Waiting room door well & truly open: Aortic Valve and Aneurysm surgery in 9 days!

[StevepH2012]

So 3 days passes very quickly when working long 'zoomy' hours and trying to find the light switch in the corridor between the waiting room and the operating theatre.

Thank you to those who replied/IM'd my previous post - there does seem to be wide range of policy interpretation across different hospitals and health trusts at the moment regarding shielding/isolation post surgery. I will (under strictest supervision of 'the mrs') be living largely seperate life at the top of our house until signed off by cardio, whenever that will be.

I am now the proud possessor of:

- an admission letter (for a different hospital but the same date as I was told last Friday) for Harefield. 'Check-in' 2:00pm Friday to do all pre-op stuff Friday pm.;

- set of certified OK teeth (rang up at 2:30pm, Dentist had a cancellation for 4:00pm, back home with signature at 4:30!)

- an ex-display recliner riser chair (I'm not sure if the fact that I may need this for a few days is the real reason, more the facts that my 'favourite chair' is shabby and 10 y-o daughter loves playing on recliner at her grandparents)

- nearly signed legal documents relating to unfortunate demise and/or loss of mental faculties (we've been intending to amend will since 3rd child was born - she's now 10).

- first set of pyjamas for approximately 50 yrs!

Change of venue is due to private facilities now selling 'slots' like hot cakes and surgeon not wanting me to wait to end of August - should I be worried?

Today's question is, having read much about post surgery back/shoulder/joint pain being apparently due to musculo-skeletal re-arrangement whilst on table, will the fact that two discs in my neck are collapsed resulting in 'severely limited flexibility' cause problems with intubation - definitely on 'questions' list.

More in a day or so

Steve

[swingyourpants]

Hello Steve,

Your question is for your Doc. When you have your pre med before Surgery you won't give a Rats Backside. When you wake up, your recovery begins and you've gotta remember that everyone is different.

Just my opinion, you maybe over analysing this but I don't blame you. Its scary stuff.

You seen very well prepared except the PJs. I went to Primark and bought some cheap shorts and buttoned shirts which you'll only need when you're released from the HDU.

[RoyM]

Hi Steve. I had my ct for my ascending aorta last monday. Revealed no change since last CT its still 4.6cm at root and 4.4cm at arch with moderate regurgitation of my bi arotic valve. So another 6 month wait until another scan Jan 2021. Good luck Roy

[Purple1935]

Hi Steve

Sounds like you are v organised & raring to go.... not long now

The theatre team will look after all your ‘bits & bobs’ under anaesthetic & especially your neck, so make sure the anaesthetist is aware...

Hope your family are coping ok... worrying time for everyone waiting...

[Jsb1961 in reply to Purple1935]

Hi Steve

Before my operation I asked the cardiologist could I have a pillow under my head as I’ve a long term problem with my neck

He was happy to help

All the best

[road2ruin]

Hi Steve,

I too suffered with a lot of back and neck pain. I suspect, as do you, its the opening the chest and moving the ribs around. My wife very kindly gently massaged me during the night and it helped immensely.

Good luck, soon be out the other side.

[Ianc2]

Get a comfy dressing gown and a v shaped pillow to help you get comfortable, some easy to eat comfort food and some reading matter. I read 'Dangerous Davies ' by Leslie Thomas . Called 'The last detective' on TV series. 'The Adventures of Goodnight and Loving' on kindle for 99p at the moment. Not at all politically correct but quite funny.

Prepare to be completely shattered for about a fortnight. It takes about 8 weeks for your breast bone to knit together. You should hear from the rehab people about then and you will be feeling much better and it will be a great adventure for you to look back on.

[Hidden]

I believe, if they had any concerns about intubation, they would have had you undergo and Endoscopy. This would allow them to ascertain width of various pipes through which apparatus had to be passed.

Raise the issue by all means but i suspect that, at this stage, they have already asked and answered all the questions they need to undertake the procedure.

[080311]

Hi StevepH2012

As others have said the question of your neck I would raise when you are having your admitting check, after the op you have breathing exercises to do hourly, I called them huffing and puffing, you are supposed to turn your head left and then right, again raise it with the physio. It’s to get your lungs functioning properly again. Need to do them after you get home it does work.

Pain after the op, is certainly taken care of, and when you get home, you are given pain relief to take as you need it.

I was lucky and didn’t have to much pain.

I wish you lots of luck, you will be well looked after, remember your medical team do this as their day job.

Take good care Pauline