I am scared!

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Mary Ann

Hello! I am new to this site. I found it by searching the internet after finding out I am facing valve replacement surgery. At my last visit to the cardiologist he suggested that I have an echocardiogram. (i have had a heart murmur since my childhood and I had my last echo a year ago.) He told me that my valve (which one, I don't know) was open just a little over 1 square centimeter. He advised "we" watch it until my next visit in six months and then decide if surgery would be advised at that time. He feels that surgery will be necessary sometime in the next few years.

Naturally, I am scared to death! (an intesting use of words!) I am an active 70 year old. But now I feel I have to put my life on hold. Do I plan for vacation next summer? Do I plan to vist Texas for my grandson's graduation? Will I be around next Christmas? I don't mention too many of my feelings to my husband since he in more of a worrywort than I am.

In a way, I would like a definite date for this surgery rather than a range of months (or years?)

In reading over the posts on the site, I know that there are many kind, comforting people out there. I guess a lot of you experienced these same emotions. Please reply to this post. Do you ever stop thinking about it?

I will keep in touch as the months (or years?) go by.

Thanks in advance. Mary Ann
 
Welcome Mary Ann! I'm so glad you found this site where there are many caring people who have already been there, done that. I just want you to know that Dick too was an "active" 70 year old when he had his valve replacement and he is now just as active if not more so. Having an echo every 6 months is a prudent course of action and now you have the time to research valves, surgeons and find answers to all the other myriad of questions I am sure you have. So consider the fact that you have some time a blessing that will make you a much better informed patient. Best wishes to you,
Phyllis
 
Mary Ann, welcome to the site. This site is filled with folks of all ages who have had this surgery, many more than once, my husband included. While the surgery is major surgery, it is routine for the surgeons who are expert at performing it, and you will be in the best of hands with the best care the hospital can offer.

This is a wonderful site for all kinds of information and opinions and support, so stay with us and we'll help you as you approach surgery.
 
Welcome Mary Ann,

Being scared is absolutely normal. When I first found out I was horrified and had no idea what to expect. You're lucky to have found this site now as I only found it after my surgery. There's a wealth of information and support here. Take comfort in the fact that we've all be touched by OHS in some way and are here talking about it. I found OHS not nearly as bad as I envisioned, and am definitely more comfortable with now that I've seen the medical professionals in action. While obviously a major life event for the patient, I was amazed at just how "routine" OHS seemed to be for the doctors and nurses. I take real comfort in that.

Even post-op it's hard not to think about it. Before this, I had never been really sick or injured. Never been in a hospital except for minor things like stitches as an active youth :rolleyes:

This event really woke me up to the fact that the future is a big unknown so take advantage of every day. My advice would be to continue to live a normal life. Make plans, etc. They can always change. I too was given a "range" when my surgery would take place. I was even set to go, was pre-admitted and everything, and got bumped at the last minute due to a patient with higher medical priority. It took another 3 weeks before I went back in. I've read other posts here with similar stories, so take it day by day.

Good luck!
 
Welcome to our world Mary Ann!

I expect the 1 sq cm area is refering to your Aortic Valve. My cardiologist uses 0.8 sq cm or less as his 'trigger' for recommending Aortic Valve Replacement. Regular echocardiograms every 6 months is the appropriate response at this stage.

You would be well advised to obtain copies of ALL of your test results so that you better understand your condition and can track it's progression.

We have several 'elderly' (I hate that word) members who are doing quite well following their Valve Replacement surgeries. The success rates for First Time surgeries are extremely high, especially when they are scheduled BEFORE any permanent damage is done to the heart muscles and walls. You may want to request a consultation with a Surgeon to discuss your condition and get his recommendation on timing.

Please continue reading in the Pre-Surgery and Post-Surgery Forums to see how our members coped with their experience and remember, "if we can do it, SO CAN YOU" :)

'AL Capshaw'
 
Welcome to this amazing community, Mary Ann. And, welcome to what we call The Waiting Room. Many of us are in it, or have finally just passed out of it and through the operating room doors.

It is very normal to be scared and to have no idea of what to expect. We can help educate you about so many things. What this forum is best for is support and information. Medical advice must be directed from your own medical professionals.....we are not heart specialists in any way.....just people from all walks of life. We do have a coumadin/warfarin specialist who may be very helpful to you should you decide to choose a mechanical valve. At 70, though, it is likely that you may be guided to a tissue valve.

So!! You have plenty of time to become an expert on your heart condition and the variety of solutions for it! Take a deep breath and dive in to our resources here. Come back with specific questions (or any questions!) and know that you can accompany all questions with any fears, doubts, nagging thoughts...anything! We are a very receptive group!

As far as plans go, once you become more conversational about your condition, you can merely reference it to others when you make your plans and tell them that you don't have perfect control over the timing so that everyone needs to remain flexible. You do have a choice. It is an elective surgery. We can guide you as to how to make that decision for yourself with the help of your doctors. Many of us are/were impatient. You are not alone!! But you need to read up on things first! Then think about when.

Many of us find that having a copy of our echocardiograms is very helpful. At first, the numbers all look like gibberish. But eventually, it is helpful in the complete understnading of things, to know what measurements to look for in subsequent echoes to verify that things are headed toward surgery. The doctor's office will release your report to you after you sign some papers. It's just a page or 2. Let us know when you get your copy and we can help decipher it for you.

So, happy reading and we'll wait for some new threads from you with each new question.

:) Marguerite
 
Welcome! And yes, I think about it alot. I am also waiting on surgery and It takes up alot of my awake time. All I can tell you is to research and get answers to questions and that will help. You have found a great site so use it for all your needs! I was having echo's every 6 months for 4 years and now am going every 3. Am looking for surgery probably at the first of the year. I am only 44.:( But like it has been said here so many times, I don't like the alternative to surgery!!:eek: Try to relax and ask questions!!
 
Welcome Mary Ann,

You would not be normal if you were not scared. Major surgery is very frightening and heart operations always cause more fear because of the nature of the heart's place in our lives and society.

That being said, know that these operations are so very common today and the success rate is very high (almost impossibly so). Try to be comforted by that fact.

You are correct in that waiting is difficult. Talk to your doctor about that concern and maybe he will agree that "getting it over with" will be best for you.

Continue to plan your life. Since your operation is not an "emergency" the operation can be around your schedule, not the other way around.

You will be fine. Stick with us and we will help get you through.
 
Welcome Mary Ann,
By the time I read this thread all things have been said that I would have thought about so heed the advice and go on living your life. My card's thoughts were the same as Al Capshaws. Like you, I had a murmur all my life and never let it stand in the way. I'm now 68+ and was first diagnosed two years ago with 1.1 cm sq, last year at about 1.0 cm sq and in August at .8. Up until that time I continued doing everything I ever did because I didn't know how bad it was, I just knew I was slowing down. I'm only three weeks out from surgery and doing great. Yeah, it's scary but if you do follow the advice given here, you'll do just fine.

I see you're from Pittsburgh. I'm a former Pittsburgh suburbanite with most of my family is still there. I was back in August for a vacation and always enjoy it.
 
It`s not the end!

It`s not the end!

I was at the hospital today and spoke with my surgeon.
For two months now since the bad news came, my life has been on a rollercoaster called Emotions, until today.
The surgeon said that everybody knew planes crashed once every billions
journey, and compared that to the chances of not waking up after surgery.
My feeling now is, " OFF COURSE I WILL BE OK" rather than the 50-50 I gave myself.
It`s true this is really a routine operation, and can almost be described as cakewalk.
I just hope it won`t bore my surgeons til the point they get sloppy!:D

You will be fine, just as I will sometime in November.
My advice is talk to the surgeon who will do the work face to face, and you will feel like new after.

PS. I feel a little special, because I`m having the same surgeons as our King Harald of Norway two years ago had. He had an AVR.:cool:
 
Mary Ann,
Welcome to my Pittsburgh, PA neighbor! Actually, there are several Pittsburghers on here I've come to find out! My 5-year-old son Andrew has AV issues so I personally cannot really offer much advice to you ... but there are so many wonderful, wonderful people on this board who have been exactly where you are and they are so kind and helpful ... I am sure you will get many replies to your post offering lots of information. Wishing you all the best, Jen (Andrew's Mom)
 
Mary-Ann,

I'm waiting for surgery too - at the moment I'm on 6 months check ups but realise that it could be sooner rather than later. It's certainly not easy and I understand what you mean about planning things - the uncertainity of it all is no fun!! But hang around this place for a while and see how many people go through surgery successfully. And you'll begin to realise like I have that there is life after OHS and there's heaps of people on here to prove it!! All the best!! :)
 
Gather info and then relax

Gather info and then relax

Hi Mary-Ann

I knew I had MVP for 20 years and just put it out of my mind. Then about 6 weeks ago my cardio advised that an operation was immenent.
I felt like I had been hit by a truck. This was goin to happen to me!

I was so grateful I found this site. Within a short period I was able to gather enough info to make the necessary decisions, mechanical, tissue, repair?

Once you know what possibilities there are you may feel more peace of mind.

I underwent a mitral valve repair last Friday, and it is true what has been said. The op is so routine these days. My surgeon operated on 3 different people the day I had surgery.

The pain? Less than broken ribs I have had twice before.

Recovery? Surprising how quickly they get you up and moving.

Good luck with it all.

Cheers

Chris
 
You Will Do Fine

You Will Do Fine

Mary Ann,

No matter how long doctors have been following us because of those murmurs (in my case I was 20-something when it was detected and 63 when I had OHS) it is never easy to face the prospect of valve replacement. It is only natural to be scared. Certainly I was. But this surgery has a very high rate of success. Find yourself the best surgeon (I am sure in the Pittsburgh area there are many excellent ones) and put your trust in him. I too led an active life -- even ran a few marathons -- in the years doctors were tracking my murmur and heart size, and I had the same kinds of worries that you are having about it all coming to a halt. But after recovery and rehab, all sorts of vistas -- including some refreshingly new ones -- will be open to you. For example, I am enjoying hiking more than I ever did and am even starting a new business.

And yes, this certainly is a life-altering event, and one that I continue to think about every single day. But the changes are in many ways positive. Like many others here, I think I appreciate the blessings of life now more than I ever did.

Keep us posted. If you have questions, there are people here who more than likely have answers.

Cheers,
 
Hi Mary Ann,

I would go ahead and make all the plans you need. IF they do decide you need surgery, most people are able to schedule it at their "convenience". Also, IF they decide to do the surgery, you'll be amazed at how quickly you are up and moving around again. It's really just a good time to catch up on some reading, and have people wait on you. I hear that it's not at all unusual to see people in their 90's having valve surgery, and they do great.

Feel comfortable in the fact that they are monitoring your condition, and that you can be be "fixed" if the time should come. I bet you know of several people who have had coronary bypasses, and this is much easier than that.
Try to set aside 10 minutes a day to worry if you have to, and then tell yourself that the time is up, and you need to think of something else!:)
 
Thank You All!

Thank You All!

To all those who replied to my post:

Thank all of you for your comfort and kind words. Yes, I am still scared. Yes, I am still very apprehensive. But at least I know that I have a support group of unknown friends out there.

As I think of concerns and questions I will check in again.

Again thank you all.

Mary Ann

P.S. I hope this reply gets to all of you. I am just computer literate enough to know how much I don't know about this gadget.
 
You're doing great, Mary Ann. Your posts are showing up just fine! You probably know more than you think you know!

Every time you have a new question, you will get more answers if you start a new thread. You can just stick with "pre-surgery" and we'll all get it!

Good luck. Now that you know from so many of us that you do not need to fear this surgery (although, of course, fear is normal!!!) try to relax and gather in all the beautiful things about your life and carry all that around with you everyday instead of the fear. Your wait will be far more enjoyable!! :D

Marguerite
 
do it

do it

Hi mary ann, I am a 50 year old male. very athletic, play basketball, surf, ski, gym, etc.

Anyway for awhile I was thinking about the impending surgery and bumming out about it. As after my first and only dizzy spell while playing basketball and almost passing out.

My cardio suggested the echo of which I was avoiding for three years prior.

It showed my av was extremely tight and further test for the rest of the heart was ordered.

Anyway rest of heart very good but time to start searching for surgeon.

Bacl to the point as stated above my cardio (maybe not stated above) said to slow down a bit and stay out of the water.

So there I was bumming not playing basket ball, or surfing still going to the gym, then one day while driving down the coast highway and just looking at the beautiful ocean it clicked. Let's get this over and start looking past the surgery then recovery and then back into the water. I then started to focus on looking past the surgery and the positive side of recovery.

Did my homework got a very good surgeon and 7.5 months ago had the avr.
Back in the water on month four on the basketball court as well.

If you are in good shape the surgery isn't that bad within six months I think you will be where you are now.

Good luck.

Steve in So. Ca.
 
Hey, Mary Ann. I just found your post this morning and I am so happy to meet you. Most new members come in for the same reason you have come, fear first, info second, support third, and that's Hank's purpose in creating VR. So you and others can find out what it's all about and talk to others who have what you have - and there are hundreds right here at your fingertips.

I am 73 and had my surgery, tho it was bypass, not valve replacement, in 2000. I have a cousin who had valve replacement AND bypass in the one operation about 4 yrs ago - she is the exact same age as I am which would have made her 69 at the time. We live far apart but I saw her Saturday and she looks just wonderful, is active in her life and community and church.

For now, your body will probably let you know what your limitations are. I haven't read the posts by the others, but maybe they said the same thing. Just hang here in VR and you will always have comments, understanding of what you are going through, whether it's a headache or heart thumping too fast. We cover the whole spectrum as you will find as you read and become educated.

Welcome to us.
 
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