Hi Cathy!
No lectures from me. I'm an exsmoker and am so happy to be where I am now, away from that old addictive habit. I just wish I could offer you help. My Dr. told me that the nicotine causes tightening or spasms of the arteries and that with surgery coming up for you, you will need all the oxygen that you can get flowing through to you!! 
By they way, Cathy, I never did miss my calling. I became a nurse many many years ago and only had to retire from that field early due to 3 back surgeries! :)
I became a nurse many many years ago and only had to retire from that field early due to 3 back surgeries! :) Hugs, Teri xoxoxo"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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Michelle, Nan, and Teri...
Thank you all for your comments, I took them all to hieart.
As far as the smoking, I smoked as a social smoker as well...went to do the invitro years ago, and STOPPED easily before I even started the invitro. IF it didn't work, I didn't want to blame anything I did, so, it was a piece of cake. After the boy's were born, they were premature, we now know due to my heart....Ty who was two pds thirteen oz's...had a IV brain bleed...grade four. Once I heart that news, they told me he could be blind, deaf, CP or retardation, OR all four. That is when I started again, and then it became the "break" after the boy's came home...you know the social thing meeting everyone out in the yard...
I had NO intentions of ever smoking again after surgery. I had promised my son, as he hates that I do that, and its my only bad habit, and has been tough to quit at this stage, espeically with the stress, I know I am making excuses, but, I am so nervous at this point, this seems like the worst time to quit. But, I am certainly looking forward to NEVER smoking again once this is over. I thought the hospital stay would be the perfect opportunity as by the time I get out of the hospital it would be a piece of cake, out of my system.
I just need to figure out how to STOP BEFORE...yikers....
I need your guys opinion. You know my son's are coming, and have insisted. Well, my aunt called the other day; and lectured me about it tramatizing them, so now I am worried sick about it, nad I have tried talking them out of it, and they won't have it...they keep saying, "mom you have been there for us our whole lives, now it is our turn to be there for you." I explained that I am their Mother, and its my job to be there for them, and there is no such thing as a payback...I explained that I just want them to feel safe and secure and not worried.
DO you think it will be too much for them?
Will they be tramatized seeing me in the ICU?
Will they be better off at home while I am in surgery?
What would all of you do if you were me?
They are fourteen...and I am so worried about this right now...I don't know what the right thing to do is...one friend told me locally that she thought it best they go, if the worst should happen, they could miss an opportunity to say goodbye to me.
I really value all of your opinions, so please let me know what you all think.
I am still having the episodes of shortness of breath, and its getting worse, about five times a day....is it anxiety, or the heart condition? WHen it happens, I am not necessarily worried at the time or even thinking of anything, but I can't catch a good breath; and it feels like I am suffociating....I am on diuirtics constantly..if not for them, I don't know what i would do...the ascites is SO BAD, honestly within a thirty minute period, I can have a flat stomach, and then bam...it looks like I am eight months pregnant, and my stomach is hard as a ROCK, and it gets so hard and so big, its unbelievable. I ended up in the ER once, as my potassium levels became dangerously low due to them, I became so weak, I could not lift my head off the pillow; and could not pee..nothing was working. So, we are now careful and check it often, the other strange problem I am having is my platelets keep dropping...I am at 77,000, they are very concerned with that, DID you have that problem NAN???
Nan, thank you so much for insite...any information I can get to prepare is SO APPRECIATED!! Please be as blunt as possible, I hate it when someone beats around the bush, I like to be informed as much as possible!!! THANK YOU! Teri, I knew you had to be a nurse at some point, you have so much compassion, and care about people so much, you are a very special person. Michelle, your landlord is a lucky guy to have YOU!
thanks guys!
your friend,
cathy
Good Morning, Cathy!
How far in advance are you going into the hospital? Ask your Dr.'s if you could use anything for relief, such as a nicotine patch, or gum? I don't know that they will allow even that, but it's worth asking about, Cathy, as this is for your health and your survival.
Your blood platelets could be dropping for a number of reasons, none of which I'd like to 'guess' at...check out this site.
What are your Dr.'s concluding from this? Do they tell you?, do you ask them? Do not be afraid to ask, Cathy, this is your body!!
Re your son's going with you to the hospital. I believe it really is up to you and them. You know your sons better than anyone else. My daughter went to a service of a best friend when she was 14 yrs. old. The friend had committed suicide. It grieved her terribly that he had done this and she felt bad for a long time, but if I would have forbade it, it might have been worse. This was her way of saying goodbye to a good friend. She handled it. When I came home from the hospital after my bypass she had a hard time looking at my scars and just shivered with my pain. My surgery was an emergency and while I was in the hospital for the rest of the week, she was in school, so she did not come to visit. She understands what is going on with me, I brought her up to be realistic about things, but I understand at her age, there are certain vulnerabilities and denials that teens go through.
I just asked her now what she thought about the situation, and she said let them go and make sure they have a reliable adult with them-she understands their need to be with you! :) She's almost 17.
I'll step back now and let Nan, Michelle and the others help answer you...With hugs always, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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Hi Betsy May!
I hope that your surgery is over and a complete success!! I'm wishing you the best and hope we hear from you soon-before the worrier starts taking over here!! :)
Hugs, Teri
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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Just wanted to mention that my prayers are with Betsy, I'm with you TERI...I am starting to worry as well!!!...I wish she would write soon, as I worry daily about her; and hope she is okay...
I know it must be hard to think about coming online, but its scary when we don't hear from her....she said her calcification is an INCH THICK..that is HUGE...mine is 18mm, and mine is considered SEVERE/HEAVY...etc...I wonder what the the difference is between 18mm's and an inch? How think was yours Nan?
Do you guys remember when she went in...how many days has it been...? Do we know where she had surgery at? Did she pick an experienced center?
I was thinking about her all night last night and saying prayers for her..
I hope we hear from her soon!!!!!
Cathy
Thanks for the advice with the boy's...I will be at the hosptial ,seven days prior to the surgery,, but I can stay at the hotel all but one night, which gives me a lot of alone time in the hotel with them..watching movies...ordering room service..playing poker! WE fly in the 20th...the 21st, I have a MRI, ECHO, EKG, Blood work, 22nd...check in for heart catherization.spend the night in the hospital...thlet I get to go back to the hotel.
23rd..meet with blood specialist for platelets...they think because my heart is not pumping efficently, it is affecting my spleen. They sent me to a cancer specialist when they first saw my platelets drop, thankfully, that was all okay...They said they can give me platelets during surgery, and will certainly need too.
24th, meet with Dr. Klein, and another surgeon that will be attending surgery..
25th...left open for tests they might need to do..
26th...SUNDAY...off for the day.....hug and love my son's..
27th....dun dun dun.....SURGERY.........
thats all folks....
LETS ALL SAY A PRAYER FOR BETSY TONIGHT AT NINE..and send POSITIVE THOUGHTS HER WAY....I hope she knows we are cheering her on...
Hi guys...I've been thinking about Betsy too...but I think it was about 3 weeks after my surgery that I logged back on. It's just really busy right away with people coming over, sleeping til noon (I couldn't believe how much I slept!), etc etc...I kept wanting to log on, and never got it done. So I'm hoping that it is that and nothing else...I'm with you in the prayer chain.
Mine was only 5-6mm thick...so not nearly the same. Cathy I did not have trouble with my platelets that I know of. I did have a low protein C which was corrected with vitamin supplements. I have a brother who has had strokes with low protein C...so I thought maybe we had the same blood disorder...now I'm wondering if it was my heart. I'll have it checked again this summer.
As far as your boys go...if they are really wanting to go...I think you can set it up so they are protected. First of all, I would de-mystify what they are going to see. Explain all the tubes, needles, etc. You will probably be on a vent when they first see you...I didn't find that out til the day of the surgery...it would have been better for me to know that earlier. They take you off right away though. The other biggest scary thing is the needle and bandage out of your neck. It looks worse than it is...but I didn't know about that ahead of time either, and would have liked to. If they hear about all of that ahead of time, I think it would be a little less traumatizing. And the time in the hotel ahead of the surgery might be fun and special.
On the flip side, do you think they might be able to be busy enough at home to not live and breathe the situation and get through it "faster"? But...how will you do being away from them the week ahead? It's a tough call for sure. You know them best...you'll know the right thing to do.
I also had the instantly 8 months pregnant problem...that was so frustrating! Luckily I wear scrubs to work so I could try to hide it! I haven't had it once since...if that makes you feel better :)
I had a fun weekend...I jog/walked a 5K race here...it felt like a huge victory! Today is 5 months from my surgery date...before that I could hardly walk a block without getting totally fatigued and feeling like I was being strangled...yesterday I ran a mile and walked 2! I'm so thankful. I can't wait for your victory run Cathy...you will not believe it.
The other thing is...I just savor life more. I think thoughts like...isn't it great that we live in a country where we are free to participate in marathons and races etc? Isn't it cool how the seasons change (vs. complaining about the rain) Isn't it a blessing to feel GOOD!!! I didn't think like that before. It has truly changed my life. It was tough to go through...especially with kids...but I'm so thankful for the experience!
That's all my rambling...do you have people going with you that you feel would be comforting and supportive for your boys? How about playing out every possible scenario in your head and thinking of them home vs the hospital and how you would feel...tally up the total and see where you want them the most. Just an idea...I know it's a tough situation....guess I wasn't done with my rambling.
Have hope! Things are going to be better for you SOON!
Nan
I just checked...Betsy went in on May 10th...so it's only been 5 days...seems longer though. She's probably just getting out of the hospital!
Nan
Nan
A big Hi to you and thanks Nan for checking!! :) I just wanted to check in with ya'll and say hi and wish you well!! I'll pop back in tomorrow again, have been so busy around here, volunteering with the birds and with all these Dr.'s appt.'s and tests! ugh :)
I just wanted to say hi to you Cathy and Michelle if you are out there and let Betsy know that I'm continuing to think of her!!
Best wishes to you all and big hugs to each and everyone of you!!
Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
I just wanted to say hi to you Cathy and Michelle if you are out there and let Betsy know that I'm continuing to think of her!!
Best wishes to you all and big hugs to each and everyone of you!!
Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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We have a new member named Marlou who is about to undergo some artery 'work' and a pericardiectomy! I hope you find this thread Marlou?! We have the best support group ever here!! Good luck to you!
Hi Cathy, Nan, Michelle!!
Best wishes to Besty and a speedy recovery!!
Hugs, Teri
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
Hello board! Just checking in! Still recovering and I had bad breathing problems last week. Anyone have fluid from the heart sac go into the lung? Now what happens? Anyway hope all is well with everyone.
Hi Frand...I had fluid in my lungs too...don't think it was from my heart sac necessarily but pleural effusion. It does make breathing tough. I can't remember if you've had your second surgery or not yet? Are you on dieuretics for the fluid? They can drain fluid from the lung with a needle if it gets bad enough. Hope it doesn't. Hope you feel better soon.
Hi and Welcome Back, Fran!!
There are a couple of things that could be going on here, but I really don't like to speculate unless your Dr. tells you exactly what it is, Fran. How are they treating it?-with antibiotics, or diuretics, or something else?
I wish you all the best and hope you are feeling much better very soon!!
Hugs from Texas, Teri
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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Marlou, how are you doing?? Teri
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
Cathy, when I don't hear from you everyday, I think you're feeling bad, so please post whenever you can!! Hope you are doing as good as can be!
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
Hello Everyone, I'm doing very well. Sorry it took so long to get back to you but I'm running in slow mo. My surgery went perfect. Because of the thickness of the calcification, I was on the blood bypass machine for about an hour while they chiseled it away. I believe it took about 5 hrs. The pain is pretty intense at first but that is relieved greatly when they are removed. Breathing is difficult with the tubes because they are put in behind your lungs and rub when you breath. The last thing I remember before surgery was my husband, daughter, son and family joined in prayer around my bed. Then when I first got to ICU there they all were again. I have much strength from within and without. I don't remember much about ICU except there was always someone there. I was moved to a regular room on Thurs. morning. Quite a change. You know the nurse are never the same. I bathed myself standing up on Thurs. morning, not easy but uplifting. I took a pain pill every few hrs. at first, then about every 4-5 hrs. It is important to not let the pain get ahead of you because sometimes it can take them 10-15 min. to get it. I took 3 walks down the hall on Thurs. but was very tiring. Fri. full shower on my own and 4 walks and that was pretty much my routine till release on Sun. My surgeon was Dr. Kincade at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento. I think it is important to know that this is not done buy 1 doctor, this is a team that work together regularly and know your case inside ans out. This was probably about the 6 th surgery for Dr. Kincade but I was totally confident. I was given many info papers to read before hand, the best a what to expect each day in the hospital. The pain is very tolerable buy the time you go home but I am still taking 1 pain pills 4 times (am,lunch,dinner,pm). I think I have a high tolerance for pain but I think the strenotomy will be painfull for about a week more. The breathing machine is quite a challenge with the tubes in but better when they are out. They test my inhale before surgery, 2000, and the past couple of days I'm stuck at 1500. My doctor was very pleased to know that I was not at all short of breath nor did my muscle ache all over before I came home. Today I still feel I am thinking slow from anisthesea but I know this takes a while to go away. Hope this is helpful to you Cathy and I'm glad to hear you are sticking to you current plans. The waiting was the worst time for my family and I know I could never have waited a year. You know that smoking smell will be gone when you come out of surgery maybe tou can make it forever. Look forward to hearing from you and I'll answer any questions. Love Ya, Betsy
Good Morning Everyone!
We have a new poster that posted on another post and I'm moving her post over to here. She's about to possibly undergo a bypass and a pericardiectomy as well. She really needs our support, too!
Wishing you well, Mary!!
| I am 70 years old, and just had a heart cath and was told I had the thickening around the heart (pericardium). I go to the Dr Thurs at 1 PM and I know he is going to tell me I have to have a by-pass (they also found two block arteries - one in the back 40% and one in the front 60%). They usually don't do anything to the blockages as they are low, but since they have to go in to do the pericardium they'll do the two blockages. I am scared to death. I read here and most are very young people. I am also a diabetic and very overweight. Seems I've been very emotional since Fri when I had the heart cath. Thanks for listening. Marlou |
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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WooHoo!! Welcome Back Betsy!!
I am so very glad to hear from you~you did very well, indeed!! Thank you for offering your support so soon, make sure to take care of you!!
Big Hugs, Teri
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
Marlou, the emotional and even depressed feeling can come with any invasive procedure into your heart. I have felt this with my angiogram and catherization. Also your medical problems are an added factor. The day before my surgery there were a few times I shook like I was driving down a dirt road. I hope you have someone to hold you till you settle down. You know sometimes you just don't have a choice and it's better to bite the bullet and move to a better place. Good luck, Betsy
Just popped in and wanted to wish you a speedy recovery Betsy! Wow, what a relief it must be to have this behind you now! God Bless, Pat
Hi Everyone!
Sorry Teri, didnt'mean to disappear on you...I went to the doctor yesterday, and was in full atrial fibualtion, I was so exhaused at the end of the day. The reporter and photographer were at my doctors office to take pictures and to interview my doctor. Nan...I told the reporter about you; and he is very interested in interviewing you. I told him that you went through this six months ago, and are doing great. He would really like to talk to you. I told him I would ask you if it was okay first.
BETSY!!!!!!
I said so many prayers for you....
I am so glad you are okay...
any details you can give me would be great!!
I literally HANG on to ALL of your words, and told
the newspaper yesterday how important all of you
have become to me, and how much courage you have
all given me.
My heart is now more in atrial fib than out...they are VERY
WORRIED I will throw a clot; and have a stroke.
They put me on Coumadin yesterday, and I too one,
BUT, I need to call Cleveland, because with my low platelet
count, they are going to freak when they hear this.
I slept 24 hours after it finally let up, it is exhausing for me.
I am so tired of being sick and weak...I feel so old.
I am sure I am having paniac attacks when the shortness of breath happens...I can't catch my breath, and feel like I am suffocating. Betsy, did you have that problem? How many mm's was your calcification, and how long was your entire surgery?
how long were you in ICU?
oh boy, you are all so brave, I feel so scared...
can't wait to hear from you and more details..
Nan, let me know how you feel about talking to the newspaper people...
Teri, thanks for your good thoughts...they are so appreciated...
your friend,
Cathy
btw, I pulled the boys out of school, I can't stand to be away from them...the doctor wrote a note and said that we were all suffering from separation anxiety, and that they needed to be home with their mom right now. I don't want to let them out the door, I can't stand to be away from them,a nd they have become really clingy...we can't stand to be away from each other....