Sue's Guestbook

Hey Sue! You are going to do great tomorrow. Visilualize a successful surgery and hispital stay. Put your fate in the hands of your surgeon and hospital and let go. Tomorrow all of this will be in your rear view mirrow. Stay positive!

Hi Sue, I’m thinking of you today as you get ready for surgery. It has been just about six weeks now since mine, and I can tell you that all of the things I was worried about never came to pass! It definitely helped to hear all the stories here and learn from people who had been through the same circumstances. I feel like these exchanges really helps to get us mentally ready for surgery. I was so happy in the end to have it done so I could move on! The morning of surgery I was ready to go and the hospital staff was efficient in getting me to the OR fast which actually gave me little time to stress. I said hello to the team and was out. My family was talking to the surgical team by 10:30 am to hear the great results. By 3:30 I was awake and ready for recovery. The nurses were great and took care of anything I needed, and they will be your rock. Other than a couple of brief bouts of Afib, everything went according to plan. People have been shocked to hear that I went out to dinner the day of discharge and to the movies that first week. I think the expectation everyone has is that we will be completely incapacitated! While of course we may not move as fast initially, and we do need to take care of our sternums, each day really does get better. Having friends and family visit is a nice diversion when you’re home bound, and it feels great when you can drive again (I started last week). Now I am enjoying running basic errands and going shopping for fall clothes. It’s part of my daily exercise! Sending you lots of good wishes for tomorrow and have a safe and speedy recovery! Judy

Hi Sue: After I fully recovered from my OHS for my aortic artery aneurysm, I had a lot more energy as if I was 10 years younger. Keep that possibility in mind while you are preparing for your surgery. Believe me, you will have a happier and healthier life after the surgery. Your heart friend, Daniel

Sending best wishes for your surgery, Sue. I know you won't believe this now, but it is going to go very smoothly for you. Your surgeon and his team do this every day. The hospital will control any pain. After a few weeks you will get used to the changes in your body and have more energy. Measure your improvements by week instead of by day. Remember this is all about baby steps. Also, keep yourself busy prior to surgery to help with the nervousness.

Hi Sue, sending best wishes for your surgery. I bought the Cough Buddy Teddy Bear and he has been helping to keep the seat belt off of my incision. I love my bear. He is very cute and was comforting in the early days after surgery. One day soon I won't need him any more and I will miss him. http://teddy-tech.com/product/cough-buddy/

Hi Sue. I had anxiety up until a few days before my surgery then it seemed to wane. I barely had any the morning of my surgery. I think Iwas resigned to the fact it had to be done and could not be put off. I dealt with anxiety by getting things done at home I wanted done since I knew I couldn't for a while after ohs and spending time with my children and grandchildren. Take a deep breath, relax and have faith. Keep telling yourself you're going to be fine. All of us here that are in recovery understand what you're going through because we've been there. We're here to help. You're going to be fine.

Sue, being able to understand and control fear and anxiety isn’t always easy. You may already be aware of my suggestion, as several people on this site have used and recommended a program called “Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster” by Peggy Huddleston. Based on their comments, I bought it (with the accompanying CD) from Amazon. More recently, Adam Pick added a page here about it:  https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2018/07/19/5-steps-to-prepare-peggy-huddleston/ I believe in the mind/body connection and I know this will help me. You may even check your local library; ours has it. You still have time to benefit from what she teaches. As the days go by, embrace the good from what the others are sharing about their experiences, knowing that the outcome is life saving and life-giving. If you are a person of faith, trust in God’s love and know that the fog will lift and the “bubbly” person you are will return, full time, soon.

Hey Sue-checking on you. How was the cath? Should have been pretty straight forward but I was anxious as well so I totally understand the anxiety. I’m sure you are good to go though...

Sue, I am 4 hours away from home by car but I flew here for my surgery on 6/11. The flight was less than an hour. If you have someone who can go with you, that will make it all easier. I rented an Airbnb for 2 weeks. I arrived 2 days before, bought everything I thought I might need and practiced finding my way to the hospital in daylight and at night. I also ate at great restaurants and went sightseeing. The surgery and time in the hospital was just like it would have been at home. I was stuck in the hospital room either way. However, here I got a top surgeon and top hospital. I could not get that at home. The harder part is after release. I had some problems and wound up being in and out of the hospital for the last week. In a few days my friend will return the rental car, we will take a taxi to the airport the next day. The airline will take me in a wheel chair onto and off the plane. I am still not clear if I can bring carry on luggage with me. If you rent an AirBnb meals are easy since you can get groceries delivered I think the biggest difference is the cost of travel between plane tickets, hotel, rental car, shuttle to airport, restaurants, sightseeing. It is expensive. So, you have to weigh the cost against if you are getting better care.