Aortic Valve Replacement - The Call Up

[Cottagegardener]

I knew the surgeon wanted to operate this month and so I shouldn’t have been surprised when I found a text from my husband saying my surgeons PA had phoned to say there was a slot for my surgery next Tuesday and although he’d accepted on my behalf - he’s good like that 😉 - I still had to call back to confirm.

I’d had a CT Scan earlier in the week and some dental treatment so I’d absolutely convinced myself that I wouldn’t hear anything till the end of the month at the earliest.

The text sort of took my breath away! I’d just finished a yoga class and was about to start a meditation class and what was worse I only had about 10% battery life on my phone! Was in a bit of a flap to say the least !

Cutting long story short I managed confirmed that next week would most acceptable. So on Monday afternoon (fingers crossed 🤞) I will be admitted and the op will be the day after.

It’s been like living in limbo land this past month. Not just for me but for my whole family. My husband has been so supportive, my emotions have been all over the place ( and his too I know) I guess it’s something we all feel. I’ve read so many good honest posts from people who have shared their feelings, their knowledge, their support and I’m grateful to each and every one of them.

I shall follow their good advice and be mindful that there will be lots of us up and down the country having exactly the same procedure at exactly the same time as me.

So till then I shall keep busy reading Michael HJ’s chuckle posts and giving my husband a crash course in cooking, using the washing machine, the Hoover ......................................

Best wishes to you all 🌸

[Suzy1954]

Good luck for next week. I’m sure all will go well. I had mine 33 years ago and still here 👍

[Green_55]

I am waiting for an appointment with a consultant to see when my aortic valve will be replaced. I can fully relate to your post.

I wish you all the best.

[Cottagegardener in reply to Green_55]

I think once you get to see your surgeon they really don’t hang about. The waiting and not really knowing when is the hardest thing to bare. Keep positive 🌸

[Shoshov]

good luck my friend. i like your positivity and your quite right lots of fellow hearties will be asleep at the same time as you. take care❤️shiona

[Cottagegardener in reply to Shoshov]

Thank you shiona 🌸🌸

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Good luck for next week! All bring well you will be home at the weekend or shorty after. Fingers crossed no cancellation or delay.

When I was in hospital one gentleman had an experimental sheep's valve. When his surgeon did her ward round she asked how he was? He replied "Not BAAAAD"!

[Cottagegardener in reply to MichaelJH]

Cheers Michael - you always make me chuckle!

😃🌸

[Red_Baron in reply to MichaelJH]

That’s odd: on my ward, someone had a bovine valve and asked for MOOORE tea

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Red_Baron]

They tried equine valves but they were NEIGH good!

[Cottagegardener in reply to MichaelJH]

You’re nuts Michael but I love it ! ⭐️ 😁

🌸🌸

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Cottagegardener]

The aim is to give you the giggles before you go down to theatre! 😁

[Red_Baron in reply to MichaelJH]

They were going to fit an avian valve but thought they were too CHEEP

[Red_Baron in reply to MichaelJH]

Also, I’d heard they were testing Owl valves but weren’t sure if they had the right twit-TWOOLS

(I could do this all day )

[Cottagegardener in reply to Red_Baron]

Guess you guys are on a roll now! 🤣🤣

I dread to think what you might come up with tomorrow 🌸

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Red_Baron]

The feline valve worked PURRfectly!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Red_Baron]

The female patient had a crush on her surgeon. When he listened to her heart the day before surgery it went "boom boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom-boom-boom'. The day after the surgery he did a ward round with a number of students and got one to listen to her heart. What does it sound like he asked. The student said that's strange it is going "oink! oink! ... oink! oink! ... oink! oink!" sir. That's the porcine valve settling in the surgeon informed the student!

[Fredders]

All the best for next week, not long and it will all be over. Just remember that we’re all here to support you and your husband if you need any help, advice or reassurance etc.

Wendy

[Cottagegardener in reply to Fredders]

Lovely kind words Wendy

Many thanks 🌸

[Pinkrobin]

Hope all goes well, I've also received my date this week for October.

[Cottagegardener in reply to Pinkrobin]

Fingers crossed for you Pinkrobin 🤞

Hope all runs smoothly - I’ll be thinking of you

Many thanks 🌸

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

All the best for next week, I'm sure anyone else going through the process of AVR will have been encouraged by your upbeat posts over the last few months

Russell

[Cottagegardener in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Cheers Russell- I think you’re in hospital at the same time as me (?)

Hope all goes well for you ⭐️🌸

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Cottagegardener]

Thank you. I am indeed in as a day case next Monday. I'm sure neither of us, a year ago, would have thought we'd be attending hospital this summer!

Russell

[Cottagegardener in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

You’re so right - I went to my GP with what I thought was a chest infection back in January and that was only because I thought my daughter in law would nag me if I didn’t. What a shock I got when I finally saw the cardiac doctor. 🌸

[Chrissyh80 in reply to Cottagegardener]

I also went to the Dr's in January 2018 with chest infection. Sent for xray and in April of that year saw cardiologist and was diagnosed with servire aortic stenosis. Had my valve replace in October, felt like a ticking time bomb for 6 months. Now 10 month down the line I feel as fit as a fidel. Good luck with your operation and wishing you a speedy recovery ❤x

[Cottagegardener in reply to Chrissyh80]

Chrissy you must have been as shocked as me! Looking back I had all the classic symptoms but I put them down to being tired or not very fit.

So pleased you’re on the mend.

Best wishes for a continued good recovery🌸

[Red_Baron]

Best of luck - you’ll be amazing

[Cottagegardener in reply to Red_Baron]

I’ve just re read your post op post which I found really interesting.

I too am looking forward to sitting on a beautiful beach with all thoughts of surgery we’ll and truly behind me

Best wishes 😀🌸

[Red_Baron in reply to Cottagegardener]

Believe me, you’ll be sat there with the sound of the waves in the background with the sun gentling warming you and you’ll think “I don’t know what all the fuss was about”

[Maisiemay13]

Good luck for next week and a speedy recovery

[Cottagegardener in reply to Maisiemay13]

Thanks Maisiemay! 🌸

[Becksagogo]

Good luck for next week. I had mine replaced last year and then this year they replaced the Mitral valve. I admit I cried when the hospital rang me this year. A mixture of fear and relief !

[Cottagegardener in reply to Becksagogo]

Thank you for your kind words. I think you’re a very brave lady and you’re entitled to have a cry if you want to. I can quite understand your relief ⭐️🌸

[road2ruin]

Good luck. I am looking at an anticipated date in October too. The surgeon was lovely and keen to do it ASAP, but work had to be sorted first unfortunately....Good luck again and a speedy recovery

[Cottagegardener in reply to road2ruin]

Many thanks for your kind wishes. October will come around before you know it! 🌸

[RoyM]

Lots of us about I am due replacement of an ascending Aortic arch and Aortic Valve before the year is out. Good luck. Roy

[Cottagegardener in reply to RoyM]

Thanks Roy - hope they don’t keep you waiting too long.

All the best 🌸

[Red_Baron]

I’d heard they’d tested a new mechanical valve from Black and Decker but patients complained about being a little SAW

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Red_Baron]

To overcome the waiting list the patient had the local garage fit the new valve. He is not happy with the phut-phut from the exhaust though! 😃

[Cottagegardener in reply to MichaelJH]

🤣🤣

🌸

[Cottagegardener in reply to Red_Baron]

🤣🤣

🌸

[SerenK]

Good luck for next week, had my surgery almost 6 weeks ago. Feeling better every day, waiting now to be signed off and starting cardiac rehab. Soon be over for you, and the start of a new life x

[Cottagegardener in reply to SerenK]

Good to hear you’re doing well ⭐️ I can’t wait for it to be over and in recovery like you

Good luck and best wishes 🌸

[OttoK]

Good luck. I am much better after 4 months.

Otto

[Cottagegardener in reply to OttoK]

Good to know how well you’re feeling at the 4 month mile stone.

Best wishes for a continued good recovery🌸

[HHH2017]

Wishing you well for next week & good luck to your hubby with feeding himself 😉. Xx

[Cottagegardener in reply to HHH2017]

Many thanks for your kind wishes! Yes, I think my hubby will need it! However, he’s bought himself a George Forman grill so as long as he can grill it we’ll be fine! 🌸

[aussie63]

Good luck! You will be back up to your old self in no time! The biggest problem might be your husbands cooking 🤓

[Cottagegardener in reply to aussie63]

Cheers Aussie! Well as they say practice makes perfect so I’m hoping for Michelin star standard by the 6 week milestone! 🤣 🌸

[Myaphrodisiac]

All good wishes to you xx

[Cottagegardener in reply to Myaphrodisiac]

Many thanks 🌸

[JulesT52]

Good luck for next week. I had my AVR 12 weeks ago and am making a good recovery. X

[Cottagegardener in reply to JulesT52]

So encouraging to read how well you’re doing at the 12 week milestone. I’ve had several replies from people in recovery and it’s so positive!

Best wishes for a continued good recovery🌸

[cowparsley]

Good luck and a speedy recovery x

[Cottagegardener in reply to cowparsley]

Many thanks for your kind words cowparsley 🌸

[seasider18]

I do the laundry in our house. When I came home from having my aortic valve replaced I put what I had used in hospital into the machine and added the detergent. My wife asked why I was using that bottle of detergent as she had used the bigger one while I was in hospital. That I told her is the conditioner !

Well is seem to clean it just as well as what your using she said.

[Cottagegardener]

Love it ! ⭐️🤣🤣🌸

[Janma123]

Good luck and a speedy recovery.

[Cottagegardener in reply to Janma123]

Many thanks Janma! 🌸

[Gazza01]

Hi. I had mine 2 years ago. I think if you weren't a little scared and apprehensive there would be something wrong with you. I was petrified personally as I had to have mine as an emergency after passing out when cycling. I had never been in a hospital in my life.

The only thing you really need to put your mind to is the recovery. Everything else is out of your hands. The operation will generally be a walk in the park for the surgeon and their team.

While your having your heart correction (That's what I call it) they will be talking about what plans they have for the weekend. I believe they do 6000 valve replacements every year in the uk. Day in day out. No need to fret about that bit. Recovery is in reality about 10 months not three. You will think you are well at three months. When you get to six months you'll realise you were not. And when you get to ten months the same again. A lot of people find the heart beat is really loud for quite a while. That's normal. Exercising will sort that out when you get the ok. Good luck. You will definitely be fine. You just have a long road to get strong again. But you must rest rest rest. Don't push yourself to be back to normal to quickly.

[Cottagegardener in reply to Gazza01]

Such sensible words Gazza and so positive.

It must have been a terrible shock for you when it first happened.

I keep reminding myself how lucky I am that this problem was detected and that lots of us go through the same procedure every day.

Keep well my friend

Best wishes 🌸

[Gazza01 in reply to Cottagegardener]

The other upside is from now on your heart will be checked. After your initial checks you'll generally get 5 years to run free. Then they'll start the checks annually if a tissue valve. How many people in the world are walking around with a time bomb in their chest and may never find out till it's to late. Only a few months before my collapse my next door neighbour died in the night of a blocked valve. Nothing the ambulance crew could do for her. She was mid forties with 3 young kids. Was fine the day before. Terrible shame. So yes we are extremely lucky, it just doesn't always feel that way when the anxiety creeps in. You'll be in and out in a very short space of time. It does go quickly. All the best.

[Nic25]

Wow. Good luck to you. Fingers crossed. Sure it'll all be fine and you'll soon be on the mend. And great to have the waiting over. Will be thinking of you on Monday. Nic x

[Cottagegardener in reply to Nic25]

Cheers Nic! Yes, fingers crossed 🤞 I guess we all have that fear that the op will be cancelled at short notice. Just want to get it over with now. Feel like it’s dragged on for a while.

Hope your recovery continues to go well

Best wishes 🌸

[Becksagogo]

Hope all goes well for you today. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Cottagegardener in reply to Becksagogo]

Thank you lovely lady 🌸🌸🌸