surgery date changed to Oct. 18th

[twoboysdad]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that my surgeon had to change my surgery date from the 15th of October to the 18th.

Basically it means the following monday from the friday it was supposed to be. SO no big deal. However the waiting is killing me and Michelle (my wife). I know its just the weekend in between the old date and the new one but it feels like the just extended it 2 months out!

Going crazy here! But I think I will take advantage of one more weekend to get things done.

Hope everyone is doing great here at VR.com!

Thanks
Jeff

 

[Debrinha GT]

Not easy!

Not easy!

Hi Jeff, a few members here have had this problem and felt the same way as you are now. But don't worry about it, everything has a reason and waiting these two extra days might be better because, at least here in Brazil, hospitals are busier at the beginning of a week and doctors are around more. When Friday arrives, everybody's dying to go home for a good rest. So, if you take that into consideration, you'll see that you're probably better off waiting a little longer. I'm feeling a llittle aprehensive myself just now because of my appointment with my surgeon tomorrow afternoon. As I've told you before, I've already been through 3 replacements and there's a fourth one on its way. I've even started a thread about it a few days ago. I know I won't hear him say that everything is perfect, but I do hope I don't need to do it again right now yet. Take care and keep in touch.
Débora

 

[tobagotwo]

Delays are hard. I only got bumped to "second" the morning of the surgery, so I didn't have more days to think about it, only hours. Funny, by the time you're there, you're so ready, you just don't react as much to it.

Jeff, you're going to have a long time after the surgery to get all those things done. I know somewhere in the darker part of my mind, I had a vision of my wife or son looking at some broken handle or unfinished guy project, and saying, "Yeah, dad never did finish that." I had a flurry of finishing projects and looking for ways to do something constructive before the surgery, too. I think most of us go through that. Busy also means less time to go crazy while waiting.

Now I have lots more projects, and somewhat less desire to do them. I have noted, however, that the things I most remember from the weeks before the surgery were a couple of days I took with my son and some trips I took with my wife, all away from the house. That was a much better thing to hold on to than a repaired stair tread.

It gave me a chance to let go of all the tension, too, which I didn't think I could. Most of the last weeks I had spent my nights listening to my heart go into Ginger Baker solos, rather than sleeping. I was surprised how calm I became when I was looking out over the ocean and all the "little stuff" went into perspective for a while.

I hope you have a chance to experience some of that calm. It was eerie and surreal in a way, but beautiful and accepting in another.

Best wishes,

 

[Ross]

Personally I think your better off. I wouldn't want anyone touching me on a Friday and leaving me at risk over the weekend with the short handed ICU.

 

[Glenda]

I agree with Ross. Usually hospitals are short-handed on week-ends. Monday's are the best time to have surgery. I had my ARV on a Wedneseay which wasn't bad either but I was still there on the week-end and I didn't get the care that I did during the week. Besides if you have it on a Monday, with luck you will get to go home Friday. The waiting is the hard part but once it's over and you are on the other side of the mountain, it will be all worth it. Relax and enjoy your family and count your blessings.

 

[twoboysdad]

Thanks Débora,

I will be praying for you for you upcoming doc. visit.
On of the things that has been on my mind is the fact that there will be another operation in my future as the tissue valves dont last forever. In fact there may be more than one in the future. Just praying that the medical professionals make advancements over time that will help all of us avoid re-ops in the future.

Jeff

 

[doberman]

I agree the waiting was the hardest part, but as the others said you are probably better off on the Monday. I am 7weeks post-op today and I can tell you the days and weeks have gone by quick. I went through the same thoughts that you are having, I think everyone does. You will have lots of time after to get caught up with projects around the house after your surgery.
Best JD

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I agree with the others, it is better to have surgery early in the week. My WORST experience in a hospital was having a bone repair on a Thursday. The nursing staff was no where near that on the Heart Floors and was absolute abominable on the weekend. NO ONE would call the surgeon when I was having a problem which was addressed (inadequately) by a resident. NO WAY would I have surgery on a Friday!

BTW, I sent a Private Message to your wife about talking with your Primary Care Physician for help in dealing with the Pre-surgery Stress and Anxiety. I suspect he/she could help you both to cope with this difficult time. It might also help your kids deal with this big unknown.

'AL'

 

[Kelly Luisi]

Jeff - It's Kelly! Got your post last night..... and know you are disappointed!
I think it is a GOD thing though, he is trying to protect you and make sure you have the best care possible! I postponed my own surgery when I was 15 with a mystery fever.... no one could figure it out. I just presented a fever the night before surgery, they tried to break it... but ended up sending home the next day for two weeks until they could fit me back on to the surgery schedule! I was bummed! Then a week later I found out that the surgeon had a prior obligation the date of my original surgery and that he would have had to leave me on the operating table to perhaps less compitant hands to finish my surgery! I realized at that very moment how GOD works. There is a purpose to this, you may never learn why? Just go with it, and realize that the 18th is going to be a GREAT day! Mondays are very busy and active in the hospitals!
Spend the last weekend not doing fix it jobs around the house...... but doing what is most important to you! What makes you the happiest in life, what is your passion? You probably have to look no further than that beautiful wife of yours and those amazing boys! Spend your time with those BLESSINGS!
Not fixing things that you think need to get done. Trust me you will be back to finish all those things. And if GOD has another plan for you Jeff, let your family remember the TIME dad spent with them having FUN, not making the house perfect before surgery!
Hey, Happy Anniversary to you and Michelle! Go celebrate each and every one of those years. Make plans for the future 9 years of marriage!
This is a very tough time in your life Jeff, and Michelle too! You will come out of this a much stronger man, and a much stronger couple! Your boys will be better off for this too, seeing you do this for them!
I, too realize that this valve I am getting in 6 days won't last forever....
but look at the advances they have made in the last 19 years! Things are only going to continue to take off with medical advancements! In another 10-15 years they will probably do non-invasive OHS through a TINY cathader or something! Yes having another surgery scares the @*#! out of me... but this is my life! We are going to be fine!

As I face these last 6 days before surgery, I know exactly how you feel Jeff.
This wait is so hard! I am going to try and just chill and enjoy the things that mean the most to me! My beautiful boys, my husband, my parents and my friends! Make it a celebration! I am praying for you an Michelle!

Kelly

 

[twoboysdad]

Thanks Kelly and everyone,

As always your support is greatly appreciated. Yes we will plan on something fun to do from now till then. You all have been great!

Kelly, Good luck and we will be praying for you as well. Keep in touch as it gets closer and as soon as you can afterwards. I might be in before you can post after your surgery buy ill keep my eyes open for news!

Jeff