Two weeks to go

[phil d]

Well, after an 8 month wait, its only two weeks til my AVR surgery, which is scheduled for 7th september. I have spent every spare moment over the last 6 month's reading the posts on this wonderful website and because of the knowledge i've gained i feel confident about the outcome of my operation. So thankyou all for your posts. Last September an echo revealed that my bicusped aortic valve was leaking and after two cat scans and an angiogram i was told that i would need AVR within the year.I will be 43 yrs old 3 days before my surgery. For the last 20 yrs i have been a firefighter here in the uk. My employers have said that if i am taking coumadin then i will be medically discharged from my job, so i am opting for a tissue valve and hopefully 10 more years doing the job i love. Are there any firefighter out there or anybody with a physically demanding job who has gone through this and returned to work and how long after the op were they allowed to return to firefighting duties?
Thanks
Phil

 

[Nancy]

Hi Phil-

Joe was 46 when he had his AVR done. He's 74 now. He got a mechanical, but there are others who got tissue valves for the reason you mentioned.

You'll do just fine with your surgery. Wishing you all the best.

 

[phil d]

Chat with surgeon

Chat with surgeon

Hi Phil-

Joe was 46 when he had his AVR done. He's 74 now. He got a mechanical, but there are others who got tissue valves for the reason you mentioned.

You'll do just fine with your surgery. Wishing you all the best.

Thanks for your support Nancy. I know from your post's that Joe has been through alot these past years and i wish you both well for the future. I feel i know so many of you personally through all of your post's. VR.com has been great for helping me to decide my choice of valve. That mamouth post last month ( mech v tissue ) was very informative. I've read all 135 post three times now. I've Just arrived back from the hospital where i had my pre-op tests, i had a chat with my surgeon and he has recommended the Edwards bovine valve and then a mechanical next time around. Although he did say that if my aortic root needed to be replaced he would put in a mechanical valve and dacron graft this time. So i am very happy with that scenario. I know Joe has had 3 OHS and he's going strong. I hope he does'nt need a 4th and two will be enough for me.
Phil.

 

[geebee]

Phil,

I have added you to our calendar. That week and the following one is lining up to be very busy. You will have very good company and be part of a lot of prayers floating across the world.

Best of luck to you and Godspeed.

 

[hensylee]

yes, we have firefighters - but can't say for sure about which valve they have. Harpoon is one of them - haven't seen him lately. There are others and perhaps they will come in. Wishing you well.

 

[Gemma]

Hi Phil,

It sounds like you've got the right attitude. The last couple of weeks before surgery are the worst bit - after all, you get to sleep through it and when you wake up you start the rest of your life with your newly fixed heart .

If you do a search for Firefighter a load of threads come up.

Found one from Dave S who had his valve replaced in May:http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11041&highlight=firefighter (he got a mechanical but I'm not sure what his doctor/employer decided about him going back to active duty in the end).

Also as hensylee mentioned there's Harpoon, and fyrfytr who was retired on medical grounds ( http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6426&highlight=firefighter) and I'm sure there are also some other firefighting members. Hopefully some of them can help you out with timescales for returning to full firefighting duties. It takes around 3 months for the sternum to heal, but I'm not sure if you'd be wanting to be running into burning buildings after 3 months .

Anyway, no doubt you'll have a ton of questions in the next couple of weeks so ask away!

Take care,

Gemma.

 

[tobagotwo]

The last few weeks are a big grind. I hope you have time for a little trip to somewhere you like to be.

My cardiologist started me off with "avoid anaerobic exercise," but now he says "no physical restrictions." Hopeflly, yours will do the same.

Best wishes,

 

[George]

Dear Phil,
I am scheduled for pulmonary valve replacement on Sept. 9. It seems to be the only thing I can think about...just wanting to get it over with. We are lucky to live in an age when these surgeries are routine. I am confident of the outcome, and you can be, too. I'll be looking for you on the post surgery side of the mountain!

 

[KristiinSD]

We are all making the climb together!!

We are all making the climb together!!

I'm having my valve repaired September 8th. I, too, think these last weeks are the worst. I am stressed enough to seek another couple of opinions on the last two weeks. I just want to make sure this is the right surgical approach and would really prefer not to have a big scar down my chest.

Kristi

 

[phil d]

Keeping busy

Keeping busy

Hi guys. I have'nt been around for a few days. After meeting my surgeon last Wednesday, the thought of waiting around for 2 weeks was getting to me. So friday afternoon i dragged my tent out of the garage and headed off to the coast for 4 days with my family. I've found if i keep myself busy, i dont get stressed out. This weekend me, my son and a couple of friends are going on our dirtbikes for 2 days of motocross. Monday i've got a bit of building work to do on the house and Tuesday i'm going to climb a mountain. Its worked for me so far. George , Kristi good luck for next week I'll look for you on the post op forum
Phil

 

[Phyllis]

Glad you have found a way to keep busy, Phil and wish you the best next Wed. May you have a successful surgery and uneventful recovery.

 

[Natanni]

Two weeks

Two weeks

Husband was going to have his AVR surgery 9/12/05 but got bumped to 9/29/95 due to surgeon's vacation. We were offered another surgeon but at this point, he wants to keep the doc he has. They would have done his AVR on 9/7/05 and then be followed by another doc, but again figured we would just wait it out (although have to admit, this wait is tough, but the kids are very much enjoying their 'dad' time!) He has a faced paced physical job as well, a driver for UPS. The surgeon felt 8 wks will be enough time for him to heal but I am really questioning this.

I think he feels that the busier he keeps, the better. We was sick w/endocarditis for many weeks but is feeling good enough to go and do some of the things he enjoys. Sailing and 4 wheeling. He has not motocycled in a while yet, but he will hopefully get in a ride or two yet!

Good luck on your wait.....Wishing you all the best....

 

[afraidofsurgery]

Sept 7 for me too!

Sept 7 for me too!

Phil,
I'm scheduled for AVR for a leaky bicuspid on Sept 7th as well! Also same age, 43. Weird, huh? I've known about my valve situation for 12 years, started to notice symptoms and whoosh - I'm scheduled. I'm going in on the 6th for an angiogram and they're keeping me overnight for the AVR the next day.

I've opted for a mechanical St. Jude valve to avoid another go-round with OHS. This is my last day of work before the surgery, so luckily my mind's been kept busy on this and other errands to prepare for my time off, I haven't been too stressed (yet).

Let me know how you're doing on the other side. My surgery will be done at Rush Pres-St. Luke's in Chicago (US).

Take care,
Patty

 

[Georgia]

UPS driver???

UPS driver???

Natanni - doesn't a UPS driver have to lift fairly heavy packages? There's NO WAY your hubby will be able to do that within 8 weeks. Hope he's being realistic about this - by 8 weeks I think about the most he'll be able to lift is 25 pounds. The sternum simply doesn't heal that fast.

It sure is a busy month - those cardiac surgeons must have to pay their kids' tuitions.

Good luck to all of you. Practice using your spirometers.

 

[Natanni]

Georgia....

Yes, very heavy packages. Typically 75 lbs. Even more concerning than that is the pace that they are required to keep, and the running up and down those stairs carrying those heavy boxes. I was shocked when he was told 8 weeks, but I don't think the surgeon clearly understood what my husband does. He will be bringing this matter up again prior to his surgery.

Wishing all an enjoyable holiday weekend and a speedy recovery for all those posters with their upcoming surgeries next week!

 

[afraidofsurgery]

Ups

Ups

Jeez, I thought EVERYBODY knew what UPS guys do. And the surgeon should be asking about your hubby's job (which is a a superhuman job!). Your hubby should speak to the UPS HR people right away and find out about his benefits on sick leave, medical leave, disability, etc. This is definately not something to duke out with the boss standing in front of a truck that needs to be loaded, better to settle things up front!

Patty

 

[MitralMan]

Phil, Patty -- you'll be fine!

Phil, Patty -- you'll be fine!

Unlike you, I only had three weeks between learning that I needed valve surgery -- and having it. I focused not on the distance between those two points, but instead on what I'd need to do afterward.

All I can tell you is that the difference between how I felt just before the surgery and now (8 months later) is INSANELY GREAT.

My thoughts are with you -- as is so often said on this forum, "see you on the other side of the mountain."

 

[Big-Chuck]

surgery

surgery

2 things.....#1 it took me 12 weeks to heal up enough to go back to work, currently looking for a job. #2 I was so tired of not being able to breathe correctly( constantly gasping for air) and my heart beating abnormally ( could see it thru my chest), this was getting worse day by day, that I practically ran into the operating room. I wanted to feel better and now I do. I can still feel things healing but life is a big day by day improvement now.