Hi Terry,

Sounds like you are in good hands as your surgical day approaches. I had AVR surgery this past may at Cleveland Clinic. Like you one of the things I had a lot of anticipation about (and there are many things we all worry about), waking up with that breathing tube was right up on the top of my list.

Some folks speak of they are cognizant of it when they wake, but do not remember when it was pulled. I was cognizant of the who;e process, and very aware when it was pulled. That being said, it was not nearly as bad as I had anticipated.

When you awaken you will have the tube actively assisting your breathing. After a couple of hours they turn the machine off, but you have to establish for a couple of hours you can breathe fine on your own before they pull it. You will not be able to talk, but just try to ignore the sensation of it is my best advise. you are on pain meds and that helps.

When it was time to pull it, the team told me first they would pull the tube that went into my stomach and did just that, then they tell you almost immediately they will pull the breatging tube. In my case it did cause a gag reflex, but it was not nearly as bad as I had imagined it. It was all over very quckly, and with minimal discomfort.

Hopefully you may not remmeber it, but if you do I can assure you "it will not be" on your list of the ten worse things you experience in life.

Best of luck, be positive and you'll get through this just fine.

Regards,
Mark

kekller, TX

Hi Terry
I am somewhat of a veteran at this open heart surgery. Now age 60. In my 30's hole repaired sternotomy, 40's mitral valve repair sternotomy, 4 months ago mitral valve mechanical valve On-X sternotomy. I also have a nursing background, so I really was concerned about being aware that I was the ventilator. Each time I spoke t the anesthesiologist to have them pass to the ICU staff that I did not want to be aware and attempt to fight breathing on my own. All worked out even when you think you are somewaht aware meds will take care of any anxiety you are displaying. Hang in there and know we all care and have our hearts open to you for a great outcome.
Susan VandenBussche North Carolina

Terry,

I am in a similar situation as you. I'm 58, fit, in good health, but have a mitral valve that has become leaky enough the docs said I should have it repaired. That is scheduled for January 18, 2011 at Mass General In Boston. I've been having a lot of the same thoughts as you've noted anticipating the surgery. It is helpful to read your comments and all these others. Although it is tempting to feel alone going into this, it's obvious a lot of people have gone through it and come out just fine. Same for you and me, I'm sure.

Jim Anker

Bolton, MA

Terry:
Everything the others have said is true. You'll be in and out of consciousness, and by the time you wake up long enough to realize there's a tube in there, they'll be taking it out. They tell you to cough and they yank, and presto, it's out.
You'll be able to talk a bit with the tube in. For example, they wanted to prop me up on pillows, and I was able to tell them not to. There'll be a bunch of nurses buzzing around your bed in the ICU, and mostly you'll just fall asleep until someone tells you it's time to take the tube out which they do within a few hours of the surgery.
Best of luck from the other Terry (C) in Florida.

Hi Terry,
I know exactly what you mean about the breathing tube and the anxiety you are feeling. The good news is that you seem young and otherwise healthy and that makes a big difference on how lont that tube stays in. You are very sedated still when you have that tube in, so that helps. The other thing I was told to be prepared fo is that your hands are restrained when you come out of surgery because of the tubes, so you may have a resistance ans concern from that, but the best thing to do is just try to relax and not fight it. Hopefully, you will sleep/go in and out during that period and not remember it.
Good luck.....you will be fine and amazed at how it all just falls into place. Don't be a hero with the pain meds either....if you need something ask for it.....there is no reason to suffer and it will slow down your healing.
Prayers and best wishes,
Nancy H.

Hi Terry!

I had AVR at the Cleveland Clinic in May and I, too, was VERY concerned about the breathing tube. Turned out to be no big deal. As Anne said, you're in and out of conciousness and not aware of very much around (or in) you. I did feel them take it out - just momentary discomfort. No lasting effects - no sore throat, dry throat, or other stuff some people talk about.

DON'T worry about the breathing tube or anything else for that matter. The more relaxed you are, the better. Put yourself in the hands of your surgeon and his team. You'll be fine.

Ricki Shine

Hi Terry,

I had AVR in July at the Cleveland Clinic. The tube turned out to be not that big a deal. You are kind of floating in and out of consciousness so it's not like you are totally :with-it". Perhaps some of the relaxation techniques would help you to just accept it. Cleveland Clinic has some on their website that you can download on to a iPod. I didn't personally use them but others have spoken highly of them.

Lots of good wishes. I think you will find the results to be well worth the week or two of discomfort.

Anne Shannon

Terry
I had AVR 19 days ago and had some of the same concerns you express. Especially the tube - you will be under anesthesia so the likelihood of even knowing it was there is minimal - you shouldn't even feel them take it out.
Best advice I can give you is to stay ahead of the pain by taking your meds before you feel the need to. Its not a walk in the park - there is a lot of discomfort but it lessens each day. Once you've made the decision its out of your hands so there is no point in worrying. Be thankful that in this day and age they can do such miraculous things.
Good luck
Diane P

Hi Terry. I just read your post regarding DaVinci. I had robotic surgery for mitral valve repair in February. My surgeon was Randolph Chitwood at East Carolina Heart Institute in Greenville, NC. I'm certain that the robotic surgery helped me recover quicker. I was playing golf within 6 weeks and was able to cook and do laundry as soon as I got home from the hospital. It's been almost 10 months now, and my scars are almost completely faded.

I do know of another patient online that had the mini-thoracotomy, and she recovered very quickly too.

I found it difficult to get a lot of information about robotic surgery as I was going through the decision-making process. East Carolina Heart Institute actually allows patients to visit the robotic lab and see & use the equipment, but I wasn't able to do that until after the surgery. Da Vinci's website also has some patient testimonials that were useful.

My journal is still online, so you might want to read my husband's very detailed account of my recovery in the hosptial. It will give you a sense of what to expect, regardless of which surgical method you choose.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions I can answer for you. I will be thinking of you in this very trying time.

Amy Machtay
Raleigh, NC

Terry, My mini teracotomy was completed late wed. Nite. Inless than 24 hr I was out of recovery and in my room. I was very sore but take your meds. And keep the pain under control.I got up this AM and took a long walk around the floor. But it was not as bad as I was thinking. Take care and you will back on your feet in no time. Mike H.

Terry' my surgery is today. Actually, I am waiting to be taken to surgery. I will be having the mini thoracotomy. I will let you know how it comes out! When is your surgery? Dr Roselli at the Cleveland Clinic will be doing my procedure. Good luck and my prayers are with you. Mike H.

Terry:
I have the same diagnosis and go in the first week of December. I too have enetered the twilight zone. By all outward appearances I am healthy and have no symptoms. This can't be happening to me. But it is and I have just made up my mind to get it done and recover quickly. Friends and family help. Stay focused on doing what you need to to prepare. Avoid information overload. And enjoy each day, Good luck you'll do well.
Will R

Hi Terry, Yes it does sound like we have the same diagnosis. My cardo doctor has been watching my regurgitation for about 6 years. He told my last month it was time to do something about it so here we are. Good luck and may God bless. I will be going to your journel and keep myself updated on your progress. Mike H

Terry,
Thank you for the entry in my Guestbook. It is appreciated. I have a friend who had a similar procedure to yours this past August. I emailed him your link asking him to post some help/advice. Have a great Thanksgiving! Perry

Hi Terry: This is from another Terry, but female. There are so many wonderful surgeons in the S. Florida area. I'm sure your cardiologist knows which are the best, and I'd trust his judgement.
Whatever you choose, it's never as bad as you imagine it will be. Best of luck, and lete us know when and where you've decided to go.
Terry Chase

Hi Terry, thanks for the note in my guest book. I was wondering how you are doing in your search and research! I know from personal knowledge that there comes a time when appropriate searching becomes information overload!!!!then you just begin to scare yourself. I knew when the time came that I had made the right decision and felt at peace with it, just felt a huge relief ( and this was after changing my mind back and forth about where, who , how etc. I just road with the ambivalence and somehow knew when it was over. Anyway, hoping to read how you are doing soon. Laurie C

Terry, this is Joe in Milwaukee, I promise you if you are comfortable with your surgeon and you do your homework this is not at all a bad experience. I chose the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Marc Gillinov. He was so reassuring and the staff there are top notch. They are the top heart hospital in the nation since 1995 and it is obvious why.

Read Adams book if you haven't, do some research, the choice will become clear, read through these journals these strangers will be your best friends in no time. Just post to your journal with specific questions, people will answer you it is amazing.

Take care and I will follow your progress!

Hi Terry. I'm not local but have had valve surgery earlier this year in Austin, TX. My advice is to read as many of the journals here as possible to get a good idea of what to expect. Adam's book is an excellent resource as well. If you have specific questions, just post them & someone here will more than likely have some input for you. Best of luck to you - Joy Vera

Hi Terry,

very similar situation

major cordae: 1 no good, 2nd fair, 3rd good.

severe regurg

cardiac asthma once in while

tired etc...

not fun - plus I'm waiting in Canada.

Hi Terry!
We are exactly the same age with exactly the same problem!!! My scenario sounds so similar to yours....severely stenotic Aortic valve (mine's biscuspid too). I totally agree with you....what a nerve wracking experience. I read Adam's book cover to cover and although SOMETIMES ignorance is bliss and some parts of the book scared the Begeezus out of me, I am happy to know all the possiblities when it comes to the procedure and recovery. There were a lot of things in the book that I never would have thought of. This site is amazing and the poeple on it are just so special. It is weird, but if it hadn't been for this whole situation, I never would have encountered so much concern and genuine caring. I am so grateful for all my new HVJ friends!!!!! It's been an amazing source of support since I haven't told anyone up until now (family & friends) because I wanted to have a surgery date so they could have a concrete time table as opposed to just waiting and worrying. I finally got my date yesterday,(Nov. 29th), which you will see in the Journal Central entry, so I am starting to tell everyone, but I can't express what a Godsend this site is.
Try not to worry and get all the info you can and make sure you follow your heart and gut in making your decisions. If you do all that you will be able to relax more when the time comes for the procedure. I'm getting a little nervous, but I know that if I don't have this procedure, the chances of me literally dropping dead from my condition are extremely high and that's no way to live. I'm looking forward to getting back to a workout routine and not having to think everyday, "should I be doing this? can my heart take it?" It will be amazing to be normal again. It will be interesting to see how much energy I have when this is all over. as I told my doc, "I'm tired of being tired!!" Think of all you have to look forward to. I personally have 2 wonderful sons who have yet to find the girls of their dreams and marry and start families and I want to have all the energy in the world (and be around) for that! That will be my imagery/energy in getting through this....try to find yours.
Feel free to write me anytime and welcome to the most amazing place on the internet!!!
Try not to worry; it will all be fine.
Warm regards,
Nancy H.