Mitchell's Guestbook

I took the full 12 weeks FMLA to recover. It was worth it. I was emotionally READY to go back to work around week 8, but I'm glad I took the extra four weeks. It gave me the opportunity to go to cardiac rehab and get even stronger! Practice standing/sitting without using your arms, you'll need to know how to do that soon! :)

Good evening Mitchell. I just read your post and before I went to bed wanted to say something to you. I realize that the closer it gets to our surgeries we are all faced once again with anxiety levels we would really not want to experience and that it is especially difficult being around friends, families all those we love knowing there are risks that something could go wrong. The risks for you not having this surgery are not something you want to deal with either so it is time for you to try really hard to reign in the anxiety in any way possible so that you can save much needed strength you will need for the surgery and for the days after when you are recovering. And I know these are words people say to us as we head toward our "dates" that may seem easy but believe me it is just as hard on the people who love us to see us having to face all the uncertainty and the fear. I find with my husband that the more he sees me frightened the more I see him mirror the fear unintentionally which does neither of us any good. So Mitchell please believe that you are doing the right thing by having this surgery and that the trained professionals will do all they can to make this time in our lives something we LIVE to look back on with immense Gratitude and Joy. I know that those on this site have said continuously that our fear and imagination make the surgery out to be far worse than it really is. I trust them. They were once where you and I and quite a few others are right now--nearing our surgery dates and they made it through and were honest with us about posting their recoveries in great detail. So I trust them and believe what they have said to us to encourage us and lessen the fear before we go in. I believe with all my heart that you and I and the others will come through with good news and healthier hearts after this experience and I will be looking to read that you are doing well and in recovery very soon. Please have faith in your Surgeon and all the people who make up your team as you are all they will be thinking of while you are under their care. And remember all of those who are coming to visit you are doing so out of love. It would be good for them to see you as seeing them will bring you more confidence in the choices you have made and know they will be equally important during your recovery. Take care heart brother.

I hope your anxiety is beginning to lesson. On the day of surgery they had me report to Montifere hospital which is across the street from UPMC connected by a walking bridge over the street. You and your family will report to a waiting room. You will then be taken to a prep room. Minimal prep is done there just one IV is placed into your arm. Your family then can come and join you and wait until you are called to the OR. They will be permitted to accompany you on the walk over to UPMC. You will be taken to another preop right outside of the OR and will say goodbye to your family. My daughter asked to be permitted to stay with me and they allowed it. This is where you get the pretty hat and something stuck on your forehead. And they give you the happy juice in your IV. Believe me you will have no anxiety once the fentanyl takes effect. Off to the OR. You will not be one bit nervous thanks to the drugs I found the OR very high-tech and interesting. Dr team was quite nice and very professional. Next thing I knew I was waking up in ICU with my wonderful family around me and no breathing tube. I felt pressure on my upper chest but the pain was no more than about a four or five. I was speaking as soon as I woke up First thing I thought of was how happy I was the whole procedure was over and wondering why I drove myself crazy worrying about it. But no one could have told me not to worry. Wishing you peace while you wait

Boy we have a lot in common. First Dr. Badhwar did my surgery in February of this year. He replaced my stenotic aortic valve. Second my son's girlfriend is from Altoona. You are in very experienced hands. His team is absolutely wonderful. My pain level really did not exceed above a 5. Controlling your pain is one of his top priorities. Dr Badhwar also is participating in a trial where they take the breathing tube out of healthy patients before they go to ICU This relieved much of my anxiety for I was terrified of waking up with that tube down my throat. Did you meet his PA Shelley McCormick she can answer any question you may have and she is a great hugger when you have anxiety. I could just go on and on singing the praises of Dr. Bad and his team and UPMC hospital. If you have any questions just ask. If you would like to email or speak on the phone just let me know

Heck yeah it's scary! And the worst part is the 7-10 days before the surgery. I found I was ok as long as I didn't spend too much time by myself. Also, a glass of wine helped. I like to be prepared, so I made plans in my head. I wrote everything down because I became so scatterbrained. About 2 days before the surgery I started calming down. The morning of surgery seemed surreal to me, like I was watching a movie about someone else. I stopped thinking about surgery and started focusing on what I would be able to do when I recovered. My goal was to go to TN for a family reunion, ride roller coasters without passing out, and hike up a mountain. i did all that and more, all things I could not have done a year ago. So maybe along with all those to-do lists you've been making you could add another category: "Things I Can't Wait To-Do!" PS I rode Leap the Dips and Skyliner a few years ago. I grew up with the Skyliner in NY and that ride is the reason I love roller coasters so much now.

Mitchell, (part two of my message) Her name is Ginger. The way she presented the idea is that by day 42 she will be home sweet home. Her surgery is July 31st. I loved that idea. So I have joined her in the count up. Please feel free to join Ginger and I in our count up. Looking forward to hearing back from you. Remember we will have a much healthier heart when we are home again. Have a good night sleep and let me know if I can be of any comfort.

Hello Mitchell, Welcome to the heart family! I was so happy to find this great resource. I have mitral stenosis and am scheduled for surgery on the 29th of July. That is the same day as you. I live in Michigan. Hoping for a valve repair, if not possible then the surgeon will perform a mitral valve replacement. I am feeling scared, and seems like this has come up so fast. I am doing the count up with another friend in the heart

Hello Mitchell- I am sorry you are having so much anxiety right now with your surgery not to far off. My name is Terrie and I am having surgery for an Aortic Valve replacement on Aug. 20th. I am not as nervous as you are at present since I have s bit of time but want you to know from reading journals and guest books on this site that it is only normal that you are having this experience. I am hoping you will read some of the journals before you go in as you will find many reasons to begin to feel confidence in that these surgeries are done often and with great success. The people who will take you through the process and into your surgery and out are people who wanted the job in the first place and you and your life are the most important thing on their minds the day of the surgery and afterwards as they get you prepared to return home to those you love. Look into yourself for that strength you know you have within to help calm the feelings that come and go that will only add stress that isn't good for you! Believe Mitchell that you will be in and out and much healthier for having had this done and now is the right time. Pretty soon this will be a memory of something you had to do to continue a full life with the ones you love. Minus the worry and what ifs that center around this time of waiting. I am sure you will hear from other people who have experienced Mitral Valve Prolapse and had their surgeries who can tell you better than I their actual experiences. Have hope and I will add my prayers and good wishes to those of our community in you feeling better about the upcoming surgery and the good life after it. Take care my new Heart-Brother and welcome to the community.