Nervous,Jittery & Anxious

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S

Shutterbug

In the past i have been at peace with this whole VR, CABG process since it started. Well now i am no longer feeling like the "ROCK" that i have in the past. Now that i am within 72 hrs.of surgery my insides feel more like shaky gelatin (or something like that). It seems as though the closer the surgery gets, the more difficult it is for me to concentrate on anything. I'm sure the feelings are normal and am hoping the community can share some of the things you felt in the last few hours before surgery. It's OK to lie to me, if it will make me feel better :D .
In past posts i have said how my wife was the one having a hard time with this,well now it seems we have switched and she is my "Rock". It's great to have a GOOD WOMAN by your side, it's OK she'll never read this post she is computerphobic. I look forward to sending you that first post from the other side of this mountain. You have all been a huge support for me, and know you will be on the flip side as well. THANKS
Rich
 
Hi rich,
I had asked the doc for some Ativan in case I freaked out in the last few days before the OHS....I couldn't even say the word without wanting to throw up...literally.
I was scheduled for Thursday....so on the Monday I was doing laundry, making lists, cutting my hair and nails....keeping busy, when the phone rings and its the hospital saying they can operate on Tuesday so get my butt over there PRONTO!
No time for the Ativan, made some phone calls, and left with my suitcase.
Hubby stayed until late Monday night, I slept good I guess, because I don't remember waking up for surgery! I remember foggily saying "don't leave me" as hubby was saying "see ya later" at the OR doorway.
That was it......I woke up a day later zonked on morphine:):)
 
Rich,

Sounds like you are just as normal as can be.:rolleyes: I was a rock and then on the ride to the hospital I started getting the heebeegeebee's:D I got there for my pre-surgery cath on Monday morning and bam!!! Let the sedatives begin:D :D :D :D I was a happy camper from then on:D :cool: I had supper then a good night sleep then more drugs for the ride to the OR. Next thing I know I'm raising hell for some thing to drink.

I am sure you will do fine. It really is not near as bad as you are thinking. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Cooker
 
My wife was going to drop me off at the curb and I'd wait till she parked the car and then go in. Told her NO WAY, I'd bolt from the scene if I were left alone to choose. It was very very hard walking through the doors, but once in and sedated slightly, not so bad. Getting through the doors are the hardest.
 
Rich, many here speak of the sense of calm they feel as they walk through the hospital doors- I hope you have the same experience. We'll be here waiting to hear that you sailed through with flying colors!
 
Rich,

I can relate to your thoughts 150%.

Like you, I was "Mr. Cool" right up to the 48-hour countdown.

Then I turned into a nervous, jittery, anxious, stressed mess.

Luckily, Robyn (my girlfriend then, wife now) was there to talk it out.

Needless to say, you're doing the right thing. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, feelings and emotions in real-time or with the folks on this board.

Many of us have "been there done that."

And... So you know... What you are experiencing is normal.

I'd say you are a tad outside of your comfort zone. I mean, it's not everyday that one reconciles their mortality with the beat of a stitched heart, right?

That said, you should know that the statistics for a successful operation are heavily, heavily, heavily, heavily, (need I say it one more time) heavily in your favor.

If, by any chance, this little sermon didn't inspire you. Do what I did. Get some Xanax for the night before the surgery and sleep like a baby.

:)

Thinking great big, healthy recovery thoughts for you.

Adam
 
Rich,

Thoughts/prayers coming your way for a SUCCESSFUL surgery.



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Don't tell me that it can't be done" ... Lorrie Morgan ... 'Watch Me'
 
Re: nervous and scared was I

Re: nervous and scared was I

Hi
My first few days before surgery were spent waiting in a hospital bed where I entered on a Thursday and because the hospital didn't like to do surgeries on weekends I was scheduled for a Monday.
I was extremely freaked out! The surgeon who is the most wonderful man on this earth to me, ordered Xanax and whatever else to keep me calm. I was in "La La Land" for days. The Sunday night before surgery I spiked a fever so they cancelled until the following Thursday!
Talk about jitters!!!!
I thank God for the fantastic nursing team and all doctors who kept me calm and comforted me constantly. Mended Hearts group volunteers helped give me confidence that I would live through it all.
And here I am!! It's soooooooo good to be here alive and typing this!
Looking forward to your messages after your surgery.
Viki
 
Hi Rich,
I am going on 6 months post surgery, but it seems like just the other day I was in your shoes. I think back on the days leading up to my surgery and can't believe how calm I was. Just remember other times in your life you dreaded or were worried sick and when it was over, it was not nearly as bad as you imagined. This is how the surgery will be. Good luck. You will be on the other side of it before you know it!
 
Rich:

I was terrified the weekend before my surgery (on a Tuesday), but I finally felt some peace because I knew there was no other option, no delaying the surgery because I was in bad condition pre-op.

My husband knew how scared I was pre-op. So, when it was apparent he needed MV surgery earlier this year, we -- or mostly I -- talked about the pre-op jitters. He had seen his dad go through MVR twice and then my surgery, so he had experience from the sidelines. And now it was his turn to be the patient.

His attitude was that he had to get it done, no alternative. He never expressed any fear to me. He's since told me that he really wasn't afraid at any time.
 
Terrified?

Terrified?

Hi Rich,

As others have stated here, you are experiencing the same emotions many of us have dealt with as your surgery draws near. It's tough to remain calm when one faces mortality.

Still, as Adam has stated, the odds of a successful outcome to your OHS are heavily in your favor. Hang in there and have confidence in your surgical team.

I always look forward to reading those first post-op posts after folks have come through their surgeries and enter the recovery and rehab phases. I'll be looking for yours within the next couple of weeks. God Speed...

-Philip
 
The timing sounds normal to me!! It's like you've put on this huge front....and believed it.....but suddenly you feel like that solidity is going into a meltdown.

I'm sure you have everything pretty much in order at this point. So now it's time to relax, feel the love and just let the time pass by.

Your screename is Shutterbug. You must love photography. You must, then, have a good eye for your surroundings. Take a drive, pack a picnic....go out to a viewpoint and ponder your planet's profound beauty. Let the breeze tickle your nostrils, or the humidity weigh heavy on your arms, or whatever the weather is....connect with it. Stick your nose in some fragrant flowers. Put on your favorite music, eat your favorite foods. Drink it all in. Have your loved ones around you and be keenly aware of their laughter, their sounds, their love. These are the things you can count on to keep you strong as they wheel you around the corridors in a few days. You are more than your sense of fear. Let those other tangible senses take over.

You'll be awesome. They'll take really good care of you. We'll be thinking of you as you journey across that mountain and we'll be waiting for you on the other side. It's all good!

:) Marguerite
 
It's certainly normal to have problems concentrating on anything else as the big day approaches. I worked every day until two days before mine, and being at work ended up being the only time I really was able to think about anything else - definitely a welcome relief. Don't be surprised if at sometime within the next day or so a calm settles over you. I had been worrying and fretting for so long, that when I got really close to date, I began to feel really relieved that it was almost all over. Best wishes!
 
Rich,

I'm "on deck" right behind you. I get to walk through those doors on Aug. 21.
Right now, I feel like I should be worried, anxious, scared, etc. but for some reason I'm Mr. Cool. That being said, I guess I should expect a meltdown the weekend before according to all the other replys. Seems like this is a pretty normal responce. Best of luck and I'm about to say a prayer for you right now. Looking forward to your first post from the others side of the mountain.

Barry
 
Normal

Normal

You are totally normal....my hubby was the one who was freaked out the night before. I was just so glad to get it over. I was freaked out about month and half before surgery and I was so glad to get it over with so I wouldn't be all stressed out like I was. You will do fine and just keep trying to remember how much better you will feel after the surgery.
 
Don't be scared!

I'm having surgery next Tuesday and I'm not worried. I've actually been visiting the local theme parks the last few days so that I can have some fun and not think about everything too much. I don't worry about my heart surgery when I'm in the middle of a giant loop on the Dueling Dragons roller coaster :)

Just remember being nervous is normal, but excessively worrying about this is not going to make it go away.

Take care!
 
Rich,
Yep, sounds like normal human being emotions to me. As such our emotions will most certainly vary especially in circumstances like ours. While I was waiting two days in the hospital for my surgery, I almost felt guilty for being there in the first place. I felt fine healthwise. However, I also realized that inside of my body was a heart valve was in really bad shape. Surgery was not an option. I knew that without it, my days would definitely be numbered. You and your family are in my prayers.

Karl
 
Hi Shutterbug

Hi Shutterbug

Hi there
I just posted on another page concerning you then I saw this post...

I go in for surgery Thursday.(just moved up today from Friday, but I'm glad)

I totally know what you mean about not being able to think straight....It's like my mind has been taken over and it's all I can do get on with my day. I think my body is already getting ahead of it's self. Mentally I mean. Like "ok, conserve energy no thinking allowed at all, no worries or stresses". It's like my mind is saying let's deal with this "big ASS issue" then we'll mail the bills or go to the store or fold the landry etc. You know?

I tell myself all I have to do is show up and they'll fix me, I'll heal, I'll get on with my life. Not to sound to simple, but for me I can't think of it bigger than that right now. I know it's big,but for today I'll just do today's task.
Anyway I'm thinking of you and we will talk when we can.....
I will send prayers and healing thoughts your way on Wedensday.
your "heart felt" friend,
Tina
 
Being nervous is normal. I was most nervous the night before. However, when I woke up the next day and went to the hospital, I was surprisingly calm. Wishing you the best......
 
Chris was a rock up until 48 hours before too. (Although there were moments in the months leading up to it that he was teary as well.) Whatever you are feeling and going through is completely normal and completely understandable. What helped the "heebeegeebee's" (that's a perfect analogy Cooker!) was a good laugh. Each time a new nurse came in (Chris was admitted 48 hours before surgery) she would ask us in a concerned tone, "and do you know what type of surgery you are in for?'. And we would look at her innocently as say "yes, an appendectomy"! The look on the nurses' faces each time was priceless! Certainly helped the time go a little faster!

Yolanda
 
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