Hi. I posted about my mum who has COPD and is due to have open heart surgery. We have the date and it’s on Tuesday. I am so so scared and I just need some support and maybe some of you could tell me some of your stories if you’ve been in a similar situation? I know I’ve asked this before but it’s so comforting to know others have been through the same thing and survived it all ok.
Thank you. Xx
There are plenty of us here who have had Cardiac surgery for one reason or another. Some recent, some from years ago but we are all different. Yes it is frightening imagining what is going to happen and possibly one of the best things to do is not to look at Dr Google. You haven't said what you are actually going in for but don't forget you can always ring the BHF Helpline 0300 330 3311 for further advice.
Firstly thank you for your reply. Sorry I should have been more specific. It’s my mother, she’s due to have a valve replaced and suffers with COPD. They gave her a 10-15% mortality rate and I know it’s very low but just seeing that percentage sends my anxiety through the roof!
I see where you are coming from and it is a requirement as far as I know to give you the full outlook of what could happen - good or bad. In all the procedures I have gone through over the years the percentages increase each time. However I take the long view that the benefits will outweigh the risks and knowing that the doctor/surgeon performing the procedure has done this many times previously and if asked about problems that had arisen have answered truthfully.
I always remember my wife saying she wished she had listened and not come to see me in ICU because she was unprepared for all the tubes, leads & monitors. Now when I go it is by myself and I ring her afterwards with one of the kids picking me up after.
How does your mum feel about it all?
Can I ask which procedures you’ve had done if you don’t mind me asking? I do keep saying to myself and my mum that the risks are minimal compared to the benefits and that they wouldn’t operate if she didn’t deem fit enough. I’m unsure if I’m going to see her in the ICU. I will be at the hospital while she’s having the op but once I know it has been successful that’ll be good enough for me. I’ll visit her when she’s moved to the high dependency ward. I don’t think I could handle seeing her like that. She is feeling apprehensive, scared but also hopeful. She has faith in her surgeons and takes comfort in the fact she shares this experience with other people with the same conditions, and also we have a great hospital and very experienced surgeons.
Hi Lionheart24. It's great that you are supporting your mom. There are no guarantees in open heart surgery i'm afraid. You will hear all the reassurances from a multitude of sources telling you that it will be fine and the surgeons do it day in day out. None the less it is human nature to look to the worse scenario. My son took me to hospital for my Quad bypass and I really tried to put on a brave act in his presence. Now as I type this and reading your post I fully appreciate his own concerns at the risks. All I can say is, at your moment of emotional turmoil blank out the scare stories and concentrate on the evidence (ie the stats). Hold your mom tight and hold her gently after the op.
Good luck to you both
Here is a link to my Blog as my son dropped me off the night before my op.
wordpress.com/post/philsqua...
Take care
Phil
My husband had a quadruple CABG last March following a heart attack. I did see him in ICU after his surgery - the staff explained beforehand what to expect and what they were doing and why. His surgeon also visited him several times during the evening too. It was strange to see him unconscious and so vulnerable but also comforting to know what was happening, I was also able to fill some of the gaps in his timeline that he had lost. As heart surgery is so routine now I felt that some of the potential impact on us emotionally and on our lives was not really explained.
Recovery has been slower than the books said but his heart is now strong and working well.
Don’t be afraid to ask if you are unsure of anything and get support yourself if you need it.
I hope everything goes well.
Hi thanks for replying. I am just worried about the effects of the anaesthetic on her lung capacity as her FEV is at 50%. Everything else seems positive but it’s very concerning.
Hi Lionheart24, any surgery and anaesthetic carries a risk but modern care is fantastic and rehabilitation afterwards. My husband was quite poorly for a long time prior to his surgery and his oxygen levels were always low but a combination of the surgery and physio have changed that and his oxygen levels are now at 98% and above.
I hope everything goes well for your mum.
Thank you for your reassurance and congratulations on your husbands recovery. ♥️
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