The Support Network
I've done quite a bit of research on the web about this procedure and open heart surgery in general and have found some interesting and informative sites on the matter. I have also corresponded with bulletin board type pages where you ask a question and people post their answers and comments. From those pages as well as other lists I correspond with I've received some very supportive and heart warming responses. I will include them in this journal from time to time as they come in. Here are some received so far:
Subject: Surgery at Toronto Hospital
I had aortic valve surgery in 1991. Unfortunately mine was an emergency so I had no choice but to get a mechanical valve but I also didn't have time to get nervous about it either. Dr. David had done a similar surgery for my father in 1982 so as I rode to Toronto by ambulance I was pretty sure I was going to be all right. Dr. David is one of the best in the world. I read a few years ago that he could be making large amounts (millions) of money south of the border if he really wanted. Dr. David personally hand stitched me after my surgery because he felt I was to young (30) to gothrough life with the zipper like scars left by the staples.
He even joked later that it was too bad he couldn't find a pig running around the hospital so I could have its valve. My hospital stay lasted 10 days and I was fully recovered in 3 months. Walking every day really helped. The only part of the surgery I didn't like was when I first woke up. Nobody told me that the tube I was gagging on was breathing for me. It is hard to NOT breath which is what you have to do to keep from feeling that you are choking.
All in all it was a good experience and the nursing staff was also great One other thing I learned the hard way was not to decline when asked if you needed something for the pain. I found myself requesting something a 1/2 hour later and suffering another 1/2 hour before it took effect.
If you have any questions or want more info feel free to write me.
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 1998 20:16:50 -0600
Organization: Strawberry Fields Forever
Subject: Re: NN: submitting a tape
Steve Goldberger wrote:
> I am also about to go into the hospital very soon for open heart surgery and plan to take a discman with about 10 of my favourite (and most healing) CD's.
Hi Steve,
I go in Nov. 30th to get an aneurysm in the lower aorta fixed. Let's wish ourselves good luck, okay?
Ed Maier
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 1998 20:40:28 EST
Subject: Re: NN: a little spin on a red brick floor
Hi Steve & Dory,
I don't know if you intended that message as a list-wide response, but I
enjoyed it nonetheless, voyeuristically or not. Thank you for your kind
messages about the NanciNet.
The major reason why I'm writing, though, is to wish you all the best during your upcoming surgery and recovery.
No reply necessary. Peace, Lisa
Posted by Mary Finstad on October 31, 1998 at 08:36:01:
Steve, I see you are approaching your surgical date. Mine was NOV.8 two years ago at T.G.H. I felt it was a good time to
have it done. I was feeling pretty good by the time Xmas rolled around. I wanted to wish you well...have a speedy recovery!!
Mary
In Reply to: upcoming aorta and aortic valve replacement surgery posted by Steve on October 22, 1998 at 00:37:35:
Saw your letter on the heart page and the first thing that hit me was the name of your doctor. i have been surfing the pages
and i almost always get referred to dr. david. many say he is the best. i too will shortly have to go have my leaky aortic
valve changed. i have decided on the homograft because the mechanical valve would mean the end of my competitive
karate and downhill skiing. i am trying to arrange to get referred to dr. david myself. i live in montreal and many doctors
here don't have the experience of dr. david. you have made a wise choice, most homografts today last anywhere between
15 to 20 years. by the time we need another surgery better valves will have come to be. tell me a little about dr david
young, old, calm,. just want to know what to expect....hoping to hear from you...mario
Posted by rich on October 22, 1998 at 21:34:20:
In Reply to: upcoming aorta and aortic valve replacement surgery posted by Steve on October 22, 1998 at 00:37:35:
Steve, i had my aortic valve replaced a little over two years ago at age 58. the first two days are kind of rough but you will
pretty much be out of it until late the second day anyway and you won't be in any pain. i went home after five days and a
week after the surgery i was walking a couple of miles a day. it takes 10 weeks for your chest to heal before
you can get active again(it was the chest not the heart that took so long)but no big deal.
i received a mechanical valve and it is great. blood thinners every day have been no problem.
if you have any questions i would be glad to try to answer them.
Rich
Posted by
Judy Stephens on October 24, 1998 at 18:56:24:
In Reply to: upcoming aorta and aortic valve replacement surgery posted by Steve on October 22, 1998 at 00:37:35:
I am 59 years old. I had an artificial aortic valve and aneurysm repair done 3 1/2 years ago. I am feeling fine now. Walk on the treadmill a hour each day at 4.1 mph. Getting a human or pig valve is a wise decision as you won't have to be on blood thinners and that is definitely a plus. My best to you on your surgery.
Pretty neat eh! It is just amazing how complete strangers can offer comfort and advice. Just like that! I am really blown away by the compassion. I guess when you go through something like this it is good therapy to share it with others. ( Sort of like this journal. If anyone actually ever reads it.)
I was also very lucky to come across Peter dellaFemina's most enlightening web site, "Open Heart Surgery: A Test of One's Will". On the net at: http://www.sover.net/~contours/Surgery.html
Peter describes in a journal similar to this one, his day to day experiences with his surgery and the recovery process. It is funny, scary but strangely comforting to read. I couldn't put it down and printed copies for Dory and the rest of my family to read. This is what gave me the idea to put my own experience down on paper. (So to speak). I've since corresponded with Peter and he agreed that this was good therapy for him and he was pleased that it was so helpful for me.
Part 8 - The Word, Finally
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