Well after lots of waiting and being in limbo, I finally the other day got my date through for my AVR and aneurysm repair at St Thomas's. I'm going in Weds Dec 12 to have the op Thurs Dec 13, which has slightly freaked out my parents as it is the day of their Diamond Wedding anniversary! But there we go, it is what it is - even if it is much closer to Christmas than I would have liked, especially if there is any delay or postponement or post-op complications - and I am simply glad now to have a date to work towards. So wish me luck!
I still get freak-out moments occasionally in the dark of the night about what's looming but have mostly got my head around it. Curiously, watching the Channel 5 live AVR operation the other day (which I'd said I wouldn't but then caught the end and so then switched to plus 1) was strangely reassuring as, for the Bart's team, it seemed so normal and standard. Plus it was interesting to actually see what happens - I was surprised for eg how large the aortic valve actually is.
So, my bag is likely to be:
- Dressing gown
- Slippers
- Pyjamas (front opening) x 2
- One change of clothes, with all clothes one size too large and front-opening zip or buttons and trackies
- Washbag, toiletries and medicines (including ear plugs)
- Wedge pillow
- Kindle, MP3, phone, charger, possibly a physical book and (possibly though haven't fully decided yet) tablet
So anything else anyone would recommend or think I've missed?
And does anyone who has been in St Thomas's have any specific tips or advice or what's good or not about it to pass on?
My wife for eg is going to stay in the family accommodation for the duration, and the children (teens and twenties) are going to come up and down to visit, but may stay over one night. So, again, anyone experienced it and what it's like?
Assuming everything goes to plan (and that is a big assumption I know) I'm hoping I'll be back home for a somewhat sore, sober and irritable-patient Christmas and then a new year's resolution of just to "get better, slowly".
But - while I am no ticktock Pete - I'll try and keep you all posted on how things are going/panning out. And anyone likely to be in St Thomas's at the same time, I'll be on Doulton Ward!
Best to everyone Nic x
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Nic25
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It’s fantastic news you’ve got your date I’m chuffed to bits for you. I found St Thomas’s fantastic and I was so glad I chose to have my operation there. The level of care and attention I recieved was second to none. Not everybody has the same experience I appreciate that but I had no complaints not even about the food really.
Although you’ve got Christmas coming up it’s more important you get the operation done now as the sooner it happens the sooner you will become the “new you” which your family will benefit from and you’ll be able to do everything you wanted to do without worry for many years to come.
Remember you can message me any time you want if you want to chat . Your list for the hospital looks great by the way
Keep positive and keep us up to date we will all be rooting for you
Thank you kindly Pete! And you. Hope your recovery is powering on. Yes definitely time to have it as have been getting some mild breathlessness symptoms in the past few weeks. So just feel lucky to be living in a time and place where that just isn't "it"; that something can be done. x
I’m doing really really well and you will too I’m doing exercise classes twice a week for an hour each time and swimming once a week and loving it . My blood clot is still there but not causing problems. I was transfixed to the TV watching the live AVR operation which I’ve also recorded it was f...ing amazing. I can’t believe I had that done to me but so so glad I did.
You will come through this Nic and when you have you will re-evaluate everything and realise what’s important in life and what’s not and some of it will surprise you ..... it did me !!
As a "guest" in June this year at Doulton ward I can offer a couple of things that are good there!
Firstly you'll get world class care. I couldn't believe how caring everyone there was to me.
I had my freak out moment in the middle of the night and sister came and spoke gently and reassuringly. A triple bypass is no trivial thing but every last one of the staff helped me through the whole thing.
Lastly, don't believe what you hear about hospital food! Doulton ward's dinner ladies do a really good roast beef, roast spuds and veg. The pie and custard is super too!
Thank you Alec. That's great. So my rather radical NHS reduce-my-waist diet plan clearly isn't going to work! But that's all positive and great advice and most reassuring. Yes I've not heard a bad word yet about St Thomas's which bodes well. X
Hi Nic, good luck with your op. Just warn your wife that, in my husband’s words, you look like death warmed up immediately after the op. He couldn’t believe the difference the following day.
Best advice I can give (apart from not forgetting your earplugs and tell the night nurses you’re using them incase they wake you for obs) is to take the painkillers and don’t be worried about asking for more. It is no time for heroics and we all have different pain thresholds, but if you are in pain you won’t want to move, which will slow your recovery.
I took my Kindle and tablet, on which I had some card games etc, which was a good distraction especially as I struggled with the concentration needed for reading initially - a common side effect of the anaesthetic.
Hi Nic25. Great news on your date confirmation. I’m 9 weeks post op (tissue, valve, root and hemiarch replacement) andnow halfway through cardio rehab. I’ve never been fitter or healthier. As with everyone, a couple of glitches on the way but you will soon no longer be in limbo. Here if you need us before and after your op
No one was more worried than me before hand (a few people of here can confirm). All the best and please use this forum whenever you need to.. it is the best way of talking to people you can directly relate to x
Great news you have a date Nic😊 I am into my 4th week post op ( aortic valve replacement) and just dealing with minor pain. Was up to two 20/30 mins walk a day but weather stopped me yesterday so was a bit of a down day. Best to start getting active as soon as you can but steady away and rest in between, no over doing things, your body and head will tell you. I have my daughter's wedding this weekend so have been working towards that and am so greatful I've had the op before and not had to wait until after. I was in the LGI in Leeds and the care was fantastic 100%. I took a book but never read it. My comfort, cough cushing was my best take into hospital and used it lots. The young bubbly nursing team kept everyone going and spirits up. When I was able to start walking up and down the ward I did so with another patient and we coaxed each other a long. I was home in 5 days, felt strange to be home and frustrating when you can't do simple things. Just keep going, steady away and if people ask if they can help you let them, I was a very independent person but I let family and friends do things I didn't even think I wouldn't be able to do. I watched the 1st 15 mins of the live op and had to turn it off but do intend to watch it. All the best for your upcoming op and a wishing you a very good recovery x Chrissy
I’ll second everything Pete says - you will be amazed at how caring the staff all are - the nurses in ICU and HDU were nothing short of fantastic. My main advice pre-op is to trust St Thomas’s and trust your surgeon. During my time there I saw a few dealing with other patients and everyone said the same - they are wonderful.
I’ll have a think today and message you with some tips. Meanwhile, relax. Everyone says the waiting is the worst. It is. I’d advise keeping out of big shops and crowds as much as possible the week before going in - no coughing people! Just organise something nice to do in a couple of months so that you can look forward to it!
Just think of Pete, Alec and me - we have all been to the same theatre, ICU,HDU and Doultin ward over the last few months and here we are!!!! Incase I forget, pack some binoculars for when you are in Doulton. People next door in the Marriott pay thousands for the view we had!!
Thank you Alison, yes good call on the binoculars! I remember the room for some of the exercise tests had a massive picture window looking out across the Thames to the Houses of Parliament; amazing even when gasping for breath! Yes I will try and keep away from crowds - though my work does mean I have to travel on trains a fair bit - and I tend to sneeze a lot anyway, which is slightly worrying me. But that's all great advice, thank you. Keep strong. Nic x
Fab news, at least you can now plan for after the op X
Your hospital bag sounds impressive, only thing I struggled with after the op was reading, just couldn't concentrate, read the same page about 20 times 😂
You'll be surprised at how little you can do afterwards ( I was told it was like running consecutive marathons for the heart and body), so take it slow, listen to your body X
If people offer help accept it, ask for help if you need it X
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Awaiting AVR - what happens next?
The countdown begins!
AVR surgery tomorrow!
