In need of positive mojo...

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Billbmike

My AVR has been changed from 6-16 to 6-17...ugg. So the nearby, cozy (free to me) hotel that caters to surgery patients won't be available on the new nite before OHS...ugg. Just found out that the cardiologist, that I really like, can't do the heart cath and some guy I've never met will be "filling in". My hard fought for appt. with the surgeon this week wasn't a great meeting. After waiting for over an hour in the small exam room he answered most of my questions with "that will all be covered in the post-op briefing and instructions". Plus, he was addament in insisting that a St. Jude be used instead of an On-X - OK doc, if you insist.
I have this vision of some surgical nurses on Thursday asking "who's that guy in OR2 and how long has he been laying there"?
OK VR, I know I am over-thinking this, but I'm T-minus 5 (or is it 6) days and I need some good vibes so I can get a better attitude going into next week.
Big Baby Bill
 
As for accommodations, does the hospital have a list of participating hotels/motels that offer discount rates? Mine did -- and I put my wife and son up there for the full five days. They had a blast while I had to content myself with flirting with the nurses. :D Maybe there's another hotel that will give you the break, no matter what days?

As for harder problems, I don't like the doc's attitude that you indicated. Should have been willing to discuss even if same ground would be covered in pre-op. Was he late for a golf tee-off, or what? Also, I really think patients should get the valve type they want, unless there is a good medical reason to go a different way. I know you're in the count-down, so I don't want to be throwing any wrenches in the works. Just wondering if you have other options.
 
I'm not happy about the surgeon either. He should have stayed till midnight answering your questions then and IT'S YOUR LIFE, if you want an ON-X valve, he needs to honor that request.

I'll send you the vibes, but I think you need to have another appt with him and take a 2X4 this time and enforce your needs.
 
Bill, I am sorry you are having this pre-surgery stress. Your surgeon's bed-side manner is not good, but we have found that sometimes, the bigger and better they are, the less bed-side manner they have. The important thing is that you are comfortable with his skills in the OR. Is this the first you have discussed the ON-X valve? It's very close to surgery time to be making other decisions now, but maybe others with chime in with their thoughts.
 
Bill,

Sorry to hear of your problems. Bottom line is if the surgeon is skilled the odds are you will be ok as you will be getting an excellent valve that many on VR speak highly of. The decision to go tissue or mechanical and then select which model valve you want can be maddening.Especially if your surgeon over rules you. In the end we all second guess decisions (those we make and those that others make for us).

When you get to the hospital I bet you will get better treatment than you expect.Most health professionals do an excellent job of taking care of their clients.Having never been in a hospital I was prepared for the worst.Instead I had an excellent crew of doctors and nurses who cared for me.I am sure that is the norm and not exception.

Meanwhile you need to try and stop worrying. Spend time with the family.Do something fun.In a week the burden will be on you to recover. Prepare to have some challenges but they will remind you that you are alive and on the road to recovery. Keep us updated.
 
Not a fun way to go into something that doesn't sound like any fun in the first place!!

Maybe the surgeon really isn't familiar with the On-X and knows he can offer you more success with the St. Jude. Maybe he sees something about your physical make-up that warrants his choice. My surgeon specifically asked me not to choose a stented replacement valve as he was not nimble with them and did not like using them as he always felt they might slip ouf of his hands. :eek: He was great, so I took that with humor, but certainly did not choose a stented valve!! :D;) And if I'd needed the stent, I would have certainly gone elsewhere for a surgeon.

The cath will tell him a lot about what he can and cannot install. These cardios do a zillion of these procedures....don't let that piece be a concern to you. If you feel up to watching (I didn't) you can focus on your gorgeous heart instead of who's doing the wiggling of the scope. For me, there were 3 other techs in the room. And actaully, for me they couldn't get the camera working and as I was somewhat loopy (sedated) by request their conversation about how much time it was taking to reboot everything and then wheel in a brand new machine and reboot that one was not very comforting. But my cardio kept patting me on the leg and asking me how I was doing. They're a good bunch. You'll be fine.

You know, if you're not in completely dire straits physically, you can toss them all out and head to Seattle or Idaho. I mean, you can. Listen to your heart!! Really. What are your instincts telling you?

BEst wishes

Marguerite
 
I'm with Ross, we are all civil human beings here trying to help one another survive on this planet. No one is above another no matter how hard they try, so sometimes it takes a little lumber to remind them about that;)

I was blessed with a surgeon who honored all of my needs and questions and had my surgery pushed back a day because he was teaching his low invasive approach to other surgeons and I wanted to help him teach others to get better at the surgery. It is tough and a pain the butt to wait that extra day when you are so so close, he bumped me two days before. But if you stick in there and we all will send our love and support with you. Best of luck and hope to see you on the other side:D
 
I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming surgery. I'd ask the surgeon why he does not want to use the ON X valve. Does your condition warrant a St Judes rather than ON X, etc?

Sending positive mojo your way. :)
 
Wshing you the best outcome with your surgery.......Godspeed.....oh and by the way....I'm pleased with my St Jude....but I would be please with either one as long as the implant was done well and I was ticking along with no problem.....I am sure all will be well.
 
It is easy to second guess right before surgery. I would have two problems with what you described. The first, and foremost to me, is that the surgeon should have stayed there as long as you wanted and answered questions until he was blue in the face...just so long as you felt educated and comfortable with your decision to chose him as your surgeon. Since I did my surgery in another state, I had only talked to my surgeon on the phone prior to arriving for surgery. However, I did meet with the surgeon before surgery and he told me that he'd stay in my room and answer questions as long as I needed him. He said we shouldn't start surgery until I was comfortable with everything...and that he'd wait until I was. Now that is a vote of confidence heading into surgery!!! The second problem I have is that it doesn't seem like you got the reasoning on why he doesn't want to chose the On-X valve. He may have a very valid reason for not wanting to use it, but I'd sure find out.

My opinion is that you need to have another face to face meeting with your surgeon to get you comfortable with your decision. If he/she won't oblige, then I'd find another surgeon.

Just my two cents...for what it's worth (probably a penny and a half honestly).

Good luck with your decision and I wish you nothing but the best. This community is here for you.
 
Positive mojo headed your way, Bill.
By the way, I had never seen the cardiologist who did my before surgery cath, and it was the easiest one I've ever undergone!
 
Bill...don't worry about the heart cath test, I found that to be a total no-brainer. I didn't feel a thing and it only took 30 to 45 min. Having to lay on my back for the 4 hours after the test was worse than the test itself.

In regards to your surgeon, I don't understand why he doesn't want to use an On-X valve. While they are new and supposably technically more difficult to install due to the higher profile of the valve, that shouldn't be an issue for an experienced surgeon. If your surgeon doesn't give you a clearcut answer as to why he wants one valve over another I would seriously consider finding a new surgeon. Its your life, your heart, if you want a specific valve then I would find a surgeon who is willing to accomodate your request.
 
Hi Bill ~

Looks like we're sharing the same date for our valve surgery. Mine is sort of uncertain at the moment, but it's more than likely mine will still be the 17th.

Luckily for me, i wanted to have the Carpentier Edwards Bovine tissue valve, since i have had MAJOR issues with Coumadin in the past that make it impossible for me to live with. Dr. Strzalka was going to give me a pig valve, but after reading a lot about different valves, i thought the bovine valve was better (as did a nurse i talked with at Cleveland Clinic's Heart Institute).

Along with the others, you have my best wishes and lots of prayers for a very successful surgery and a smooth recovery. I'm sure you will do just fine!!

Like you, i've got my calendar marked and am counting off the days. It's scary, isn't it? My friends say i'm acting cool and collected...WRONG!!! I guess i'm good at fooling people.

Good Luck Bill and God Bless!
 
Thanks VR!!
Thanks for kicking the pendulum back in the positive direction. This weekend was spent taking my daughter on a long, beautiful bike ride...taking my son up flying and watching my wife run in her first sprint triathlon...life is good.
I look forward to posting you all shortly after Thursday's surgery.
What a great group!!
Bill
 
Sending you positive thoughts. I believe having a positive attitude
was the prime force in getting me thru , and you sound like you
have that now:)-Dina
 
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