Having aorta valve replacement: I’m scared

On my heart caths, echos, and other test my dr revealed that my aorta only had 2 cusps and not three...i also have a heart murmur that was not revealed until a year ago .........i am wondering do you still have a murmur after aorta replacement

Heart disease runs in my family my dad had open heart aorta replaced with bypass, my sister who was older than i had bypass and my brother also had to have his aorta value replaced but within a few days died. i know of course that it is common to be scared but im at the point of having a nervous breakdown over it.....my surgery is schedule for this monday jan 23 2022. i pray that i come out of it ok and live to tell others my experience with it...the thought of a machine breathing for me is terrifying...i know ill be asleep but its still nerve racking to think of

I had my open heart 2 years ago- ironically it was not to replace my valve(it’s still functioning ok as a bicuspid) but I had a large aortic arch aneurysm due to another congenital defect. I was 42 when I had my open heart. The tough part was my dad had passed away in his open heart surgery 2 years prior. I am not going to lie- I have never felt so lonely and scared in my life as I did laying on the operating table waiting to be put out. I couldn’t have any sedatives before because I had to have hypothermia I had to get a normal baseline eeg for 5 minutes before I went to sleep. The staff in that Mayo OR was so awesome- everyone in the room at them time went around introduced them selves, they told me step by step what was going on, the anesthesia Dr held my hand wiped my tears, the eeg lady spoke to me. I couldn’t have asked for better people to be in a room to make sure I woke up. I felt very taken care of and went to sleep knowing I would be seeing my family again. This is one of the hardest, scariest things you are going to ever face. I am so sorry that you have to go through it. Find an institution and team that you feel comfortable and safe with. For me that was Mayo. Dr.Pochettino and Dr.Bower were literally my saviors. I will be sending many positive vibes and wishes for health and healing your way Monday! Remember even though you may feel alone there you really have so many people behind you and pulling for you!
Best wishes for peace and recovery!

Heart disease runs in my family my dad had open heart aorta replaced with bypass, my sister who was older than i had bypass and my brother also had to have his aorta value replaced but within a few days died. i know of course that it is common to be scared but im at the point of having a nervous breakdown over it.....my surgery is schedule for this monday jan 23 2022. i pray that i come out of it ok and live to tell others my experience with it...the thought of a machine breathing for me is terrifying...i know ill be asleep but its still nerve racking to think of

@renee11 I was scared of my first surgery some years ago, and I saw a psychologist who did clinical hypnosis. That worked really well for me to calm me down and I was OK going through it. I could feel a few butterflies in my stomach, but I didn't feel fear. Would that be something you would be interested in looking into?

Hello @renee11

I'm so glad to hear that you have been cleared for surgery. That must feel good to know that all has checked out well. You asked an interesting question about whether you will still have a murmur after the valve replacement. Let's check with someone who has had a new aortic valve, like @chud2.

Did your doctor indicate how long you will be hospitalized after your surgery?

my surgery is too close for anything now...I just gave it all to God and as NIKe says....JUST DO IT! ireally dont have any choice...

@renee11 Here is something that the psychologist who did clinical hypnosis suggested. Choose a "safe place" for yourself where you can go in your mind to be calm. For me, that was a physical place outside in a mountain meadow, but inside a geodesic dome that was open to the outside elements. Inside it was a wood carving of a dolphin and a tree stump carved into a chair. It is a real place and I had pictures of it that I took with me on my surgery day. You are safe and protected inside your safe place, and remember to breathe slow deep relaxing breaths. I will be sending you my good thoughts on Monday. You may want to take some pictures with you of things you love to have something else to think about on Monday.

i have a bad neck and back was in military and got injured im not aware of anything else they did do a ct scan with contrast to look at stomach pelvic and chest. dr said everything looked ok i go for pre-op tomorrow