1. < Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Advice for upcoming Septal Myectomy

Posted by vmestrada16 @vmestrada16, Jun 24 12:28am

I'm 39 years old traveling from Texas to the Mayo Clinic for Open Heart Surgery. I'm so nervous and my anxiety level is high any advice for me to help me through it all.

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Mentor
Debra, Volunteer Mentor | @karukgirl | Jun 24 9:20am

Hello @vmestrada16,
First, let me welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you found this online support group.
Have you had a chance to read some of the many posts on Connect about open heart surgery?
Like this:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-i-learned-from-my-open-heart-surgery-part-1/
Is your surgery for Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy? I don't want to assume that just because you posted in the HCM group...
Second, anyone would be anxious and nervous going in for open heart surgery.
It's a big surgery.
Thankfully, you are going to the Mayo Clinic, and they are the finest in the world for this particular procedure. They are a Center of Excellence and stand out as a world leader in the treatment of HCM.
Knowing that is helpful to put some of those anxious thoughts to rest. Your care will be beyond outstanding.
I don't think there is a person out there anywhere that would not be suffering from anxiety or freaking out on the inside like I did. That's a normal response.
When is your upcoming surgery?
Have you made a list of questions?
Are you able to be physically active and exercise?
Do you have a hobby or something you love to do that can help you focus on positive thoughts?

REPLY
1 reply
vmestrada16 | @vmestrada16 | Jun 24 10:18am
In reply to @karukgirl "Hello @vmestrada16, First, let me welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you found..." + (show)
@karukgirl

Hello @vmestrada16,
First, let me welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you found this online support group.
Have you had a chance to read some of the many posts on Connect about open heart surgery?
Like this:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-i-learned-from-my-open-heart-surgery-part-1/
Is your surgery for Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy? I don't want to assume that just because you posted in the HCM group...
Second, anyone would be anxious and nervous going in for open heart surgery.
It's a big surgery.
Thankfully, you are going to the Mayo Clinic, and they are the finest in the world for this particular procedure. They are a Center of Excellence and stand out as a world leader in the treatment of HCM.
Knowing that is helpful to put some of those anxious thoughts to rest. Your care will be beyond outstanding.
I don't think there is a person out there anywhere that would not be suffering from anxiety or freaking out on the inside like I did. That's a normal response.
When is your upcoming surgery?
Have you made a list of questions?
Are you able to be physically active and exercise?
Do you have a hobby or something you love to do that can help you focus on positive thoughts?

Jump to this post

Hypertrophic obstruction cardiomyopathy. Yes I have read some of the stories on here. My surgery is on July 9th. No I can't exercise or be active I get tired and out of breath quickly. Puzzles,music and sudoku I love doing.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Debra, Volunteer Mentor | @karukgirl | Jun 24 10:53am
In reply to @vmestrada16 "Hypertrophic obstruction cardiomyopathy. Yes I have read some of the stories on here. My surgery is..." + (show)
@vmestrada16

Hypertrophic obstruction cardiomyopathy. Yes I have read some of the stories on here. My surgery is on July 9th. No I can't exercise or be active I get tired and out of breath quickly. Puzzles,music and sudoku I love doing.

Jump to this post

That's coming right up!
At least you have something you love doing that keeps your mind busy.
It sounds like you are at a point that this surgery will give you back your life...it's difficult when you get short of breath doing almost nothing! I remember hanging laundry made me short of breath and left my heart racing. It took a toll on my attitude and affected my everyday life.
I'm so grateful I had the surgery. I've never regretted a minute since and feel like I got a second chance for life again!

REPLY
brumasterj | @brumasterj | Jun 24 6:00pm

If you wasnt nervous there would be something wrong!
But you will be in the best care
The worst for me is the motionsickness the pain was very manegable for me that is! I know everyone is different with pain and other things but when you get there they take you back to a room for prep and tell you when you will probably not remember anything! I told my wife buy and closed my eyes next thing im in ICU with very talented nurses:)
You will be fine

REPLY
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