I went in for my pre-op on Friday and, despite my having a cough and cold, they gave me the go-ahead for my surgery tomorrow. I met with the surgical team and ...Read more
I went in for my pre-op on Friday and, despite my having a cough and cold, they gave me the go-ahead for my surgery tomorrow. I met with the surgical team and found out that I am a very rare case! It is not often that pulmonary valves are replaced in adults, so they were "excited" to get to participate in the surgery. I'm glad someone is excited about it!
With my surgeons guidance, I have chosen to go with a stented tissue valve. I would like to avoid being on blood thinners, and chances are very good that the next time I need this valve replaced it will be trans-catheter. I feel great about my decision and have no reservations about it.
The hubby and I had date night on Friday, then yesterday my parents, in-laws, and daughter and son in law came over and helped me clean my house and decorate for Christmas. That felt SO GOOD to get that done. I am so appreciative of my family's help and support! We also got to spend some quality time together last night which was great.
Today I am planning on getting my bag packed, paying bills and taking care of some last minute preparations. The rest of the time today, I just want to spend enjoying my kids. I am still waiting for that feeling of "calm and acceptance" that everyone says will come....today I just feel shaky and numb. Hopefully I will be able to find the strength somewhere to get through tomorrow. I do know that I am in great hands, and that the odds are very high that I will come through this with no complications. I am trying to stay strong!
I will see you all on the recovery side!
Debbie Bentley I'm praying for you . My day is coming soon . Just had my cath on Friday and that went well . I pray ... Read more
Debbie Bentley I'm praying for you . My day is coming soon . Just had my cath on Friday and that went well . I pray that you get the calmness feeling soon .
Billy G I'm not even 48 hours out yet. There have definitely been some very uncomfortable moments. I hate ask ... Read more
Billy G I'm not even 48 hours out yet. There have definitely been some very uncomfortable moments. I hate asking for help but have made sure to ask for things whenever I need something. Everyone is there to help. Don't over think what you're about to go through. It's not pleasant, but focus on the moment as each one comes. Moment by moment, it hasn't been too bad at all. You'll do great!
Best wishes for a successful surgery! Thinking of you!
Jean Knappik Natalee, it will be fine...keep asking GOD to stay with you!
Kimberly Biddick Best wishes to you!! I'm four days out as of today. It's unpleasant but definitely do-able!!
Melinda Hacker You got this!! Praying for you heart friend❤️
Exactly two weeks from today I will be having OHS to replace my pulmonary valve. It has been a long few months, full of doctor visits, tests, waiting, worry, ...Read more
Exactly two weeks from today I will be having OHS to replace my pulmonary valve. It has been a long few months, full of doctor visits, tests, waiting, worry, stress, more waiting, and lots of emotions. I feel like I have felt everything from shock and sadness, to anger and denial. I'm not sure if I am at the acceptance part yet, but I am hopeful it will come. Despite all my preparations and information gathering, I still feel very emotionally unprepared. I don't know if that is even possible! I have been spending my days lately in preparation mode, partly out of necessity and partly out of distraction! The task of having my preschool ready to hand over to substitute teachers for a few months has been overwhelming to say the least, not to mention Christmas shopping, cleaning, and arranging for care for my young kids. I am indebted to my family and friends who have all stepped in with their help and comfort. No matter how hard this is going to be I know I will get through it! I am putting my faith in God and the skilled surgeons who I know will take great care of me.
Thank you for sharing your story
I'm 36 years old and have 4 children youngest is 1 and I just found ... Read more
Thank you for sharing your story
I'm 36 years old and have 4 children youngest is 1 and I just found out I have mitral regurgitation
I'm devastated I find my self crying all the time and I pretty much have all the emotions you have stated
I'm so scared
Hope all goes well with your surgery and you have nothing but the best results possible
Tammy Pilcher Natalee and Juju, the feelings you both are having are completely normal and sound very familiar to m ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Natalee and Juju, the feelings you both are having are completely normal and sound very familiar to me. I'm a year post-op now, but well remember how scared I was facing OHS. You've come to the right place, because it really will help to read the journals of so many people who have been through this and came through it all successfully. I will keep you both in my prayers for our Lord to give you the peace and courage He gave me. My surgery and recovery were not as bad as I anticipated they would be. If I can answer any questions, I will be happy to. I wrote a journal of favorite scriptures to take out and read whenever I felt afraid before my surgery. This one I chose to write on a piece of paper and take to the hospital the morning of my surgery: Isaiah 41:13 "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee.". I felt like He was holding my hand that morning and that was a peace I can't describe with words. God's blessings, Tammy
Steven A Husted dear Natalee you will do just fine heart sister i know what you are going thru i had all the same fee ... Read more
Steven A Husted dear Natalee you will do just fine heart sister i know what you are going thru i had all the same feelings weather to get it done or put it off i tried to get an idea what to do from everybody i knew i finally turned it over to the lord and he gave me a peace about it and then my cardiolgist told me he wanted me to go to the hospital right away and they operated on me a few days later i think the lord new the right time and he took care of me and he will do the same for you best wishes and prayers heart sister
Sophia Ridley I'm a fortnight to go too. Over the course of the last few months, I feel that I've exhausted every e ... Read more
Sophia Ridley I'm a fortnight to go too. Over the course of the last few months, I feel that I've exhausted every emotion. Last week I was up/down, but had a good weekend fully involved with my family and so this week is looking better. It's my last week in work so have told the wider team and am busy handing over to my cover. I have a consultant visit on Wednesday so I just want to know that all is fine following the pre- op tests last week and that we'll be moving forward... Although not outwardly very religious, I have found great comfort in my faith and the knowledge that the Lord is watching over us. I thank too for finding this site as the support is tremendous.
Doran Herritt Stay busy. It's the best way to keep the emotions in check. Prayers for peace coming your way.
Drn
Clare Auten Good luck to you. Keeping busy is a good thing. As a special ed teacher, I get the part about handin ... Read more
Clare Auten Good luck to you. Keeping busy is a good thing. As a special ed teacher, I get the part about handing it over to subs. I learned of my problem over winter break and due to snow days, didn't get in even one day to plan or see the kids before my surgery on Jan 9. Somehow the subs managed with no plans and the kids learned. Praying for you.
Jean Knappik Natalee, I understand your anxiety. Your preschoolers, family and everyone else involved with your li ... Read more
Jean Knappik Natalee, I understand your anxiety. Your preschoolers, family and everyone else involved with your life will be just fine. Ask God to help relieve some of the fears and help you handle things...you will be fine...and everyone else will have to pitch in to help. I have to set up my surgery for my aortic valve and I get short of breath just thinking about it, so I understand your emotions...I am starting to feel a little better about things. Think positive! Good Luck with everything and I cannot wait to hear all about it.
Jeanette Davidson Just remember everything you are feeling is NORMAL! Gaining control through tangible tasks is awesome ... Read more
Jeanette Davidson Just remember everything you are feeling is NORMAL! Gaining control through tangible tasks is awesome! Allow loved ones to help you.i will keep you in my prayers!❤️
Betsey Osgood Anticipation and moving toward the surgery date is the hardest!!! It was about 5 day's before my sur ... Read more
Betsey Osgood Anticipation and moving toward the surgery date is the hardest!!! It was about 5 day's before my surgery that my brain finally quit over analyzing EVERYTHING and I finally had the calming peace of acceptance. I'm sure you will too! You'll be on the healing side very soon!
Emily Rowley
Hello Natalee,
Firstly know that you're never alone on this journey (even when you may feel like it) ... Read more
Emily Rowley
Hello Natalee,
Firstly know that you're never alone on this journey (even when you may feel like it), you have the support of those around you as well as us all on here :)
I too am a Preschool Teacher.
I know what you mean by the worrying and keeping busy for distraction. I have just over two more months to worry and prepare. I've already packed most of my bag.
I believe Doctors don't seem to help mentally prepare a patient for Surgery.
You definitely have the right attitude and positive outlook. I think you're stronger enough to come out great on the other side!
Know we'll be thinking of you and I send my prayers your way.
LETICIA DE LA ROSA-CREASEY Natalee, just had my cc done a week and a half ago. Still bruised but everything went well. This is my second and my surgery is scheduled for Nov. 2nd. Good luck and know you are not alone!
Jean Knappik Good Luck Natalee! Everything will be fine!
Alma Mater Best wishes for your cath tomorrow, Natalee!
Sophia Ridley Hi Natalee, I was really nervous before mine, but it went fine. Mine was in the groin, do follow thei ... Read more
Sophia Ridley Hi Natalee, I was really nervous before mine, but it went fine. Mine was in the groin, do follow their advice fully and don't try to do too much. My bruising is getting much better now and will probably be gone over w/e. Best wishes!
Sophia Ridley Just realised that our surgery dates are the same - 16 Nov!
W. Carter I have had a few and never had any problems, not even any soreness. Walked up stairs with no problems ... Read more
W. Carter I have had a few and never had any problems, not even any soreness. Walked up stairs with no problems the same day.
Jeff V. Don't be afraid to ask questions during the procedure. You will be awake but sedated and able to see ... Read more
Jeff V. Don't be afraid to ask questions during the procedure. You will be awake but sedated and able to see the imaging as they examine you (if you want). How often do we get a chance to witness an exploration of our heart on TV...? I thought the experience was quite cool!
Sophia Ridley I second that! It was amazing to see it in action. The sedation helped considerable as I'm quite sque ... Read more
Sophia Ridley I second that! It was amazing to see it in action. The sedation helped considerable as I'm quite squeamish.
Tip I should have said - breath normally. I was breathing shallowly due to sedation and now face a lung function and arterial blood test :(
Natalee LaJeunesse It went great! They went through the wrist. Not bad at all:) No blockages or other problems. Glad to ... Read more
Natalee LaJeunesse It went great! They went through the wrist. Not bad at all:) No blockages or other problems. Glad to have it over and feeling good! I think I slept through most of it....they must have had me pretty sedated!
anita egden That's really good news. Now you don't have to worry about other things going on at the same time ... Read more
anita egden That's really good news. Now you don't have to worry about other things going on at the same time 😀