Time is gettin close ,I think!

[coach]

been on hold waiting for this 53 year old a- valve to get closed down more, i have to go in tues. for a cath. to see how it looks in there. starting to get some neck and shoulder pain when i really push myself. other than that i feel fine ! i am nerv as can be ! wow. im a big tough guy but i feel like alittle boy right now . think i need some sort of calm u down pill . been on the holding pattern for 6 years now , reading all thats on here is such a help ! thank you for the folks that take the time . still debating on-x or st jude . i would think that he would give me some time to prepare for the surgery and not wheel me from one to the other . anyway just thought i would vent !

 

[Mary]

been on hold waiting for this 53 year old a- valve to get closed down more, i have to go in tues. for a cath. to see how it looks in there. starting to get some neck and shoulder pain when i really push myself. other than that i feel fine ! i am nerv as can be ! wow. im a big tough guy but i feel like alittle boy right now . think i need some sort of calm u down pill . been on the holding pattern for 6 years now , reading all thats on here is such a help ! thank you for the folks that take the time . still debating on-x or st jude . i would think that he would give me some time to prepare for the surgery and not wheel me from one to the other . anyway just thought i would vent !

Hi, Coach!
Six years is a long time to be in the holding pattern!
You'll know more after the cath. Typically replacement is an elective surgery so I'm sure you'll have time to prepare, but I personally feel the less time, the better.
Glad you posted, and hope to see you on the surgery calendar pretty soon!

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to VR. Sorry for the circumstances but glad you found us. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome Aboard Coach !

Have you interviewed any Surgeons yet?

Dr. Puskas at Emory heads up the On-X Study for Low and NO Anti-Coagulation on Low Risk patients. Naturally he also has experience implanting those valves. I'm sure he could tell you whatever you wanted to know about your choices.

Another highly respected Surgeon in Atlanta is Dr. Wolfe at Peachtree Cardiology. He is also familiar with the On-X valves and does minimally invasive surgery via Thoracotomy (through the ribs).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[marie]

Wanted to welcome you and wish you luck. Keep us posted.

Earline

 

[Cameron]

Coach,
Welcome to the funny farm! I just had an On-X installed a couple of weeks ago and I don't hear it unless I am in some strange sleeping position while holding my breath. The surgery you won't remember anyway. The aftermath is surprisingly pain free and easy and they will have you up and walking and talking very quickly. Don't be worried - it is a LOT easier than everyone thinks and everything feels, smells and tastes so much better afterwards, it is amazing. Getting throught the surgery and to the start of your rehab is the key - try not to fixate too much on the mechanics beforehand.
Good luck.
Cameron

 

[Phyllis]

Just want to add my welcome, coach. Be sure to post back after the cath- we'll still be here!

 

[zipper2]

Welcome aboard Coach,couldn't be in better hands.

Sorry about your circumstances,but let us know about

your cath and keep posting,glad you are here.

zipper2(DEB)

 

[Woodbutcher]

Welcome aboard coach ! All your worries and fears are par for the very well trodden course around here and you're in good company be it pre op or post op .

 

[ccummins]

Welcome! I am on your side of this crazy journey. This sight is a godsend. At least it sounds like you decided on mechanical so won't have to be part of that debate. Keep us all updated.

 

[Jkm7]

Welcome Coach. Happy you found us before you have surgery.
We have some very informed, knowledgeable people here who are happy to help with any of your questions.

The nerves are normal and we all suffer the anxiety Pre-op. I think everyone's knees go weak at the thought of OHS.

The wait and anticipation really is the worst part of this. I've had two OHS and it really is easier than you imagine for most of us.

Good luck with your cath. Let us know how it goes.

 

[hall]

Just wanted to say Welcome! Best of luck w/you heart cath.

 

[Curtsmum]

Welcome, best of luck with the cath and with surgery when you get a date. All the best.

 

[skeptic49]

Welcome to VR from another denizen of the Waiting room.

Best wishes,

Jim

 

[coach]

thank you for all the posts

thank you for all the posts

well its 3;44 am and im sitting in my chair and can not sleep , gotta leave at 5;30 that will be easy . boy ,its funny how stress effects the heart , you can just feel it tighten up. but im going to put it in Gods and a good cardio mans hands and enjoy the ride this morning . i have a good support team that will be there for me . i will post after the cath. see where i stand. piedmont hosp. is the new and upcoming heart hosp. here in atlanta. they really want to be # 1 . dont know how that effects me ,but, it seems to help relax me a bit. anyway ,thanks again for the posts. it sure does help !!!! thank you.

 

[coach]

nice ride , check my site out www.coachricetrikes.com you will like it !

 

[ottagal]

Hi Coach,
Welcome to this great site. Good luck with your cath. It is perfectly normal to feel scared and nervous. As others have said time and time again, the waiting is the worst.
Keep up posted.

 

[sheridan07]

Good luck coach!! Don't worry the docs can give you that calm down pill and I would ask for it. I'm 6'4" and 230 and I asked for it. It affects everyone. Please let us know if anything changes.
Brian

 

[coach]

made it through the cath, he was up there an hour , art looked good ,no blocks ,valve was a little worse than echo showed , closed to .8 not having enough symptoms to go in now but would like to go in within 6 mos . thanks for the advise on asking for a little something to calm the nerves , it worked . time to start getting ed on valves and who going to be cutting ! so i will roll up my sleves and start learning, wow! great site . thank you to one who started this . spring is coming to atlanta ! sunshine !

 

[Mary]

I'm glad that you posted an update after the cath . . . been wondering how it went.