Good morning to all....after a few days of thought and taking it all , I am just sharing news of my operation date and am perhaps giving hope to those of you on the dreaded hospital waitlists. After a cancelled operation before Christmas.....after months of different emotions and failing mobility, I finally got the phone call on Friday to tell me my operation for mitral valve replacement is this Thursday. Relieved but the fear factor of the actual op raised its head again!!I am facing it with the thought that it will be more frightening thinking of the consequences of not having the op than of having it.
I just wanted to say a big thank you for the kindness shown by people on this forum and for the advice and positivity.....and special thanks to a lady....she knows who she is, who has been communicating with me due to almost the same diagnosis. Hopefully we have been support for each other in communicating and comparing very similar notes, symptoms and concerns.... I just want her the get that same phone call very soon. Hopefully, I will be able to give an update very soon but until then.....thank you again lovely people... ...enjoy but take care during the rest of our heatwave that I know has been exhausting for some of us......but I'm sure we will be moaning about the cold weather before long!!!! Xxx
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Larneybuds
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BeKind... Bless you and thank you. I read so many of your replies to people and as your forum name says.....you are so kind and thoughtful with your replies. I've had the wobbles but have to resign myself to the fact that this has got to be done to hopefully allow me some normality back . I will post with an update as soon as I am able in the hope that like so many of you, I can then offer others hope and inspiration. Thanks again so much. Take care xx
Well you might have read what a complete nervous wreck I am even sat here panicking over the heat wave which actually is another positive at least that should be over when you go in
I had to have a triple Bypass so you can only imagine it took them over 30 mins to persuade me to enter the hospital !
The Nurses were so kind and they honestly have a way of reassuring you and putting you at ease
I know I had Bypasses and you are going in for a new valve but same kind of procedure in a way and please be reassured if I can do it anyone can and that includes you
And yes stay focused on that end goal getting your life back !
You see.....you tell us of your anxieties but look at your lovely replies to people ....you are always there to offer all sorts of advice but your honesty about your own fears etc is also inspirational because you aren't afraid to tell people how it really can be for some. I hope you get through the next few days with the weather....we are talking England....could be snow next week lol. Stay hydrated and cool and thank you again for your lovely words xx
This time last year we were all calming down BeKind before her bypass! She's so helpful to others.You'll be a new person after your op so that's something to look forward to. You'll be running marathons before Christmas!
Please let us know when you're home and recovering.
Good morning and thank you. Aw ..yes ...BeKind....so supportive of everyone and so thoughtful. I'm not sure about marathons lol but I hope to be in at least better condition than I am at the moment that's for sure. I will update as soon as I am able . Take care xx
That must have felt like a very long wait? Very good of you to tell us. Gives hope to others. I hope it all goes really smoothly for you, and you feel the benefits very soon.
Thank you so much. Hopefully I will be amongst those of you, who after having it done, can give hope, inspiration and allay the fears of those waiting to have it done . It's just all added support for others isn't it? Xx
I had a replacement valve two years ago. By far the worst part of the episode was waiting to go. As I walked in to hospital reception my state of panic melted away.
It isn’t like other hospital treatments.
You see specialist staff throughout. So well organized. Amazing people. I actually have fond memories of the week.
That's a lovely reply....thank you. The night before my original op was cancelled, I was actually very calm and had become resigned to it but to have it cancelled and to have waited...as a priority apparently for almost 8 months, has been a rollercoaster. Even though I have tried to remain positive, there have been days that hvnt been good. Onwards and upwards though and I hope my stay in hospital is as positive as yours was. Cheers xx
You are likely to have a single room. And be quite heavily sedated. So the days drift by, until suddenly I felt well enough to go home. My op was “observed” so I got extra visits from the staff.who watched the op. I had the option to refuse the observation but I didn’t mind.
I only waited a couple of weeks for my op. It was deemed an emergency. I can’t imagine what you have gone through.
Within four months post op, I felt better than I have done in years.
Bkackcatsooty....thank you....the wait has been torture really but have tried to remain as positive as possible . I just want to be able to do the same as you have done with me and offer people positivity and hope after what seemed an eternity. I had a single room when I was in before Christmas....very peaceful and was then told op cancelled.....the beginning of this NHS waitlist experience....my understanding is that pre Covid the patients charter said that cancelled ops had to be rescheduled within 28 days!!. Anyway....not dwelling on it all now as the wait is over. So glad you are feeling so much better and thank you again for your kind words xx
Dear Larneybuds
I have a tear in my eyes as I type this reply to your honest post,
we all have our time and sometimes that can be a little longer than others, { i like to think that they were worse off than me and then it took the edge of once again being cancelled }
It is of course amazing news and you and your loved ones must be over the moon about it, sad to say but that feeling has a downside to it as well you know.
Please believe me there is nothing wrong with the feelings of apprehension that is sweeping over you even if your anxiety pokes up it head. it is the normal way your mind and body acts at such news.
I promise you it will help you through it all.
Good luck and please keep us informed as you go further on your heart journey,
Thank you so much....actually it was something I did think of whilst waiting....that someone may have needed surgery more urgently than me.....I totally get the waitlist system but covid, staff shortages etc has unfortunately made the 8 month wait even more upsetting, along with the lack of communication that has gone with it. Having the op cancelled initially was upsetting so the waiting just added to it.My big advice now is.....don't be frightened to ask and get onto the relevant people. I was very reluctant initially but it's not a favour they are doing us and we need answers to questions otherwise worries and fears take over. I have remained as positive as I could throughout but as I've said before....have had my days full of sadness and worry too. I know this surgery has to be done and have to look to hopefully getting sine normality back. Thank you again for taking the time to reply and fir your lovely words. Xx
Just to send you every best wish for Thursday. Will be looking forward to reading your update afterwards once you feel ready - to tell us all how well you're feeling. I won't say 'don't worry' because you will - it would be odd if you didn't! - but the heart specialists who'll be looking after you are all amazing. Good Luck - and as you say - onwards and upwards! Carol x
Thank you so much Carol. This is what is so lovely about this forum....people are so caring and thoughtful plus full of such good advice and support. I will definitely update as and when I can and hopefully be able to put people at ease in the future with my own knowledge and experience of the operation etc. .We have to put ourselves in the hands of the experts as you say and hope for a positive outcome to put us back on track. Thank you again and take care xx
I am so pleased for you to finally get your date and the long awaited op. The waiting I know is excruciating! Just think that from this Friday onwards you can look forward to getting back to the rest of your life! Wishing you a speedy recovery and sending you my very best wishes 🙌🏼 XX
Thank you so much. It has been a long wait but have to put that behind me now. Onwards and upwards and hopefully I can update on progress and then be one of the people on here who can actually talk about the experience and allay the fears of others. Take care....last big heat day apparently and thanks again for replying xx
This sounds like great news that's long awaited. I'm so pleased for you.The anxiety/ wobble is completely understandable. I think it would be stranger not to have any fear, don't you?
I always have a wobble before a procedure, but seem to work through it and get myself there. I'm sure you will too.
Yes....I am sure the anxiety and whatever else goes with it is all part and parcel of the process . The worst part has been the long wait after a cancellation op but I have to put that behind me now . Everyone is so supportive and I will update as soon as I can. Thank you for you message. Xx
That's excellent news! Just wanted to wish you all the best. I have been reading your posts and have been frustrated for you, given your long wait. Anyway, hopefully you will soon be on the mend and once recovered, be able to really start enjoying your retirement.
Thank you. Yes....the wait is over..... it's been a long one and now almost feeling a bit surreal . So many emotions along the way but as you say....Hopefully soon on the mend and able to do things that have been on hold. The support and kindness on this forum is so lovely and I hope I can continue to contribute with perhaps my own knowledge and advice after the op. Thank you again for your reply xx
So glad that all that waiting is over. Hoping it all goes really well for you, and looking forward to hearing how you do. Lucky to just miss the heat wave, if you are in one of the warmer hospitals.
I go in today.. op tomorrow . I love sunshine and heat but first heatwave with a heart condition has been exhausting so I am definitely hoping for air conditioning in hospital!!! Thank you for your thoughts and I will update hopefully when I am able . Cheers xx
Wishing you all the very best for tomorrow, I had a tissue mitral valve replacement in March (after a long wait and 2 cancellations) the care was superb and 4 months on I’m doing very well. Onward and upward Larneybuds - you’re in good hands.
This is lovely to read and i am so glad you finally got sorted after the wait. It's awful isn't it and a rollercoaster until you get it done. It's a mechanical valve for me and I hope to be very soon in your position and recovering. I hope you continue to progress and feel better every day. Thank you so much for you thoughts xx
Hi and thank you for your thoughts but cancelled again!!! Gowned and stockinged waiting for pre med ...cancelled....just like that. I was distraught and have had the most upsetting day. ICU beds problem again. Lady opposite me went first thing....same surgeon and I was due 12...1ish. Hve seen surgeon.... since...they were phoned and told to stop further surgery due to bed becoming unavailable. Lady that went before me has had surgery cancelled 3 times!!. It's disgraceful and the emotional turmoil for patients and families etc goes on. I am exhausted today with it all. So thank you for your lovely thoughts but it just didn't happen. Take care xx
I am so, so sorry Larneybuds - that's awful news to hear, I've been thinking about you today. My triple by-pass op was also cancelled three times while I languished in hospital waiting for it. I was admitted with a HA on the 10th January and the op didn't happen until the 18th February. The planned ops were cancelled twice a couple of days before they were due to take place and the last time it was cancelled around 9pm night before. The reason was due to a lack of nurses for the post-op recovery room - (unexpected holidays and sickness).
I completely understand how you're feeling. I was so upset that last time it happened to me I just burst into tears - and I don't cry often. On the day of the op I was due to be collected for theatre at noon and as the clock wore on to 2pm I got more and more downhearted, thankfully they came to get me shortly after and all went very well.
As you say, the emotional stress and fear leading up to it, both for ourselves and our families, should never be dismissed (and frequently is!). Again, I'm so sorry this has happened. Take care, Carol xxx
Thank you so much. Im glad you eventually got your op. It's so upsetting and I'm exhausted but you know how it feels. I spoke to the two surgeons and a practitioner manager who are almost embarrassed by what's going on and who also cannot carry out their jobs in the fashion they would like. They are hoping to reschedule as soon as poss. I wasn't the only one who was cancelled. It's been a very long day for sure. Thank you again for your words xxx
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