surgery closer than I thought

[ccrawford]

Elena - You've gotten some good advise from the gang as usual. I would be sure and talk to your cardio about the pros and cons of your trip. Re returning to work - I'd be willing to bet it will be in the two to three months time frame at minimum. It was about three months before I felt like turning on my keyboard, and I still have a Taylor guitar waiting for me when the mood hits. Hope this helps, Chris

 

[Enudely]

I'm a guitarist\
I just talked to my doctor and he said that If I wanted to, I could do the surgery in Dec or Jan.... He said, Yes, there is a risk of getting sick in Guatemala and it's not the best place to be if that happens. And, though I'm heartbroken (no pun intended!) about it, I really feel like I should get the surgery done and postpone the trip to Guatemala. (Boo hoo sob sob!!)
So, I think I'm going to call the doc and tell him to schedule the catherization, and the surgery for A.S.A.P
YIKES!!!!

I'm already set on getting a comfortable recliner chair. I've heard its hard to lie down for a few weeks post-op. Any other suggestions?
I guess I should move on over to the "Pre-Surgery" forum!!!

 

[Enudely]

Chris, Don't let that Taylor get too lonely!!!
I've decided to take two months off of work, and if that's not enough, I'll just have to tell my boss.
The financial part of that decision is the tough one.....It's not like I have a huge savings acount (it's got 100 dollars in it right now!!) I just graduated from college!! My family can help me out, but I hate to have to put that burden on them. Time to start asking about a concert I guess.

 

[ccrawford]

Elena - Nancy, our archivist, has the magical ability to find the past posts that deal with the topic of "getting ready". I hereby summon her to do her magical tasks. "Nancy alakazam !!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Elena,

The rule of thumb is that it takes 6 weeks for bones to 'mostly heal'. In the case of your sternum, driving is NOT advised for those first 6 weeks although a few do drive LIMITED DISTANCES in light traffic after 4 weeks. Most of us were advised not to lift more than 5 or 10 lbs for the first 6 weeks. For FULL recovery of your sternum (normal weight lifting) count on 3 MONTHS (even at your young age).

'AL'

 

[Karlynn]

My internet was down for 2 days and I feel so behind.

Elena, you've received good advice. I was relieved to read on to find that you've come to the conclusion that Guatemala isn't a good idea pre-surgery. You'll be able to travel for years to come with the comfort in knowing that your heart is healthier.

Get the surgery while you still feel good. Post holiday season is probably a good idea - if your doctor says it's fine to wait. The worse you feel before surgery, the longer recovery time.

So what guitars do you play. I sing in a band with a bunch of Taylor fanatics. But one guy just added a Goodall and a 1958 Gibson J-40 to his collection. I stick to piano and Native American flute.

Best Wishes,
Karlynn

 

[ccrawford]

Ross/ Nancy - We have a problem. The only one of the links that Nancy provided that worked for me was the guided imagery link which is, of cource, external to the site. Ross - did you leave your peanut butter sandwich on the server again ?

 

[Elenas_Brother]

Hey elena

Hey elena

There are internet forums for everything huh -- good too see the good folks here easing your mind and helping you prepare for the upcoming surgery elena ----

im glad that your 'hearing' - do not go to guatemala with a serious heart condition -- and im surpised your doc would not be worried about trip there -- evidently he has not been to guatemala ---- granted, you could go and not have any complication, but then again, you could and end up realizing its not the greatest place to be if your sick --- hehehehehe, god only knows i found that out the hard way......



love yah
matt

 

[Elenas_Brother]

oh and ---


what YOU need to be focusing in on Elena --- staying really happy and healthy before the surgery -- lots of good fresh foods, vitamins --- may i suggest some maitake and reishi mushroom tea to boost immune function?


i will put together a care package of pre-surgery necessities....





matt

 

[Nancy]

I'll try again:

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=400&perpage=30&pagenumber=1

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=794

http://www.guidedimageryinc.com/

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=991

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1691

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3296


They all work for me now, must have something to do with trying to copy and paste them as a whole group. I did it individually. Let me know if it's OK now. I'll delete the other links.

 

[Enudely]

Hey, did you guys see that? My big brother joined up!! I'm so happy!
yes, well you'll all be glad to hear that I've officially postponed the trip to Guatemala and am going to tell the doc to go ahead and schedule the catherization and surgery asap.
I talked to my boyfriends parents and they were very supportive (even though they already have the tickets!!! )
We're going to try and do the doctors note thing and get a refund or post-pone-ment (sp??) on the tickets.
Well, now that its for sure, I'm feeling all sorts of mixed emotions, fear, excitement, relief, nervousness, ....I figure since everyone says this is the worst part, I'd better get it over with soon. Cant wait until the date is really set though!
Karylnn, I happen to be a Martin enthusiast. I played in a band for years where the other guitarist played a Taylor and in was a constant battle/joke as to which was better. The funny thing is, now he has a Martin too (AND he sold his Taylor to get it!!!) !!! HA!!! My big brother matt, (who you all met ) Gave me a D16RGTE for christmas in 2000 and I don't know what I would do without it, its such a great guitar!
WOW! All this guitar talk managed to get my mind off open heart surgery for a whole 2 minutes or so!!! Thanks!!
ps. What exactly is a catherization?? I know it has to do with dye.. but what is the procedure? Does it hurt??!!!

 

[alicia]

Elena, Thanks for listening to all the good advise that you have been given. I wish you luck my friend. You will do well. Its better to go ahead and have the surgery and get it over with. The trip can be taken at another time. Your health is more important to us.
Stay in touch. If you have any questions you can e mail me at
[email protected]

Alicia

 

[Nancy]

OK Elena's big brother--

We have a new name for you and that is "Elena's surgery update poster", for when she has her surgery.

We always like to have a posting right after surgery to let us know how things went, otherwise we all worry. So, guess what? It's YOU.

Glad you joined.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Elena-

The catherization is not a bad test. It's so helpful, shows a great deal about your heart. You will be somewhat sedated, then a tiny tube will be threaded in the artery in your upper thigh area and will end up at your heart. Dye will be injected and this allows the doc to see what's going on there. Afterwards you might have to lie still for a couple of hours to allow the entry site of the catheter to clot up. In some cases they can insert a collagen plug which will seal it sooner. You will be asked to take it easy for a day or so.

Most people find the test not uncomfortable at all, just possibly funny feeling. The dye feels like they injected you with a martini. The lying still part seems to be the most annoying part. Some people sleep through it, and some have stayed awake to look at the monitor so they can see their heart on the monitor.

Joe's had several.

I'm sure others will be along soon to give you first hand accounts.

You'll be fine.

 

[Karlynn]

Big Brother is watching!

Big Brother is watching!

Elena,
I love the fact that your big brother joined the forum - so nice to have a protective big brother, not to mention one that gives you awesome guitars!

Keep your positive attitude. You'll do just fine. There's lots of good posts that will give you excellent advice on how to prepare for surgery and what you might expect. The more informed you make yourself, the more secure you'll feel.

Karlynn

PS - we used to have a Martin player in our band - but we kicked him out. No, just kidding, he moved away.

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Elena,

Sounds like you are moving right along with surgery. You are doing yourself a BIG favor by moving up the date. As your doctor said, it might be a year or two before your body requires surgery. . .but a year or two of waiting is psychological h*ll. Even four months becomes a long time (just ask Christine L!) when you start thinking things like . . ."Is my heart going to make it. . .? Will it blow out in the next couple of weeks. . .?" It takes a strong mind to overcome these thoughts.

As for the benefit concert - sound like a great idea to me. Friends set up a beneficiary account for me when I came down with endocarditis, and it took the edge off my financial situation, and allowed me to focus on the surgery and recovery. A real blessing!

Keep us posted!

Melissa

 

[bvdr]

Hi Elena,

I'm glad you are going ahead with things a bit sooner. Having surgery in front of you is like having a heavy cloud hanging there all the time. It's hard to make plans (as you have already experienced) and it feels like your life has been put on hold.

Catherizations are very very routine and not as complicated as they were years ago. The techniques have been improved and the catheters are not only smaller in diameter, they are also more flexible.

I wouldn't say it is painful but you can have some bruising in your groin and thigh for a bit and some soreness at the insertion site.

When they inject contrast medium they will tell you ahead of time and it feels like a warmth entering your body and then spreading to every little corner. When it reaches your bladder you may feel like you have wet the table but don't worry, you didn't. If you are chilly before the contrast is injected it feels like you are being wrapped in a nice warm blanket right out of a warm dryer.

You probably won't be asleep so you can talk to your doctor and ask questions when you want. If you are uncomfortable at all then let him know and he can fix that.

It is nice to have your brother here. Heart surgery affects the whole family and it's great to have family support.

Let us know when you get a date and in the meantime keep reading.

 

[Kathy]

Elena,

I was diagnosed with MVP in June "02 and told to see the card. a year later. In June '03 the card told me I would need surgery in a few months. We had planned trips to NY and NC and I asked him if I should go. He didn't feel it was a problem.

While in NY state, one week after seeing the card., I experienced symptoms and was hospitalized for a possible heart attack. Whoa! Here I had planned to be treated at the Cleveland Clinic and I was in this tiny hospital with a strange cardiologist and a real lack of trust. They never did find out what happened to me, just medicated me and sent me back to Ohio. Three weeks later I was having surgery.

Needless to say, I am glad to hear that you have decided the trip to Guatemala!

 

[Georgia]

Cardiac Cath Option II

Cardiac Cath Option II

On the other hand, you can be put totally out for the procedure (as I was, because I was more scared of the cath than the open heart surgery). So consider that if this is something that really gives you the willies.

 

[Karlynn]

Georgia, me TOO! Said I'd rather have OHS again before a cath. I realize that is really a wacky way to think, but I hated the cath and don't remember the OHS. Now that I've said that, I'll find out I need to have a cath done. My brother-in-law said I acted like I'd won a caribean trip when I found out I was finally able to have surgery.

FYI for those having their first cath - most people aren't bothered by it and can't feel much.

Karlynn