Surgery Date Changed to January 15

[harleygirl528]

Hello All,

Well, I am not less than 2 weeks out from "the big day" and I am sooooo nervous! I got a called from Cedars Sinai, Dr. Raissi's scheduler said that Dr. Raissi wants to bump up my surgery by one day to Jan 15 instead of 16th. Apparently he is going to be leaving town on Friday and wanted to make sure I was stable before leaving so wanted to operate a day earlier. Although I am impressed that he is concerned enough to want to operate a day earlier it makes that Monday absolutey jam packed for me. I have to arrive at his office by 8:30 am for history and physical, MRA of the brain at 9:45, 64 slice CT of the heart at 11:00 am, consult with Dr. Raissi at 2:00 and somewhere in between all this chest x-ray, EKG, blood and urine testing as well! Whew....I'm worn out just typing it all out!

Anyway, I guess it's better just to get on with things and the sooner I have surgery the sooner I get to recover and fly home.

I went to see my primary care doctor today for something to help with the anxiety...I haven't slept really much at all the last couple nights. Every time I doze off I just wake up and my mind starts racing with thoughts of the surgery. I know, it doesn't do me any good to worry and I am absolutely certain I will be just fine....BUT....I just can't seem to shake my nerves and anxiety.

I went out shopping today and bought some of the things I will need like a digital scale (guess you have to monitor your weight pretty carefully), a thermometer for taking my temperature, some comfy clothes, etc. and it really does help to keep busy. I have noticed that my bp is higher with all the stress and anxiety and I have had to bump up my dose of Cozaar.

We are leaving 1 week from today to drive down to California...my husband wants to have the care while we are there...and of course I will be flying back. I have a whole lot of people who are going down with me including, of course, husband, mother, sister, brother-in-law, and my two daughters. My sister is actually planning on taking her kids as well and my brother in law is going to entertain the kids and maybe even sneak in a trip to Disneyland. Seems kinda wierd to combine OHS with a trip to Disneyland but I am sure my 9 year old will love it. I wasn't going to pull her out of school but when my sis said they were taking their kids I figured why not....she would feel so left out if I didn't take her and I am sure it will be great to see her beautiful little face when I am recovered enough to be aware.
I can't shake this feeling that there is something I am forgetting but I will go back through the posts on things to take to the hospital and preparing the house. My mom is actually flying back up here to Seattle several days before me just to get everything ready and to bring my daughter back and get her back into school.
So, with all that said, please send your prayers and good wishes for my surgery and recovery on Jan 15....not 16th as originally planned.
Thanks everyone!

 

[marie]

Prayers are coming your way. I know you will do well and will be looking to see how you are doing. Is someone going to post for you? I'll be one week behind you.
Earline

 

[Bina]

Lorie, I was also called in early for my surgery. I was scheduled for a Thursday and they operated on a Tuesday. My surgeon had a conference to attend and wanted me taken care of first.
That is always a good sign.

 

[KatieD]

Lorie,

I'm sorry you're having the added stress of a date change, but at least it's sooner instead of later so you're closer to having it all behind you.

I think you're doing the right thing with your daughter. It's important for her to be there and see that everthing's okay. My 9 year old twins (boy & girl) accompanied me and my husband to Dallas this summer when I had my surgery. My sister and her husband and two kids (boy and girl!) live there so my kids had a mini vacation with them while I was in the hospital. I had expected to want to see them the day after surgery, but decided against it at the time and waited a couple of days before having them brought in so I was in better shape. They got to spend some time with me and then back to vacation time - roller skating, pizza, late nighters with their cousins! I think Disneyland sounds like a great idea!

You'll be in my prayers.

 

[bbb]

Hi Lorie,

My surgery was also bumped up a day and it was a tough decision whether to take the early date or not, as my days were jam packed, but I went with the flow and it worked out really well. I agree with Bina, that is a good sign!

Don't worry about the full schedule, the hospital is really used to scheduling and getting all the appropriate test done, so if they think you can still do it all on Monday, it should be fine.

The only thing I would say about all the people coming with you, is that the first few days of recovery, you will probably want to limit your visitors. The first 3 days or so, I really did not have attention for much and you might want to have someone be your "gatekeeper" and check in with you about how you are feeling and if you just want to wait a day or so to have many visitors. It's a lot of energy to keep up with all the hospital tests and nurses and doctors.

Good job for getting some anti anxiety meds, I had xanax and took one during the weeks leading up to surgery, and was glad to know I had it in case. I also took them the day of the flight home, as I had a rough start to the flying day and just wanted to zone out in my seat with my ipod.

Anxiety is totally normal right now! Just keep breathing deeply! When you wake up in the night, can you listen to some of those relaxation tapes you mentioned in another post? That helped me, I used relaxation tapes and relaxing music to get me through, before and during surgery and recovery. In fact, the first thing I wrote in ICU was "Music good, Pain bad" and got my music back immediately.

I know with your positive attitude, all the support from your family and the support from everyone here, you will do just fine. I will keep you in my prayers and especially be thinking of you on the 15th of January.

All the best, Betsy

 

[cp172]

Lori,

Just think. In two weeks all you have to do is rest and heal. No more worry about the surgery. I'm in the waiting room with you but will not have my surgery until February. I will be looking for your posts on your recovery. God bless you and your family. You and the other members of the VR family heading to surgery in January are in my prayers.

CP

 

[Phyllis]

Lorie, I changed the date on the calendar. Dick and I will be on a cruise from the 5th to the 15th, but I hope to come home to find that you had a successful surgery and I wish you an uneventful recovery. Glad you are going to have so much family support. Godspeed!

 

[Guest]

Seems kinda wierd to combine OHS with a trip to Disneyland

*chuckles*

Am I the only one that thought of something like this....


"Lori, you've just come out of the hospital after recovering from Open Heart Surgery. What are you going to do now?"

Lori, enthusiastically, of course:

"I'm going to DisneyLand!"


Seriously, Lori, thoughts/prayers are coming your way....



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Gonna do my very best" ... ABBA ... 'Take A Chance On Me'

 

[MaryC]

Lorie,
I will be thinking of you and praying for you on the 15th. You have done all of your homework and found the right surgeon and hospital. You will be on the road to recovery soon.

 

[Debbie]

Hey Lorie, if your lucky you'll get to see brittney spears while you're there you know she got checked into Ceaders again today Can you bring a laptop with you so you can post to us?? Also, what did the doc. give you for calm down med.?? Take care Debbie

 

[Curtsmum]

Wishing you the best of luck with surgery and a speedy recovery.

 

[harleygirl528]

Thanks for the Words of Encouragement

Thanks for the Words of Encouragement

Hello Everyone,

Well as usual, I logged on here to see an enourmous amount of support and encouragment from you all....and it is much appreciated!

KatieD: I agree, important for my daughter to be there and feel a part of everything. I wouldn't even have suggested it if it weren't for my sister bringing her family and having a built in babysitter...as my husband and I will be otherwise detained, I am sure. Besides, it will give my busybody mother something to do besides fret over me!

Betsy: I agree about limiting the visitors and the only people I anticipate seeing the first few days are my husband, sister, mother and MY kids...the extended family will just have to wait. I have tried listening to the relaxation tapes during the night when I can't sleep and even they don't help...Although I am taking my Ipod fully loaded with relaxation music to the hospital with me. Did you wake up with the tube still in? I am going to be very adamant about my desire to NOT be aware of the tube at all...and with my sister the ICU nurse hopefully I will receive copious amounts of sedatives and Versed (amnesiac drug) until such time as tube is removed....The scheduling indicated that it was going to be "tough" to get all the testing done in one day but I guess if I am really busy I won't have as much time to get nervous?
Debbie: My doctor prescribed Xanax...I haven't even taken one yet...maybe it's just knowing that I have them...I will probably take one tonight so I can sleep(hopefully).
And everyone else...thanks for your thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, etc. It is much appreciated....

 

[Marguerite53]

Hi Lorie.

Hope you had a good night's sleep! Don't put it off!! Try the Xanax!! You won't believe how comfortable they make you feel! LIke putting on your most comfy warm cuddly clothes and just laying back. Seriously. You've earned it!

There's nothing wrong with going into surgery a day early! My surgery was on a tuesday so that's just one more thing we kind of have in common ( ). That's fabulous that he wants to be the one to check in on you for a few days. Many of us get whomever is on "rounds" for a few days. It does sound like there is an awful lot for you to do on Monday, though! Whew! Well, good thing you're used to being a busy, bustling go-gettum kinda gal!! Monday will be a blur and you'll be too exhausted on tuesday to care!

You are such a good writer. Have you written notes to your husband and your children? I got some nice stationary and just wrote thank you notes to them, and briefly what my loving wishes were for them.....just in case they might need them. I felt so much better saying things to them in an unrushed and less emotional state. When you give the hugs before surgery, well, those are tough. I was practically tongue-tied....I just didn't know what to say. Those letters are still sitting unopened in my dresser drawer, of course! But my husband knew that they were there.

I like that you'll have an entourage with you!!! I think that's wonderful! And yes, your daughter would have felt completley left out. This is a large event for her (for them all, your children.), too.

Many of us do not remember the breathing tube. I certainly don't. I guess I had Versed, but then my husband isn't sure I was ever even awake with the thing in. They got mine out pretty quick I guess. Try not to be afraid of these things lest you set yourself up for a "self-fulfilling prophesy" type experience where Murphy's law kicks in and everything that you dread actually becomes part of your experience. Instead, maybe focus on the human aspect of what you are going to encounter. Meeting your surgeon for the first time....shaking the hand that will be holding your heart!! All the many, many caring, supportive strangers who will be caring for you. Imagine the warm California sun.

You really need to just let go. Tie all your worries to the string of a kite and let is soar out over the Sound. You don't need these worries, so just send them off......up to the sky.

Because my sons could not be with me, I brought a photo of my children in a cardboard frame. It was on my bed table from the first moment. Every nurse who came in asked my about my family (and there are always nurses coming in for one thing or another!!) It was wonderful to talk about them and the staff were so kind and interested. They want to know who you are, too!!

I hope you will be able to somehow get some message of your successful surgery to us while you are at Cedars. We're going to be very anxious to hear your news, you know!! You've hooked quite a few of us onto your wagon here!!

Tomorrow (saturday) is the 5th. That means you're counting down from 10 now! Understandably, this is going to be a very tough time.....it is for all of us! You are so very much NOT alone!! But you are going to breeze right through this!!! You really are!

Keep posting whatever you need. We're here!!

Marguerite

 

[Bryan B]

Lorie,

I was about to say that having that busy of a pre-op day may be the best part of having your surgery moved up. Instead of thinking about the surgery you will be thinking about how to get to the next medical department to have your next test done. BTW...my pre-op day is when the calm came over me (or acceptance...or whatever you want to call it). Once I realized that this was really going to happen, and once I realized how competent and caring the staff was, the anxiety level went down several notches.

 

[Bryan B]

Hope you had a good night's sleep! Don't put it off!! Try the Xanax!! You won't believe how comfortable they make you feel!

If you consider sitting in front of the fireplace sipping on your favorite adult beverage while getting a back massage comfortable...then you might just want to try one of those Xanax.

 

[geebee]

Much better to get the surgery bumped up than delayed - gives you less time to worry. And I think they should wait for Disneyland until you are out of the hospital. I think being wheeled around Disneyland as part of recovery sounds just perfect. However, stay off those bumpy rides. Just kidding everyone.

I wish you well and we will be worrying about and praying for you.

Godspeed.

 

[bbb]

Hi Lorie,

I did wake up with the tube, but you know it wasn't so bad and I hardly remember it at all. When I think back now, I know it was the tube, but being on the morphine made everything bearable and not very painful or uncomfortable, as I remember it now.

I wouldn't worry about any of it now, either, if you can try. My pre-op schedule was a blur of procedures, machines, needles, doctors and nurses. It really just took my mind off everything as I stayed present and met the entire cast of characters. I was supposed to have one easy day in between, but that didn't happen as my surgery was moved up a day. The day I finally met my surgeon, his next step was to go home to sleep and wake up for my 8am surgery, so I met him about 12 hours before my surgery. Just plan to have a very mellow night before the surgery, try to actually go to bed early even if you think you will not sleep. I listened to the tapes that night and drifted in and out of sleep and felt rested. Very important as you will not get a lot of rest in the hospital!

You will be in all our prayers and your biggest job right now it to try to relax.

All the best, Betsy

 

[KMS]

It's all good

It's all good

Lorie -

I agree with the crowd...having your surgery moved up by a day is good news. One day closer to recovery and healing. And a busy Monday will fly; better to have everything backed against each other, with less time in the waiting areas.

By the way, have one of your trusty companions bring along your favorite reading material that Monday. Having "People", "Newsweek", "USA Today" or whatever you most enjoy picking up for easy reading, really helps. My husband and I had about an hour in the curtained-off cubicle prior to my heart cath the day before my surgery. We had the local paper and I was able to read the movie reviews and do a Sodoku to pass the time. Good, easy distractions for that day. (Note: these worked really well before my surgery. During the 5 days I was in the hospital post-op, I got the paper each morning, but I wasn't really interested in concentrating or reading.)

Finally, I found that taking a Unisom a few of the nights the week before the surgery worked really well for me. 8 solid hours feels SO good if you've been restless. So embrace that Xanax or whatever you feel will give you a nice, comfy, sleepy ride. You'll wake up feeling so good. (I asked the nurse for something to help me sleep the night before my surgery; whatever good stuff they gave me worked like a charm.)

We're all sending you positive vibes, Lorie.

Kristine

 

[Susan BAV]

Hi Lorie -

Like someone else said, I think I too would rather have the surgery moved up a bit than delayed a bit. I had one week's notice for valve replacement and it all worked out okay. I'm sure you'll do great.

It sounds like you like to have all of your "ducks in a row". I do too.

And it sounds like you have them all lined up and ready to go.

One more thing to keep in mind is that you do not want to be around any germy people, before or after your surgery--there could be a surgical delay if you are ill of course but also you don't want to be coughing or sneezing afterward with that freshly rewired sternum because it's a whole new kind of pretty unpleasant pain. So get your rest and proper nourishment and hopefully everyone around you, before and afterward, will do so also.

Take care! Hoping all goes well for you. Post again when you can.

 

[NewValveNY]

Dear Lorie,

It sounds like you have a wonderful and loving family and support system! Good luck with your surgery.You will be so relieved when the surgery is behind you and you begin to recover and heal. I am sending you warm wishes and good luck from the east coast...

Allan