Looking Past Surgery/Your New Life

[upchurch131]

I got to thinking about how anxious and scared we are are going into surgery and how everyone here and in our lives is there for all of us. I SHOULD have been in surgery today if I went with another surgeon- but I held out for Dr. McCarthy who I will see on 6/26/08. I will post my surgery date afterwards because it will be MY turn to freak out!

Yesterday, I responded to Melanie who was afraid of her upcoming procedure to which I posted: "I, as well as probably almost everyone on this forum, either in the waiting room or post surgical seem to have this feeling. It seems a common thread- almost bi-polar! One moment I am happy to be getting this over with and coming out the other side feeling better (I already decided to renew our wedding vows:, take another cruise and take my wife to see "Love" at the Mirage in Las Vegas) My therapist told me to have something planned after the surgery to look forward to. Up to this point, I have not been planning anything for the future. As I thought about it, I acted like I will not be able to enjoy the next phase of my life following surgery. We all need to look forward and beyond our surgeries."

I will post this string on the "post surgery" forum as it might be more appropriate there. But what I would like to know is what, if any plans have you made prior to going into surgery that you intended to carry out following your successful outcome? Did this planning help you in any way prior to your surgery? Did you follow through yet on those plans?

I would really love to hear about resumption of life after surgery.

 

[Ross]

Nope. Mine didn't go as planned, so you can't use me for the control subject.

 

[Superbob]

That I would continue to root for Carrie Underwood to win Season Four (which began a month before my surgery) of American Idol and that if she won, I would go to one of her country music concerts. Sure enough, she did, and I did -- at Salem Civic Center nearby.

 

[upchurch131]

Nope. Mine didn't go as planned, so you can't use me for the control subject.

Well, you bring up a good point! If it was a life or death emergency, you can't plan for what you want to do on the other side! But, now that you are there, has anything changed for you or is it life as it once was? Are you a free spirit, gambling all your money away, purchasing a new Shelby Mustang?

 

[Phyllis]

Dick was operated on in December and we planned to go to our winter home in FL as soon after his 6 week check-up with the surgeon as possible, and we did- just instead of driving as we usually did, at 8 weeks, our son-in-law and son drove the car down, we flew, and I carried the bags. During the 6 week recovery period, we also booked a flight from FL to Aruba for that February and spent 10 days there where Dick walked the entire island- again I carried the bags. In March he was back to his regular tennis doubles game, biking and golfing and carrying the bags. I think it's important to have plans for after recovery. It gives you something to strive for and promotes a positive attitude.

 

[melanie]

I have been going strong all year. Really busy at work. Exercises going on along with several inspections. Everyone else has relaxed and started enjoying the rest of the year. I still have one more obstacle. Once my surgery is over on Friday, I plan on becoming a beach bum for the rest of the year. I am really going to let my mind relax and I am going to have some fun.

 

[WayneGM]

To be honest, I didn't make any special plans other than resuming my normal life in 10 -12 weeks....back to my regular routine...work, riding my bike, etc. Although I was anxious about having OHS, in a going into the unknown sort of way, I never really doubted a positive outcome. Since I was asympotomatic, and had never been really sick or injured a day in my life, I guess I just assumed I'd return to my old self in no time. Little did I know that when they said I could go back to work in 10 - 12 weeks they meant "just barely". If anything, it wasn't until after the surgery that I realized just how significant this was, and how fragile we are. In fact, it was my post-op episode with pericardial tamponade that had a greater influence on me in that regard, more than the heart surgery itself. Since then I have made a conscious effort to rebalance my life, and take time to smell the roses.

 

[Ross]

Well, you bring up a good point! If it was a life or death emergency, you can't plan for what you want to do on the other side! But, now that you are there, has anything changed for you or is it life as it once was? Are you a free spirit, gambling all your money away, purchasing a new Shelby Mustang?

I was broke then and even more so now, so nothings changed.

 

[DeWayne]

I guess one of my goals was to make it to my 35th class reunion and play golf with my old buddies. I celebrated my 1 year anniversary the week of my reunion and played golf 6 out of 7 days I was there.

Of course I may have had an advantage as I had spent most of my life having dealt with being a heart patient. For me the idea of surgery was never that big a deal, I always knew I would have to have another operation and that it took 47 years between them was a big time plus in my book.

 

[Guest]

plans have you made prior to going into surgery that you intended to carry out following your successful outcome? Did this planning help you in any way prior to your surgery? Did you follow through yet on those plans?

I would really love to hear about resumption of life after surgery.

My husband and I did a lot of talking before my surgery. I knew I needed something to work towards so that I could stay positive during recovery. I'm giving my body a full year to recover and I'm celebrating every little thing as it comes to me. We talked about a race somewhere, anywhere that we could train for. We chose the Army 10 Miler because we would have plenty of time to train, and another trip to DC would be our 2008 vacation. I will stick to the training as long as I have a goal. I'm amazed at how well my recovery is going, how good I feel, and that I'm not far off from my former competitive running times. My running feels like I never left it. It just gets better and better.

 

[Duff Man]

Dude it's your turn to freak out right now. You know you're getting it done soon. Same here. I just got a letter from a very well known surgeon saying it's "go time". Wigging session has commenced.

I don't plan to do anything but be careful and pay close attention to my recovery for like 2 months if I make it. I'm going to impregnate my wife, I'm going to go back to school... life will be better when I don't feel like crap. I'm excited to not feel like I do both mentally and physically. I can remember what it was like before the valve went south.

 

[sue943]

Things don't always go as planned.

My surgery was on 30th June and my only daughter was getting married on Friday 15th July, I was discharged on the Sunday prior to the wedding and ended up being admitted to hospital with heart block on 14th July so missed the wedding.

Still, I had my job to look forward to once I had recovered, well I did until the day I returned to work to be told my job had gone!

Still, that was three years ago and without the surgery I would be dead now so it is a small price to pay.

 

[Natanni]

Nathan's cardio at his endocarditis follow-up/AVR pre-op appt:

"Lets get it done, and life goes on...." simple words, that we kind of grabbed on to, and held. And we reflected now a few years afterward, how true. Life has gone on. We never would have believed it at that time. Our life was completely wrapped around the endocarditis and the surgery.

I remember though, when Nathan was struggling to make a decision as to what valve to choose, the valve nurse Beth Eicchorn at Mayo, showed a picture of a former patient police officer roofing his house a month or two after surgery. Nathan has always been so physically active all his life, that the picture really hung in there for him. He was able to still do things like that, but with alot of effort. This winter, he climbed down from the roof of our home after shoveling off a LOT of snow, and he told me he was in awe of how he DIDN'T get winded. He could shovel forever It was not something "planned" but a very nice milestone!

I am all for planning a cruise however. Absolutely Cruising after valve replacement? I think Nathan would be more than happy for me to speak for him here..... Splendid

 

[Jkm7]

We cruise often and love it. We had to cancel a special cruise we had looked forward to a lot more than the rest. My surgery was February 28 and we were to have left for the cruise April 12 or something like that. Final payment (and penalty period commencement) was several days after I got the news I needed a second surgery. It was too risky to think I'd be well enough to enjoy the cruise. We cancelled and it was good we did. We promised ourselves we would book a 'make up' cruise the day I came home from the hospital and we booked not one new cruise but two.

We have many friends on the ships and some called me in the hospital and sent flowers. That meant sooo much to both of us. The first flowers I received were from a Captain and wife from one of our favorite ships. We have seen him since my surgery and hugged him tight for giving me that extra fight to get well as fast as I could.

I think the extra incentive, the something special to look forward to helped me walk that little bit further when I was tired, made it easier to go for yet another INR test, another doctor's appointment..... Aside from the general 'get well goal', a special extra goal was wonderful.

 

[BackDoc]

take your goals in small steps. My first goal that I envisioned post-surgery was gripping my wifes hand as I woke up, then giving her the thumbs up sign. I did exactly as I had planned.

All those who continue to write about how you are "freaking" out, please take a step back and breath deeply. The more you fear "freaking" out, the more anxious you will become. Fear is healthy, but you have to channel it in a positive manner to make it work for you.

My best advice to everyone facing this surgery is to envision yourself as you want to be; successfully through the procedure, and recovering as planned. Remember, every step you take such as waking post surgery is a step closer to getting out of the hospital.

My 2nd goal was to be able to get back into my office, which I was able to do at the 4 week point post surgery.

My 3rd goal was to be able to get back to horse riding which I was allowed to do at the 3 month point.

Use your fear and anxiety to work for you, not against you.

 

[Guest]

But what I would like to know is what, if any plans have you made prior to going into surgery that you intended to carry out following your successful outcome? Did this planning help you in any way prior to your surgery? Did you follow through yet on those plans?

AWESOME thread topic!

I have followed through on my plans. My last surgery thus far was January 6, 2003. Before surgery, I decided it was "high time" to meet as many people as I could from the various message boards of which I'm a member. So far, so good...take a looksie at this evidence:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/0410/0410.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/0508/0508.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/1106/1106.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/200711/200711.html


The only trips not documented are my 2-week road trip in 2003 out east, and several "mini" trips throughout the years.


Course...some plans have not gone over well...but, I won't go there.



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights" ... Carrie Underwood ... 'Before He Cheats'

 

[upchurch131]

Dick was operated on in December and we planned to go to our winter home in FL as soon after his 6 week check-up with the surgeon as possible, and we did- just instead of driving as we usually did, at 8 weeks, our son-in-law and son drove the car down, we flew, and I carried the bags. During the 6 week recovery period, we also booked a flight from FL to Aruba for that February and spent 10 days there where Dick walked the entire island- again I carried the bags. In March he was back to his regular tennis doubles game, biking and golfing and carrying the bags. I think it's important to have plans for after recovery. It gives you something to strive for and promotes a positive attitude.

Darn, you just blew my excuse! I guess I'll have to eventually CARRY THE BAGS again!

 

[upchurch131]

I have been going strong all year. Really busy at work. Exercises going on along with several inspections. Everyone else has relaxed and started enjoying the rest of the year. I still have one more obstacle. Once my surgery is over on Friday, I plan on becoming a beach bum for the rest of the year. I am really going to let my mind relax and I am going to have some fun.

You go girl! Beaches and water come up often in my post surgical thoughts!

 

[upchurch131]

My husband and I did a lot of talking before my surgery. I knew I needed something to work towards so that I could stay positive during recovery. I'm giving my body a full year to recover and I'm celebrating every little thing as it comes to me. We talked about a race somewhere, anywhere that we could train for. We chose the Army 10 Miler because we would have plenty of time to train, and another trip to DC would be our 2008 vacation. I will stick to the training as long as I have a goal. I'm amazed at how well my recovery is going, how good I feel, and that I'm not far off from my former competitive running times. My running feels like I never left it. It just gets better and better.

Plesase keep us informed about your success. This is quite impressive to hear!

 

[upchurch131]

Dude it's your turn to freak out right now. You know you're getting it done soon. Same here. I just got a letter from a very well known surgeon saying it's "go time". Wigging session has commenced.

I don't plan to do anything but be careful and pay close attention to my recovery for like 2 months if I make it. I'm going to impregnate my wife, I'm going to go back to school... life will be better when I don't feel like crap. I'm excited to not feel like I do both mentally and physically. I can remember what it was like before the valve went south.

Aaron,

I doing my best to remain as composed as I possibly can. I can't claim I am super-human and will not allow the stress and anxiety to get to me. But I do take Lexapro, see a therapist occasionally and try to rationalize all this daily. I know that it will only be a moment in time and a small piece of my life. Soon, it will be over and I will feel better and live longer because of it.

What are you talking about "if I make it"? That doesn't sound like the way you should gear up to the best thing that can happen to you at this stage. Heck, give you and you wife a baby NOW and then again AFTER your surgery. You can nick name them "Before" and "After". I'll bet they will look the same and give you just as much joy!