Got "the" call from Glenfield ....

[Tubbylardo]

Got the call this morning. I go in for my valve sparing aortic root and valve repair (replacement if not viable) on 31st May. Spend the Monday and Tuesday having tests for covid-19 and being monitored and then the operation on Wednesday 3rd June. Never thought this day would come ... now it is here and it feels unreal. Absolutely shitting myself now.

I suppose this of you that have been down this path will know exactly the feeling I am talking about .... cold, resigned fear with a twinge of hope and a lot of optimism.

[Fredders]

You’ll be in good hands at Glenfields. I had both my ops there and couldn’t have had better treatment. The staff are fantastic and the food is pretty good too.

Hope everything goes well and try not to worry too much.

Wendy

[Tubbylardo in reply to Fredders]

Was advised to avoid the bacon at breakfast .....

[Fredders in reply to Tubbylardo]

Never tried it, stuck to cereal or toast. 😜

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Fingers crossed🤞 there is no last minute cancellation. I was not that stressed out but the cancellation was hard.

Once admitted the sheer professionalism should be quite calming. Besides CovID checks (not around before) you will probably have MRSA swabs, blood tests, ECG, Echocardiogram and a chest X-ray to keep you occupied.

Good luck! 👍

[080311]

I know the feeling of not quite believing the time as come! You will be fine, and before you know it you will be on the road to recovery, and a mended heart. Remember your medical team do this as their day job. Do your exercises I called them huffing and puffing! and it’s baby steps when you get home.

Let us know when you get home wishing you lots of luck.

Stay safe Pauline

[Hidden]

Good luck from a new member! Keep thinking positive thoughts and you’ll soon be up and flying about !

Best Wishes

ShropshireLass

[Hermanm]

Hi Tubby,

I had , AVR ,

way back in December 2015,

Got my nice new, ON -X , valve fitted at the Freeman hospital in Newcastle,

Was in the same boat as you ,

crapping myself ,

but if you didnt need it ,they wouldnt be doing it!

You are in the best hands in the world , these people know their game ,

So just take it one step at a time, and before you know it ,

You will be looking back, four or five years ,

and thinking how lucky you are to live in the UK ,

and have the NHS taking care of you,

You wont feel a thing ,

and will be back at graft before you know it.

Let us know how you get on mate ,

take care.

[RoyM]

Good luck and i am waiting of the same procedure at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. Worrying times I agree but at least you are having elective rather than emergency surgery. Cheers Roy

[Hidden]

They’ll take good care of you, I know it’s scary though.

A couple of tips - if you’re a light sleeper, take ear plugs and an airplane eye mask, as there’s lots of background noise & light in a hospital, and your sleep is vital.

And for if / when you get fed up of the hospital gowns, a front fastening pyjama top is more convenient for any dressing or ecg stuff, avoid over-head stuff like t-shirts.

Very best Wishes!

[SianMonnow]

Hi sweetie. Try not to be too scared. In 2016 I suffered an Aortic Dissection, which led to an emergency operation to save my life. I had repairs to my rising sorts, the aortic root and the aortic valve. Add on to that a stent and two CABG grafts. You will never forget this experience

I know I had no time to think about the operation, because it was such an emergency, but it turned out that the part of the procedure that affected me most, and still does, is the scar left from the harvesting for the bypass grafts. I was particularly proud of my legs before, but they don't appear in public now. The thoracic scars I don't mind at all

It is a girly thing I think. In my eyes my best feature is gone. Never mind that I am alive!

Stay positive, your surgeons really know what they are doing! Listen to the cardiology nurses, the physio and your friends and family. They all have your best interests at heart.

Best wishes and positive thoughts

Sian

[Hidden]

Don't worry you will be fine, enjoy the rest and the three meals a day and bed service, spot on 👍🤸 good luck

[Tubbylardo]

Thank you for all the support and comments! Hospital called yesterday to change the date ..... they've had some cancellations and I have been bought forward to first on the list on Monday **gulp**. It seems very real and very close now.

[080311 in reply to Tubbylardo]

That’s good news, I had been in hospital for 7 weeks before my op, I was told on the Thursday that I was being transferred next day to the Golden Jubilee and I would be first on the list Monday morning. Even though I had been waiting for 7 weeks in hospital being told came as a bit of a shock! You will be fine, take some deep breaths and remember you will be so much better after your op. It will be a case of onwards and upwards.

I wish you lots of luck, tell us here when you get home.

Stay safe best wishes Pauline

[Tubbylardo]

Had the pre-op yesterday ..... full speed ahead now.

[Fredders in reply to Tubbylardo]

All the best for the op. It will all be over with soon and on the road to recovery. The chairs in the patients’ lounge are very comfy once you’re up and about 😀. Make the most of being looked after, won’t be long until your back home.

Take care and keep us posted.

Wendy x