Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
General Topics => All things that have nothing to do with Turkey => Topic started by: sannyrut on November 01, 2011, 13:48:47 PM
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I have to have an Aortic valve replacement and double by-pass before Christmas.The Surgeon who will be one of the operating team suggested a mechanical valve,but mentioned that ,because of my age it was a borderline choice.My mother has had the same valve replaced and has had terrible problems with having to take warfarin to make sure her mechanical valve does not clog up.Even though the mechanical valve is supposed to last a lifetime,assuming it does not fail,and the pigs valve lasts between 10 and 15 years,I have decided to have the pig's valve.I assume that after 10 years or so,that if I require further medical intervention,an advanced valve and procedure would be available.
Still waiting for the postman to deliver appointment for the Jubilee Hospital,Clydebank as I want to get out for Christmas dinner,and a Pantomine at Motherwell,all booked.Finger's crossed.
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Best of luck with this, look forward to hearing of the success soon after & take it easy for a while!
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I'm sure you will be at the panto Alec, with this all "behind you"! - Good luck with everything and as Supacabby says - take it easy.
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My Father had the pig valve fitted in 1982 when he was 61, it lasted 11 years before it started to leak, he was then 72, he wanted the pig valve fitted again and the surgeon was against it, he said that in another 10/12 years he may not be fit enough to undergo the operation again, so he had the mechanical one fitted, he was 83 when he died and it was not because of his heart, that was still doing fine.
It sounds like there has not been many advances in the technology for the past 30 years as it is the same 2 choices.
Good luck, after my fathers first op he was fitter and more active than he had been for many many years.
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Those pig valves are great - just remember to put on plenty of oinkment. Best of Luck :)
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Good Luck Alec it's a good time to have surgery as you can rest up over the winter months and look forward to the summer. You will be fine xxxx
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I had a tissue* aortic valve replacement and single bypass on the 10th August this year and am now just about at the end of my recovery period. It all went very well (after a initial delay of a few days because by sodium levels were too low). I was discharged from hospital 5 days later (they don't keep you hanging around in bed these days). If your health authority run Cardiac Rehab classes for exercise sessions and cardiac information I recommend you take them. I have found them very useful and motivating. Your surgeon will probably tell you that you have had major surgery and you will need all of three months to gain recovery. Believe him/her and be prepared for two steps forward, one step back. But it has been much better than I expected and I wish you good luck and - soon - good health.
* Actually the tissue is calf not pig these days but the surgeons still think about it in the old terms.
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Actually the tissue is calf not pig these days
Colwyn - did you have to re-veal that?
I'll get my coat :-\
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Another couple of pointers.
I was discharged from hospital on 15th Aug and was fir enough to go to my niece's wedding on 2nd Sept. After the wedding we all stayed at a very pleasant country house hotel for the night and I made sure I had an early night. Unfortunately, the next morning it had all proved a bit too much and many of the guests were concerned because I was tottering about worse than usual.
A second thing. Most of your family, friends and well-wishers will tell you to "take it easy". Your nurses will not have any truck with such nonsense. They will want to exercise every day and to increase your efforts day-by-day and week-by-week. You "work" your way out of this thing - not "rest" yourself along.
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best wishes you will be better off having the surgery and enjoy a better life
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Best wishes, and some excellent advice from Colwyn
(I find it's worth listening to some elses experience and then
you can prepare/rationalise the ups/downs ) :) C
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Thanks everyone.I have been told I should be out between 5 and 7 days after the operation by the surgeon,so if the postman comes soon,I might make the Christmas dinner and the pantomine.kmfc. :)
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I went to see the Rehabilitation team on Tuesday,very impressed.Today,I got fed up(unusual?)and phoned the surgeon's secretary.Extremely nice lady(Heather), who told me no date pencilled in yet but the op must be done before 20 Dec this year.Asked if I could go on holiday for a bit of sunshine before then,so she will speak to surgeon and phone me back tomorrow with his advice.There are nice people out there.
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Just got back from my weekly Rehab meeting (group circuit training followed by cardiac education session). I had my operation on August 10th and it has only really been over ther last couple of weeks that I have felt as good as I used to 3 years ago (only one bad day in the last 15).
Before the op. I went to my GP to report that my everyday life was getting more difficult - not able to walk up inclines without distress, swollen ankles, etc. and she faxed the surgeon and this bumped me up the queue. But you should be called in the next four weeks now so not too long until life gets better.
You may not be out in time for Christmas Celebrations, but why not not plan something for later when you are feeling a bit better? Sannyrut's Special Chinese New Year Party or some such.
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good luck ,hope you are up and about soon
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Just got word.13 December provisionally.Better clean up my hillwalking boots lol.
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Good luck Alec, I'm sure you will make that dinner and pantomime
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Best wishes Alec. -A new you for the new year { :)}
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Good luck sannyrut :)
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Guess what?I followed Colwyn's advice and went to my GP on Monday.Got a phone call the next day from Golden Jubilee Hospital to attend on Wednesday(yesterday) for pre-op check.Operation now planned for 1st December.What a week.I don't know for sure whether the GP organised it(can't get him at the moment) or whether it was a cancellation.Christmas is looking better but I'll go easy.Omg can't believe it:D
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Glad you got a result SR.
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I Have Been Certificated
And there's you thinking I had been certified. No, no, I am the proud possessor of a mustard-coloured certificate saying I have, today, successfully completed my eight-week Cardic Rehabilitation Phase III programme. As a post-graduate I am now going on to Phase IV. As I understand things this is solo activity rather than being in a class - rather like the real undergraduate/post-graduate distinction. I'll be finding out what exercise programme I am to follow in a preliminary counselling session and then there will be 12 weeks of attendance with two more counselling sessions. I'll report what goes on here for anyone who may be going to follow a similar path.
In fact, with more of us starting to keel over with cardiac problems, perhaps we should have a Heart2Heart topic for mutual support and encouragement.
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Got done on the 1st December and back home on the 7th.Bit up and down with fluid retention and chest infection.Now OK and I have just come back from a walk outside(couldn't get out over the past 3 days as streets were icebound).
I feel really good just now :)
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Good news Sannyrut. Pleased that things are starting to go well for you.
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Great news Sanny
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How's your recovery going, Sanny?
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Sorry I haven't been keeping in touch.A bit up and down at the moment.It's taking longer than I thought to recover,but I have alway's been a bit impatient.It's a case of steady as you go,maybe not the best phrase at the moment if you like cruises[?]
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quote:
Originally posted by Colwyn
Your surgeon will probably tell you that you have had major surgery and you will need all of three months to gain recovery. Believe him/her and be prepared for two steps forward, one step back.
I'm sure you'll get there Sannyrut.
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I have now started properly on my Phase 4 Cardiac Rehab programme. I have joined a gymnasium (!) and it is all very serious. I have been forbidden to wear jeans on grounds of - can you guess? - Health & Safety (I have been wearing jeans for 50 years without realizing they were so dangerous). So, for the first time in my life, I have been obliged to buy trainers and track trouser-thingies. If you are surprised at this news, imagine how I feel about it. I already sense a creeping slobbiness coming over me. Will I soon start saying things like "Wha'ever" and "See you at mine babes" and listening to Wrap `music` (which seems to be compulsory at the gym') - glad I haven't lost my apostrophes yet. Anyway, they have me working on all manner of diabolical machines that report back on how fast/far you are travelling whilst stationary, how many calories you have lost, and - alarmingly - just how fast your heart rate is at the moment. Worse, I actually seem to be enjoying it. I'll be in great shape when I come back to Turkey in May.
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Brenda and I wish you the very best Colwyn.
PS No word of any lycra then:D
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Rack it up dude. 8)
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quote:
Originally posted by Highlander
Brenda and I wish you the very best Colwyn.
Thanks.
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PS No word of any lycra then:D
Shhhh!