So I got a call from my cardiologist last night and he told me he doesn't want me to have the surgery. He found that I'm having "hazing" in my lymphatic vessels ...Read more
So I got a call from my cardiologist last night and he told me he doesn't want me to have the surgery. He found that I'm having "hazing" in my lymphatic vessels in my chest area and abdomen. He said hazing is abnormal lymphatic vessels, but apparently, after talking to 12 other doctors and my surgeon, they all came to the conclusion that the surgery is too high a risk. If my surgeon were to accidentally hit/cut a lymph vessel, I would start leaking fluid that would either 1.) kill me or 2.) cause me to constantly leak fluid and I would be in the hospital for 3+ months due to needing the fluid constantly drained. I was born with Noonan's Syndrome and apparently this "hazing" is common in about 30% of people with Noonan's. I just don't understand why this wasn't thought of before even scheduling my surgery? My cardiologist apologized profusely (of course) saying he didn't notice it before. I can't really process what I'm feeling since I don't even know what exactly is wrong. I'm angry because I mentally prepared myself for this (I had known this surgery was going to happen since last May), I had time put off of work and I was ready to go. Now with just a week left he tells me "Whoops!". I can't be that angry, considering he saved my life but I'm just confused, worried and feel completely stuck. I had planned my whole year around this surgery and now everything is uprooted and all over the place. I have an appointment on Thursday at 2pm to talk to him and figure out what exactly is wrong and what the next step is... I will keep updating on here. This site has been helpful and I enjoy the community on here. Anyway thank you for reading I know it was a novel!
Linda Richards Keep us updated ... My surgery was all most a year ago .... I am not sure what hazing is ... what ... Read more
Linda Richards Keep us updated ... My surgery was all most a year ago .... I am not sure what hazing is ... what did your Dr. tell you.
Phyllis Petersen That's incredibly unprofessional. Didn't he read your history before now? And now you're left up in t ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen That's incredibly unprofessional. Didn't he read your history before now? And now you're left up in the air. Good luck with getting the relief you need. Hopefully, they can come up with a solution.
Laurie Baglio Oh Gabbi I am so sorry about your news. Keep your spirits up. I don't know you but am sending hugs yo ... Read more
Laurie Baglio Oh Gabbi I am so sorry about your news. Keep your spirits up. I don't know you but am sending hugs your way😀
Laurie Baglio Sorry Gabbie, I missed the "e" in your name in my post to you above.
Ron Broadhead Best wishes to you Gabbie. I hope your appointment on Thursday goes well.
Rita Savelis I'm really sorry to hear that you have been through all this. You have a right to be angry. Sadly, me ... Read more
Rita Savelis I'm really sorry to hear that you have been through all this. You have a right to be angry. Sadly, medical professionals make mistakes. I've had my share.
It must be really hard when your past year has been constructed around what you thought was going to happen.
Hope your appt goes well today and you get some answers.
As one of my fellow writers on this site once said: You just have to take the next steps.
Whatever they might be.
Civita Fahey Gabbie, Im so sorry to hear that this happening to you.. Remember you are still in one of the best ho ... Read more
Civita Fahey Gabbie, Im so sorry to hear that this happening to you.. Remember you are still in one of the best hospitals in the country and they will figure something out for you.. have faith and also always, always ask questions. I work with physicians and though they are extremely intelligent people, they are human so, be as prepared as you can and always get at least another opinion even if just for your own personal information.. Best of luck! Will be praying for you.
I haven't posted on here as much as I'd like to but considering I only have a week left I figured I'd come on here again for some last minute tips or words ...Read more
I haven't posted on here as much as I'd like to but considering I only have a week left I figured I'd come on here again for some last minute tips or words of encouragement. I had a strange dream last night, I was in the hospital about to go into surgery and woke up in my bed at home with my mom telling I slept through the whole week I stayed at hospital. I still had the drainage tubes attached to me and I went to some random yellow house where a different woman took out my drainage tubes and I remember it hurt, horribly. I went inside the house and the same woman told me I didn't go into a coma I simply slept for a week. Then I woke up! Such a weird dream that I really don't know what to think about it.. but it does make me worried about the drainage tubes since I've googled what they look like and I wanted to throw up they grossed me out so badly. Does it hurt to take them out? Are they in for awhile? I've been busy with work so luckily I haven't had much time to worry over what's going to happen during my hospital stay. I have a list of things to bring but I really don't know how to prepare for the little things that will happen like IVs, drainage tubes etc. if anyone could tell me about their hospital stay I would really appreciate it. I'm nervous but with the date so close I'm almost relieved that it'll be done soon, and then I can focus on healing and enjoying my new self 💪🏼❤️
Phyllis Petersen It sounds like you're stressing a bit over things and that's why the dreams. I had robotic mitral val ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen It sounds like you're stressing a bit over things and that's why the dreams. I had robotic mitral valve repair, so I can't speak to others' experiences. I don't remember the breathing tube. My sister said it was out within a couple of hours after surgery. I won't lie, though, the chest drain does hurt a lot, but mine was out the next day. Most of the other tubes were already gone. They'll give you pain meds (take them!) to help you get through your recovery. I'm sure you'll do fine and before you know it you'll be on the road to recovery. All the best!
Candas Jones I had out of body experiences, freaked me out. Just jump in, it is the only way. The best advice I ... Read more
Candas Jones I had out of body experiences, freaked me out. Just jump in, it is the only way. The best advice I received is that for you and me, this is crazy overwhelming. But for the doc and nurses who do this, this is their everyday job. It is normal for them. They wake up and go to work with amazing education. It is just like every other day to them. When you feel freaked out, just remember, it is someone's job to take care of you at the hospital. They do it everyday, even if it is the scariest day of your life, they did it yesterday and the day before, they will do it again when it is your turn. Rest up, breathe. You will be fine. Jump in, no toes in the water with this one!! Hugs!
Lisa Ferguson Hi Gabbie! Nothing like a wild dream to freak you out! There is so much to worry about, but in the e ... Read more
Lisa Ferguson Hi Gabbie! Nothing like a wild dream to freak you out! There is so much to worry about, but in the end you will be so glad to have the amazing folks at the hospital (who have been through this a million times) walk you through everything step by step.
My drain tubes were in for almost all of my 7 days in the hospital. I retained a lot of fluid so they needed to stay in. It was a bother walking around, taking a shower, etc with the tubes in, but they didn't hurt. Taking them out was slightly painful, but they do it quickly and I immediately felt better.
You might want to ask your surgeon if they stitch the tube holes closed? Some stitch them closed so they heal faster, but they left mine open for some reason. You'll leave with a big patch covering them, but in my case, they took a long time to heal closed.
The only truly uncomfortable memory I have (it's been 9 months for me) was pulling out the temporary pacemaker wires and taking out the neck artery IV. You are well medicated and monitored for pain so really I would consider everything more of a discomfort than true pain.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Rita Savelis There is a lot of pre-surgery anxiety (leading to dreams). It's normal. I'll be completely honest and ... Read more
Rita Savelis There is a lot of pre-surgery anxiety (leading to dreams). It's normal. I'll be completely honest and say that my drainage tubes did not bother me in any way or hurt when they were taken out.
In all honesty I'll say thay nothing hurt (and in that way OHS was so very very different from other surgeries I've had). There was LOTS of discomfort and insomnia and extreme tiredness and general feelings of will I ever be myself again. But I can't use the word pain to describe any of it.
Each person's experience is different and unique and singular. We are often afraid of one thing, and then in fact it's something we didn't expect that bothers us more. We all have different reactions to medical situations.
I do feel like I did nothing but sleep for a week, although it was more like lying there feeling exhausted but awake. The exhaustion stops you from being so aware of various tubes and IV's and whatnot. That stuff is taken out as soon as it can be.
None of it is fun. I'm sorry you have to go through with this. But, hospital staff is there for you and ready to give you the pain meds you need, if and when you need them.
Ask questions and procedures and why things are happening will be explained to you.
You can't be prepared in advance for it all, you just have to breathe deeply and let it happen.
Take care.
Kim Jones I also have a week to go for my open heart mitral valve repair(fingers crossed). I find it comforting ... Read more
Kim Jones I also have a week to go for my open heart mitral valve repair(fingers crossed). I find it comforting to look ahead 3 weeks,3months etc. I tell myself I am gonna set the record for the earliest release from the hospital after open heart surgery. I get anxious but I know it has to be done. Don't worry about the things you can't control. Focus on how much better you will feel in the long run.
2 weeks and 1 day away. I have a list of questions for my surgeon but I would appreciate tips on what I should ask, or bring to the hospital. Right now I'm ...Read more
2 weeks and 1 day away. I have a list of questions for my surgeon but I would appreciate tips on what I should ask, or bring to the hospital. Right now I'm bringing a button down pj top, my own pillow, and dry shampoo. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Kathy Blank I am still a rookie but I've been advised to bring slippers and a long charging cord for your phone. ... Read more
Kathy Blank I am still a rookie but I've been advised to bring slippers and a long charging cord for your phone. Also a surgical bra but I don't know where you get one! I think you should also bring a pic of Remy!
Diane Zeigler I did wear my slippers, but I stayed in the hospital gowns the whole time. They were just easier to ... Read more
Diane Zeigler I did wear my slippers, but I stayed in the hospital gowns the whole time. They were just easier to deal with with all the drain and tubes. I didn't feel much like reading, playing games, etc. I slept a lot. Do take a picture of you Remy. That will make you happy. Good luck to you.
Rita Savelis You don't need much. You just need to rest while there and who cares if your hair is unwashed. That i ... Read more
Rita Savelis You don't need much. You just need to rest while there and who cares if your hair is unwashed. That is the very least of your worries. Just bring something to tie your hair back with....
Take care.
Craig Gay Ear plugs and eye mask to help block out some of the noise and light.
Clare Auten They gave me a surgical bra, well put it on in the OR, at the hospital and then brought me a spare. T ... Read more
Clare Auten They gave me a surgical bra, well put it on in the OR, at the hospital and then brought me a spare. The nurse even hand washed the first one for me. A long cord is good. Slippers are ok, just make sure they have a good sole. I preferred my regular shoes for walking the halls.
Clare Auten Forgot to mention chapstick. I felt like my lips got really dry.
Adam Pick Ditto that on the ear plugs. Great point Craig. You may also want to bring some comfy sweatpants and ... Read more
Adam Pick Ditto that on the ear plugs. Great point Craig. You may also want to bring some comfy sweatpants and a comfy sweatshirt.
Gabbie Jones Thank you guys :) and Kathy, that's a great idea to bring pictures of my cats. I can barely stand bei ... Read more
Gabbie Jones Thank you guys :) and Kathy, that's a great idea to bring pictures of my cats. I can barely stand being away from them for a day haha. I know I'm going to miss them so having photos of them is a good way to help with my obsessed cat mom problems hahah
Civita Fahey Good Luck Gabbie.. Boston Children's is a great hospital.. you will be in good hands.
Gabbie Jones Thank you Civita, I've been going there my whole life so its like a second home to me.
Civita Fahey Im sure it is.. In Mass, are so lucky to have so many great hospitals in the such a small area. I wil ... Read more
Civita Fahey Im sure it is.. In Mass, are so lucky to have so many great hospitals in the such a small area. I will be having surgery at the Brigham which is down the road..
Ellen Leng PJ bottoms for walking around in the lovely backless gowns :), chapstick great as well. Keep it simp ... Read more
Ellen Leng PJ bottoms for walking around in the lovely backless gowns :), chapstick great as well. Keep it simple!
Priscila Marino I got a couplo of front clasp bra @ amazon. Even the nurses at icu were impressed.
Pj, tooth brush, d ... Read more
Priscila Marino I got a couplo of front clasp bra @ amazon. Even the nurses at icu were impressed.
Pj, tooth brush, dry shampoo!!!
I couldn't read or watch tv for a couple of weeks after my OHS, for some reason my eye sight got really weird!
Best if luck!
Diane Zeigler I was worried about my hair getting dirty because it drives me crazy. At Cleveland Clinic they had s ... Read more
Diane Zeigler I was worried about my hair getting dirty because it drives me crazy. At Cleveland Clinic they had some kind of shower cap thing that they would warm in the microwave then put in on my head. It felt just like getting a shampoo and it didn't have to be rinsed out. It worked great so you might want to see if they have something like that. I also tried one of the surgical bras and I didn't like it one bit. I thought I was going to suffocate! I went braless for two months!
Gabbie Jones Chapstick is a must! I always carry it with me. And I didn't even think to bring a toothbrush, haha t ... Read more
Gabbie Jones Chapstick is a must! I always carry it with me. And I didn't even think to bring a toothbrush, haha thank you Priscila. And the whole open in front bra suggestions don't really apply to me considering I'm like a negative A cup hahaha. I won't have to worry about bras for awhile, thank goodness
Rita Savelis I didn't wear a bra for months! Enjoy your luck Gabbie!
Peggy Whitecotton I wore hospital gowns the whole time because I had 3 chest tubes pacemaker wires, EKG wires, IV lines ... Read more
Peggy Whitecotton I wore hospital gowns the whole time because I had 3 chest tubes pacemaker wires, EKG wires, IV lines plus More. I bought new slippers but couldn't wear them because my feet were so swollen, so make sure they are stretchable. Make sure to bring a cell phone charger with a long cord, your favorite pillow as hospital ones are not comfortable to sleep on
It must be really hard when your past year has been constructed around what you thought was going to happen.
Hope your appt goes well today and you get some answers.
As one of my fellow writers on this site once said: You just have to take the next steps.
Whatever they might be.