Surgery on February 22 ... with extra problem

[Allisoninoz]

I met my surgeon, Peter Skillington, in Melbourne, this morning. We discussed my bicuspid valve and also the fact that an angiogram I had last week revealed a rare congenital condition - a missing right coronary artery. He thinks my body has coped very well with this over the years but it will need to be rectified in surgery. He is leaning towards a mechanical valve but is considering a Ross Procedure - either of which would be ok with me. He wants me to have an exercise stress echo on Jan 17 to reveal just how much oxygen my heart is getting/missing and he will go from there. We go back to see him again on January 20.
And, all being, well, I'm first cab of the rank on February 22 at the Epworth in Melbourne.
My husband and I spent more than an hour talking with him and he was great with his explanations. But I'm still absolutely overwhelmed that this is actually going to happen.
He said the valve replacements are simple surgeries from a 'mechanical perspective' but the missing artery makes things a 'bit more complicated' but nothing he couldn't handle.
Skillington said I'd definitely feel like I'd been hit by a bus initially but recovery would come reasonably quickly after that and I'd be walking up stairs before I left hospital and walking 20 mins a day within a couple of weeks. He sounded positive so I suppose I have to be too... :eek2:
So, now the countdown begins ...

 

[Greg a]

I met my surgeon, Peter Skillington, in Melbourne, this morning. We discussed my bicuspid valve and also the fact that an angiogram I had last week revealed a rare congenital condition - a missing right coronary artery. He thinks my body has coped very well with this over the years but it will need to be rectified in surgery. He is leaning towards a mechanical valve but is considering a Ross Procedure - either of which would be ok with me. He wants me to have an exercise stress echo on Jan 17 to reveal just how much oxygen my heart is getting/missing and he will go from there. We go back to see him again on January 20.
And, all being, well, I'm first cab of the rank on February 22 at the Epworth in Melbourne.
My husband and I spent more than an hour talking with him and he was great with his explanations. But I'm still absolutely overwhelmed that this is actually going to happen.
He said the valve replacements are simple surgeries from a 'mechanical perspective' but the missing artery makes things a 'bit more complicated' but nothing he couldn't handle.
Skillington said I'd definitely feel like I'd been hit by a bus initially but recovery would come reasonably quickly after that and I'd be walking up stairs before I left hospital and walking 20 mins a day within a couple of weeks. He sounded positive so I suppose I have to be too... :eek2:
So, now the countdown begins ...

I have added this to the VR calendar

Your surgeon sounds skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate




.

 

[buncle]

Feeling overwhelmed is normal.It will get better as time goes by.Take a dep breath and go at it one step at a time.You will do just fine.

 

[Mentu]

Welcome, Allison, I certainly remember a year and a half ago the shock of learning that I needed surgery soon. I found myself waiting for the telephone call from my cardiologist saying that there had been a mistake. It felt surreal. Soon after, I found myself getting angry that this was happening to me. That only lasted for a few days but the VR community here helped me through it. You have plenty of time to get ready and although it may seem difficult to consider it right now, you are probably going to find that the actual experience of surgery and recovery will go far better than you expect. It sounds as though you have a surgeon in whom you have confidence; that is important for your own pease of mind. Take care, Allison, and let us know if you have questions. Take care.

Larry

 

[Johan]

My final wait, after meeting with the surgeon, and surgery was about 6 months. So I had it coming for a long time and still felt that everything was getting too much the last couple of weeks, as if it was not happening to me. My wife said I was strangely detached and not connecting with the family the way she thought a person facing this kind of surgery should. She didn't realise that I was terrified and trying to be brave!

So we know how you feel and it is alright to be afraid, to be confused. But you will feel so much better afterwards that it is all 100% worth it.. ..

 

[Lily]

Best wishes, Allison

Maybe this describes your unusual situation, if you want to read some about it: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1130136 and this: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/107/16/e105

 

[OldManEmu]

Overwhelmed is a not unusual way to feel especially now you have met the surgeon and are on your way to surgery, up until this time it can feel a bit like a dream.
Just as well the coronary condition was picked up presurgery.
The next two months will pass quickly, and if you are fit and healthy going in to surgery you should be the same coming out.

 

[njean]

Wishing you the very best with your upcoming surgery, Allison! I pray all goes well for you!!!