January 4 is my new surgery date. There are both pros and cons with resetting everything. Though I feel like I won a temporary reprieve, I also keep finding ...Read more
January 4 is my new surgery date. There are both pros and cons with resetting everything. Though I feel like I won a temporary reprieve, I also keep finding myself thinking things like "I'd probably be coming home from the hospital today" or "Today I would have been 1 week past surgery." Sigh. Well, I should be even more prepared this time and I'll get to enjoy the holidays with my family and friends first! Ups and downs.
Elaine Cutri I know it's disappointing to gather your strength for one surgery date only to be delayed. Keep yours ... Read more
Elaine Cutri I know it's disappointing to gather your strength for one surgery date only to be delayed. Keep yourself busy, exercise and meditate as needed to keep the stress away. Hopefully the holidays will be a nice distraction while you wait.
Liz Burroughs You'll definitely be prepared for your surgery! I think that the holidays will help keep you busy & y ... Read more
Liz Burroughs You'll definitely be prepared for your surgery! I think that the holidays will help keep you busy & your mind occupied with happy thoughts/times.
Alma Mater Yes, I can totally relate to the mixed feelings when you start gearing up for the surgery, and then c ... Read more
Alma Mater Yes, I can totally relate to the mixed feelings when you start gearing up for the surgery, and then circumstances change. But I hope you have a wonderful time over the holidays and that you are able to really enjoy yourself without stressing over this. It's certainly an exercise in trust! :)
Emily Rowley What valve replacement are you going to have?
Wanda Mroz Gosh I hope it goes off as planned again! Third time is the charm. Prayers and best of luck!
Yesterday I received word that my October 12 surgery was being rescheduled for October 27. Today I was told it would be at least early December now. Well ...Read more
Yesterday I received word that my October 12 surgery was being rescheduled for October 27. Today I was told it would be at least early December now. Well that pulled the rug out from under my feet. I was offered another surgeon but after developing a relationship and putting my trust in Dr. Verrier at the University of Washington I'm reluctant to switch at this point. I think I'll just pick a new date and start the count down again. We'll count that first round as a practice run. It should be easier this time, right?
Alma Mater I'm sorry to hear that... I know it's frustrating. I was supposed to be having a surgery last month, ... Read more
Alma Mater I'm sorry to hear that... I know it's frustrating. I was supposed to be having a surgery last month, and now I am starting all over again at a new hospital, with no idea what's going to happen. It's hard to gear up for something like this just to have that rug pulled out, as you say. I am praying that God gives you strength and endurance through this!
Rhonda Rawles Sorry about that! My advice is if they are scheduling December you may want to push to January if yo ... Read more
Rhonda Rawles Sorry about that! My advice is if they are scheduling December you may want to push to January if your health benefits are on a calendar year. My surgery was 12/29/14 and while it was not your typical recovery the result may have been the same. I ended up with paying deductibles and max out of pocket for both years in a very short period. Just a thought for you to consider. Good luck in your extended wait.
David Augustus The most important thing for me was the trust I had with my surgeon. The positive side is you have so ... Read more
David Augustus The most important thing for me was the trust I had with my surgeon. The positive side is you have some additional time to get the house prepared for your recovery.
Jean Raber Wow, Rhonda, you make a really good point. Those of us on Obamacare especially need to watch coverage ... Read more
Jean Raber Wow, Rhonda, you make a really good point. Those of us on Obamacare especially need to watch coverage run-out dates! I was hoping to have a date for MVR before December, now that my out-of-pockets are paid up. But I gotta wait and start over in 2016.
Ginger Marine Good points for most of us about the scheduling of the surgery and the end of the year! Hard to thin ... Read more
Ginger Marine Good points for most of us about the scheduling of the surgery and the end of the year! Hard to think of that while you are thinking of so many other things, but it pays to be mindful of that. I know you will do well, no matter when your surgery ends up being. Thankfully, the doctor feels like this is not an emergency, so that part is good news, too.
Tammy Pilcher Praying for you, Connie. I'm sorry you're having to wait again, but Rhonda does make a good point ab ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Praying for you, Connie. I'm sorry you're having to wait again, but Rhonda does make a good point about insurance deductibles. Hang in there, heart sister.
I received word today that my surgery is postponed until October 27. I guess that's both a blessing and a concern. I had my support group ready, family flying ...Read more
I received word today that my surgery is postponed until October 27. I guess that's both a blessing and a concern. I had my support group ready, family flying in, work delegated, and my mind in a positive place for Monday, so this threw me for a little emotional loop. I'm now getting to work resetting plans, notifying friends and family, and rewording those positive affirmations I running through my head. Instead of "My surgery on Monday will be successful," I'm changing to "My surgery will happen at the perfect time and will be successful." I guess I do have a few more things on my To-Do list that I can get to now.
Liz Burroughs I'm sure that your news today was disappointing but it's good that you have such a positive attitude. ... Read more
Liz Burroughs I'm sure that your news today was disappointing but it's good that you have such a positive attitude. Everything happens for a reason so I think that October 27 will be the perfect time for your surgery. My surgery is the day before yours, so ... we both have a few more weeks to get our plans in order & continue to work on the positive affirmations. Good luck with your To-Do list!
Tammy Pilcher Connie, I can only imagine how disappointing it is to be postponed like this, but you are right that ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Connie, I can only imagine how disappointing it is to be postponed like this, but you are right that it will happen at the perfect time and will be successful. God's timing is always perfect. Praying for the very best for you, heart sister.
Tammy Pilcher Liz, I didn't see your comment until I posted mine or I would have added that I will be praying for y ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Liz, I didn't see your comment until I posted mine or I would have added that I will be praying for you too. You both will have your hearts fixed at the perfect time. God bless!
Steven A Husted yes gods time is not our time and he knows best the lord will take very good care of you you will do ... Read more
Steven A Husted yes gods time is not our time and he knows best the lord will take very good care of you you will do just fine October 27 is a good day it is my birthday i will be 67 your heart brother steve (popeye)
Shirley Turner Go with the flow that's my mantra. Hugs Shirley
Betsey Osgood Wishing you a peaceful mind as you adjust to your new surgery date! You certainly have the right att ... Read more
Betsey Osgood Wishing you a peaceful mind as you adjust to your new surgery date! You certainly have the right attitude that will help you all the way!
Ginger Marine My surgery got postponed a day before it was to happen because....I got spurred by my rooster when I ... Read more
Ginger Marine My surgery got postponed a day before it was to happen because....I got spurred by my rooster when I was putting him up! But it was a great thing--gave me a little more time to feel relaxed about the whole thing! So you never know.
My dr had NEVER had to put it off because of a rooster attack, let me tell you!
Hi all. I completed my pre-op appointment was yesterday. It took a full 4 hours and included a physical, EKG, lots of bloodwork, chest X-rays, and meetings ...Read more
Hi all. I completed my pre-op appointment was yesterday. It took a full 4 hours and included a physical, EKG, lots of bloodwork, chest X-rays, and meetings with the anesthesiologist, physician assistant, surgeon, and the surgeon's nurses. Paul and I grilled everyone with questions. We have to wait for results from all the pre-op tests but I don't expect anything to be found that will delay the surgery on Oct. 12. I think I'm much too healthy to be having this surgery. I so have a mild cold so we will have to watch that over the next week to make sure it doesn't develop into anything worse. I had a few rough times this week as I began making arrangements at work with my bosses to get projects covered while I'm away. Between that and the pre-op appointment, it all started becoming very real.
Tammy Pilcher You're that much closer to getting your heart fixed, Connie. You'll soon have all this behind you an ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher You're that much closer to getting your heart fixed, Connie. You'll soon have all this behind you and feel so much better. Prayers and best wishes for you. God bless!
Terry Shermeister Hi Connie: you look and sound healthy and energized. I remember the feelings that I had leading to ... Read more
Terry Shermeister Hi Connie: you look and sound healthy and energized. I remember the feelings that I had leading to my OHS. I had my mitral valve repaired May 14. I just returned from a hilly hike for an hour here in Madison WI. I'm about to leave for my daily swim and water exercise routine. I did a half hour of yoga at 7 AM. Just to let you know what's on the others side. Prayers and quick healing thoughts your way!
My favorite hobby is singing. I sing with a large community choir, a small ensemble, my church praise band, and church choir. I'm wondering how soon after ...Read more
My favorite hobby is singing. I sing with a large community choir, a small ensemble, my church praise band, and church choir. I'm wondering how soon after surgery I'll be able to return to this. I'm sure it will take some time before I have enough energy, but I'm worried about my voice and hoping the ventilation tube won't cause any damage. My surgery is in October and I'm hoping to return to my community choir for the December show and be able to sing in church for the Christmas season. Am I hoping for too much? I guess we just have to be patient and see how it goes.
Alma Mater I had a breathing tube during my C-section a couple of months ago, and my singing was just fine after ... Read more
Alma Mater I had a breathing tube during my C-section a couple of months ago, and my singing was just fine after that. I can't sing now, but that's because I am so short of breath. The intubation didn't seem to impact on my voice at all. Here's hoping you're singing at Christmas!
Steven A Husted i think your voice will be the same and i think you will be fine for christmas time at church i wish ... Read more
Steven A Husted i think your voice will be the same and i think you will be fine for christmas time at church i wish you the best i love the christmas hymes and music
Mary K I too am a singer. I think I was back at church after six weeks. I am still not back at my other two ... Read more
Mary K I too am a singer. I think I was back at church after six weeks. I am still not back at my other two choirs after three months recuperation. I still have pleuritis and a pleural effusion in my right lung, so singing is painful, and it is difficult to get phrasing correct because of reduced breath control. My voice was somewhat different at first. I asked the anesthesiologist to use a smaller breathing tube, and he did.
Hope you do better than I.
susan kotansky At the hospital two days after surgery they offered music therapy to all of us heart patients. We med ... Read more
susan kotansky At the hospital two days after surgery they offered music therapy to all of us heart patients. We meditated and "toned" and sang, even though talking felt like a stretch. We were encouraged to SING A LOT...that it is really healing and helps enormously with getting lungs back into shape. Don't worry, your singing will be an advantage in your healing.
How does everyone else handle all the waiting? I feel like I've been waiting all my life for this surgery. Each yearly or six month appointment required a ...Read more
How does everyone else handle all the waiting? I feel like I've been waiting all my life for this surgery. Each yearly or six month appointment required a month or two of waiting. I was told to call the cardiology office or my primary care physician when it was time for my next visit. I would call and then wait a couple days for a call back. They would say the echo referral had been submitted and to wait a few days, then call the appointment line for an echo appointment. After I made the appointment, I would wait a few weeks for it. Then wait a few more weeks for an appointment with my cardiologist for results. Sometimes the cardiologist would request an MRI or CT scan and I would wait again. Usually then I could breath a sigh of relief and try to forgot about my valve for a few months before I would start the process all over. Now I'm waiting for surgery. I'm doing my best to stay very busy and active. I use music to escape. I'm trying to get my house and job in order for while I'm recovering. I'm trying to stay positive and logical, but it's still hard. Let me know how you played the Waiting Game.
Shirley Turner The waiting game is hard especially when it's your other half. Trying to act normal is the hardest th ... Read more
Shirley Turner The waiting game is hard especially when it's your other half. Trying to act normal is the hardest thing. I find music really helps shift your thoughts and dancing too plus any other exercise if your able.
Sharon Madden Meditation and exercise help. I used some pre-surgery meditation tapes. They were really calming an ... Read more
Sharon Madden Meditation and exercise help. I used some pre-surgery meditation tapes. They were really calming and helpful. Stay positive as best you can but it's ok to freak out on occaision, you are the top priority.
M Ratchford So agree with Sharon, I too found meditation and relaxation tapes helped me. its those early hours w ... Read more
M Ratchford So agree with Sharon, I too found meditation and relaxation tapes helped me. its those early hours when you wake up and start to worry. thats when learning meditation can help. perhaps gentle yoga classes could help too.
Connie Groven Thank you, Shirley, Sharon, and M Ratchford for your great suggestions! I've been doing some yoga and ... Read more
Connie Groven Thank you, Shirley, Sharon, and M Ratchford for your great suggestions! I've been doing some yoga and that definitely helps. Sharon and M you both mentioned meditation tapes. Can you send me any specific suggestions on those and where to get them?
susan kotansky I was a hot mess filled with anticipatory anxiety. That part was worse than anything that happened af ... Read more
susan kotansky I was a hot mess filled with anticipatory anxiety. That part was worse than anything that happened after the surgery. I started doing daily yoga which helped enormously. I learned to be in the moment. When things were too difficult I asked my doctor for a prescription for anti anxiety meds which helped a lot, although I generally take nothing but supplements. Waiting is difficult, an essential part of the process, so take care of yourself.