TLDR: dicky ticker, possible surgery, scared witless.
I am in my late 60s, with all the usual issues that go with aging. I recently began having some cardiac problems (family history is full of such). After a battery of tests, I have been diagnosed with ventricular septum disorder (VSD), aka “a hole in the heart”. Apparently I have had this since birth but it was never diagnosed. My parents were occupied with my 3 siblings, each of whom was dealing with a different life-threatening illness - polio, meningitis and cancer (this was the 50s). I was the one kid who appeared normal and apparently healthy.
This diagnosis explains a lot - easily tired, zero athletic inclination or endurance, last pick for the softball team :D. The cardiologist explained to me that surgery might be required to repair the hole, depending on its size.
I made the mistake of asking what the surgery would entail :smack:. Opening the chest, heart/lung machine, slap on the patch, check for leaks, close chest and into the ICU for a few days and Bob’s yer uncle.
No. Just. No. The head monkeys are running around screaming. I have had surgery before but the idea of someone mucking around with my heart is terrifying. Has anyone here had this done as an adult? Recovery time? I have far too vivid an imagination.
BTW - the cardiac institute here is one of the best in the country, so there’s that.
Surgeons take the kind of vacations the rest of us wish we could take. That’s because they’re good at what they do, and not many people can do it.
I don’t know anyone who’s had your surgery, but I know two people who’ve had heart valve replacements. Apparently, this surgery involves opening up the chest like the hood of your car (OK, bonnet to you), pulling the heart out, laying it on a table, and working on it with, I dunno, a sewing machine?
Both these people came through fine. One was walking around the hospital within a week or two, as I recall. When I go visit the other tonight, I’ll ask how long his recovery took.
Anyway, these heart specialist guys do this every day, and they get pretty good at it. I’d be more worried about running out of reading material during the recovery.
So did that post come across too flippant? If so, I apologize. And I’m not sure what gave me the idea that you were British; these kind of things I just do. I also forgot to ask D. how long his recovery took, but I plan to see him Sunday, so remind me.
If it seems like I’m minimizing your fears, though, that’s because your fears - while very real, and very appropriate to the gravity of the situation - don’t reflect the actual odds of a bad outcome.
A little googling shows that, even if you really do need the surgery, which, as you’ve said is not a done deal, your odds of coming through - not just intact, but significantly better than before, perhaps even better than ever - are not just good, but overwhelmingly good. Great. A lock.
So concentrate on that, if you like. And the fact that you’ll soon be playing softball better than ever.
I’m Canadian of British ancestry, so you are close enough! I have a very Brit sense of humour so to me your response did not read as flippant. I tend to use humour to mask or deflect the emotion underneath - sometimes I feel like I should have my own spot at the local comedy club.
I’ve managed to climb most of the way back down, thanks to your post and some common sense talking from spouse, best friend and my cardiologist. The Heart Institute here is one of the best and surgery like that proposed is routine to them, if not to me. And it may not be required.
Not softball (last pick for the team, remember). Horseback rides in the back country, pole bending, and for some excitement a little Western Show Jumping - grab horn, close eyes and pray the horse makes it over the six-inch log without spooking.
Thanks again for the sensible advice and I will advise of the outcome, whatever it is!
My mother had two open heart operations, cracked chest, heart-lung machine, etc. Not for the same problem you had but still, serious heart operations.
Yes, it’s scary, yes, it’s serious, but the second one went a LOT better than the first despite her deteriorating health because there had been advances in techniques for both the surgery and the recovery. Modern medicine has a pretty good grip on this. Mom lived nearly 20 years past her second surgery, and that was despite an illness that continued to do damage the whole time.
If you’re otherwise in decent health while there may be risks this isn’t an unreasonable thing.
By all means, get a second opinion if you desire, ask about all your options, your concerns and fears. It is serious surgery, but cardiac problems are also serious.
I think the last time I was truly scared was when my brother called me and simply said “My daughter has a hole in her heart.” She was about 6 days old at the time. Maybe not exactly the same as you, but she needed open-heart surgery just a little over a week after her birth.
She’s working on her PhD now and hasn’t a bit of a problem.
So I guess what I am saying is; yeah, people rummaging around in your chest cavity is not the greatest thing, but they know what they are doing and it will improve your life.
Mine was a fused aortic valve “probably congenital” the doc said, started having problems when I was about 60. I had my chest cracked and all the other good stuff from the OP. I can think of better ways to spend a weekend (or a month, or more), but it’s worth it.
I feel a lot better, my doctor is somewhat astonished at how well my heart has recovered, and a former boss was amazed at how energetically I move around.
Don’t hesitate if you have to have the surgery. A second opinion is always good, so go for that too, but keep in mind that everybody involved knows what they’re doing. and they will take good care of you.
My aunt had a valve replacement this summer (she’s 71). The statistics for success & survival are surprisingly good; much better than we guessed before we looked them up. She came through fine, was chomping at the bit to get into rehab and to drive again and all those milestones. She’s had a bit of a problem with fevers post-op, apparently due to an autoimmune reaction triggered by cutting at her endocardium (?), but otherwise all is well.
I’m sorry you’re on this side of the surgery. Anticipation suuuuuucks.