Heart Disease: Let’s Talk About the Emotional Side

Wow. Great attitude again! Glad you are doing well and making it happen.

After many tests, cardiology drs. Found a mass(myxoma).. and I’m now waiting to hear when I’ll have more tests and surgery to remove it… after a good cry, I’ve put my positive face on, but I’m scared as hell.p.s. This heart thing all came about because I have breast cancer and they had a look at heart to see if it was in good shape for chemo. All the chemo appointments were set up, port was to be put in the 16th(tomorrow)… after hearing the news of heart issues, chemo somehow doesn’t sound as scary as it did.

Oh my goodness @anna419! What a double whammy you just got hit with! I truly cannot imagine what you must be feeling and how scared you must be. I had open heart surgery for Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM) at the Mayo in Rochester over two years ago. I can tell you the anxiety and fear are real. Anyone would be anxious! I am so glad to hear you are going forward with a positive attitude. That will make such a difference for your mental health as well as physical health. How interesting that they found the Myxoma incidentally, because you had breast cancer. I have a friend who fell off her horse and had a concussion. When they did the CT scan, they found a brain tumor. If she had not fallen, who knows what may have happened? I'd like to introduce you to @auntieoakley. She is a breast cancer warrior and champion Mentor who may be able to answer your breast cancer questions or hold your hand going through this.
If I can help answer any questions you may have about open heart surgery, please reach out. For instance, a good tip: Get a lounge bra that you can step into. Way easier than trying to hook an uncomfortable underwire on. There's more if you're interested. As for the open heart surgery...when are you scheduled? Myxomas are not very common from what I know, is your surgeon familiar with them?

Hi, I have been on this site for awhile now and I have never talked about this side of heart disease. The emotional , exhausting, roller coaster. I have days where I feel almost good and energetic. Than I have days where I can hardly find the energy to move. I'm depressed constantly I find thinking into the future is difficult..support groups help but currently I am not in any that are face to face. So this could help.to connect to others.

Hi there @sally12345, I'm glad you are here on Mayo Connect. True, we may not be in a face-to-face environment, but there is still warmth and caring that comes through as support for one another. I do not know the specifics of your heart condition, but I think it is common for many people with heart issues to have both good and bad days. I know I did! There were times I felt like my old self and other times I could bare keep my eyes open during the day. One day fine, next day even doing laundry or tying my shoes I'd gasp for air. I hope the depression you carry is being addressed? That may have something to do with finding it difficult to look into the future. Are you aware of any support groups that meet in person in your area? Do you have a church or organization you attend that you could share with?

Sorry to be so late to the party here. Wow, @anna419 you certainly have a platter full right now. I know this has all got to be really overwhelming. I don’t really know anything about the heart issue you are facing, but I am experienced in breast cancer and chemo.
When so much is being thrown at you at once it can really be frightening. I am going to say the folks in our breast cancer support pages are just the best! Chemotherapy was most frightening to me before the first treatment. After that I at least knew what to expect and could cope with it, the unknown is always the worst.
The port is in so I assume you are moving forward with Chemo, do you know which drug regimen you are starting?

Hi, Thank you for answering my post. I have not any groups. I was involved with the woman's shelter and victim services, counselling. But. Apparently after a certain length of time it's no longer available..I try coping now with health and mental health issues on my own..

Oh gosh, @sally12345, it sounds like you have a lot going on. No wonder you feel depressed and at a loss. Mayo Connect is a wonderful support system for all sorts of conditions, diseases, emotional and physical issues, etc. Have you taken a look around the Connect site? There is a Depression and Anxiety Support group that you may find additional information that helps?
We are all here to help each other, so you come back anytime and share, Okay?

Hi, Thank you for answering my post. How do you get to the anxiety and depression support group? It may help.

Hi @sally12345, If you click the REPLY button under a post, the member you are responding to @karukgirl will get an automatic email notification that someone has replied to her post. If you go to the bottom and type in the open box and click the Post Comment button, everyone following the discussion will get an email notification but may or may not know who the reply is meant for if you don't use their @membername.

You can easily find a support group by going to the top of a Connect page and clicking on the Support Groups link in the menu across the top on a computer. You might have to click the menu button in the upper right corner of the page if you are using a phone or tablet.

Here is a link to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group and the list of discussions in the group - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/depression-anxiety/,