Terri's Guestbook

Terri Henwood  Thank you so much for your support, I too get lots of peace reading all of these posts and blogs and seeing all of the happy outcomes, I understand the down time sucks but the rest of my life will be amazing and that's what matters more.
My appointment was great he was so informative and patient no rushing to get me out of the office or anything.

Terri Henwood  Thank you Robert for answering my questions I have tried goggling what to expect in recovery and what I would be hooked up to etc but I couldn't find anything about that part....I find for me that when I know what to expect and the different things that will happen it is much easier for me to let it all sink in and then I am okay with it, I am not sure if the surgeon will be giving me a date when I see him on Wednesday but I really hope he will be giving me more direction then I have been given thus far....For example exercise the cardiologist told me I couldn't do anything and everything I read says exercise is good other than cardio which of course is common sense, this has been by far the toughest from me because one week I am playing Roller Derby and the next week I am not allowed to do anything ughhh...I don't know if I will ever be able to go back to the sport I love...I have been watching videos and there is a very high repair rate but my cardiologist said I would need a replacement because it involves 2 different valves that work doing opposite jobs but I am not sure exactly what that is.
I am trying to stay as positive and meek with it the best I can but subconsciously my brain likes to play tricks on me when I am sleeping and I have no control over it LOL.
Thank you for helping me through this I sooooooo appreciate it. :)

Terri Henwood  Thank you Nancy
I love hearing all of these positive stories it does ease my mind and I do agree that the not knowing is really hard and I really didn't think it was bothering me as bad as it is as I am now having nightmares about the surgery and although I don't have the luxury of picking my surgeon as here we are assigned and this whole thing is confusing because I was sent to the cardiologist and he made the diagnosis of everything and referred me over to the surgeon who I will be seeing this Wednesday, so I don't even know if I will be dealing with that cardiologist afterwards as when I called his office to ask a question they told me that I don't see him any more after being referred to the surgeon and that if I needed to see him I would have to go to my family physician to get another referral which baffles me, because it left me no one to ask questions about it or give me any direction until I actually see the surgeon.
I was having a discussion with my brother about it this evening and he was telling me that I would be hooked up to a breathing machine for a day or so after the surgery as someone he knows had this surgery about 10 years ago and that scared the heck out of me, I feel like I am going to be helpless and that I am not good at dealing with and causes me some anxiety...Do you know if this is still the case so I can try and put my mind at ease? Sorry for the long note I seem to babble lately about this subject just because I want to know as much as I can in case I forget to ask any questions of the surgeon.

Nancy D  Well, I understand you and lots are impacted by insurance rulings, so follow along those guidelines as much as possible. The cardiologist has referred you and your surgeon will answer the questions. I suggest you write them down as you think of questions, it is easier to get them all answered by surgeon or his/her nurse once there. The cardiologist will most likely follow you after your release from surgical care which happens pretty quickly. I did have a follow up with my primary doctor after all the tests were in as a review and felt better after talking with him. So if your insurance allows that I would recommend scheduling one, if you still have questions after the surgeon's visit.

As for the breathing machine, it is all individual, but what I can say is that they want you off as quickly as safe for you, and will do that for sure. My surgery was in the morning, and I was off the machine by 1pm, and I don't remember a thing about that time. I had just my mitral valve replaced, it does vary depending on the length and type of surgery, but that is an excellent question to write down for the one doing the surgery. They will give you a ball park average based on what work you need done.

This is the place to ramble and question- it allowed me some information so I could ask good questions, and gave me good information about getting prepared for it. Once all the tests were over and decisions made, I didn't have long before I was scheduled, but I wasn't near as apprehensive about it all because I felt informed and prepared.

Read some peoples journals and stories that have had similar procedures as you, and also read in the learning center for topics that pertain to you as well. I had to do this in small sittings at first, because it can be overwhelming even to someone who is an RN like me. I am not nor have I ever been a cardiac nurse so it was out of my realm of real life knowledge. I think that might have been a good thing for me!! Ask questions here, and if you need something not as open, several folks do give their emails for those such questions. Mine is: zizzr@hotmail.com if you need it.

Sorry for the length of my response, hope it relieves you some!!
Take good care!!!
nancy

Terri Henwood  Thank you so much Nancy, each time I read these responses it puts me more at ease.
Insurance isn't an issue here in Canada so I am able to make an apt when I need one with no issues or cost, however I don't feel our Dr's have the passion that l have seen presented from the Dr's on the American side which is kind of scary but that is mainly our GP's , I am hearing nothing but good about our Cardiac Physicians from the few people that I have talked to who have had dealings so that is a great thing. :)

Nancy D  there are people on here currently living in Canada- I am Canadian as well, but a Texas resident for the past 38 years, so I can't recommend anyone up there but perhaps someone else may can. I know the right people will be presented to you and once all the plans are made you take a deep breath and allow them to do their magic and soon you will be up walking and back in the pink of things!! Take good care.

Terri Henwood  Hi Robert,
Thank you for welcoming me aboard, I am actually in New Brunswick (No S at the end of Saint John :) )
This site seems to be my run to lately with everything moving quickly and becoming more real everyday...I am wondering if you know what I am to expect in recovery after surgery will I be hooked up to machines? I was speaking with my brother tonight and he said that he knew someone that had this surgery done about 10 years ago and said she still had tubes helping her breath when she came back from surgery for a day or so afterwards is this still what happens....
I didn't think my anxiety is as bad as it is about this surgery as I am now having nightmares about it :(