Surgery scheduled for Thursday

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bejaxx

Hello all,
I haven't visited in a while, seems my computer needed OHS too!!!!:D
I'm scheduled for 6:30 am on Thursday. I'm ready at this point to get it over with. My surgeon is Edward Garrett at Baptist East in Memphis. So far, I haven't heard anything but good comments about him. He offered me the chance to go with pig(?) valves so I could get off of warafin, but also told me within 12-15 years I would need surgery again. That would put me at 60+ having my third VR, so I passed. I'll just take the mechanical valves and my meds and get on with living.
I was told 24 hours in ICU and a hospital stay of 5-7 days. I hope that's the case. Since it's Christmas, I'm hoping I can sweet talk him into letting me come home on Christmas Day. I really doubt it, but I'm going to try.:D
Madi is really upset that she can't stay with me in the hospital. I've told her when I'm put in my room she can come and stay for awhile. I also tell her Santa is coming while I'm in the hospital. That helped for about 15 minutes. Any ideas on how to help her feel better about my hospital stay?
I hope and pray that all of you who are in the waiting room a successful surgery and recovery.
See everyone on the other side of the mountain!!!!
Bejaxx
 
Just want to wish you the best for Thursday- I put you on the calendar, Bejaxx. Hope you can have someone post and let us know how you are doing and we send our best wishes for a successful surgery and a Christmas homecoming!
 
I wish you a successful surgery and a homecoming aroud Christmas Eve. How old is Madi? I imagine my kids would have been upset if my surgery was so close to Christmas and they're older! I don't know how I would handle it if I were you. Is she old enough to understand it if you told her that you really need this surgery now and that when you come home you'll try to make it up to her by spemding a lot of time with her maybe watching her favorite videos and having a pajama party in front of the TV. When my kids were young, they dearly loved lying on our sleeper sofa with popcorn having a pajama party with their mom in front of a Disney video. Marcie
 
Bejaxx,

First off - congrats on making this decision. It is always a tough one but it sounds like you have some peace now having made it.

Second - it is very possible you could get out on Christmas. I was out 4 days after surgery for my third OHS. However, please remember that your day will need to be very quiet and I question whether it is possible to have a quiet Christmas especially with everyone happy to have you home.

Madi might not be able to stay overnight with you but I would bet she can visit for as long as you can handle it. This is, of course, assuming a private room. Some hospitals are very adaptable over holidays because they know how important family love can be to recovery. The hospital I was in recently allowed my SO to bring one of our cats to visit. ;) :eek:

As far as helping her to understand, try telling her that you are getting a new valve for Christmas and Santa will be taking care of you in the hospital because he can't bring it to your house. Maybe buy her some nursing equipment (hat, stethescope, etc) that you can give her as an early Christmas gift when she comes to visit so she can take care of you when you get home "once Santa is gone".

Anyway - I wish you all the best for an easy and quick recovery. Godspeed.
 
Best wishes and positive thoughts directed towards your being home by December 25 . . . my husband has spent many holidays working in hospital critical care (32 years), and says they always try their best to get patients home for Christmas.:)
May God keep watch over you on this journey.
Mary
 
Beverly,

Wow - lots of "heart history" personally and in the family. I think, given your age + circumstances and challenges from the first surgery, I would opt for a mech this time too. Sounds to me that minimizing the possibility of additional surgeries needs to be a top priority. We'll pray this one goes much smoother than last time and that your stomach holds up surprisingly well.

Contrary to your earlier comment, you are not yet "old" in any sense. Get your mind set that this recovery will be much smoother than last time and that you will be home in no time. Christmas Day is an admirable goal - and I'm a big fan for setting goals and working towards them. My goal was surgery on Tues and out on Sat. Some people were "hesitant" that I set too aggressive of a goal. I set my goal (which I really do think is important from a mental preparation perspective) but I always know that goals/plans are easily adapted to an alternate plan/goal if something out of my control changes the plan.

So my advice - set an aggressive yet achievable goal. If uncontrollable events intervene then modify the goal based on the circumstances at hand.

Be cautious of your first day home - especially if Christmas Day - as it would be very easy to do way too much during this time of the year (especially Christmas Day!!). Maybe plan for the family to open one or two presents with Madi in the hospital with you on Christmas morning (and open the others either before or after to control the amount of energy you expend). That might also relieve a little of the "pressure" on you during that time and provide an easy "alternate plan" almost already in place in case your are delayed a day or two in your arrival home.

God Bless and we'll be praying for you! Keep us posted as you can.

David
 
Wishing you all the best...... Hoping you have a 'routine' surgery and a smooth, uneventful, full recovery.

I was transferred from CICU to my own room on Christmas Day and all the nursing staff was so very kind to me and my husband. While they were away from their families taking care of us patients, they knew the extra emotion of being in the hospital after such serious surgery on Christmas Day added a little extra burden to us. I had emergency surgery and didn't intentionally plan it that way. Don't rush home. There'll be loads more Christmas Days for you and your lovely family. It is so worth it for you to heal at your own pace and not do too much too fast. There's a high price to pay.

Godspeed.......
 
Wishes for a great surgery and an even better recovery.

Good luck! Thoughts/prayers coming your way....



Cort:33swm."Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"We got mountains to climb" ... Rod Stewart ... 'Broken Arrow'
 
Good luck with your surgery bejaxx!!! I will be thinking of you and praying that you can be home for Christmas. Ring in the new year with a speedy uneventful recovery!!! Your in my prayers!!

Steph
 
Bejaxx,

Just wanted to send my prayers, positive thoughts and best wishes to you as well. I can't imagine what you are going through - facing OHS again and worrying about your daughter and Christmas. I truly wish that your surgery goes well and your recovery is smooth. I know it would be nice to be home for Christmas but you need to be sure that you are up to it.

Peace!
Susie
 
bejaxx,
My thoughts & prayers are with you. I am new to this site and am also scheduled for OHS surgery Dec 27. I have a bicupid valve that needs to be replace and an aneurysm on my acsending aorta. I am going to have it replaced with a St. Jude's mechanical valve. I don't want to go thru another OHS if I can help it. I'll deal with the coumadin. My brother-in-law takes it for something different but he doesn't really have alot of problems with it. I'll add you to my long prayer list. I know alot of people with cancer and now heart problems for others so will just add more to it. Really feels good to know all these people are praying for you. I didn't realize this was such a common problem.

Good Luck on your surgery Thursday. God Bless!

Marilyn (gordongirl)
 
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