I think they probably have as good as any other hospital unless we are talking Cleveland or such. But not all of us got to go to those places. When I had my sugery I was hoping I had made a good choice in Tucson. So I think the nervousness and worrying is normal. I even had to inspect my surgeons hands. I wanted to see the hands that was going to do that to me. Silly, huh?
Good luck!

 

[Blake777]

Again thank you all for your replys. It makes this thing seem so much easier. I had a partial hysterectomy in 1996 and was scared to death of that also, but it all got better. I know this is a lot more major and a lot more scary but with you guys helping me cope I believe I will be fine.

*Catwoman* I live in Oklahoma City and yes they do have big hospitals. I will be having mine at one of the OU hospitals here, won't know which one until tommorrow. We have a heart hospital on the other side of the city, but my doctors are not with them and I don't have Insurance. I'm trying to get disabilty to start my medicare. So I guess I have no choice but to go to whoever wants me.

*Bryan* I smoked for 25yrs but quit two years ago, so I guess I will have a cath.

Does anyone know what aortic root and aorta are mildly atherosclerotic means?

Also, what is : "Inspiratory collaspe is present."

If mitral valve is redundent and thickened, does that mean no repair?

Thanks



Keeping the Faith !

 

[hensylee]

my bro in law lives in Ok City (Norman area) had quint bypass four yrs ago - emergency type. They did a good job for him. I had mine about the same time and I think he got a better job than I did. So, there's somebody in your city who is a good heart surgeon - valve surgeon may be a whole other matter.

Scared? this is part of the whole thing. Wouldn't be natural if you weren't, but we all got through it even with fear and you will, too. Hang in and come on by when you feel the need to get it off your chest. Everybody here can relate.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Blake,

You sound pretty normal for someone who has been told they will need Heart Surgery.

You can find a LOT of personal experiences in the Post-Surgery Forum and the STORIES section (see the main pain links).

Heart Cath? NO BIG DEAL although I remember being scared out of my mind before my first one (of MANY).

'AL'

 

[Lisa]

Blake, the waiting is hard! It is scary with a capital S!

Just hang in there. It seems that we all have good days and bad days. One day your thoughts and emotions are bubbling near the surface and then the next day perhaps you've buried all thoughts of open heart surgery. It's pretty normal. I can't speak of the actual surgery itself because I haven't been through it yet; however, I have two family members that have and generally speaking you feel much better after the surgery.

As far as the cath, it really isn't a big deal. As a matter of fact I only had to lie flat for 2 hours afterwards before they let me get up and walk a few steps. And once the nurse saw that I could walk they let me go home. BUT I did get nauseous from the anesthesia. They brought something to drink after they moved me from the cath lab back to my room. That was not a good idea. They also offered to bring me something to eat (my cath was done at lunch time) and food was not at all appealing. Of course, each of us is different...but that was my experience.

I found this forum in December and have found this group of people to be very compassionate. Vent all you want. We'll listen.

 

[catwoman]

Blake:

I assume that almost everyone who has heart surgery undergoes a heart cath first -- smokers and nonsmokers. I'm a nonsmoker -- never even lit up to see what smoking is like.

The heart cath helped my doctors grade the regurgitation. I kept hearing 3-plus, 3-plus while they were doing the cath. Later that day, the surgeon told me it mean the regurgitation was 3+.
Another reason for the doing heart cath is to determine any other damage to the heart that might entail additional procedures once surgeons get in. You wouldn't want them to work on the valve, get out and then find out you need a bypass.

OK City does have some very good hospitals and I'm sure all of them do mitral valve surgery.

Keep us posted on your situation.

 

[Glenda]

Hi Blake, I know just what you are going through. I will find out in May when my surgery date is. (aorta valve replacement) Probably sometime in June. Am I scared? You bet, even though I have had numerous surgeries, this one seems to be the most serious. I have several strikes against me this time. I'm overweight, have diabetes and was diagosed in June with CML (chronic myloid leukemia.)

I have had several caths. The only problem I had is that I am a free bleeder and they had a hard time getting the bleeding to stop. The only pain was the doctor pushing down on the entry hole. I thought he was trying to push right through my groin area. Bummer! And, then laying still for over six hours. It was supposed to be an out-patient thing but I had to stay over night because of the bleeding.

I have a very strong faith in God and I know His arms are around me all the time. But I am still human and have all these scary thoughts going through my mind. Let's keep in touch and give each other courage to fight this journey. God has brought me through two other cancers besides the CML so I know He'll bring me this too.

I know that God lead me to this website. People here have answered so many questions for me. I don't post much but I read all the postings everyday.

 

[Georgia]

An option is to be putout for the heart cath. I was mored scared of it than the ohs (shows how stupid I was), and was such a mess they put me under and I didn't wake up until the "lying still" phase was over. Piece of cake. If you're scared, tell the doc - they don't want you to be quaking from now until surgery.

Feel free to vent - it's a heck of a scary time for you; we've all been there and frankly are glad to be over the mountain.

 

[Marge]

Blake, you asked: << If mitral valve is redundent and thickened, does that mean no repair?>> I don't know what "redundant" means in connection with mitral valves, but I do know that having a thickened mitral valve doesn't rule out getting a repair. I had a mitral valve repair just last month and before the surgery my surgeon told me my CTscan showed that the valve was thickened, but I got my repair anyway.

Of course you're scared and I won't tell you not to be scared of the surgery itself -- everybody is scared. If they say they're not, I think they're kidding themselves. And this is a great place to share your fears, as I have found out. But I will tell you not to worry too much about the catheterization! I was very nervous about the cath -- but it turned out to be pretty easy. They give you a sedative ahead of time (or at least they did where I had it done) so you are quite calm during the procedure. They don't want you to be completely knocked out 'cause they want you to be awake enough to respond if they ask you to breathe deeply or cough, or something, during the procedure. The procedure itself is quite painless. They anesthetize the groin area so you do not feel the catheter going in (I felt a slight sting when they injected the anesthetic.) You feel a quick warm rush from the dye going in and that is about all you feel during the procedure. The worst things I remember are that the cath lab is VERY cold (ask for a blanket ahead of time) and they shave your groin area, so the prickliness as the hair grows back in is annoying. As some people have said, having to lie on your back for several hours (six in my case) during the recovery period is a bummer; but I was able to sleep part of the time from the sedatives. You can't read because you have to lie flat on your back. I had my iPod so I was able to listen to music.