Hi Bex. By the time you read this you will be back with us. If I'd seen your post before you went under, I would have been able to offer you some reassurance about your big adventure. Well, that is what I called it when I went through a similar mitral valve repair last year. Its a sobering thought to know that someone will be literally holding your heart in their hand. In my case they stopped my heart for almost 4hrs, as there was a bit of extra work they had to do while they were in there. Or maybe the surgeon just wanted to trade his Bremer in on a new Tesla. They did warn me that when i wake up, to expect to feel like I'd been hit by a bus. Glad they warned me otherwise I'd have been worried about what they fluffed up!
Anyhow, it's all worth the journey.
Now I've got back the energy I used to have.
Enjoy your new lease of life!