Appointment got Aortic valve and artery replacement arrived

[Madgranny2]

Phone call yesterday that's 5 weeks since I saw the surgeon which is very quick. Dreading it but it has to be done. Will let you know eventually how I get on. Good luck to you all waiting and recovering

[skid112 Heart Star]

hey there, at least for you the waiting is nearly done, come back and tell us how you are getting on post op

[Sina-6491]

Yes that is great news. Look forward to hearing from you with new bright beginnings

[Rupertthedog]

Hope all goes well,the intensive care is weird it gives you strange feelings to your mind,the worst bit is the breastbone,mine took 6 months to heal,but make sure you have a cushion handy all the time,hurts when you sneeze.

[MKB38]

I'm waiting too. I've got my first clinic appointment in 3 weeks. I hope they'll be able to give me some idea of the wait for a valve replacement. I just want to get my life back. Best of luck with your treatment. It is a comfort reading these posts to know you are not on your own. PS. I'm a grandma too xx

[Madgranny2 in reply to MKB38]

Thank you all and, I hope your appointments arrive soon. Although it's only 5 weeks since I met my surgeon it has been 3 months since my first test so please hang in there. The meet the team and pre cardio final health check today was 5 hours !but very helpful so it's all on for Tuesday xx

[Shopgirl]

That's such good news madgranny2. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

I'm still waiting and I think my postman will be as pleased as me when he delivers the white envelope with blue NHS on it!

[getrico]

Yeah, the cushion thing was something nobody told until I found it on youtube. I saw a patient crossing his arms which I thought was amusing but now I know what it was about.

Do be careful when coughing as its the suppression of the force which will feel your rib cage being blasted open. And it hurts. Try always to be calm as I was. Take time eating and drinking. Choking on anything will make the symptoms not easy to handle. If theres no cushion, cross your arms over your chest to alleviate the pain. When sleeping especially in early stages, try to keep upright or at an 50-60 plus angle as getting up will strain your back, stomach muscles. You'll know what your capable of doing within the first 2-3 days. Have that bowl in place too, for collecting the expelled mucus.

[Madgranny2 in reply to getrico]

Thanks getrico

The meet the team, health check, talks, tour of the ward etc on Wednesday covered all that, even get a cushion to take home. Also told us about possible emotional as well as the physical side of things it was a 5 hour session which covered so much it was very good.

James Cook in Middlesbrough is the hospital I a have been attending and has a very good reputation, apart from the food lol, I might lose some of weight I have put on since I have been unwell.

Onwards and upwards

[getrico in reply to Madgranny2]

It's a shame I never had that inside information as you did. Probably I'm guessing many of the patients I was with never had this too. Glad you've been well cared for.

[Fredders]

All the best for your op. I'm due a second AVR in Oct/Nov. Best advice, apart from the cushion one, is to take the painkillers, no heroics, will make your recovery much easier. I felt like hell for the first few days and found it very difficult when I got home trying to sleep in my bed. Those v shaped pillows are very helpful for that as my mimic the angle I had the hospital bed. Glad you're confident of your surgeon and hospital, I'm having mine done at Glenfields, Leicester again with the same surgeon. Take care.

[Madgranny2 in reply to Fredders]

Thank for your words of support Fredders. I have recently bought a V shaped pillow which I use now as my breathing at night is poor. How long did you first valve last ? As I am 70 shortly I'm hoping this one on Tuesday lasts me out 😀Wishing you the of luck later this year and thank you for the advice on the painkillers

[Fredders in reply to Madgranny2]

I had a tissue valve in 2011. At the time I was told it should last about 15 years but unfortunately it now leaks badly, hence the op later this year. When I had a TOE procedure he told me that they only last that sort of time on older patients - I'm now 58. I'm going to have a mechanical one this time, although I'm not keen on taking warfarin, but I take that many pills at the moment one more won't matter! I hope you're op goes well, just take your time with everything afterwards and keep me updated.