I've got to have heart surgery

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Its taken approx 4 months for them to finally tell me that I'm going to have to have heart surgery. they told me that they cant find a pulse below my waist and thats the reason for my legs going numb.

Im sure you can all probably guess that I live alone and I dont have many friends. The only family I'vegot is my 70yrold mom who lives some distance away

I dont even know whats gonnna happen or who can feed my cats for me while I'm in the hospital. I have no idea how long its going to take to recover from it either.

Im quite scared and now I'm having even more difficulty sleeping, I don't think I've gotten more than 4hrs a day in the last 4

so yea I'm pretty much freaking out, I can't even stop shaking right now as I type this

I hope that the surgery goes well and if I lived close to you, I'd love to feed your cats for you. Hugs

hi
I hope your surgery goes well. Regarding your cats: is there a neighbour you could ask to look after them or if not is there an animal rescue centre that would take them in while you are in hospital. I really hope it all works out ok for you.

My guess is that you may have to be in a rehab facility for a little while after the surgery, if you are having the problems with your legs. I would imagine you would be eligible for visiting nurses' services through the VA once you are discharged, but you'd need to talk with them and see what is available to you.

Besides the idea of contacting an animal shelter about the cats, I'd also recommend calling local churches to see if they could get volunteers to help.

Please hang in there and keep us posted. I can definitely empathize with what it feels like to go through serious health problems without family and a support network, so I'm concerned about how you're doing.

COuld you ask your mum for advice? If not do you have adult social services who might be able to offer you advice about your cats and maybe offer some support.

I think maybe you should definitely get in touch with your GP/ the consultant about firstly the recovery time, rehabilitation anything else your unsure of and also explain that you are worried/ not sleeping and you are socially isolated and are possibly on the spectrum.

KNowledge is power!

Good luck with the surgery

.

I had brain surgery when I was 15, it's not on the same level as what you have to deal with but I hope I can maybe help give some relief. I was horrified to learn I had brain tumor, On 9/11 my dad told me I was having surgery the next morning at 7am. I honestly threw up every 20 minutes for the whole day because my stress levels were so high. The doctors were honest too, they said there would difficulties (It was on my pituitary gland and stretching my optic nerve), side effects, and they were up front, they said this surgery can be fatal.

I did have a support group, with my parents and sister, I can't imagine how difficulty and stressed your situation is with just your mum. The advice I can give you is, post on the forums, talk to us and share your worries and fears, WP is your support team and there are many people happy to listen, give advice if they can, or just say, I'm there for you and it will be alright. Realize that yes, you are having serious surgery, but do what I did, realize that there are still things you want to do, places you want to visit, adventures you want to enjoy. Keep those in mind because you know what, you're going to make it through this and you'll get to go after those dreams and thoughts.

I'm not the praying type but I do want to tell you that we're here for you and will be thinking about you and awaiting your thread saying "I'm back!". Also on another note, when I had my surgery, I was given some kind of weird drink thing in a vial and it gives you selective amnesia, 5 minutes after you take it you are till awake and aware but for whatever reason you don't remember any of it. I don't remember the name, but if you are really worried, ask your doctor about it, it helped me.

You take care and keep posting on the forums and we'll all do our best to be there

OK I've got one problem solved. My mom said that she would be staying at my house when I go in and for a bit of the recovery time..

I'm not going to know about recovery time untill my next visit, which as of now is not scheduled.

and.... until they decide what type of surgery they are going to do

THANKS EVERYONE it helps just knowing you all are here! I'll keep you all up to date.

my mom realizes how much my cats mean to me, plus she thinks they are awesome also. I wish I could trust my neighbors but they are stranger than I am

*Hugs*

Don't you worry. You'll be fine. Heart surgery is carried out every single day to loads of people. And you're strong, you will cope with it, and in a few months time you won't even remember this. So don't feel miserable. Cheer up. Smile. I'm here to support you. And so are loads of other people who would give anything to be there with you if they only had the courage to peer a little into your beautiful soul.

Best of luck.

Acacia.

It sounds difficult not knowing what to expect, I hope they tell you soon.
The above poster is right, surgery is serious but there are a lot of people who go through this & recover with improved health afterwards.
Meanwhile there are a lot of WP well wishes going on just for you

I wish you the best! Try not to worry too much, I know you'll be ok! ^^ Just remember there lots of people here who care and here to support you. Much love and hugs!

Gosh, gadge, I'd be scared too. Remind yourself that we are thinking positive for you - and you keep thinking that way too. When I'm really scared it helps a bit to make a list of important and/or good stuff to think about and if I stick to that it can help. Otherwise being an undisciplined sort of person I start spiraling into negative. It's going to be better when you get through and are healed up again and can go on with life. Keep us posted. If I were close by I'd take care of your cats. I'm quite qualified you see as that is my main career and purpose in life according to my three cats. :)
Take your cats' love for you with you to the hospital, too. If they could talk that's what they might tell you.

Thank You All ! Especially the hugs (can't remember my last actual one)

The not knowing what to expect is rough but I know I'll get through it. I can't wait till I can get back to running up stairs 3 at a time again and mountain biking. This last year I was not able to do much at all. They say the mind and one's attitude can effect your health, I'm just realizing how much the opposite is true. Worst Christmas ever !

@ Nier

I'm expecting a phone call tomorrow to schedule an appointment.

@ whitemissacacia

These are quite possibly the kindest words I've ever heard.

@ mntn13

I tend to do this also, especially when I have the facts


If its ok, I'll be taking some of yours as well as the others that have had kind supportive words

@Miharu

And they say we don't have any empathy, what do they know ! !!