How do I relax?

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wtatc88

My surgery is getting closer (Nov. 13th) and I leave tomorrow to the Cleveland Clinic for pretesting. I have had minimally invasive surgery in the past on my MV, in which I had many complications. This time it will be a full sternal incision. Because of this, I am very anxious. I have been trying to relax and keep my mind occupied, but it's not working. For those of you that have been through this before, especially multiple times, do you have any good techniques that you used that helped? I'm looking for any suggestion on things to relax or keep my mind occupied. Thanks.

Tanya
 
Tanya ?. It?s hard ? the waiting is the hardest part, for everybody ? I have a deep faith and that helped but I never fully clamed down until I was at the hospital and they ?calmed? me down:rolleyes: ? You will be in my prayers and I?m sure all will go well!!:).... Tom
 
Tanya,
A CD player or Ipod with some favorite music might help pass the time during your trip to CC and while waiting. Also use the relaxation CD that they give you to help calm your nerves. As far as the sternotomy, I was worried about that too but it has actually been pretty good. My roommates that had minimally invasive procedures were in more pain than me in the hospital. For me, there was some tenderness in the first few months but after about 8 months my incision is pain free and the scar is fading very nicely. You will do great.
Take care,
John
 
MY doc Rx'ed a few pills of .5mg Ativan because I thought that I would totally freak out.....as it turned out, just having them in the cabinet was reassurance enough. And then I was called in 2 days early anyway.
Focus on one day at a time. All the best to you.
 
In a word....XANAX!

Once I arrived in Rochester and started the whole pre-surgery rounds of appts., I became calmer and was just ready to get it done.

You've done your homework, and chosen some of the best. Have faith in their ability. You'll be fine.

Kim
 
I have to agree with the Xanax or valium on this one. Once you get through the doors,,it all becomes automatic. You will be so absolutely surprised at how much courage you really do have. Turn it all over to your higher power and the experts that he works through.
Best of luck and God bless
 
Tanya,

For me it was my deep faith, listening to prayers and chanting CDs all day long, and Xanax or Ativan at night.

I shall keep you in my prayers. Good luck. Concentrate on the good healthier you will be. :):)
 
I use meditation as best I can. Now that I'm down to less than 48 hours the reality is set in and everyone is right it's automatic. I try to split what time I have left before surgery with the family and by myself. Im trying to get the things that I take for granted done. Like hugs. Hugs are just to painful next week. You'll find the courage, it comes out of nowhere. And when you wake up and know you made it. WOW what a feeling. There is nothing that is impossible any more. Just spend some time in a dark room and think of nothing. It's amazing how much it works. I also read alot of books on native american spirituality. If your interested I can give you the names of some of the books I read over and over again. The stuff I get out of it isn't religous per se but it helps s make your mind stronger. The mind is the best doctor you'll ever have help you heal. Just some insight on what I do to get ready. I did it last time and for both caths and it really helped.
 
I feel for you my friend because whether it's your first OHS or multiple, the waiting period can be torturous! I waited 8 months before my 1st OHS & then 6 months for my 2nd & the anxiety that I felt was no less. The consolation I had was that I looked forward to the day when I didn't feel as sick anymore & that's what kept me going. That and my family's encouragement & support. Luckily in 2006, for my 3rd, my wait was not that long.

So hang in there & try to keep busy preparing things prior to your upcoming surgery such as making sure you have easy meals in the freezer to prepare when you're home; laundering your linens, last minute chores around the house, paying your bills, etc.

My prayers are with you; you'll be fine! Take care! :)
 
Been there, done that....

Been there, done that....

You Will Be Fine. Nothing to worry about. Your sternum will make a full recovery and you'll be good as new. you are water, reflecting all that is true, all that is real. :)
 
I so know where you are and everything going through your head.

I had my second OHS in four years last February and the waiting was awful.
I asked for an Rx to help and it really did help.
I took them as little as possible but they have these anxiety meds for a reason and if upcoming OHS isn't anxiety producing, what is?

It is true for many of us...... Once we walk through the hospital doors, it gets so much easier. We give over our control and trust in the professionals taking care of us.

Wishing you the very best. We'll be eager to hear all went well and you are on the road to recovery.

Godspeed.....
 
Many people here have used this lady's Guided Imagery CDs. It probably wouldn't get to you in time.

http://www.guidedimageryinc.com/home.html

But print up some of the info. in the link and when you get to Cleveland Clinic, ask if they have Diane Tusek's CDs available that you could use.

Several heart surgery hospitals use her CDs and will either give their patients a copy or loan them out.
 
For me it`s music.......I had my OPS surgery postponed twice in the same week Sept.17th and the 20th and then waited four days for the actual surgery. I don`t recommend prescription drugs for the fact that following the surgery you`ll be dealing with this issue on a grand scale. Best of luck.....
 
for me, it was sleeping pills - and I cleaned like a fiend (and trust me, that's not my normal !!!!) - linen closets, silverware drawers, shoes in the front hall closet, etc. you name it, it caught my attention! Fortunately, DH realised it was just nervous energy and let me go at it.

The waiting is truly awful, isn't it ??
 
The waiting works BUT surgery works better!!!!

The waiting works BUT surgery works better!!!!

Tanya i know how you feel,believe me.

The wait for me can be emotionally draining.The time between tests i had in Sept to my second stage of waiting.:eek:
It sure has given me time to adjust to a 2nd sugery this wait.
I'm fortunate i keep myself busy with whatever i can and try and surround yourself with everything positive,get rid of all those negative thoughts.
Waitings tuff to deal with but i have a strong family connection and support from friends and family has done me good.I try and keep a strong and open mind otherwise it would drive me nuts and believe me there were afew days i fell off the band wagon too.I always when it gets bad try and think of all the people waiting for organ donations,theres so many waiting o my goodness,this has to be 100% worse than where i sit for valve surgery.
As far as keeping busy anything to keep my mind off and thats where i surround myself with positive thinking,i steal my grandaughter alot from my daughter,this sure works for me (lol) and kids never worry about surgery they believe one way the truth its all going to turn out fine and i luv my 9 yearold grandaughters additude.My family doc is very supportive also and i just keep strutting the wait through each day,i'm not sure how but i do,but i have to keep occupied and my mind busy like you.Surgery for me is a question of timing on the surgeon in alberta and all i can do is continue to busy myself.
Yes waiting is worse than surgery for all of us i feel .
Tanya i send you and your family all the best with surgery and you
will all do fine and once you leave tomorrow you will keep occupied
getting ready for surgery and it will be great to have it done .
i am high risk surgery and i know you will do good and so will i.
Take Care (((HUGS)))

zipper2 (DEB)
 
Thank you all

Thank you all

Thank you all, for your advise. I'm packing now and leaving in the morning. I've packed a couple of my favorite CD's to relax by. I will also look into the guided imagery CD's.
I've been trying to stay busy. I think the night hours are the worst. I do pray alot at night. I will hit the book store when I get there. If all that doesn't work, I'll go to the meds for back up.
I will have my computer too, so I can refer to this post. I think all your advise and kind words will help to calm me, as well.

Thank you all,

Tanya
 
We'll be thinking about you, Tanya.
Hope you have a smooth, successful surgery and an uneventful, fast recovery.

Please let us know you are doing fine as soon as you are able.

Godspeed......
 
I wish you all the best Tanya.

Many of us (including me) have found that once you get into hospital a kind of "calm" feeling takes over - it's like it is all out of your hands now, you've done your research and prepared as best as you can, now it's up to the doctors.....

Bridgette
 
I also have a deep faith! And a renewed walk with God! music is good, and a lot of prayer, and rest. Find and renew your walk with God and give it to him. I have you in my prayers! Please let us know how you are doing, you will be just fine. We have all been scared but we are here for a reason! Remember that people love you and need you. God Bless!
 
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