Hi
Surgery is Thursday the 17 and I'm freaking out a bit. I was fine before my first surgery but for some reason this time I'm a basket case.
greater knowledge, greater life experience, more understanding of what to loose.
I was fine as a child going into my first, fine as a 28 yo going into my 2nd, but as a late 40's person going into my third I was anxious. I just simply was not prepared to give up being with my wife.
But it was ultimately for her that I calmed myself as the agitation was too much for her to cope with. Even though she was coping well on the exterior I could see the stresses.
I still haven't decided between a tissue valve or mechanical valve. I'm so afraid that I'm going to regret my decision. Whatever I choose. Any advice is appreciated. This group has provided me so much info and support already and I will be forever grateful.
I recovered from my first, and my second with no issues. There were post operative complications on this operation (albeit not severe) but it was enough to require a debridement surgery and some months of antibiotic treatment.
While in hospital this time I also spoke with a fellow who's daughter underwent a similar issue on the recovery of her third.
The nature of complications and chances for complications increases with every surgery. While you may not be able to have another pregnancy with a mechanical valve, you do run the risk of being unable to be with your family if you have a longer string of surgeries.
How many times do you want to do this? The chances of requiring reoperation with a tissue valve are MUCH higher than with a good mechanical.
Sure having my 'thumper' bothers me ... but not as much as not having my wife with me anymore bothers me. What would your families lives be like if you chose a tissue now, and did not make it through other surgeries?
Lastly I would recommend that you read these posts:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?41176-Intubation&p=532439#post532439
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?41176-Intubation&p=532460#post532460
while the operations are very safe things, they are
not without risk, so do not take lightly this serious and life saving surgery. Asking yourself how many times you wish to do this is not being a 'worry wart' it is exactly a prudent thing to do. The surgeon will not suffer the same losses as your family if there are problems.
We all say to ourselves "well there won't be" ... and thats a good strategy. But it is a strategy for helping yourself be calm, not one for applying to analysis of the risks.
Best of luck with it all, post here when you get on the other side. I'll be looking for it