Hospital time - Trying to relax
 

In about an hour I'll drive my mother several hours away to a hospital for aorta valve replacement surgery. I put in lots of effort finding the best surgeon and I think we made the right choices, but there's always risk. She's more relaxed about this surgery than an earlier bypass which of course this makes myself and siblings all the more concerned. Mortality isn't easy for me. I'm trying to remain relaxed for all concerned but no way around it, the next few days will be stressful. Prayers & good thoughts welcome.

See everyone in a few days.

Best wishes to you and your family and may the surgeon have skillful hands.

Thanks Maleficent.

My father in law had this proceedure a couple years ago... I was told not to worry at the time because it is a fairly common proceedure now...
Did she choose the mechanical valve or the pig valve?

Warm wishes and try not to stress out too much... You Mom is going to be a lot better once she has this done.

She chose the "biological" valve. (Cow tissue in this case.) She decided against the mechanical mostly due to her mother's hassles with a blood thinner regimen 25yrs ago.

We're all looking forward to the outcome. A return to her soldier marches and long days. The past few months have not been easy with the lessened energy and accompanying frustrations. The surgery was no longer optional.

She's out of surgery in an hour so I'm heading back to the waiting room. Just thought I'd grab a bite and see if the world outside was still revolving. Again, thanks a bunch for your thoughts.

When this is over I'm going to sleep for a week.

Best of luck to you and your mother, cyrnel.
Our thoughts are with you.

I can relate. One of my parents recently went through something similar.

Best wishes.

Yeah... All the best for your mother and all of your family.

My father-in-law made the same choice for the same reason... didn't want to have to take, what is essentially rat poison, to thin his blood...

Bad calcification, a 2nd trip to the OR, complications, dialysis, continual sedation, now maybe the dreaded infection. 4-5 days has become 2+weeks to never.

What could I have done differently? It's hard to feel optimistic. I feel like hell. Need sleep but it only comes a couple hours before showtime. My previous concerns have become so many raindrops.

Tomorrow I'll ask to have one of the nurses removed from our rotation. She's technically weak, she communicates horribly, she keeps turning off the music we took in, and she handles patients like old tires. Then more talk with the surgeon and his team so I can understand the why's and play human message-man for the relatives. Meanwhile I want to crawl into my box of regrets and let everyone figure things out for themselves.

I will miss her terribly. God I hope this turns around.

:(

Hang in there man, I'm sure you did what you could and apparently you continue to do so. Try and get as much rest as you possibly can. Even if it means pushing "showtime" a bit further... You need all the strength you can get.

Hope you and yours make it through this as fast as possible

Thanks. For those who remember "E" ticket rides, this has to be an "F+". The worst roller coaster I've ever been on.

Had a small victory today. She was able to nod (almost imperceptible) & move her eyes in response to questions. Compared to the last couple days that's a big deal. Still lots of battles ahead but I'll take every little win.