Terrified: Soon to have open heart surgery, so many questions

@cepatchwork1955 Welcome to Mayo Connect. It must be scary, and exciting to have helpful surgery just around the corner, isn't it? I haven't had heart surgery, but as you have read, following the instructions from your doctors will go a long way to have an uneventful recovery. Perhaps @lioness or @harriethodgson1 can answer your questions about normal behavior?
Ginger

Perhaps I'm not the best person to answer your question. First of all, a day after surgery I went into afib and needed a shock treatment, which worked well. Second, I recovered with amazing speed, especially for my age. A day after surgery I was walking to the bathroom with a nurse by my side. After surgery I spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit and then transferred to Rehabilitation, where I stayed six days. Before I went home a therapist fitted me for a walker. I used the walker one day and began walking on my own. According to my heart surgeon, the pig valve "seated well." I followed instructions faithfully and didn't life anything, not even a gallon of milk, for six weeks. Though my husband and I just moved into a retirement community owned and operated by Mayo Clinic, I'm doing all I can to retain my normal life, being my disabled husband's primary caregiver, writing books and articles, giving talks and workshops. Thanks to open heart surgery, I have more breath and more energy for the things I want to do. I am blessed to be alive and make the most of each day.

All of u are so brave anf very helpful. Its gr888 to talk to people that went thur it becaise not even the drs went thur it
Tyall so very very much

Hello...I am schedule for open heart Tues. I am beyond terrified. I as a nurse, know that complications are rare and the surgeons keep telling me that small 1% chance of risk.... but I am scared. I fly to Rochester tonight and it’s going to take all my strength to board that flight with my husband and kids. I am not a cardiac nurse- mostly neuro- so I reached out to a few friends for advice but really best advice comes from those who have had surgery, felt the fears, and overcome the hurdles. I hope that I can help in the future once I do this! I want to really help those going through this. My surgery is from congenital heart disease- so it’s a day to day issue. Best of luck to everyone for a fast recovery! I hope you get some answers and advice!!

@cepatchwork1955- Welcome to Connect. Today is your day and I am thinking of you. Please write back when you are well enough. Best of luck!

@jeanern01- Welcome to Connect.I understand being beyond terrified. It's a horrible feeling to feel so out of control. Try thinking about how much better you will feel! Hopefully your shortness of breath and fatigue will be much less and you will be able to be more productive. You are going to the best hospital with doctors who are the best, who care deeply about their patients. You will be in great hands. Best of health and recovery. Please do get back to Connect so you can join our wonderful team on Connect.

Thank you Ginger for inviting me here into this conversation as you know I did have a triple bypass and I can only tell you that yessi Patchwork that before I went in it was it's a hard decision to make but I was in so much pain I knew that it was the only thing that could relieve my pain so I went in with a good attitude and that is very important after it was over the pain was gone I can breathe better I did my own exercises at home / the doctor had which he told me I did not have to go to rehab but generally they send you to a rehab afterwards but mainly I did the exercises that according to him at home and I had no more pain wish I was out of so I was very happy that I had it done and you will be too once you can win just go in with a good attitude that and make plans for when you come back out of it okay thank you bye bye

Ty for saying these things i also am terrified but the pain gets worse. Ty for making me geel stronger about it

Thank you for he encouragement.

@pha2340840 Welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a very diverse group of patients, caregivers, and family members who offer support, and share our experiences with others. We are not medical doctors and cannot offer medical advice. What brings you to Mayo Connect? Are you experiencing medical issues that revolve around heart surgery? Or other medical issues? We would like to have a little bit more information so we can share our knowledge with you!
Ginger