HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi

One thing I tell folks having a myectomy is that yes - you will wake up intubated. BUT you are in a fog and if you remember to just let the medication keep you in LaLa Land and R E L A X, the tube is really nothing. Hey I gag at the dentist so I was concerned. The nursing is one-on-one there and they do a great job of keeping you in this state. Just try to breathe as fully as you can - the faster your 02 levels go up, the sooner mister tube is gone. Try to do some really DEEP breathing beforehand for a few days it'll help you immensely.
Good Luck - you will do fine.

Hi everyone!
I am a manager of a very unique cancer center. My specialty is Radiation Oncology. I know cancer better than cardiology, but my docs were residents at Mayo and say I have the best care possible there!
I fly out from my home in Billings, MT in the a.m. to Mayo in Rochester. Getting my workup this week, followed by septal myectomy next Monday. This feels like a big deal to me. I was referred after being pulled off a stress echo in January by my cardiologist. I turn 60 on March 20th. This was a shocker having to get this done. Thought I could wait a few more years. But, I get it. My biggest fear is waking up intubated. After that I accept a lot of rehab to get back to a wonderful life. I am spending my time in Rochester alone, so will just try to relax and be positive before the operation. My brother will arrive the night of surgery and be around after that.
I am very anxious. I am the worst patient and just want to be independent, but I know I have to let go of that.
Thanks for listening to me. Pace

Yes, thank you. I see a lot of doctors!

Melissa - are you seeing a HCM specialist? With your complications I would want to be sure you are getting appropriate care.

Hi,
I'm Melissa and started out with HOCM with atrial fibrillation. I was cardioverted a few times and then had an Alcohol Ablation which did get rid of the obstruction but 2 years later it's back. I am going to try it again. They say it happened because I have been taking strong medicines for 30 years. I had 3 kidney transplants. I just wanted to say hello and learn from you. Thank you!

I blew snow two days ago. I can almost do everything, but lifting heavy stuff.

I am not sure. My Dr had me on toprol before surgery and all I did was sleep. Then went on atenolol before surgery and I was ok. After surgery and when I started skipping beats they put me on Sotolol 80 mg which I even tried splitting to 40 in am and 40 in pm. He said this was the last one to try.  I live upstate NY so have local cardio Dr here who is affiliated with Columbia Presbyterian in NYC, but I think I will get in touch with one somewhere else to go over everything. Very frustrating

I wonder if it is caused by your beta blocker. Being so tired. I am getting mine changed up. I refuse to live feeling tired, fatigued, cold and achy.

Hi ! I am 52 year old female who suffered years with HOCM. Last March, I had Septal myectomy, mitral valve replacement, pacemaker and 2 cardiac windows because of bleeding. I spent over 40 days in hospital and went home with openings in scar, infection and pic line. After scar closed and infection cleared I thought it was over. September I had to go back in because scar opened due to infection and needed peck flap surgery.
I am currently pacing at 80 % and had to switch to medicine to stop extra beats. I can't touch chest area because so sore, and live in fear that this is not over yet. Drs say exercise, that would be great if I wasn't always tired and short of breath. Is any of this normal? Has anyone had complications like this? I have been through Harrington rod surgery and surgery for Arnold Chiari (brain) and would prefer going through those again than dealing with this! Thank God I have family and friends who are with me every step of the way!

Thanks. I feel.better after reading your first first few weeks