Having a Mitral valve replacement op: 31 March 2008

[Smiley2000]

Hi there! I am new to this site. Female, 32 years old.

I am pre-op: going in for mitral valve replacement, 31 March 2008.
I have been very symptomatic for the past 3 months and latest Echo confirmed severe mitral regurg. My heart size is 4,7 and I was so shocked, I didn't ask what EF was and I didn't get the results on the "BNP" bloodtest. My Cardio just referred me to Thoracic Surgeon and now I am playing the waiting game... which I am not good at. I have to stop myself every day from picking up the phone and cancelling!

I got some great ideas for my "hospital bag" but I am sooooooooo scared and need someone to just remind me why I am doing this!!!

What can I expect from the whole experience: from admission to 8 weeks post-op.

Thanks

 

[Ross]

The reason your doing this is to save your life. Without it, you won't be around terribly long even if you don't feel that sick now. I'd say that's a pretty good incentive.

Waiting truly is the worst. Once it's over, you'll be asking yourself why did I make such a fuss over it. Because it's your heart! Scares everyone! If you weren't scared, I'd have to send you for a psych consult.

Don't worry about your BNP results unless your in a severe bout of Congestive Heart Failure.

Expect to feel as if you've been run over by a truck. This surgery really knocks the wind out of your sails. The pain and all isn't as bad as you imagine, so don't fret about that too much. You'll be weak, tired, out of breath and it's going to take 8 weeks or more for you to begin to feel right again.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome to our world Smiley!

When you have a "plumbing problem", you call a plumber.

In this case, your plumbing problem is in your heart so you see a Heart Surgeon. You don't even want to think about the alternative of NOT getting it fixed. BTW, you will be glad to know that Valve Replacement Surgery is a Highly Refined Art with an extremely High SUCCESS Rate. Risks are usually quoted as 1% Risk of Stroke and 1% Risk of Mortality (vs. almost certain Death if the valve is not repaired or replaced).

I'm having an 'extended visit' in the "waiting room" for Mitral Valve Replacement. While waiting, I've done a bit of research on Mitral Valves and have selected the On-X Mechanical Valve as my first choice for it's technological improvements over the older mechanical valve designs. See www.onxvalves.com and www.heartvalvechoice.com for more details. I know this valve is available in the 'other U.S.A.'

You can learn more about the other options, including Tissue Valves, and the 'trade-offs' between mechanical and tissue in the Valve Selection Forum. Start with the 'Stickies' at the beginning of that Forum.

You can find LOTS of stories of other's trips "over the mountain" in the Pre-Surgery and Post-Surgery Forums. Also read the 'stickies' at the Top of the List of Threads in those forums. Look for the one on "What to take to the Hospital" among others. Almost everyone agrees, "Waiting is the Hardest Part" and "the surgery isn't nearly as bad as you feared".

Please feel free to ask ANY Questions that come to your mind along the way. We've all 'been there, done that' and someone is almost sure to know the answer to your your questions, or at least point you in the right direction.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Cooker]

Welcome to the zoo...As Ross said, you are doing this to save your life and it is really not near as bad as you imagine.

Eight weeks out I was 3 weeks back at work. You are young and a assume otherwise healthy....You should sail through this with no problem and a quick recovery......I wish you the best.

 

[hensylee]

you are doing it because the alternative ain't no fun at all. We are here to walk along with you til you get through it all. That's our sole purpose for being here - for you.

You will find all the amenities in the waiting room. It's got coffee/tea, mags and all that stuff. And us.

hang with us, express all your concerns and somebody (probly a bunch of us) will respond to whatever they are.

we won't tell you not to be upset/scared - nearly 100% of us have been there, too. turns out that here we all are, still.

Blessins............

 

[Mary]

Welcome, Smiley!
I put your replacement on our surgery calendar, so you will have lots of support as you go through this.
I can't add much to what others have said, but you will be fine. And a year from now, you'll find it hard to believe that you ever doubted the need to have the surgery.

 

[Smiley2000]

Thank you all for welcoming me into your "family".
I feel so loved

Ross, thank you for fixing my password and getting me onto this Site

Everyone: I feel soooooo much better, having talked to you guys! I am not so scared anymore and I am armed with knowledge. ugh, the procedure still is not something to look forward to, but I can't wait for it to be all over and to visit my valve-family again, telling everyone how good I feel and that it wasn't that bad!

Mary, thank you for putting me on the Calendar! with so many people thinking and praying for me, how can I still be anxious.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome from a fellow mitral valver! I think after you get all fixed up and recovered you'll realize that you were symptomatic a lot longer than 3 months. You will feel much improved once the recovery process is done. But remember that the recovery process can take a year (or in my case more). You'll feel a lot better a few months out, but the healing is a longer process, so be patient.

 

[marie]

I am eight weeks out today. I am retired and I took it slow. It's not a walk in the park but it's not that bad either. First few days are a bit rough but I feel better and better every day. I feel as good now as I did before surgery.

Welcome to the site and stick with it you will get lots of support.
Hope someone can post for you after your surgery.
Earline

 

[Jkm7]

I am two and half weeks out from mitral valve replacement. This was my second heart surgery in four years and am doing very well.

My surgeon tried hard for a repair but it wasn't possible so I now have a bovine valve. I am feeling better this time around than the last, am walking 30 minutes a day minimum, have a fair (not great) appetite but have to say I am still sore. Perhaps I am more sore as this is a second surgery on the same incision line for me?? I don't know.

I see my cardio today for the first time since my surgery and have a ton of questions.

I was not very good the month I needed to wait for my surgery. It was very difficult waiting. The last week I felt I finally found a peace and accepted there was no choice for it but to go in with the best attitude of expecting all to go well and be prepared to do all in my power to have the best possible recovery.

I hope you find that peace earlier than I did......most of us do get there.
Please ask all your questions and don't hesitate to seek support here. We all so understand what you are feeling and are eager to lend all the cyber help we can. You CAN and you WILL do this successfully.

Let us hear from you.

 

[Freddie]

Welcome Smiley,

I too have had my mitral valve replace with a mechanical valve. Considering I didn't have ANY symptoms before I was rushed to the ER and then have my valve replace 5 days later - I had no time to be scared . Today, I feel like myself ......before that trip to the ER. It took me about 8 months to get where I am now. But, I also went back to work 4 weeks after surgery. I told my Doc "that I was doing more work at home than what I was doing at work" it was no lie - work was easy compared to housework

Everyone is different in the healing and recovery process.

I do wish you the best, and keep posting, we love to answer questions

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to the VR community. Sorry for the circumstances, but glad you found us. Being scared is normal. However, I found that the OHS was not nearly as bad as what I feared. In fact, when I woke up post-op my first thought was "It's over already?".

 

[netmiff]

just wanted to say welcome, echo what Ross said, word for word ! I am just over 6 months out, aortic valve replacement (AVR) and was riding buses in 3 weeks, working from home 1 week from surgery, and opened my first retail store at 3 weeks - with a lot of help from hubby ! I didn't work a full day for a couple weeks, then only did 2 or 3 days at a time without a day off. I too had no symptoms that I was aware of pre-surgery, but they have all disappeared since - small pains in the chest, dizziness when bending, and a few others ...

You're young, sound like you are otherwise in good health, and apart from getting hit by the truck that gets all of us, should do fine !

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome, Smiley. I hope you find the calm that many experience as the date grows nearer. In the meantime, you came to a great place to get you ready for the climb over the mountain. Be sure to check out the threads on "what to bring to the hospital" and "how to prepare for home". As others have said, you are young and you will do fine and be back here before you know it giving advice to other "newbies". Best wishes,
Phyllis

 

[kchristian]

Guided Imagery CDs & Healing Touch Therapy

Guided Imagery CDs & Healing Touch Therapy

Hi Smiley,

While getting thru the waiting period can be a very challenging time there were a couple tools I found that really helped me: Guided Imagery CDs (which I borrowed) and Healing Touch Therapy. There are some listed here (but in audio format) that sound like the ones I used (surgery prep and ICU/Rehab): http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/cs/cimp/audio.html I downloaded the free 15 minute guided imagery file there and it is a wonderful listening expereince! Healing Touch information is available here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-11-04-healing-touch_N.htm I had a few sessions pre-op, while in the hospital and post-op. My surgeon's office did not know about this offering and I had to do my own research and contacts yet it was part of Integrative Medicine and included in my care. http://www.scripps.org/Services.asp?ID=200

Wishing you the best before, during and after your major life event. You're in my prayers.

Warms hugs.....

 

[cp172]

Hi Smiley,

I had mitral valve repair 6 weeks ago. There is no doubt the wait is the worst part. If you have someone to help you after the surgery then all you have to do is focus on the recovery and be pampered.Thanks to all the wonderful medicines the pain was not bad.I was back at work after 3 weeks.

The hardest part now is the short rope my wife has me on. She mananges me very carefully to make sure I do not "overdo it" I know my place..I sit when she says sit.

This is a great place to get answers and talk with others that have been right where you are now. Welcome to VR

 

[TLB123]

Hi Smiley,
I am almost 10 months post op, and at the age of 32 (just like you) had my mitral valve replaced. I also became very symptomatic in the last few months before my surgery. There have had a few bumps in the road, but over all I feel great!! I am working two jobs and going to school. I would have never had the energy to do all that before my surgery. It was a struggle to get out of bed most days The waiting is tough, but you don't have much longer to go.

The 8 to 10 weeks after can be challenging at times. Try not to over do it at first! Listen to your doctor, ask questions, and most of all just be an advocate of your own care. There are no stupid questions. Try to stay positive, and add this site to your favorites. It's amazing!!! I have learned so much from this site just by reading the posts.

If you have any questions, or anything I can help you with please e-mail me [email protected]. I don't always make it to this site ,but check my e-mail several times a day.
Tara
Our thoughts are with you. Better days are coming!!!

 

[fionathiel]

stay positive

stay positive

Hi
I too have been diagnosed at 46 with mitral Valve regurgitation, something that i had never heard about until 2 months ago. After my echo ,which i thought would be a waste of time, they announce that i have mod - severe regurgitaion and mildly dialated left ventricle. I am seeing another cardio tomorrow to get that second opinion, thanks to all my new found friends on this site. I am asymptomatic at the moment but just need to know that it is is ok to monitor regularly at this stage (as suggested by the first cardio)
I have come to terms now that i WILL need the operation in the near future and can understand and sympathise with the fears you have. Just keep thinking how many of these ops are performed worldwide every hour of the day and the great success rates. It is one of lifes "hiccups" that has been dealt to us, that will only prove how strong you can be and will be.
I look forward to hearing your story once you are up and about.
Stay calm and positive.
Best Wishes
Fiona
from Australia

 

[Smiley2000]

You people are amazing! Thank you all for your kinds words of inspiration and for sharing your experience with me.

Friday and Monday is a public Holiday here in South Africa and my hubby is returning from Japan on Friday... then before I know it, it will be weekend again and the wait will be over!

Have a great day!

 

[Smiley2000]

It is SO nice to know that my fears are NORMAL and that there are so many people out there that have SURVIVED this and that the majority says it?s not that bad! I read on one of the other posts of someone?s sternum wire that poked through the skin and sternum that is incredibly sore, 9 weeks post-op! I am planning on returning to work after about 8 weeks - I hope.

I am still working and trying not to think about it to much. This past week has just been to loooooooooooong. My hubby went away on the day that I found out I have to go for surgery! He is my pillar and strength and always knows what to do to make me feel better and I haven?t been able to talk to him yet. He will be home again this Friday! I am sure from thereon time is going to fly!

I am more afraid of what this is going to do to my hubby and kids? my youngest being 2 ½ years old and my eldest, 5 years old. I don?t really have a support structure. My hubby is used to me being sick and in/out of Hospital and he will have to cope with working full time and taking care of the kids after work. My parents have their own lives and are not very involved in mine, although I am sure they will offer to help for the first few days.

I wish I could wait another 10 years, then they?ll be able to look after themselves. But, having said that, I know that God will provide - even in this aspect.