Just Found Out- My mom is having open heart surgery

[Inspired007]

I'm so very sad right now it's unbearable. I'm posting this here b/c I'm most familiar with all of you ladies right now and since we're going through our pg's together I felt that we're all at the same emotional pit stop.

My mom (62) went in to have a catheterization procedure done this morning. She's been having severe chest pains after a quick flight of stairs so last week she had a stress test and the doctor perceived that she had blockage. Today they found out that two of her main arteries are 99% blocked while another is 100% blocked. I'm not sure very well-educated on the anatomy of the heart so I am not sure if there are only 3 arteries from the heart or not. I'm so afraid right now and all kinds of thoughts are racing through my head.

I'm a very faithful person and some would even call me "religious" (although I hate the neg connotation it brings these days) so I fully trust that God's will will be done (although His will and mine may not line up). I just pray that His will does in fact line up with mine since I'm only human and I still need (want) my mommy.

I am newly pregnant with my first child and although my mother has 6 grandchildren (and even 3 great grandchildren) she has made me feel as though it's her first. She is one of those mothers that you feel compelled to share your deepest secrets to b/c you know that she will comfort you. I have often shared my deepest darkest moments of my life with her and she has been there for me with her never failing love and compassion. She is a woman who loved me enough to teach me about God's love for me and when I least expect it she reminds me of His power and mercy.

On one hand I am trying to be optimistic and on the other I keep imagining the worst case. I really want my baby to know how loving and crazy and funny and sincere his/her grandmother is. I pray that my baby gets to meet his/her grandmother. Granny G as she likes to be known.

I remember her telling me that when she was carrying me that she lost her grandmother who she was desperately close to and that she cried so much and so hard that it was no wonder I was such a hyper baby (adult). I keep flashing to me mourning my mother while I'm carrying my baby. I can't stop these images and every time one pops up I start to tear up. I'm at work and I am trying not to fall apart. For those of you who pray, please pray for my mom and my family. For those of you who don't, just send a few good thought my way.:

thanks,

[mommy-X-2]

Originally Posted by Inspired007

so I fully trust that God's will will be done (although His will and mine may not line up). I just pray that His will does in fact line up with mine since I'm only human and I still need (want) my mommy.

In the end thats really all we can do. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God will help you emotionally handel whatever may happen.

[jrayn]

I can't imagine... but if it makes you feel any better I have had several family members and friends of family that have gone through this procedure and they are fine now although on meds and checking their blood pressure regularly, and they would probably be better off if they ate better but hopefully that is reassuring a tiny bit, of course still major and very scary when it is happening to a person so close and so loved!!

[MrsAngelic]

I won't pretend I know what you're going through. It is a scary, saddening situation to be in. All the "what if's" going through your mind and pulling your already tender from pregnancy emotions along. Hope this doesn't sound completely nutty, but try to take 3 minutes, close your eyes and breath deeply and slowly, just try to concentrate on the sound of your breath and nothing else. When you're done, the problem will not have gone away, but it may help you get through work. I'll pray for your mother, that this surgery will be pure blessing, helping her with the problems she was experiencing beforehand. She sounds like an amazing person who would really be missed by many.

[knowerofnada]

Oh mama, my thoughts are with both of you. You poor dear. I will certainly keep her in my positive thoughts. Hugs to you -- take care of you for us.

[Salihah]

Oh my gosh. Sending love and prayers to you dear mama.

Please, please keep us updated. I'll be thinking about you a lot. I can't imagine. My dad went through something like this over a year ago now, it was terrible. I really, really feel for your. Hang in there. Take care of yourself. Let yourself feel. We're all thinking about you and here for you.

[fallriverfox]

Many

And prayers for grace and courage for you in this hard time, and healing for your mother.

[Inspired007]

Thank you all so much for the support. Her surgery is this coming Tuesday. I'm leaving after work tomorrow and going to Louisville to spend time with her before the surgery. I won't be back to work until Wednesday barring that nothing out of the ordinary happens. I've had a little time to adjust and have been doing an incredible amount of reading so i'm a little more calm now.

Thanks again for all your support. I will be sure to keep you posted.

[EENS]

I am sorry you and your mom have to go through this. When is the surgery?

[Maple Leaf Mama]

Hi Mama,
I couldn't read this and not post.
My 3.5 YO had open heart surgery at the end of Nov. It was harder on the rest of us. Waiting for info is so hard! I won't go into all the details, b/c adults are totally different than adults in the way they heal.

But wanted to say that my Dad had a massive heart attack while visiting us over Christmas. His Left descending aorta (LAD) was 100% blocked. This aorta is also referred to as the Widow maker because so many HA's happen here.
My brother died of his (same spot) in July. (Yes, it's been a crappy year)

Anyway, just wanted to say that your mother is so fortunate that her blockages were caught in advance. There is more you can do before the H.A happens than after- because then you need to deal with the heart damage. (My Dad is now being treated for pnemonia b/c the bottom of his heart isn't pumping properly and there is fluid backup. If this had been caught early, well, I just wish it had been. Which is why I say your mother is so fortunate. My Dad was very nearly alone in my house in a strange city when this occured-we had NO idea he was ill.

I will keep your mother in my thoughts today and hope all goes well. Please update when you have some information! (((HUGS)))

[Dena]

Oh, I am so sorry you are going through this. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[mrsrwbabe]

I have been dealing with my father being in hospital this past week and quite seriously ill, so I had missed this post altogether.
I will be praying for your mother and you and hope for a quick recovery and smooth healing.
:

[flowers]

I send you all my love!

Two weeks after I found out I was pregnant with ds #1 my mil (who we were living with) was diagnosed with a very large brain tumor. It was very hard on the whole family and I particularly struggled with it being pregnant. She went through two major surgeries before ds was born but was there to hold him at his birth. All my prayers to you....I know how hard this can be.

Love your mama and show your babe the depth of the a mother-child bond.

[Inspired007]

Whew! What a rough week! But at least I can say that we all made it through. My mom had her surgery last Tuesday and is being discharged from the hospital right now as I type! Hallelujah!

She ended up having a quadruple bypass and I took the entire week off last week to be with her. I just got back into town on Sat. Today is my first day at work since Feb 16. Last week was both long and short. After my mother was out of the woods, I could finally relax and enjoy the days I had off. We ended up getting a free crib and mattress set for free from my aunt so at least we can say some good things came out of it!

Thank you all so much for the support and prayers. It means a lot!

We're are now currently looking forward to our first u/s on March 1!

[Dena]

Yay!! You have been in our thoughts and prayers. I am so glad things turned out well. And hooray for the free crib, too - those are the best kind!!

We have our first u/s March 1 as well. I am down to counting the hours.

[jrayn]

: I was wondering how it went, I am glad she is doing so well!

[ASusan]

I'm so glad to read that your mother is through the surgery and out of the woods.

I have my first ultrasound on Thursday, too. High anticipation!