Elective surgery update stress

[Lyndaloo494]

Decided to call my hospital today as almost 3 months since letters issued about no elective surgery. My valve op cancelled in March. I was curious if any date to start elective, like Autum, Winter for example. Was a bit shocked to hear they hope its July and just waiting for confirmation from Scottish government and senior management at hospital. Then they'll start pre op assessments. So although this is good news there's the extra anxiety of surgery and recovery during Covid. Said should hear in the next few weeks more news. Think I've bit all my nails down tonight with the worry. Some folk saying good news and others saying bad. But when will there ever be a right time now 🤔

[Pop007]

Hi. My husband had his pacemaker upgraded cancelled in April. He is also shielding.

After hearing on the news that the NHS waiting lists are going to be huge, he phoned the hospital to find out the situation. They phoned back to say he was booked in for 9th July. We have 2 hospitals near by and they are keeping one Covid free ( fingers crossed!).

Initially he was pleased but becoming increasingly nervous. I guess it’s a necessary risk... the hospitals are just going to get more and more busy. I get the impression there relatively quiet at the moment.

Hope all goes well- I’m sure it will !

[Purple1935]

Hi

I would take it as good news as you don’t want it dragging on as Winter approaches with more chance of further cancellations.

Go with a positive mind & get it sorted.

Wishing you the very best x

[080311]

Hi, that’s good news, you have been waiting such along time, I know it’s really scary but as I have said before it’s not as scary as are minds make it.

Let us know when you get a definite date and how you go. Wishing you loads of luck.

Pauline

[Ageingfast]

Dear Lynda

Regarding valve replacement.

My nearest hospital is already working through the most urgent cases. The hospital building for heart etc is totally separated from the general hospital.

I went ahead with the op late April/Early May. West End of London. couldnt really have been a more vulnerable area but I needed the op very urgently. I was kept right away from any Corona cases. We were properly checked before admission and then kept away from all possible contact. Probably safer than staying at home.

I am now home and so far so good. And I am alive.

Dont let the thought of Corona spoil things. Concentrate on the fact that you are getting the appropriate necessary treatment. Will you be open heart or TAVI ? I had to have open heart and to my amazement the scar is just 8cm long. The surgeons are unbelievable,

Colin

[Lyndaloo494 in reply to Ageingfast]

Hi Colin. Its open heart surgery. I love the idea of 8cm scar. I have existing scar from surgery aged 4 which is 22cm! Obviously that's flat and faded now but the smaller the better for me as I thought my days of being conscious about a scar were long gone...

[Lyndaloo494]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I'm a bit better today and can maybe prepare my mind. Not saying I will be July if it gets the go ahead but least I know it will be coming. I think I'm more worried about my post op support family and friends as they'll feel bad if can't visit and help, and my two boys who live at home and how extra careful they'll need to be. I suppose it will all fall into place.

[Ianc2 in reply to Lyndaloo494]

Get your training program in place now. Introduce your sons to washing up and putting the plates away, Follow up with how to peel spuds and cook them, how to cook pasta et,. Get your meal plans organised. Be merciless, you won't be able to do much for the first fortnight, It will be good for them.

[AyrshireK]

Grab your surgery date with both hands and go for it, you'll be well looked after at the Golden Jubilee. ICU, HDU and even the ward are solo rooms so you will be well protected.

From what I read online during the height of covid-19 they weren't treating folks with cv-19 at the Jubilee - remember it's a specialist surgery centre and not general hospital.

You will do great, Dad had his there as you know in February & pacemaker in March - he's doing fantastic. At least if you get yours soon the follow up, cardiac rehab and things should also be up and running again. Dad had done that side of things on his own with only a couple of phonecalls as follow up.

All the best to you.

Katie x

[Lyndaloo494 in reply to AyrshireK]

Aw that's great news about your Dad. Yeah someone was saying yesterday about the hospital never having had Covid patients there so that's all good. Just need to see what "Nicola" says. Lol x

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Hi. I am due in Hospital for an angiogram this Tuesday. I just thought it might help to see how they are organising things I was more worried about the practicalities.

I had the pre-assessment by phone, first Consultant then Cardiac nurse, and the Corvid swab in a local drive through yesterday. They have been very reassuring about managing me (We’ve been guarding for the last 14 weeks). My husband is dropping me off at the door, and they will deliver me back to him in the car park! Masks will be issued if I don’t have one,

The nurse told me to sit in the back of the car and both keep masked on the drive home.

They still have 2 Covid patients in the same hospital, but they told me it is v separate and recent staff testing shows very low antibody levels.

They are listing cardiac work by urgency.

Elective work will apparently be much later.

Hope this is more reassuring, not more worrying!