So...Im electing to have open heart surgery.
Ive got some stuff thats rubbing on my heart and it needs removing.
Has anyone here had a sternotomy?
Mines off pump (off the heart and lung machine) so a lot less work than a bypass etc.
I'l be open for only about 2-3 hours
1-2 days in intensive care
oh and my girlfriends a cardiac nurse! result there !!
she says im going to have a 15 cm tube up my shlong, and one in my butt while in ICU.
cant wait for that!
just wondered if anyones been through somethin similiar?
Cheers
Nasi
ps. radical pericardiectomy is what im having done.
I assisted in the operating theatre once when I was training. Nothing to it. I remember
the heart/lung machine guys doing a crossword and asking others for help with the
clues. People get it done all the time. It is pretty standard stuff these days.
My dad had open heart surgery done,triple bypass aoter valve replaced.they gave the valve a 5 year guarantee.This was all done in 1974 when it was still pretty primitive.Valve still works perfectly and the old man is still upright, he's had the double pacemaker fitted and goes in for a regular service.I think it is amazing what the docs can do with your heart.
Probably safer than taking your car for a service.
Good luck to ya and speedy recovery.
all the best with the surgery, after a couple of times under the surgeons knife, I was left with an overwhelming warmth for all the medical staff involved, they are truly wonderful people and it may sound a bit left field, but enjoy the experience and in future understand the need to be a little selfish sometimes when it comes to your own life and outlook, the realization and disbelief happens when you have tubes coming out of you, its an empowering self discovery tour of what you want to achieve and the simple fact of what's important to you in life
I worked in cardiac theatres for a long time, off pump is good! they will keep you at normal temprature and your blood will not have to endure the trip around the pipes and to the machine, and your heart continues to beat throughout the procedure.
Seen a few of these operations, they didnt take to long.
dont be shy with the pain killers
