Mitral valve replacement

[buster2k10]

Hi all first time posting, I was diagnosed with severe mitral valve regurgitation almost 6 years ago now,was found by a routine echo after a stroke aged 42. up until nov 2019 they had just monitored me every 6/12 months but in nov 2019 they noticed my volume(not sure what its called) had doubled in 6 months to 72%. i had only mild symptoms but i am not very active as i have other health and mobility issues, and think that if i was more active i would have much more severe symptoms, anyway i was told that they would do a TOA and then an Angiogram then the op ...a mitral valve replacement (mechanical) so i had the TOA in Jan and had heard nothing until last night (20th march 2020) I got a call from the hospital saying could i come in for pre op on mon 23rd march and then the Angiogram on tues 24th march (which so happens to be my birthday ).

With this covid 19 virus do any of you think they will now rush through my op? also whats the chance they could keep me in on tues to have the op after angigram ? Before the virus hit i was a nervous wreck daily .crying all the time couldn't stop thinking i was gonna die , i know if i dnt have the op i will die but its in my head that im not gonna wake up from it, im not ready to leave my family i am terrified no petrified about this op! is this normal? I had cancer(Hodgkins lymphoma ) 10 yrs ago , a stroke 6 yrs ago , i am also diabetic asthmatic and have fibromyalgia . i feel like the odds of coming out of this is so slim

I would like to thank all who read and all who can offer me any direct to the point advice.

Regards

Jayne

[080311]

Hello Jayne

I am so sorry you have this to face, nearly 4 years ago I had AVR and bypass done, it’s a very scary place that you find yourself in but I am here to tell you it will be ok. These very clever people who will be looking after you do this as their day job! The op is the first step on your journey back to a better life. When I was in hospital my surgeon came to see me before the op and his last words were shall we do this? Well there is only one answer and it was let’s go for it.

There are so many people on the forum who have been where you are right now, those same thoughts you have whirling in your head we have had, just remember you are not alone we will give you our support.

I send you best wishes and good luck Pauline

[JayceeW in reply to 080311]

Can sincerely echo this having been in the same position myself. Thinking of you and sending best wishes.

[buster2k10 in reply to 080311]

Thank you Pauline for your kind words x Me and my Family have been on lock down for about 10 days now . The plan was to try and hide away from this virus but unfortunately i now have this hospital appointment on mon then tues, i know it prob depends on what they find on angio but because of the virus , do you think they will rush the op through now? I was thinking that it might be too dangerous to do op in middle of a pandemic? I think i may be in denial and trying to find a way out of getting op , even though i know it will save my life, my heads all over the place x

[080311 in reply to buster2k10]

Hi, I would think you will get a much better idea tomorrow they will not do the op if it means you would be at more risk than without it. I wish I could find the words to reassure you, the surgery is major but please believe me it’s something they do so often.

You will be great afterwards, just remember when you get home after the op it’s baby steps, you will take things slowly and every day you will get your stamina back, and it’s onwards and upwards.

Best wishes Pauline

[buster2k10 in reply to 080311]

Thanks again Pauline any kind words are extremely grateful . Fingers crossed things will be clearer tomorrow . I suppose its all out of my hands now. Only thing i can do is turn up . X

[080311 in reply to buster2k10]

Exactly, turn up see what they say.

Let us know how you go.

Good luck.

[buster2k10 in reply to 080311]

Will do X

[bantam12]

As you have other health problems make sure you know all the risks involved in having the op and also your predicted life expectancy if you don't have it then way up the pros and cons.

[buster2k10 in reply to bantam12]

Hi and thank you, this is why i,m scared my consultant said if i dnt have it i will die , he said if i was in my 80s he would say go home and enjoy the time u have left , but as im only 48 (on angi day) then this would give me another 25 years , i think this is why i am most afraid as my health has declined in the last 10 years with cancer diabetes stroke and asthma , X

[buster2k10 in reply to buster2k10]

Also has anyone got any good questions i should be asking ?