Home > Community > Patient News Feed > Howard Sefton

Howard's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: September 19, 2019

Send Howard a Note

My Posts

Howard Sefton posted an update

6 years ago (January 3, 2020)

Waiting for surgery.......... How do other people feel? Mine is upcoming in 6 weeks, suddenly everything feels very, very real. To use an English phrase, "I'm bricking it". I know I will most likely make it through the surgery, I'm under 40 and otherwise healthy, so the statistics are in... Read more.

👍 Barbara Wood reacted to this

John O'Neill

I know, right! Mine is four days away, and most of the time I'm feeling pretty good about it, but occasionally I worry, even though intellectually I know it's very low risk. I think that feeling is more or less universal among heart surgery patients. I have been minimizing the... Read more.

Marie Myers

I can really sympathize. Like you said, the statistics are in your favor, but that won't stop your brain from worrying about it. I finally asked my doc for some anti anxiety meds to take, and I would say they helped me tremendously. Yoga , meditation, and deep slow breathing... Read more.

Chris Calhoun

It is going to be ok!!!!! It is not as bad as you are imagining - the surgeons are amazing!! as are the nurses - lean on your support group and know when they give you a few pills to relax you - it will be peaceful - relax and... Read more.

Frank Giovanniello

Howard, emotions really play on you. I'm just about five months after, and still every now and then, it hits again.

Marie Myers

I should add that I tried to stay busy (distracted) during the pre op waiting time. Luckily for me, I did not have any symptoms, and could play tennis, work, and garden. I did take the immediate 2 weeks off before surgery, and I just did "me" time, like getting... Read more.

Howard Sefton

Distraction appears to be key right now - thanks all for the messages, I go up and down on it at the minute (about 20 times) a day - today is a good day and feel fairly positive. I've also been writing a blog which seems to have been well... Read more.

Howard Sefton posted an update

6 years ago (December 31, 2019)

Happy new year to everyone! @adam, I found your book super helpful and gave it to my wife and parents after. I am getting the Ross Peocedure with PEARS (a new-ish support implant) in February 2020 at London Bridge hospital. I'm tired, nervous and worried for everyone including my 2... Read more.

Howard's happy heart surgery blog

https://howardsinternalrefurb.home.blog/

Howard's [Happy] Heart Surgery Blog So the Dr says "You need open heart surgery"......….. Wow. Great. How do you react? Laugh? Joke? Ask Why? When? The first thing I did was cry. I was angry & scared. Honestly though, I knew it would be this time, it's always been coming, although there's always been the…

👍 Shannon Gray reacted to this

Marie Myers

It is tough news to get, hearing you need open heart surgery,especially at a young age . Just take one day at a time, and ask all the questions you may have . Many of us have been through various types of open heart surgery, and can provide some comfort.... Read more.

Howard Sefton

Thanks Marie

Upcoming Surgeries