The Calm before the storm.

[KathyH]

I am feeling pretty calm considering that I will be leaving for Boston early Tuesday. I have my preop testing at 9:30. I get admitted Wednesday for the cardiac cath and then the Big Day. Maybe I feel calm because I have been too busy to think about it.I have been spending time with friends and family, it seems like everyone is stopping by.

Monday nite the whole family is going out to dinner for our daughters 21st birthday and maybe it will hit me after that. I know that I will be a nervous wreck Thursday am.
I will show my daughter how to post so she will be able to get word to you. Thank you all for all your support. Especially, thanks Ross, if you hadn't told me straight out "What was I waiting for, who knows what would have happened.
Kathy H

 

[xtremlee]

Hey Kathy Im with you on that .
I did a 10 am to 12 baseball practice then I went an hour away with 8 people to take my boy and his boy to Motocross practice. We just walked in the door. I thought I would be wiped out but Im not. Of course then I said do I need surgery. Hmmm Well of course I do. Just stayed real busy today.
April Fools days a comin

 

[Guest]

Here I go again...breaking another "rule" of mine...lol.

That rule is not posting to the very first thing I read. Why? Because then I get sidetracked and don't necessarily read all of the other new posts...LOL.

But, a rule breakage is happening because your post, KathyH, just screamed to me: post! post! post!

I'm not kidding.

*pauses for effect*

Alrighty.

Yes, it will hit you then. I can just about guarantee it.

I remember the last weekend before my surgery I was somewhat uptight, yet calm at the same time. That felt weird and I can't fully describe it, but I have a feeling you know what I mean. Several friends and family members stopped by the house, 2 of my closer friends spent nearly the entire weekend at the house, and I tried to "party" as much as I possibly could. I also attended church and had an annointing service that Sunday right before my surgery.

I was extraordinarily calm at lunch on Sunday after church...and then again during the annointing service. It was late that Sunday night, when my sister, my sis's bf, my friend and I were all sitting in the living room watching whatever was on TV and gabbing, etc., that it hit me that, in a few hours, I'd be in surgery.

*sighs*

Seems like only yesterday, but it was a year and 3 months ago or so...LOL.

KathyH, enjoy your daughter's birthday dinner! And, good luck!

Cort, "Mr Road Trip"/"The Uniter", 30swm w/pig valve & pacemaker
member & newsletter editor, Faith COB = http://www.faithcob.org
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[Glenda]

Kathy, you will be in my prayers. I know you will do great. Please have someone post for you so we will know how you are doing.

 

[Bryan B]

Kathy and Lee,

I hope you have the same experience that I did. Something or someone took over for me the last 48 hours. Things just happened. I just put one foot in front of the other and before you know it, it was all over and I was waking up from the surgery. I thought I'd be nervous the pre-op day and I thought I'd be a basket case the morning of the surgery. That simply didn't materialize. Please don't hesitate to ask any last minute questions and get someone to post for you if possible. We will be doing a lot of pacing in the waiting room waiting to hear how you are doing.

 

[punkin32180]

hang in there Kathy we ware all praying for you.. I know you will do just fine... you are a strong woman... Good Luck.. make sure you daughter keeps us updated... God Bless!!!!!!!

Jaque

 

[SJJ]

Kathy,
No matter how we feel as we approach the big event, we all seem to engage in some kind of countdown. I was totally excited to have it almost behind me and relaxed and calm as the day approached, right up to being wheeled off on the gurney. I'd paid my fear and loathing dues earlier in the process, mind you, and that is something few, if any of us, escape. However your personal scenario plays out, just remember that we'll be with you in spirit for the duration. I'll want to give you one last cyber hug before you take off but in the meantime, enjoy your family and these glorious Spring days!
Sue

 

[Kathy]

Kathy,

I hope you remain calm and keep busy for the next two days. I'll be saying prayers for you.

 

[Raverlaw]

Kathy (and Lee, too!)

You both sound like you will do just fine. For me, the key was staying busy with normal things until it was time for surgery. You will both be in the hospital for a day or two before the surgery, so the experience will be a little different for you.

Relax and let the professionals at the hospital take care of you - that's their job, and they're GOOD at it.

Know that we're all praying for you and sending good thoughts your way. Please have someone post for you while you're in the hospital if you can. We don't want you to go off for surgery like Lisa and leave us all wondering what's going on!

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi kathy and lee!
i remember joey feeling calmer as "the day" got closer. it was almost as if he felt like the time had come, give up all control and just go with it and trust the doc. i, however, was a basket case!!
please know that you will both be in our thoughts and prayers and we look forward to hearing how it all went.
be well, sylvia

 

[George DiMundo]

Kathy and Lee,
This is a big week for both of you. As the others have said, try to relax and put yourselves in the hands of the experts. You will find it is a relief that the surgery day is now here. Next week at this time you will have it all behind you and will be getting up and around with your new or repaired valves. We'll keep you in our thoughts.

 

[Marge]

Like Joey, I became amazingly calm just before the surgery. I really think you attain a sort of out-of-the-body feeling at that point .... Like Sylvia says, it is a matter of giving up control and trusting (hard to do but what's the alternative). What kept me sane was thinking PAST the surgery ... not "in a week... or a day ... or in (so many) hours I'll be in surgery," but "next week I'll be home."

Kathy, I think you'll do fine ... how can you not when you know all of us are pulling for you.

 

[KathyH]

Thanks everyone. Reading all your posts I realize that next week at this time I will have been there, done that and will be over the mountain, like many of you. What would I have done without all of you? I probably would have been committed somewhere by now.
Kathy H

 

[Nancy]

Hi Kathy-

Everything will be fine. You're doing just great keeping busy. You're right, this time next week, they'll be trying to figure out how soon to kick you out.

I'm glad someone will be posting for you.

Take care and God bless.

 

[sassycat]

Best Wishes, Maybe I'll see you

Best Wishes, Maybe I'll see you

Kathy,
Comfort and health to you. You are in terrific, competent hands.
I have my final post-op surgical evaluation with Dr. Cohn on Wednesday
(My 8 week post-op check-up)
Maybe I'll pass you in the hallways! Small world.

I am actually at my families-my Mother passed away Friday
and I am sure am glad I have this new and improved heart valve-
I'm going to need it. It feels a bit ironic that my Mom passed away
after I healed my heart....

Cannot wait until I hear about your experience. It will be a truly
wonderful, life-altering event.

Warmest regards, Virginia

 

[hensylee]

You are nearly there - I think the inevitability of the surgery finally lends some peace close to the time of the date of it. It is nice to be able to hand the burden to someone else and let it be carried by them - I wish you well, you are in my prayers, and we await a post saying 'all's well'.

GODSPEED!

 

[jenlynn72]

Kathy,

Good Luck to you!! I will be thinking of you and waiting anxiously to hear that everything went well. Like you said, in a week it will be "been there, done that!" Won't that be a glorious feeling!!

Like I told Lee, time to let go and let God! You will do great.

 

[Karlynn]

Kathy,
"You go girl!" and get the license plate of the truck! I hear there might even be a reward for it.

You will be in my prayers.

 

[Christina L]

Kathy,

God bless you as you embark on your own personal journey of heart surgery. There are so many things regarding the surgery that are universal for everyone going through it, but it still is very unique to each heart patient.

I can't say I was calm before the surgery, just kind of in disbelief, I guess.

You are going to be fine - you really are. Just put one foot in front of the other, mind the doctors and nurses, and take it easy post surgery.

I will be thinking of you and praying for you.

Christina L.

 

[bvdr]

Kathy,

I know this is probably a very strange day for you but this day will pass and tomorrow will as well. I will be watching for news of you. I wish you well and please know that you will be in my prayers that God will hold you in His arms and be in charge of everything that is going on around you..