DAN's Journal

Neal Syverson  Hi Dan,. My surgery was the day after yours.  My wife says I did not react well to the intubation tube but I have no recollection of that.  I had a bout of AFIB while still in the hospital but so far am doing well since coming home.   Yes now is the time to focus on the recovery.

Thomas Brusstar  I had a few hours of afib in the hospital after my mv repair, but it went away and hasn’t come back 4 years later.  They said the heart tissue gets inflamed from all the incisions and afib can result.  But hopefully yours resolves also.

i didn’t like the tube, but I was calm about it until they finally agreed to pull it.

Rose Madura  I too had the tube in when I woke up and it took me a while to wake, about 14 hours.  Uncomfortable but staying calm helps.  I was very symptomatic to afib which lasted off and on for about six weeks.  All is well now.

Marie Myers  If you are able to exercise, I would say to maintain some kind of daily activity. Walking , biking , and stretching can help burn up stress hormones. It also keeps you in shape for the upcoming surgical event. I also listened to calming videos and meditations on Utube. I was already into yoga and meditation and those 2 things really helped me. An occasional sip from Richard’s suggested bottle of vodka (or wine) was nice also...

Marsha Nesson  Hi Dan, I’m going in for a mitral valve repair too, on March 9th. Also trying to remain calm. Wishing you the best.

Richard Munson  Marsha, i am a year out after mitral valve repair and i think doing great. I know every surgery and person can have a different outcome but i believe repair if feasible is the best way to go. I also had minimally invasive which i think allowed me a faster recovery. Bear in mind that once they enter your heart, its all pretty much the same. I had maze procedure and they replaced some strings that operate the valve. Knock on wood i’m just 80 and still kicking.

Deena Z  Dan, whatever you usually do to relax is what I found helpful. I took very long walks and listened to podcasts, sometimes paused to say a short prayer or mediate..

Neal Syverson  Hi Dan, my mitral repair surgery is the day after yours! I have been waiting since early January. I stay focused on the outcome and not any of the unknowns. My 9 year old daughter is taking it a lot harder than I am. So it probably helps both of us to talk this out. I have been busy trying to get some things done before surgery so I don't have to worry about them during recovery so it leaves little time for the mind to dwell on the negatives.

Timothy Williams  I'm now 13 days out from mitral valve surgery. Had a few symptoms (shortness of breath, slightest prickly feeling in arms). That really helped me mentally realize sooner is essential. I gave up alcohol and caffeine a couple weeks ago, and now intense exercise to minimize stress on heart. Still going to do low resistance exercise, stretching and walking. It's a struggle, but trying to focus on prep and recovery. Best of luck!

Mary Milewski  For me: Exercise, yogic breathing and try to maintain a semblance of a normal schedule. Also - I've stopped second-guessing my decisions--I was continuing to obsessively research every element of my various treatment options -that is definitely not helpful! Although this is an unwelcome adventure am trying to focus on the fact that this is a mechanical, fixable situation and am taking heart (npi) in all of the positive stories from everyone who's been through this. 12 days away for me. Sending you positive vibes!

Todd Hanson  Dan, I know the feeling, only a couple of weeks away and the thoughts and questions are starting to pop up. Best of luck on your surgery.

Richard Munson  Todd, don’t over think it. I started to second guess everything and if you did your homework, last minute changes are probably not the best medicene.

DAN OEHLER  Thank you everyone!
Richard - thank you for making me laugh. Tonight I will do an experiment to see if bourbon works as well as vodka.
Marie - yes, exercise is helping to occupy my mind. Long dog walks especially.
Marsha - I have you written down for thoughts of strength and healing on March 9th. You and I will have stronger valves in a few weeks!
Deena - thank you, prayers almost always help!
Neal - we are birds of a feather with getting things done before surgery! My list got a little shorter today. How hard for your 9 year old to understand the situation, but how happy she'll be when she sees you recovering and healthier. Best wishes to you on the 16th!
Timothy - it sounds like you're on a good glide path to your surgery and I will be thinking thoughts of strength and healing for you on March 11th.
Mary - I agree strongly about the second guessing! Stay positive - thoughts of healing and strength for you on Thursday!
Todd - hang in there, stay strong - in a few weeks you and I will have much better mitral valves!

Richard Munson  Dan, if i made you smile, i did my job. They say laughter is the best medicine, besides eliquis of course. As you get closer to the big day, you will become more nervous. All normal. It becomes the elephant in the room no matter what else is going on. Give yourself a few days after the surgery and you will be chasing the nurses around the hospital wing. My wife never reads these. Besides at 80 what would i do if i caught one.

Richard Munson  True story: i was on the table being shaved and very nervous. I remember asking the guy shaving me if it was too late to back out. He said yes. That was my last ditch effort. Now a year later i am glad i did it but at that moment all i could think was i was not going to wake up. Once its over you will wonder what the big deal was but until then, stress city.

Susan Lynn  Dan - I found the days leading up to surgery were worse than actual game day. I remember when I was waiting in pre-op, i thought, it's time to put this behind me. Look forward in anticipation because the few hours of surgery are so worth the long-term result! You'll already be through the hardest part when you arrive at the hospital, i.e., the waiting. Everything else is very doable. You can do this! ❤