Health

ShazzieB

(18,851 posts)

50. I know the prospect of such major surgery is scary.

Tue Jul 12, 2022, 10:03 PM

Jul 2022

Last edited Tue Jul 12, 2022, 10:54 PM - Edit history (1)

I remember how freaked out I was 4 years ago when I found out I needed to have my aortic valve replaced. I have never not wanted to do something I desperately needed to do SO much. The risks were very scary, but in the end, the decision pretty much made itself. The choice was between taking that journey into the unknown or experiencing steadily declining health for the rest of whatever shortened life span I had left. I was not willing to settle for the latter.

The recovery was grueling, but considering the alternative, SO worth it. I pray it will be the same for you if you have your shunt surgery. Wishing you the absolute best of everything!

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62 replies

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The time may have arrived. Diagnosed with a condition 10+ years ago, [View all] elleng Jul 2022 OP

Peace and healing XanaDUer2 Jul 2022 #1

Ellen I am thinking of you. These chronic conditions are so hard. Please keep us posted. emulatorloo Jul 2022 #2

Best wishes to you, elleng. brer cat Jul 2022 #3

hoping for your best outcome rurallib Jul 2022 #4

Wishing you all the best whatever you decide, elleng. Diamond_Dog Jul 2022 #5

Best wishes. Bristlecone Jul 2022 #6

Best wishes in... 2naSalit Jul 2022 #7

Hang in there, Ellen... TygrBright Jul 2022 #8

Thanks, Bright. elleng Jul 2022 #12

warm wishes and hope for a healing outcome CurtEastPoint Jul 2022 #9

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this, Ellen. Sending healing vibes, along highplainsdem Jul 2022 #10

I wish you health and happiness. And whatever you need to get better Maraya1969 Jul 2022 #11

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jul 2022 #13

I am hoping and praying you will manage this and it will be questionseverything Jul 2022 #14

Sending good thoughts and I am confident you will make the best decision for your treatment. MLAA Jul 2022 #15

Very best wishes. usonian Jul 2022 #16

All my best wishes, Ellen. Solly Mack Jul 2022 #17

Good luck. multigraincracker Jul 2022 #18

Good, that's what I want to hear!!! elleng Jul 2022 #19

Sorry to hear. I hope you get well soon. Pepsidog Jul 2022 #20

I hope you get treatment soon Demovictory9 Jul 2022 #21

Warm wishes for a successful surgery Fla Dem Jul 2022 #22

Sending strong, strong healing vibes to you. Hoping all works out fine. LoisB Jul 2022 #23

ellen.. wishing you a rapid recovery Peacetrain Jul 2022 #24

Thanks. Good for your niece. elleng Jul 2022 #25

You'll be fine. c-rational Jul 2022 #26

I wish you a speedy recovery should you decide on surgery. You are so valued and your alwaysinasnit Jul 2022 #27

Sent up some healing vibes for you @elleng. Blessings to you. n/t iluvtennis Jul 2022 #28

All the best to you, elleng LNM Jul 2022 #29

Yikes! I hope this gets better with minimal treatment Wicked Blue Jul 2022 #30

Thanks, Blue. elleng Jul 2022 #31

My mother had to have shunts put in when she was 70. BittyJenkins Jul 2022 #32

Thanks! Excellent! elleng Jul 2022 #35

My sister has one. It made all the difference alfredo Jul 2022 #33

Good to hear; happy to hear WHENEVER they work! elleng Jul 2022 #37

Healing vibes to you, my friend FakeNoose Jul 2022 #34

As far as brain surgeries go, this one is farly low risk and high benefit. Warpy Jul 2022 #36

Good to hear the low risk and high benefit, elleng Jul 2022 #39

Welllll, shiiiit. Warpy Jul 2022 #46

Great, from Hopkins, around the corner! elleng Jul 2022 #48

Oh man. Please know... MontanaMama Jul 2022 #38

just focus on the benefits NJCher Jul 2022 #40

OH Cher, cataract surgeries were SO 'good!' elleng Jul 2022 #42

Wishing for the best tosh Jul 2022 #41

I am sorry you have to deal with this mgardener Jul 2022 #43

So sorry to hear this ellen. Docreed2003 Jul 2022 #44

All the best to you elleng. rubbersole Jul 2022 #45

I'm so sorry you are going through this Ellen PatSeg Jul 2022 #47

Oh elleng, how difficult it must be for you question everything Jul 2022 #49

I know the prospect of such major surgery is scary. ShazzieB Jul 2022 #50

Thanks, ShazzieB. elleng Jul 2022 #52

Oops, I posted twice. ShazzieB Jul 2022 #51

That sounds intense wendyb-NC Jul 2022 #53

You are lucky. My dad did not get diagnosed until it was too late to put a shunt in. applegrove Jul 2022 #54

Oh GOLLY! SO sorry. elleng Jul 2022 #55

Best of luck! applegrove Jul 2022 #56

A family friend had this surgery. Afterward, it never bothered her again. nt eppur_se_muova Jul 2022 #57

Good to hear! elleng Jul 2022 #59

Tough situation... sorry to hear you're going through this, elleng. JudyM Jul 2022 #58

FINALLY have appointment to begin whatever process @ Johns Hopkins, elleng Dec 2022 #60

All the best, let us know how things go. Marylanders are steady & strong as you know! appalachiablue Dec 2022 #61

Thanks, a'blue. elleng Dec 2022 #62