4th Open Heart Surgery - Valve Replacement

[S1462]

Hi! My dad is having to have his 4th OHS in the coming weeks and I'm feeling a bit scared and anxious about it all. His last one was only in July 2021 - they are replacing the same valve that was replaced last time plus another one. Does anyone have any experience of having 4 open heart surgeries? Many thanks

[Lcfc85]

hi, I have no experience in open heart surgery but just wanted to say stay positive stay strong. Trust the professionals on what they are doing. Stay in the present and try not to think of the what ifs in the future as this can’t be controlled

[S1462 in reply to Lcfc85]

Thank you so much for your kind words. You are absolutely right, I'm trying very hard not to fall down the rabbit hole of worst case scenarios! ❤

[Rhinos67]

I'm a member of a Facebook group and a couple in the group have had more than 1 OHS and are doing fine. I hope that your Dad is the sameJoanne

[S1462 in reply to Rhinos67]

Thank you for replying - reassuring to hear ❤

[Clairealou]

hi there. I have had 5 heart surgeries, 4 OHS and my last one in September 2021 was minimally invasive. Now, my aortic valve has been replaced 3 times and my mitral valve twice, plus I had a bypass during one of them. I’ve actually found it easier to cope with the more I’ve had, probably as I know what to expect. Having said that, I think it is more difficult for the people around to deal with as it is a pretty scary thought. How is your Dad feeling about it all? Is he a ‘it is what it is’ kind of person or is he very nervous? Certainly there is a man on here who I’ve chatted to who has also had multiple procedures and he said his wife struggles a lot every time. There are other people on here who have also had multiple surgeries and are of different genders and ages so can give different perspectives. I’m a 54 year old woman and had my first surgery at 37. Please feel free to come back and chat and I’m sure more people will reply soon with their experiences to help give you some peace of mind. Just try and stay positive and make sure your Dad relaxes as much as he can and stays as healthy as he can. A PMA has always helped me get through this (well, mainly PMA with a few OMGs at times)

[S1462 in reply to Clairealou]

Hi! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I found your message very reassuring and comforting to know that you've been through similar and are doing well. Dad is 59 and had his first OHS in his early twenties. Unfortunately a nasty heart infection was missed by his GP/A&E in 2021 and he ended up very poorly and needing an emergency valve replacement. He has been deteriorating ever since with constant breathing problems and dizziness etc. It was another fight for them to listen to us again and he was finally admitted before Xmas with fluid on his lungs.

They were very reluctant to do another OHS but keyhole isn't possible unfortunately. Dad is amazing - he has a great PMA and very much accepts that whatever is meant to be will be but he will fight for us to be around longer for his children and grandchild. He's disappointed that he's having to have such a major op again so soon after his last and he was really hoping for keyhole but is his usual positive self when I speak to him on the phone. I just hope they can get him fixed up properly this time so he can get back to enjoying life 🙏🙏🙏

I find it extra hard with him being in London as I cant visit (I'm a full time carer for my son and I have him 24/7) but I try to phone as much as I can.

The doctors are seeing him on Monday to confirm their plans and let him know when he'll be having the operation so a waiting game.

I'm so glad to hear that you go through all your surgeries ok. It's a lot to go through in a relatively short space of time! I'm the age you were when you had your first surgery. How is your health day-to-day? Dad is desperate to get back to 'normal' life but I'm not sure if there'll be a new 'normal' for him. I guess it depends on how successful the surgery is.

[Clairealou in reply to S1462]

did your dad have endocarditis? That was the reason for my 3rd surgery, only 4 months after my second and then I had my 4th surgery less than 2 years after that so yes, it can be a lot when it’s in quick succession. As for me, I still get tired and a bit breathless at times. As you say, it seems to be my new normal but I can generally do most things without too many issues. I feel a bit like a second hand car, I keep getting repaired and I’m still on the road, just not as bright and shiny as when I was new.

So, where is your dad having his surgery? My last 4 have been at kings college hospital in London. An amazing hospital with some incredible and dedicated people working there. I’m sure wherever your dads going, he will be in good hands. Feel free to message me directly if you ever need to

[JHeartValve]

sending you both best wishes. I’ve only had surgery once but definitely think it’s worse for your loved ones than for you as the patient. You’re too busy being poked and prodded to worry much as the patient and considering my surgery was just before Christmas, it’s already fading fast in my memory! I suspect most people do the worst case scenario in their heads in preparation, it doesn’t mean it will come true.

Good luck, I’m sure he will be fine and you will be too, he’s lucky to have you

[Kwakkers]

Hallo. Find out from your local hospital if there`s a cardiac centre around (Support Group) and contact them. You`ll find dozens, if not hundreds of us with the same problem. Ask, ask, ask and you`ll get some idea. Has worked for me since 1985 and I get NO sympathy from my youngest; she`s a hospital doctor who`s worked the Covid wards since it began, so DAD doesn`t get a look -in.....get my drift?

Good luck.

Frank