Thank You For The Good Wishes

[Harmony]

Thank you all for the good wishes and comments. So Friday they operate. I sit here and think. Its not that I am really afraid of surgery probably terrified. Four years ago I found out my MVP with regurg which was nice and peaceful did not bother me would have to be repaired or replaced. Okay now I am told the regurg is 4+, I have pulmonary hyp, decreased wall motion in my heart also known as global hypokiness, Left Ventricle EDD is up to 6.0. My blood pressure is great about 115/70. My cholesterol is very good. My HDL is 106. I had a irregular heart beat one day. This happened 2 weeks after my 6 month check up. I never felt anything. I took my BP one day and the irregular heart on the monitor was displaying. Never saw this before. Called my Cardio he said come over NOW. Did a holter test and a angiogram. The irregular beat that I never felt was gone in 2 or three days. What I want to know is I have very few symptoms, never had afib, no sob. I do get tired but I am past 60. Why am I having open heart surgery when I dont feel sick. I know I will feel awful after surgery . I am just trying to figure out things not complaining. I am sure most of say why me as I know I do.

 

[WayneGM]

I was asympotomatic, too, but damage was being done to my heart on the "inside" despite the fact I felt fine. The heart murmur that gave my GP the head's up to the problem came out of nowhere as I have a physical every year and it wasn't there...then one year it was. Next thing I know, I'm having heart surgery. I have no regrets about having the surgery as now my heart chambers and walls are back to normal size. I used to ask myself "why me" but then figured out there's no answer so accepted it and moved on. Just look ahead at how this will extend/improve your life in the long run.

Best wishes for a successful surgery and smooth, speedy, recovery.

 

[Adrienne]

You are having OHS to avoid getting to the point where you feel awful forever! You will be happy when it is over!

 

[netmiff]

Echo what Adrienne just said, and also to let you live a lONG life . . . even if you are not symptomatic (I wasn't) but my surgeon really didn't want me walking around this world with a heart that could explode any second!

I know, the thought of OHS is awful, but life is really, really good on this side of the mountain, and it is not as bad as you think.

Just think, in week, you'll be chomping at the bit to get home!

 

[ponytaila1a]

Harmony.....I have put it off many times and then am full of regret. I could be "repaired" now rather than worrying about going into A-fib. My regurg is the same 4++++
My docs tell me that I should "make plans". I have a date....."on hold" but not until April. I too have no symptoms....good #'s.....and some tightening in my chest. I am tired....also over 60.......but like you cannot imagine why I want to go in feeling "fine" and take those risks. We both need more encouragement from these great members on this site. Are you truly "a go" for Friday??? 1/9/2009 ???

 

[Phyllis]

Harmony, your fear is normal and I pray you have the strength to face this on Friday. You will be back here before you know it- stronger, much healthier and thrilled to be telling us all about it! Godspeed.

 

[Jkm7]

Thank you all for the good wishes and comments. So Friday they operate. I sit here and think. Its not that I am really afraid of surgery probably terrified. Four years ago I found out my MVP with regurg which was nice and peaceful did not bother me would have to be repaired or replaced. Okay now I am told the regurg is 4+, I have pulmonary hyp, decreased wall motion in my heart also known as global hypokiness, Left Ventricle EDD is up to 6.0. My blood pressure is great about 115/70. My cholesterol is very good. My HDL is 106. I had a irregular heart beat one day. This happened 2 weeks after my 6 month check up. I never felt anything. I took my BP one day and the irregular heart on the monitor was displaying. Never saw this before. Called my Cardio he said come over NOW. Did a holter test and a angiogram. The irregular beat that I never felt was gone in 2 or three days. What I want to know is I have very few symptoms, never had afib, no sob. I do get tired but I am past 60. Why am I having open heart surgery when I dont feel sick. I know I will feel awful after surgery . I am just trying to figure out things not complaining. I am sure most of say why me as I know I do.

My answer to Why Me is "Why Not Me? "
More of us than not went into surgery feeling well. That is a plus and usually makes for easier & faster recovery than to wait until badly debilitated.

Again, Good Luck, Harmony. Hope all goes very smoothly for you.

 

[marie]

Harmony,
I had AVR 11 months ago and I was 66 at the time.

I got through it and so will you.

Good luck and keep us posted
Earline

 

[aussiemember]

Harmony,

Just wanted to say I totally understand where you are coming from. I also have MVP with severe regurg. and will be having my surgery in March. The hardest thing for me will be walking in to have this surgery with no symptoms and going from feeling really healthy to major surgery. The one thing that has really helped me is reading other stories on here of people that have gone through the same thing and are now fully recovered and feeling great. I will be thinking of you and praying for you on Friday. Godspeed!!! Jeanne

 

[Guest]

Good luck on Friday Harmony. You'll be fine. Better to get fixed now while you are healthy and strong, before too much damage is done to your heart.

 

[cp172]

I too felt great but was told I needed MV repair/replacement in January 2007. The fear and wait before surgery is the hard part.After surgery it will be all up to you to recover. It will not be as bad as you think. The pain medicine will take care of any discomfort.I found that getting the surgery behind me was a great relief. Best of luck to all those in the waiting room!

 

[sparklette77]

Good luck Harmony and best wishes for a speedy and uneventful surgery. Don't worry about being asymptomatic or not, it sounds like after your recovery you will be better than ever. I wish I had my operation while I was still asymptomatic because maybe the a-fib, sob, enlargement of my left ventricle etc would never have happened. Believe me, you don't want to have to get to that point. Plus supposedly the success rate and long term survival of those patients that get their mitral valve repaired while asymptomatic is really great. Try to look at this as a wonderful thing for you because you will get to bypass all those quality of life issues that many others go through.

 

[Freddie]

Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and a bump free recovery.
Prayers coming your way my friend.

 

[Harmony]

ponytaila1a

ponytaila1a

ponytaila1a I am a go for Friday the 9th. I have been thinking a lot about this. Eventualy the valve will have to be fixed. If I wait it will just get worse and then be harder to repair if it can be repaired. The first time I ever heard of Mitral Valve was 1996. I had the flu or something worse.I had bad sob and palps all the time I never had this before and was terrified. My PCP tried to find me a Cardio to see but as it was 1 or 2 weeks before Christrma was difficult. A friend who worked in a large hospital found one that specializes in valves. Had no clue to what she was talking about. He described Mitral Valve to me I thought I had gone bonkers. I remember he wrote on a paper Very mild prolapse and regurg. Well things have really changed. I never really had any symptoms. For which I am grateful. 2 1/2 years ago while walking on the sidewalk a car hit me and tossed me probably 10 to 15 feet in the air. I had many broken bones was in hosoital 2 weeks 3 months in a rehab and was in a wheel chair for 6 months. My Cardio came to visit me and could not believe what he saw. Black and Blue from head to foot and many broken bones. He said if you survive this you can survive anything. 2 doctors told me I will never walk again. Well I walk I went for therapy every day and I survived and I walk. Still trying to get back into my high heel sandals, guess that will take longer

 

[abbanabba]

Hi Harmony... will be thinking of you on Friday. And hey - if you got through that car accident, the OHS will be a piece of cake! I'm 4 weeks out as of tomorrow and aside from a little discomfort and tiredness, I'm already getting back to a lot of "normal" things.

Meanwhile, after living with moderate to severe sypmtoms for the 5 years before my surgery, I can tell you it was far worse than the surgery itself! There's nothing quite so disheartning as living in a constant state of limbo, unable to work, or socialise or be yourself for half a decade!! I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Who knows, once you're recovered, you might even find you have a whole new stash of energy you never dreamed of!!

Hang in there. Sending best wishes you way...


A x

 

[DebbyA]

A lot of us who thought we didn't have symptoms recognize them in retrospect when they disappear after surgery.
I remember some of your feelings, telling my PCP that I hoped I would have symptoms because it would be so hard to have such a drastic surgery when I felt OK--it was a case of 'be careful what you wish for'...

I look forward to your post about how much easier this is than being hit by a car!

 

[Dale]

Hi Harmony, I know how you feel because I don't have many symptoms either -- just tiredness.
I am having surgery soon and I am trying to put a lid on my emotions. I keep busy busy busy which helps. I also have a Guided Imagery tape I am listening to.

And holey moley -- you survived the accident and surpassed doctors predictions then. Recovering from OHS sounds much easier than what you have already been through. You will be glad to get it over with.

(This is a good time to do it really because you will miss the rotten weather and maybe when you walk for exercise you can practise on your high heels......)

Sending prayers and wishing you all the best,

 

[hensylee]

wishing you well on Friday. GODSPEED!

 

[Harmony]

I am getting very very anxious

I am getting very very anxious

I am very anxious. I do not understand what having Pulmonary Hypertension has to do with fixing my mitral valve. For some reason I never thought about this. till a litlle while ago. I would like to know if fixing my mitral valve will help or make my PH worse. I have called my doctor but he does not seem to be around.So please tell what one has to do with the other. I need an answer

 

[Ross]

I am very anxious. I do not understand what having Pulmonary Hypertension has to do with fixing my mitral valve. For some reason I never thought about this. till a litlle while ago. I would like to know if fixing my mitral valve will help or make my PH worse. I have called my doctor but he does not seem to be around.So please tell what one has to do with the other. I need an answer

None of us can say yes or no, but it darn sure would help improve your heart if it were fixed. leaving it be as is, is causing more and more damage and will become irreversible soon enough. You do not want to wait that long or you'll end up with lifetime problems unnecessarily.