Aug 15th

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Elpidio

Hello everyone my name is Elpidio i'm 32 yrs old, 4 yrs ago I was diagnosed with A/I. A couple of weeks ago I began to feel fatigued and was having trouble breathing. Today I'm scheduled for valve replacement on August 15th. I was searching the internet for information on what I'm in for and came across this site. I'm enjoying reading the posts. It's hard to explain to my family what I'm feeling (scared), I don't want them to know I'm worried, but I am.
 
Welcome Elpidio.
You have every right and reason to be worried and scared. It is a perfectly normal reaction to hearing you need OHS. The good thing is you were diagnosed in time to get things fixed and that you live in a time when the survival rate is so very high.
There is a wealth of information on this site to help you through and to help you decide on the type of valve you will receive. Remember that you need to play an active role in your surgery. Do your homework, make your wishes known and you will be through this before you know it and on the way to the rest of your life.
Let us know how we can help you.
 
Hello Elpidio and welcome to the forum.

Your amongst the best people in the world right now. We've all been there and know what your feeling. Gina's correct. If you weren't scared, you wouldn't be human. Tell you something else. Even if you've been through it once and this is a second or more time, it still scares you. ;)

Please read any and all threads that you may think will be helpful to you and if you have questions, just ask. We will be more then happy to answer them. You'll get the scoop from those that have been there already, not someone who thinks they know what its all about because they've seen someone else go through it.

If you haven't chosen a valve yet, check out the valve selection and anticoagulation forums. I say the latter in case your thinking mechanical valve. Include a study of Coumadin in your learning process, because so much misinformation is being spread around about the drug, that most people who are new are terrified of it and most of it is simply not true.

Again, welcome. :)
 
Welcome, Elpidio. I put you on the calendar for August 15th and I hope you find all the information you need and I know you will find a great source of support here on the forum.
 
You have joined the right group of people. Welcome, glad to have you as part of the family.

Of course your doctors can give you the more important stuff. The members can fill in what they might not know, because we have actually climbed that mountain and got safely to the other side. You will, too. Ask anything and someone will give you the answer or find it for you. There is a wealth of personal experience here. We will be supporting you all the way..... blessins....
 
Welcome, Elpidio! Yup - we've been there and we were scared and still made it through. I didn't find this forum until after surgery, and feel that was a big disadvantage. You're fortunate to have found this group of supportive and interested and empathetic folks.

There is truly a wealth of information on this site; you can read for hours. Some of it may make you more fearful - just keep going. Knowledge is power where heart problems are concerned, particularly with a relatively rare condition (10% of open heart surgeries are for valves; so it's still pretty rare).

You know, it won't hurt you to tell your family that you're scared; they probably are too, and are "being strong" for you. So you're being strong, too - and you probably just need to hug each other and discuss it.

Again, we're glad you found us.
 
Welcome. You'd be some kind of freak if you weren't scared, so just let it be. You will be fine -- the repair/replacements are done really frequently, with a great, great success rate.

Be good to your body in the meantime -- relax and read and eat some good food. You'll be on a pretty strict diet for awhile afterwards.
 
Welcome!

Welcome!

So glad you found this site. As everyone else has said, it is completely natural to be scared. Your family is probably worried too, maybe at some point you'll be able to share your feelings with each other. I found it helpful to be able to be able to talk a little with my husband about my worst fears (dying or being incapacitated for life), but not to focus on that. For me it helped to learn as much as I could about the surgery and recovery so I could feel as prepared as possible, and this site is a great place to do that. Feel free to ask all your questions.

Take care,
Liz
 
Hi everyone, I just wanted to thank all of you for the warm welcome. I'm loving this site. :) :) :)
 
Welcome to my anniversary date

Welcome to my anniversary date

I was not lucky enough to find this site before my surgery but eventually did by looking around the net. I had my surgery a year ago on Aug. 15th. Mine was mitral valve but it doesn't matter. The process is the same except when we are asleep. Try to spend some time here every day and ask any question that you can think of. There is always someone online who has felt what you are feeling. As far as fear goes, we have all been there. It is perfectly normal to be scared of the unknown. Just hold the hands of those on this site and they will get you through.
Joanne
 
hi Elpidio, welcome.. as most have already stated, it's absolutely normal to be scared.. I actually was in denial and was arguing with my cardiologist and nurse in their office when they wanted to admit me right then and there... eventually they won and 4 years later i'm still greatful to them and also this site.. Like some, I didn't find it until a month after my surgery.. but then I didn't know I had issues until it became an emergency..

I agree with Ross, do not let Coumadin scare you either.. there are alot of misconceptions out there.. outdated material and just plain myths.. it is a serious med, but one that can be managed...

sit back, relax, take a deep breath and read some older posts and ask any questions you may have.. we'll try to answer them.

Chris
 
This is a wonderful site. I stumbled upon it today. I am with you in your apprehension - I was diagnosed just a week ago. Best of luck to you - in all of my reading - this is quite a resource. I would (and will) continue to use it. Prayers are with you!:eek:
 
Welcome to both of you! Please make yourselves at home and drink in all the information that is found on this site. Use the different forums and the search function but also ask any questions or vent here when you must. I know I did and actually still do! I had mitral valve replacement 3 years ago this month and the valve is working great! I count it as one of the very best parts of my heart. Everyone's experience is unique but before long you will have a feel for what to expect and how to prepare yourself and your loved ones. Also everyone seems to have a little wrinkle during surgery or recovery that must be smoothed out but don't let whatever it is throw you since most things work themselves out given enough time. Many of us remember the time leading up to surgery as the hardest part and the most stressful. I'm glad both of you found this site before surgery so you can benefit by it during this time.
 
Welcome! Don't know how I missed your first post. There are many of us from the Chicago area here.
 
Welcome to the family! We are glad you found us. Like everyone else has said, "it's normal to be scared". In fact, we'd probably worry about you if you said you weren't scared. We've all been where you are right now. We understand. Don't hesitate to ask questions and learn as much as you can about your condition. Maybe it would help your family if they could also jump on the site. We have a forum for family members and significant others of valve patients. Keep us posted and again, WELCOME! LINDA
 
Could you please tell me some questions to ask the surgeon? I go next week, and I want to ask some of the right questions. I want to thank the people that answered my last post too. Georgia, I think that you told me that it took over 8 hours. I wonder how long a valve and 5 arteries will take. Thanks again. It is wonderful to have someone to "talk" to. I hope it is ok to ask you all lots of questions. Marilyn
 
Welcome Elpidio to "VR--not so Anonymous".

Everyone comes in here scared. Some handle it better than others. But I strongly feel that it is actually harder on the family members and other loved ones than the patient. Share your feelings, make them part of your journey. You are also welcome to share here with your new "family". A lot of us have "been there-done that". There are also a lot of family members here that have "been there-done that" with THEM!!!!!

Again, welcome and prayers and good thoughts are coming your way for the 15th.

May God Bless,

Danny
 
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