DAN's Posts

Hi Dan,. My surgery was the day after yours. My wife says I did not react well to the intubation tube but I have no recollection of that. I had a bout of AFIB while still in the hospital but so far am doing well since coming home. Yes now is the time to focus on the recovery.

I had a few hours of afib in the hospital after my mv repair, but it went away and hasn't come back 4 years later. They said the heart tissue gets inflamed from all the incisions and afib can result. But hopefully yours resolves also. i didn't like the tube, but I was calm about it until they finally agreed to pull it.

If you are able to exercise, I would say to maintain some kind of daily activity. Walking , biking , and stretching can help burn up stress hormones. It also keeps you in shape for the upcoming surgical event. I also listened to calming videos and meditations on Utube. I was already into yoga and meditation and those 2 things really helped me. An occasional sip from Richard's suggested bottle of vodka (or wine) was nice also...

Marsha, i am a year out after mitral valve repair and i think doing great. I know every surgery and person can have a different outcome but i believe repair if feasible is the best way to go. I also had minimally invasive which i think allowed me a faster recovery. Bear in mind that once they enter your heart, its all pretty much the same. I had maze procedure and they replaced some strings that operate the valve. Knock on wood i'm just 80 and still kicking.

Hi Dan, my mitral repair surgery is the day after yours! I have been waiting since early January. I stay focused on the outcome and not any of the unknowns. My 9 year old daughter is taking it a lot harder than I am. So it probably helps both of us to talk this out. I have been busy trying to get some things done before surgery so I don't have to worry about them during recovery so it leaves little time for the mind to dwell on the negatives.

I'm now 13 days out from mitral valve surgery. Had a few symptoms (shortness of breath, slightest prickly feeling in arms). That really helped me mentally realize sooner is essential. I gave up alcohol and caffeine a couple weeks ago, and now intense exercise to minimize stress on heart. Still going to do low resistance exercise, stretching and walking. It's a struggle, but trying to focus on prep and recovery. Best of luck!

For me: Exercise, yogic breathing and try to maintain a semblance of a normal schedule. Also - I've stopped second-guessing my decisions--I was continuing to obsessively research every element of my various treatment options -that is definitely not helpful! Although this is an unwelcome adventure am trying to focus on the fact that this is a mechanical, fixable situation and am taking heart (npi) in all of the positive stories from everyone who's been through this. 12 days away for me. Sending you positive vibes!

Thank you everyone! Richard - thank you for making me laugh. Tonight I will do an experiment to see if bourbon works as well as vodka. Marie - yes, exercise is helping to occupy my mind. Long dog walks especially. Marsha - I have you written down for thoughts of strength and healing on March 9th. You and I will have stronger valves in a few weeks! Deena - thank you, prayers almost always help! Neal - we are birds of a feather with getting things done before surgery! My list got a little shorter today. How hard for your 9 year old to understand the situation, but how happy she'll be when she sees you recovering and healthier. Best wishes to you on the 16th! Timothy - it sounds like you're on a good glide path to your surgery and I will be thinking thoughts of strength and healing for you on March 11th. Mary - I agree strongly about the second guessing! Stay positive - thoughts of healing and strength for you on Thursday! Todd - hang in there, stay strong - in a few weeks you and I will have much better mitral valves!

Dan, if i made you smile, i did my job. They say laughter is the best medicine, besides eliquis of course. As you get closer to the big day, you will become more nervous. All normal. It becomes the elephant in the room no matter what else is going on. Give yourself a few days after the surgery and you will be chasing the nurses around the hospital wing. My wife never reads these. Besides at 80 what would i do if i caught one.

True story: i was on the table being shaved and very nervous. I remember asking the guy shaving me if it was too late to back out. He said yes. That was my last ditch effort. Now a year later i am glad i did it but at that moment all i could think was i was not going to wake up. Once its over you will wonder what the big deal was but until then, stress city.

Dan - I found the days leading up to surgery were worse than actual game day. I remember when I was waiting in pre-op, i thought, it's time to put this behind me. Look forward in anticipation because the few hours of surgery are so worth the long-term result! You'll already be through the hardest part when you arrive at the hospital, i.e., the waiting. Everything else is very doable. You can do this! ❤