Thank you all

[LisaRose122]

Thank you all that has replied to my other letter/email...not sure what it is called on here.I knew if I could find a group of people that has had Mitral Valve Replacement or that is gonna have it done or any kind of valve replacement that I would get the help I am looking for.The replies I have gotten so far has been wonderful.Here is another of my main concerns/worries....I hate pain and I hate needles!!! I am getting used to the blood tests and IV's....I just hate the thought of being awake and having them put a catherder in my groin again,an IV in my neck and God only knows what else before I get knocked out (can't spell the word of it...anestisia? )....and I just CAN NOT imagine them cracking my chest open.Now my Mom said that her chest never really bothered her after her quadruple bypass,she did have to get some aspircream and rub on it sometimes.My main biggest fear also is....I hate things in my throat!!!! I just can not imagine being on a ventilator and having a tube in my throat and also a tube in my nose!!! and I have never had a bladder catherder....
I know I sound like a whiner and a big baby,but I just can't help it.
Thank you all once again.I hope to chat to alot of ya all soon.My yahoo ID is LisaRose122.
(((HUGS)))
Lisa Duty

 

[Bryan B]

Lisa,

I'll go down the list and tell you what I was aware of as they were doing it:

1.) IV in neck and wrist: awake but totally out of it. Was trying to chat with them as they were preping me but was making absolutely no sense...and I felt no pain.

2.) Getting chest craked open: definitely asleep for that!

3.) Catheter: asleep for that

4.) I was fortunate, no nasal tube

5.) As for the respirator tube, by the time I was awake enough for it to be a concern they took it out.

Pretty much everything they stuck on/in me was done AFTER I was out of it. Once I woke up I was comfortably numb enough where any of the apparatus that were connected to me were not painful. Some of them were uncomfortable coming out, but it was a good uncomfortable since it meant I no longer needed them. Really, once you get into the pre-op area and they start the IV and give you some happy juice, you really won't care what they do to you after that. Once you wake up after surgery (which seems like only minutes later even though it's been several hours) everything is out of your control and you just go with the flow. Most of us were walking 24hrs after surgery and in our own private room. I was admitted on a Wednesday morning for surgery, was in a private room by Thursday morning, and went home on a Sunday morning. I'm not saying it's a walk in the park, but it was far less traumatic than I had envisioned. You will be fine...just get you doc to give you something to calm you down the morning of your surgery. Once the happy juice is flowing it's just a blur and it will be over and you will be back home before you know it.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Lisa,

With all your fears about needles and pain, it is no wonder you freaked out. You MUST tell your Doc's about these fears so they can treat you appropriately, i.e., sedate you for all invasive procedures.

Unfortunately, as a heart patient, you will have to just get used to receiving a lot of sticks and IV's.

I learned the hard way as a child that tightening my muscles only made needle sticks MUCH WORSE. Ever since, I let the target muscle go LIMP, and only allow other muscles to tighten up. I also look away or close my eyes so I don't see the needle coming.

As far as IV's are concerned, I've come to almost prefer to have them in my hands since the veins are so obvious and NOBODY ever misses one of those!

I don't remember having any incision pain from either of my heart surgeries. I did have some muscle discomfort that was best relieved by MASSAGE.

You might also want to consider getting some counciling for your fears. You KNOW what will happen if you don't get the operation and you should know that you have an EXCELLENT chance of continuing to live a full life when you do. When your fear of NOT having the operation exceeds your fear of going through it, you will be ready to accept whatever it takes to survive.

Please do talk with your doctors about your fears and get the help you need to face this life saving procedure.

'AL'

 

[Debrinha GT]

I couldn't agree more!

I couldn't agree more!

Hi there Lisa, I tried to chat with you this afternoon but you never answered.I hope it works one of these days. Well, I don't have much to add to what the others have already said here. The only difference's that instead of looking away, I actually keep looking at what they were doing. I've never really feared the needles and all that stuff, and in order to stay alive, I was willing to do anything I had to. I think that instead of trying to forsee every single step from beginning to end, you must do your best to come to terms with the fact that people like us don't really have much choice, we either do it, or that's it. Sorry if I may sound a little hard on you, but I really want you to work up the courage and face it. We're all here for you and will guide you all the way. Take care and look ahead!
Débora

 

[joy]

Lisa, I have had the swan ganz catheter three times. I was only awake for it once, and that was for when I had Erik. They had to moniter my heart. That was the only time I was awake for that. I didn't like waking up from my OHS, because I was still on the vent and kept gagging. It is hard to do as they say and relax, but for most people, they are off the vent before they even wake up. Just listen to what they tell you to do, and you will heal better.