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What is the recovery like following septal myectomy?
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: Apr 25 1:44pm | Replies (141)Comment receiving replies
I am scheduled for surgery on January 31, 2019. I'm so nervous about it! Can anyone tell me if there are things I can do ahead of time to make the recovery any easier? Also, do you remember waking up on the ventilator? I'm already having nightmares about it. Everyone here seems so positive and helpful. I am terrified. Thank you in advance for any tips and information.
Replies to "I am scheduled for surgery on January 31, 2019. I'm so nervous about it! Can anyone..."
Hi @melthomas. I had a myectomy over 12 years ago and I was also very concerned about waking up on the ventilator. It turned out to be a non-event. I woke up and wrote notes to the nurse, and then they removed it pretty much immediately after I woke up. As far as preparing, the best thing you can do is to stay in shape. Try to walk every day, if you can. I have two resources to share with you as well. I have a blog about HCM and I have a page to help people prepare for myectomy: https://hcmbeat.com/resources/resources-for-patients-about-myectomy/. Also, I wrote a blog about my experience about my own myectomy: http://www.cynthiassummeradventure.blogspot.com
Wishing you the best. If you are having surgery at Mayo you are in the best hands.
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Hi, @melthomas, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I noted you said you were diagnosed with HCM in October of 2017 and are now preparing for surgery in January. I trust you will find you have come to a good place to speak with others with HCM and who have undergone surgery to get some input prior to yours about what might make recovery easier, memories of waking up on the ventilator, or other tips and information.
Hoping that members like @cynaburst @mbcube @bariemma @ronaldpetrovich @samatoz @jh56 in this discussion will have some thoughts for you.
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You mentioned having nightmares about waking up on the ventilator, and feeling terrified. What other factors are making you feel terrified as you approach your surgery, @melthomas?