Surgery on the 14th and getting nervous!

[nebtargh]

Hey everyone,

I reeeeally could use some positive enforcement here. My surgery is on the 14th, and I must admit I'm getting pretty nervous over here. It's so hard to think positive about all this. I'm trying, but I think I might need a little help. Anyone have last thoughts for me. Another question I have is that while I'm under, does anyone recall dreams or anything like that? Just wondering'

Al

 

[PegB]

Try to relax (easier said than done!). since it will be here and be over before you know it. I heard so many times while I was waiting that "it really isn't so bad". and now from the other side I can honestly say...it really ISN'T so bad! I think being inactive afterwards is the worst part. Very little incisional pain, some sore muscles, and lots of weakness (tiredness).

I was truly hoping to have some sort of "out of body" experience while my heart was on bypass. I thought even a few minutes with my deceased Mom, Dad and brother would be so cool. IF they were around, I don't have any memory of it other than a successful surgery because they were watching over me. The anesthesilogist said it would be impossible to "awaken" during the surgery, since they are monitoring brain activity as well as all your other vitals. All said, it's pretty boring stuff.

Hope you'll feel the calm phase the day of surgery. It's an interesting phenomenom in itself - kind of like you're watching yourself walk into the hospital!

At just six weeks, I was shopping the other day, and felt a little tug in my chest, and wondered what the heck that was, and then I "remembered" that I had OHS last month! You will feel that good.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers on the 14th, and I'll look forward to having you post about your successful surgery.

 

[geebee]

Just try to think of it as a 6-8 week spa vacation after which you will feel so very great. Granted it will hurt more than visiting a spa (unless it is a spa that beats you into shape) but you will come out of it the same way - feeling refreshed, healthier and pampered.

 

[lynn]

Since I'll be in your shoes in a couple weeks, there probably isn't much I can say to help you for the nerves.

I had quite a few surgeries a couple years ago (not heart) and I do know that when they were about to make me start counting backwards I would keep repeating to myself "If God brings you to IT, he will bring you through IT." Of course it's only reassuring if you believe in that kind of thing!

Best wishes to you, and let us know when you are able to whether you had any kind of revelations!

 

[kodi]

The waiting is the worst and the close the more tense. It will be here before you know it and you'll be over the mountain with the rest of us and doing great. If I had any dreams or out-of-body experiences, I don't remember them.

 

[Granbonny]

Al

Al

I ran thru your past posts. confused?..Just where are you(hospital) having your surgery?.....One post mentioned Pa? the other one said, Maryland? Another post said, they are keeping you in a hotel for a week?...and you live in NJ?..why? are they making you stay for a week after your surgery?...Fill me in.. .....You will be just fine after your surgery. Looking at your avatar..you have young kids...and you need to talk to them about..Daddy will not be able to lift you, play with you..for a few weeks. ..My children and their hubby's/wives are around the same age as you..and they both have young kids....and I know..they (grandkids) love to play rough. .Just got home from taking an age 3 and age 5 to Wal-Mart. Lifting them in/out of buggy and chasing them..and I am almost 5 years post-Op. they have lots of energy. Bonnie

 

[Phyllis]

Try and enjoy these last few days before the surgery by doing something special with your family- that will help take your mind off of it. I hope that you will feel the peace of mind that so many refer to as they walk through the hospital doors. Concentrate on the fact that you are going to be home and enjoying the holidays and a bright new year in great health. Best wishes to you!

 

[KAJ]

Al,

We can all relate to what you are going through at this time. A friend of mine at church had an AVR over twenty years ago. He reminded me that "God has has sovereignly placed each person in the OR." When I started to remember that, then it occured to me that since that is the case, their hands are God's hands. It was then that I felt more at ease.

I also encourage you to try and take the time to relax before the surgery. Listen to music you really enjoy, read a book you have been wanting to read for a long time or do anything that helps you to relax. Please do not run yourself ragged trying to get things done before the surgery. Do not be afraid to ask friends and family for help.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers on the 14th.

Karl

 

[susieq14]

Al,
Of course you're nervous - who wouldn't be! - so don't beat yourself up over feeling the way that you do.
I haven't had my valve surgery yet but I did have minor surgery 2 years ago and I have to tell you that you need to try to relax so you 're not so stressed out - I know easier said than done. Think positive about how much healthier you are going to be with your new valve. Try to do something fun that you really enjoy so your brain is not thinking about the surgery.

You will be in my prayers on Tuesday!

Best wishes and positive thoughts to you!

Susie

 

[hensylee]

Nervous is ok. Most in here suffered one or more of the measures in the spectrum - from panic to calm. That's why you are here with us. Sometimes calm taKEs over about one day before surgery or when you walk in the hospital door and realize it's out of your hands now. Wishing you all the best. You know we are with you. GODSPEED!

 

[WayneGM]

Hi Al,

It's pretty much all be said...the best thing to keep your mind off of the surgery is to occupy yourself with something enjoyable. It really isn't that bad and will be over before you know it.

I don't remember a thing between when they told me to start counting backwards and when I woke up. In fact I commented to my wife how wierd it felt as the moment I fell asleep and the moment I woke up seemed to feel like the same moment. Once I got my senses I remember thinking "it's over already?".

Best wishes for the 14th.

 

[KMS]

Thinking of you

Thinking of you

Al -

The posts you've just read are so true. Who was it that sang "the waiting is the hardest part"? It's more true than ever regarding OHS. The couple of days before my surgery were absolutely the worst part of the experience. Just think...in a week you'll be healing and feeling so happy that it's all behind you.

The morning of my surgery, after they wheeled me into the pre-op area, the anesthesiologist came by to spend a couple of minutes with me. I told him two things: 1) "I'm feeling a little anxious this morning and would like you to take the edge off as soon as possible" and 2) "I don't want to remember the breathing tube when I wake up". He said he would do his best and he did. I drifted off before they even wheeled me down the hall and have absolutely no memory of the breathing tube. Wayne stated it so perfectly...I closed my eyes and when I opened them it was over...it really did seem like the same moment.

Today is exactly six months since my surgery and I can honestly say I've never felt better: strong, positive, healthy, "fixed".

We'll be with you in spirit on Tuesday, Al. You're going to do just fine.

Warm regards,

Kristine

 

[Aussie Chris]

All the best

All the best

I found spending some quality time with the family took my mind of the up coming surgery.

I hope you start to feel a calmness that so many of us have experienced in the day before the surgery when most of your questions have been explained by the medical staff. On the day of surgery the premed I had was great as my last recollection of anything prior to waking in ICU was feeling drowsy in the ward with my wife by my side.

I am 3 weeks out from my op and knowing what I know now, I wish I hadn't got as nervous as I did in the weeks leading up to the Op.

I wish you all the best, you will be in my prayers.

Cheers

Chris

 

[Adrienne]

As other people have said, I don't remember anything until I woke up in the ICU. Granted you will be weak after the operation, but it is not as bad as one imagines OHS to be.

 

[Magic8Ball]

I guess i'm too late to offer the same advice of spending quality time with the family beforehand.

I have 3 days off before my surgery and am going to a hotel for a night with the eldest son, having a day trip on the river with kids & parents & going on a picnic the next day with brother & family. Have done numerous other things like this with friends etc over the past few weeks.

I'm not a religious man but i think you can be safe in the knowlege that this type of surgery, although not minor, is a regular occurance and nothing to be worried about...why worry about something you can't change or assist with is my policy.

I'm sure i will be a little jittery on the 19th as i spend my final morning with the kids before going to admission later in the afternoon but reading all of the posts of other people who are doing so well 4 weeks after fills me with peace.

You'll be fine mate, i look at it as the opportunity to spent 10 quality weeks with my kids as i get better rather than spending that time at work

 

[Harrybaby666]

Well Al.....If It's Any Consolation...

Well Al.....If It's Any Consolation...

Hey everyone,

I reeeeally could use some positive enforcement here. My surgery is on the 14th, and I must admit I'm getting pretty nervous over here. It's so hard to think positive about all this. I'm trying, but I think I might need a little help. Anyone have last thoughts for me. Another question I have is that while I'm under, does anyone recall dreams or anything like that? Just wondering'

Al

I may not be going through the same type of surgery as you are, but I am also having surgery on the 14th, and I am as nervous as you are, and I just wanted to let you know that it's ok to be nervous and I also want to wish you nothing but the best for your surgery. The Big "G" upstairs will be looking out for us both....Take Care, Harrybaby

 

[KirstieP]

I remember having the same feelings you are having now before my surgery. I was so scared, everything was so unexpected. I hope that you'll believe me when I say that everything will be okay. I can tell you that right before my surgery my family was wishing me well and there is a good part of that I can't remember because the anesthesiologist was putting me under. I don't remember anything about being in the OR although my family tells me I was awake when they took me in. There weren't any dreams. The next thing I can recall is waking up in ICU. I could hear my family's voices, but I don't remember seeing them. I was writing notes to them since I couldn't speak. I had a breathing tube in. You will feel the incision right away, but there won't be much pain at all. After ICU things were good, I just felt like I was hit by a truck and I dealt with some depression which eventually went away once I could start walking again.
I know this is a frightening experience. I'll have to go through it again for the second time myself, but I truly believe that today's technology and well trained doctors should put us at ease. I wish you well. Try to relax, I know it will be hard. Please let us know how you are doing as soon as you can!
Take care!

 

[CathyK.]

Al - I'm a little late but want you to know I will be praying for you on Tuesday!! Let us know how it all went!

 

[alex c.]

Al, I'm a bit late too, but just wanted you to know I will be praying for you and thanks for bringing up this thread as I will be going in for my double valve replacement on Thurs. morning. Reading everyone's posts has helped me a lot. I've never had surgery so wasn't sure what was in store for me. Hope we can tell each other our experiences.

Alex, aka "Al" also.

 

[marciemarine]

I know how scared I was before the surgery and I kept thinking "Bring in the Stunt Double"! But, luckily I also thought that I could deal with the recovery one minute at a time, but anticipation is worse. You'll do OK. They really make it nearly pain free and soon the bad dream of it will ass. Good luck and hang in there. Marcie