Three days to surgery!

[Kay]

Well, exactly three days from this hour I'll be headed for the OR for my aortic valve replacement. Thanks to vr.com and the incredibly awesome people I've met through this forum, I can happily say I'm ready for it.

Before finding this forum, I was close to a panic attack every time I even thought about what I was facing. The difference vr.com has made in the whole process of preparing for surgery, both mentally and physically, is profound.

I am ready to get it over with, and am quite surprised myself at how calm I am these last few days. Of course that may be a whole new story by Tuesday morning! But I don't think so. I truly am prepared and ready.

Thanks to all the vr.com family for your caring and support. You've made an enormous difference in my life in just a few short weeks.

God bless each of you!

 

[Karlynn]

Kay, I know everything is going to go just fine for you. It's a big week for you. We'll look forward to hearing the good news.

 

[Ross]

Kay you know what, it never does get any easier. No matter how many times you go through this, it's the same old feelings all over again. Not trying to scare you by suggesting you'll have more ops, but for those of us who have, we know all too well what it's like.

Good luck to you and we'll see you on the otherside of the mountain when your done. Please have someone post on your behalf so people like me don't go nuts worrying!

 

[countryboy]

Good Luck

Good Luck

You know my prayers are with you on Tuesday. I will remind you one more time, Dr. Ryan is VERY VERY good!! The staff at Presby will take wonderful care of you (remember the foot rubs in ICU). Do you remember where the ice cream is--first room east of the nurses office in the freezer.
I know you will be fine--tell the folks at Presby I said hello and am doing great.
My wife and I will have you in our prayers--prayers do work--that's is where that calm peaceful feeling comes from.

God Bless,

Bobby

 

[Phyllis]

Best wishes Kay for a complete and trouble free recovery. Hope you can have someone post for you as we will be anxiously awaiting to hear of your success.

 

[geebee]

Everyone seems to have a calm come over them a few days before surgery so my guess is the calm will stay with you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Smiles,
Gina

 

[bvdr]

Kay, you will be in my heart and prayers this week. I will be watching for word on your success. It has been a pleasure to be able to get to know you a little bit on this board. I do think you are more than prepared.

 

[Bryan B]

Kay,

Good luck on Tuesday, I'll be thinking of you as you start your journey over the mountain...I think you'll like the view from this side!

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Kay

You will most definitely be in my prayers...I'm sure everything will go well for you.......please have someone post when you can....we'll definitely be thinking of you!!!

You WILL get through this!!!

Ev

 

[Debrinha GT]

Happy about that!

Happy about that!

Hi Kay, I'm very happy to hear that you're feeling like this for a patient's emotional side can really make a difference in such a difficult moment as this.Will someone post in here to let us know how everything went? You know that you can always count on us so, if there's a last minute doubt that you would like to discuss with us, feel free to do it at any time. Remember that God will be there watching over you while the doctors do what has to be done,and when you least expect, you'll be up and about feeling brand new!

Débora from Brazil

 

[Glenda]

Kay, you will be in my prayers. We'll see you on the other side of the mountain. Hugs are coming your way! !

 

[Kay]

Thanks!

Thanks!

I so appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts for my big day. With all the prayers being said for me from coast to coast across the USA and stretching south to Brazil, (thank you Debora!) I know I'm in good hands! There is nothing so powerful as the power of prayer, and I deeply appreciate every one of them. And believe me, I know that the power of prayer has EVERYTHING to do with my sense of peace and calm.

So thank you all from the bottom of my (soon to be fixed) heart!

 

[Kay]

Bryan --

Bryan --

Bryan,

Two things --

First, since I missed being hospitalized during the Thanksgiving holidays, I don't still have to fear the turkey, do I?

Second, hope you didn't forget that it was your NC lakehouse where I decided to recuperate? Again, don't go to any trouble, and expect me sometime around the 5th or 6th, OK?

(I WISH!!!)

 

[Bryan B]

Kay,

Actually the warning was about hospital food in general...I just assumed they would be serving a "turkey like product" on Thanksgiving. As most can attest food does not taste too good for awhile after surgery, and the hospital food I was served just made matters worse. There were a couple of times where the act of bringing the tray in my room was enough to make me nauseous. Even my parents looked a little green after going downstairs to eat in the cafeteria. But like everything else, this too shall pass. It took about 2 weeks for me to get my tastebuds back, and once I did I made up for lost time.

As for the beach house, it's probably a bit nippy there this time of year (I still wish I was there...24/7/365). Hopefully you'll get some decent days in Dallas to take some walks. I found the fresh air and walking made a huge difference in how I felt the rest of the day and probably sped up the process of getting all the drugs out of my system. Maybe one year we can have a reunion of some type at Emerald Isle. To me October is one of the most beautiful months of the year, and the hurricane season is winding down by then. Also the rates for rentals would be at offseason rates.

Anyway, I'm glad you are feeling so positive for your upcoming surgery. I experienced that same calmness, but it didn't overcome me until I went in for my pre-op the day before surgery. From there things moved quickly and unbelievably (to me) I was walking laps around the stepdown unit less than 24 hours after I came out of the OR.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Kay,

I am scheduled for AVR two days after you, so will probably find out about your progress a little later than the rest of the forum.

All the best with the surgery.

I want to thank you too for getting involved, sharing, providing encouragement and support.

Best,
Burair

 

[HarryG]

Kay my prayers will be with you on Tuesday.....have someone keep us posted on your progress! Stay positive, VR will be here on your return.......Again I will be thinking of you on Tuesday........

 

[twoboysdad]

Good Luck!

Good Luck!

Kay,

Michelle and I's prayers are with you! I know you will be ok! If you need anything just ask. If your surgery and recovery is half as good as mine, then you have nothing to worry about. I have felt so good that I hardly have time to check in

Have someone post for you if you can. We will be waiting on this side of the mountain for ya!

Jeff

 

[Gnusgal]

Actually the warning was about hospital food in general...I just assumed they would be serving a "turkey like product" on Thanksgiving. As most can attest food does not taste too good for awhile after surgery, and the hospital food I was served just made matters worse. There were a couple of times where the act of bringing the tray in my room was enough to make me nauseous. Even my parents looked a little green after going downstairs to eat in the cafeteria.

I lucked out. My AVR was at a children's hospital, so all of the food I was served was kid's fair and pretty good (chicken nuggets, hamburgers, etc). Also, if I didn't like it, they had a new mall-like food court with Chick-fil-A, a Pizza place, Subway, and a few other things as well, not to mention the McDonald's that has been downstairs for as long as I can remember and my mom or husband would grab food for me from one of those places. Once my sister even brought in Cheesecake Factory! I was lucky and not put on any restrictive diet, so they didn't care if people brought food in to me.

Kay, good luck to you and I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday!

 

[MomOfThree]

My Prayers and Good Thoughts are with You

My Prayers and Good Thoughts are with You

Kay,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I know you will do great since you are so upbeat and positive!!

Thanks for all of your positive posts, it gives a sense of calmness to those are are following close behind you. We learn so much from those who went before us. Thank you and God Bless You!!!
-Martha

 

[Kay]

One day to go!

One day to go!

Well, this time tomorrow I'll be in that holding room waiting for my turn. Thanks to my vr.com family, I've already met Doug, the man Dr. Ryan will be doing a Ross procedure on prior to my surgery. Of course I'm praying for Doug to have a VERY successful surgery! Not to mention that I want Dr. Ryan all happy and relaxed when he gets to me...

It does my heart so good to login and read all of these upbeat and positive messages. You folks are awesome! I shudder to think what my frame of mind would be today if I had not miraculously stumbled on this wonderful forum. Thanks to all of you! You're an amazing bunch.

I'm on my way to an MRI. Dr. Ryan heard "strange noises" in my head and neck. (No biggie -- I've always had strange things going on in my head!) But he wants it checked out, so... I guess I will. This MRI thing blindsided me and I didn't have time to mentally prepare for it. I'm OK with having my chest cut open, but I am NOT happy about the MRI. If I can get through that, I'll be home free!

So pray for me today too, that I'll survive the MRI!

Thanks everyone! You're the best!