Milt's Journal

Elaine Cutri  Welcome to the group Milt. All the feelings that you are experiencing are normal. I found this group to be very supportive. You have also linked up with an excellent surgeon at a great facility.

Sophia Ridley  Milt, welcome to the site. We are all valve patients pre/ post op. There are wonderful people here who are a great source of information, support and compassion. I had my mitral valve repaired 9wks ago, I knew it was mildly leaky but was a shock to find it had got a lot worse. We'll be with you through this journey.

Research to educate and provide comfort and keep busy, is my advice for waiting. I found the more I knew (don't watch clips) then the more in control I felt.

What people say is highly dependant on your state of mind and how you tell them, remember that you are in control of the information. I had parents, my young children, friends and work colleagues to tell. As you do talk to others, you will find them a source of information as they have their own experiences. It will be hard for others to digest so your preparation is key. Some of us here have sought help from psychologists and others, I found it very useful.

What you can do post op - split this into manageable chunks. The difference between week 1 and 3 will surprise you. We are all different too, I expected to be doing laps of the ward as I had read but my BP was low so my recovery was a little slower so I had to modify my expectations. What you can do long term will be dependant on your general fitness (sorry, OHS doesn't turn you overnight into an athlete!). Having obtainable and realistic goals (discuss with your surgeon) will be good motivation. The phase "new lease of life" is used, but you need to know what it looks like to obtain it!

Here's my hospital's booklet which you might find useful for post op:
http://www.rbht.nhs.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=1702&type=full&servicetype=Attachment
And one that might help in your discussions with your loved ones:
https://www.bhf.org.uk/~/media/files/publications/heart-conditions/his20_caring-for-someone-with-heart-disease_0715_a6.pdf

Sharmin Atker  Waiting is the hardest part. My family and boyfriend were indifferent about the situation, whereas my friends and co-workers were very supportive when I informed them I needed heart surgery, don't be afraid to tell them. It's during diffIcult times when we see the true nature of people. It's good you reached out to others on this site, they're very helpful and caring since they've had this experience. To keep my mind occupied, I picked up some hobbies I was always putting off.

Milt Gutman  Sharmin, thanks. I have plenty of projects to finish. It seems every article I read, or post here, just makes it a little more real. Thanks again.

Jacqueline Cook  Hi Milt! Welcome to the group. The waiting is definitely the hardest part! As the time gets closer you may find that you actually look forward to the surgery and getting it over with. I read your "story" and noticed you are going to Cleveland Clinic. I had my mitral valve robotically repaired there November 11 by Dr. Suri with Dr Gillinov assisting. CC is like a well oiled machine. They will take great care of you. They have a resource called "guided imagery". It is a relaxation tool specifically geared to prepare you for surgery. This might be helpful while you are waiting. I listened to it every night before I went to bed. Just a thought....

Milt Gutman  Jacqueline, I would be very interested to hear how the surgery went and what kind of a post op experience you've had. I realize everyone's experience is different. I really hope the robotic is still an option after all the pre op testing. I am very active and have a small hobby farm. i'm hoping to get back home and be able to be planting by mid May.