BAV & more? set for Monday July 21

[tomflies1]

I guess I'm down to the final stretch now, trying to get things ready here at home and trying to get myself mentally ready. Question, did anybody find themselves having nightmares about the surgery ahead of time? I sure am, maybe because I'm not a big talker or big into sharing feelings. (guy thing). Did anyone ask their docs for valium or something like that ahead of time? I'm actually looking forward to getting the surgery done and over with, then move on to a quick recovery.

 

[Ross]

Nightmares, no. If your quality of sleep is suffering, talk to your Doctor. They won't give you Valium, you don't need to be a zombie, but might give you some Xanax to help you out some.

Honestly, your going to be fine. Try not to think so hard about it. I know, much easier said then done, but try anyhow.

 

[gerrys]

I actually went approached and went into surgery with neutral feelings. I don't know why because I figured I be freaking out the closer I got, but not so. However, if you're feeling the panic don't hesitate to ask your dr for some meds to calm you down and help you sleep. You want to go in as healthy and rested as you can. Share and talk out your feelings with your loved ones or good friends.
Good luck and God bless!

 

[Cooker]

No nightmares here but I had trouble sleeping the night before....call your doctor and ask for something to calm you down....he/she will give you what's best for you.....They started "calming" me down as soon as I walked in to the hospital but Chimps can be disruptive....Wishing you all the best.....Godspeed.

 

[Dawn-Marie]

Hi Tom ~ No, i haven't had any nightmares so far and my surgery is scheduled for Thursday, July 17th. So far i've done pretty good, except for sobbing for 1/2 hour to an hour every morning when i wake up. But otherwise i'm doing fine. The night before surgery you should ask for something to help you sleep. I'm probably going to be awake myself since i have to be up by 2 AM (i'm paralyzed and need an aide to help me bathe, etc.) so i can be up and bathe and then be on the wheelchair van by 4 AM. I live an hour's drive away from the hospital and i have to be there by 5 AM. So, i won't have the luxury of much sleep at all that night. I know what you mean about just wanting it done and over with. All this thinking about it can drive you crazy!!

My best wishes and prayers are with you and i'm sure you will do just fine.

Dawn-Marie

 

[netmiff]

I Did, I Did !!!

I Did, I Did !!!

yup, I had nightmares - one night the surgeon and the rest of the team were playing "catch" with my heart in the ER . . that sent me to the doc for something to help me sleep. He actually gave me something like valium, and it worked like a charm. I have always had vivid dreams.

I also had a small abscess to get removed from inside my mouth, before OHS, and I took one for that, too. I do have depression, and although anxiety is not part of the diagnosis, I am a little more sensitive to stress, and get a teensy weensy little bit more anxious than average over this kind of thing. In fact, during my angio, they had to give me so much "joy juice" (their words, not mine) my family thought they would have to pour me into the car for the ride home.

When OHS day rolled around, I got something in prep, and as I was wheeled into OR, before I could even turn my head to see what was going on, I hear "Mrs. Smith, we're just going to give you something to help you relax". Next thing I remember is being in ICU, and it was two days later !! I swear that my file (or record or whatever you call it) had 'COWARD - SEDATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE" written on it in big, red letters

 

[MNmom]

nightmares, yes, meds, yes

nightmares, yes, meds, yes

I had nightmares pre-surgery, as I did pre-wedding, pre-c-section, pre-first day of work, etc. for this big surgery, my cardio prescribed me some xanax. I took it once or twice, but then l just stayed awake instead- I found i got more done around that house that way! As soon as i got into the hospital though on the day of surgery, they gave me something to relax- they told me they gave it to everyone.
I will also recommend relaxation CDs- there are some specific to successful surgery- which is what i got from my surgeon's nurse. I listened to them before and after surgery.

 

[tomflies1]

Nightmares & anxiety

Nightmares & anxiety

We had relatives and friends over today, went out to lunch and everyone was glad to talk about the upcoming surgery. It actually did help to get it out in the open and discuss it with everyone. A lot of support! Thanks for the advice on xanax, I've never been one to take pills, but in this case I think I'm happy to make exceptions. I'm definitely going to ask about something to help me sleep the night before.

 

[geebee]

Bumping this thread up to wish you well and hope all is very smooth.

Godspeed.

 

[Donnchadh]

You can sleep???

You can sleep???

Whats sleep. Im living on 2-3 hours a night last week I couldnt sleep for 3 days.
But the sleep I get in is REM and I have some spectacular vivid dreams of the surgeon playing O"s & X's on my chest with his scalpel and other such dreams but no night mares unless doing your own walking AVR is scary *lol*
With surgery in a week I suppose I should se my GP for something to sleep.

 

[ejonbry]

I can sleep when I finally go to bed. Sit up reading late. Too much thinking and "what if" going on in my head. Ready to have the whole thing done. About 2 weeks away now, wish it was tomorrow.

Eric
Congenital Aortic Stenosis
Being replaced with mechanical valve after some dental work.
Bored stiff sitting at home all day for 2 weeks so far.
2 weeks to go.

 

[ricks399]

Good luck

Good luck

on Monday, Tom. I am also scheduled for early Monday. I've had no nightmares that I can recall but have been waking early and unable to get back to sleep. Today it was 4:30 a.m. but I seem to be sleeping fine. Maybe because I'm tired out from getting up early!

It seems this has affected me emotionally more than I thought it would. I don't fear for the surgical outcome, but I am anxious about recovery and rehab. For most of us, this is a first and while the people here sharing their experiences can help us prepare, we are still facing the unknown and certain things over which we have no control.

But emotionally, I have felt incredibly sad for the last week or so. Not scared, not depressed, but sad. I'm not sure why - maybe it's the failure of so crucial a part of our bodies, maybe something else. I don't know but I wonder if anyone else has experienced this?

Anyway, good luck on Monday and more importantly, good luck in the weeks to come. Perhaps we can share experiences?

 

[zipper2]

A little late but it's 21st and wishing you all the best
if your in surgery today and prayers and good thoughts
at your side,hope you or someone posts us with all the
good news over the mountain.


zipper2

 

[EireCara]

Sending good wishes and prayers for a successful surgery and a 'boring' uneventful recovery. Looking forward to hearing from you on the other side.

 

[tomflies1]

Home from Surgery Today!

Home from Surgery Today!

Hello Everyone! Surgery was on Monday, and I'm home today (Sat.) and things went almost as planned. They did have to replace my ascenting aorta with a 28mm Hemashield, but they fixed my bicuspid aortic valve, using some heart tissue and changing the size of the valve a bit. So far, so good, heartbeat is back to almost normal, pressures are reducing. I can't say enough about Cedars Sinai and their staff, I know there are many great hospitals in the USA, and this is sure one of them. I'm walking 3 times a day, doing some stair climbing, and it's really not that bad. I've been keeping a diary of my experience, and I'll try to start copying in a few days. Thanks for all your kind words and prayers, they really do help.
Tom 55 aortic replacement/bicuspid valve fix.

 

[zipper2]

Time flies when your not waiting anymore and hope the nitemares
have flown away too now with surgery over.
Home sweet home....glad your home and all went great for you
now take things easy and DON'T overdo,rest when your body tells you.

zipper2

 

[Bridgette]

Hello Everyone! Surgery was on Monday, and I'm home today (Sat.) and things went almost as planned. They did have to replace my ascenting aorta with a 28mm Hemashield, but they fixed my bicuspid aortic valve, using some heart tissue and changing the size of the valve a bit. So far, so good, heartbeat is back to almost normal, pressures are reducing. I can't say enough about Cedars Sinai and their staff, I know there are many great hospitals in the USA, and this is sure one of them. I'm walking 3 times a day, doing some stair climbing, and it's really not that bad. I've been keeping a diary of my experience, and I'll try to start copying in a few days. Thanks for all your kind words and prayers, they really do help.
Tom 55 aortic replacement/bicuspid valve fix.

Good on you for keeping a diary of your experiences - I wish now that I had done that. My Mum says I should have - I was readmitted to hospital 3 times before they finally sorted out my pericardial effusion. Not that I want to dwell on it all the time, but sometimes looking back on your personal timeline of events can help you to provide insight and advice for others who might be going through a similar experience.
But anyway I'm so glad it all went smoothly for you and that you are well on your way to recovery...you have done well and should be proud of yourself.

Bridgette