My husband is having bypass surgery and an aortic valve replacement in the morning.

[MyMission]

16. Both of my parents had heart surgery

My dad had a quintuple bypass in 1989, months before her turned 70, and he lived 10 more years with a much better quality of life. My mother, an RN, was involved in his recovery.
20+ years later my mom had valve replacement at age 86, after suffering congestive heart failure.
She lived several more years, and died peacefully in her sleep before her 90th birthday.

I was very nervous when my mom had her surgery, but she came through it and also had a good quality of life in her final years. She trusted the procedure and the surgeon more than I did. She was released to the facility she was living in, and I didn't have to worry about arrangements for post op care and rehab. Usually the medical staff make those referrals after surgery.

With both parents having heart issues, and 3 out of 4 grandparents I figure I may be looking at heart surgery down the road. The cardiac care has gotten better and better over the years, but it's still scary whether the surgery is for oneself or a loved one. Please keep us posted.

I find baths and classical music relaxing, individually or together. I hope you can get some rest tonight, and that everything goes smoothly.