Charmagne's Guestbook

Hello! Charmagne - My heart surgery took place at the end of Sept. 2016. I had a bicuspid aortic valve (replaced with bovine tissue), a well as an aneurysm on the ascending aorta (replaced with a dacron tube graft). The thought of open-heart surgery can be a scary one and being a type-A personality, I thought I would freak out as the countdown began. Luckily, I only found out five days before when my surgery would take place. I was busy getting ready and did not have time to worry. The hospital was a four-hour drive (I did not drive) and I had a couple of days to relax before being admitted to the hospital the day before surgery. The day of the surgery, I was calm as I was being wheeled away from my room (I did not have a mild sedative). When I entered the area next to the operating room, the lights were dimmed and there was no one in sight. I even had a chuckle with the anesthesiologist when he asked me to move from the bed to the operating table. And that's the last thing I remember. When I opened my eyes, I was in SICU, where I spent the night. The next morning I went straight to my room, bypassing the Stepdown Unit. I had no pain whatsoever during my hospital stay, nor afterwards. The downside to my almost perfect hospital experience was when I was told I needed a pacemaker, which came as total shock. I do not want to elaborate on the latter as no two experiences are alike. If you believe in angels, ask your guardian angel, along with his team of angels, to be by your side. Just remember to breathe and trust that all will go well (this may be heart surgery no. 1 for you, but no. ???? for your surgeon!) In closing, I wish you a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. All the best, Charmagne!