Still on for the 19th

[KatieD]

I talked to my surgeon's assistant today. This has been the most bizarre scheduling I've ever had to do. The surgeon I have chosen (who is out of state) still hasn't called me to talk about my TEE, but at least he had time to review it and leave her a note that he concurred that I needed surgery. I am already scheduled for the 19th, but now awaiting a call from him to discuss my case. I'm still unable to schedule my flight because she now says they're changing the office visit days (I am scheduled to see him in his office on the 18th) and I may not be able to see him on that day. She said she would get back to me today and let me know, but by the end of the day I still hadn't heard from her.

It was comforting reading all your posts in another thread about the agony in the waiting room. Somehow I had to be reminded that when you're feeling down and sorry for yourself you always need to remember that there is always someone else who has gone through something worse.

 

[geebee]

Waiting is always hard for anything but waiting for OHS seems awful. I was lucky in that I never really had a long time to wait for mine.

I am sure things will work out with seeing the surgeon. If you are anything like me, you like to have things all lined up because it helps to feel like you a in control even a little. You will have to learn to just let go a little and accept that others are working on things and it can sometimes feel good to let them take over.

That being said, just make sure your doctor(s) know you are staying on top of things and you want that visit scheduled. You are just one of many patients so things will seem much more important to you than to them. Doesn't mean they don't think you're important - it's just relative.

This will be all in the past before you know it.

 

[Adrienne]

That type of thing drives me nuts - waiting for a call so that other arrangements can be made that have to be made. I can just imagine how frustrated you are.

 

[Guest]

Somehow I had to be reminded that when you're feeling down and sorry for yourself you always need to remember that there is always someone else who has gone through something worse.

*nods*

Indeed. And, yet, sometimes, that is very tough to do.....


Thoughts/prayers coming your way....



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Waiting to be mended like a potter would mend a broken vase" ... Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers ... 'Broken Lady'

 

[Cooker]

Waiting Stinks

Waiting Stinks

May God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.....the courage to change the things I can....and the wisdom to know the difference.....

Try and not stress out over what you can't control.

Tom

 

[KatieD]

Aahhhh, the Serenity Prayer, one of my favorites......

Thanks for your kind responses. I called Dr. Ryan's assistant again today after lunch since she had not yet called me back. She said the problem she's having is that she and Dr. Ryan haven't met yet to set his surgery schedule for Monday, the 18th. She may still need to move me to Friday, the 15th, for an office visit. I told her I couldn't continue to hold off buying airline tickets. She said I should go ahead and buy the tickets and if they have to be changed, she will write a letter to the airline. I asked her if there was a particular airline that worked well with them and she said they all do. I guess that's my answer on if I have to change the return flight as well.

Still no word from Dr. Ryan, but I know he's a busy guy. I'll take your suggestions and be patient. Meanwhile, I bought my airline tickets and notified my employer of my FMLA status.

 

[67walkon]

How do they expect you to plan the other things in your life that are important? All this is very difficult, but hang in there, it will soon be a memory.

 

[catwoman]

Katie:

Good luck.

 

[Phyllis]

Katie,
I put you on the calendar for June 19th and hope for your sake that you know your schedule for sure, soon. Best wishes,
Phyllis

 

[tcopel]

Katie,
Just a note of encouragement. Hang tough. Like you, I had my procedure (aorytic anerysm, aortic valve repair) out of town requiring airline flights, layovers, hotel room for my wife, ect. Hopefully, your doctor can get things straightened out soon. Airlines tickets seem to go up daily. One good thing I did was to call the airline and get the seats right behind the bulkhead. There is extra room there and nobody squeezed next to you. Without calling them, I could not get it reserved but they kindly provided these seats when I explained the situation of my recent OHS. First Class tickets are pretty high, I found out. I also stayed an extra 2 days in Pittsburgh (I am from Oklahoma) in the hotel after discharge for my comfort level. The airlines also provided me a wheelchair to get through security and at the layover. I was somewhat embarrassed but, believe me, I used it when I had to maneuver the huge Atlanta airport (layover). I will be praying for you, Katie. I got it marked down.

 

[KatieD]

Thanks for your replies, I'm still hanging in there. I heard nothing new today, but started the process with letting people at work know. I'm a pretty healthy 44 year old (oops 43 for two more days, but will be 44 for my surgery!) and have had no health issues so it's kind of interesting to watch someone's jaw drop when I tell them I'm going in for heart surgery in a week and a half.

It won't be easy, but I'm planning on doing exactly as everyone suggests and letting myself be taken care of, including using a wheelchair at the airport for the return flight. I have nine year old twins so plan to put one on either side of me as buffers. Of course, whose going to buffer me from them?!

 

[KatieD]

I called Dr.Ryan's office again today, having heard nothing more from his assistant. She told me that they were going to fit me in between cases on Monday the 18th for my office visit with Dr. Ryan. Wow, that seems like something she could have called and told me since she knew I was stressing over it!

I asked her about the possibility of scheduling a phone consultation before then with him since he still has not called me. She said he is now on vacation (out of the country) and Monday the 18th will be his first day back.

Well, now is my time to kick back and stop stressing. I've made my decision and everything is scheduled so I'll just take what comes. I've got one week left at work to plan for my absence and get things taken care of.

Thanks again for all your support and kind words. This forum is an incredible support system for people who have to go through this. It's amazing to know my own situation is only one small instance - so many have done this before me and so many others are facing the same questions and making these difficult decisions at the same time that I am.