Comments on: “When I Wake Up In The ICU, How Many Tubes Will Be Sticking Out Of Me?” Asks Gwen

By: wendy suchinski

wendy suchinski — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:26:39 +0000

The tubes are short lived. I am 3 weeks post op aortic valve replacement and am still finding remnants of all the sticky stuff that holds all those tubes,lines,and telemetry in place. I think it will be awhile before it’s all gone.

By: Meigs

Meigs — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:16:39 +0000

I had mitral valve surgery last Dec. When I woke up, The only “tube” I was aware of was the vent tube- but I found that easy to deal with. I knew that they would want me to be calm. I enjoyed being very still and listening in on the nurses conversations. They told me they were waiting for some value- I think it was blood pressure before removing it- I did feel assured that they would remove it as soon as they could. I asked and asnwered by writing on the chalk board they held for me. As I had meds in me from the surgery still- it was not like I was entirely awake as I am now- analyzing – it was very easy to go with the flow. I did not feel or care to count any other tubes then. By the next day when I was more aware and the tube gone (which was no problem going) – I could notice the ivs and the wires and catheter- but I was most interested in being happy it was over and went well, seeing my family was there and sleeping… Meigs

By: Gary Loveland

Gary Loveland — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:50:53 +0000

To whom all are that are having heart surgery. Fist I’ve never had heart surgery but my dear wife has had four. The first in 1975 which back then was a rare thing. You didn’t even talk about it because you new the outcome could be bad. Back when my wife had her first we where ignorant to what was going on but it wasn’t pleasent and it was more of a reseach thing then now. They didn;t talk about it back then ,it was just done. Now everyone talks about heart surgery. Which can be better depending on how you look at things. Heart surgery patients meaning bypass patients tend to do farely well and tend to get out of the hopsital quicker then valve surgery patients. They tend to stay a couple of days longer. As far as pain every person is different and also how well you doctors are on top of this. Feel freely to tell them your concerns and fears because it helps them to treat you. My wife feared the vent tubes and struggeled with them therefore had to be tired down some. Which frustrated her, but I new they where protecting her and even tried keeping her heavily sedated. It was a long and hard battle the forth time. People what they never tell you and this is the honest gods truth once a heart surgery your more then likely to have another. Each time seems to be a little harder then the last. This is where I say have a good heart surgeon. My wifes was Todd Dewey at Medical City Dallas and he was incredible. She had complicatoins, seizures etc, etc, life support – ICU AND NICU and even in critical care, etc. Bottom line is everyone needs to be open and honest and have a understanding of your desires. My wife and I clearly did with the surgeons and above all they where very supportive of her wishes. She was always a strong person at heart but when your having heart surgery and all the drugs sometimes your fears over come you while you are medicated. I stayed with her a lot this forth time and understood her better then anyone else and thats the main reason she made it. She couldn’t talk because of all the tubes, the vent machine etc, etc. but what she could do was see I was there and always being caring and supportive which helped a lot. If the patient sees you get scare they get scared. Believe me at times I could have been if only you new what we dealth with but my final say is “god was the get through person”. She was on life support much longer the we’d like, etc, but god has his hand in all things – we took it for the better. I saw stressed doctors, stressed nurses but always remember to ask god to keep his hand on all of them, including yourselves. My advise is to have good listeners and caring people around. We didn’t have that, there was no one. But we are blessed because we know ours hearts and forgive others. Because we want others to forgive us. I’ll say keep focused on your god and loved ones – we all need them and god be with you all. Rememebr each person is different and outcomes and reactions will be different for everyone. Be pateint and be strong and take in as much love as you can get………..

By: Louise

Louise — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:26:33 +0000

The comment above was left by my baby brother….DAN….. Adam your book has been invaluable in his pre-op phase,sharing your story has been helpfu ,I’m sure, to so many…. And I want to thank you for your efforts, A GOD send to many….”everything’s gonna be alright”… don;t worry JuDY….;)

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:19:28 +0000

WOW! My best friend bought your book for me last week. I have read it cover to cover. My surgery is set for 7:30 am tomorrow. (bicuspid valve relacement and an aortic root aneurysm).
As I read Dan Burke’s comments from 09/03/09 it gave me a most positive feeling…………same first name same age and most importantly his last three words……….GODSEND TO ME!!!!
Just like your book.

THANK YOU !

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:09:31 +0000

Hi i had aortic valve replacement on 29th april 2010 due to severe aortic stenosis from bicuspid valve.although they give you books to read on before cardic surgery and also after cardiac surgery i was still terrified, i have big breasts and had a bit of trouble could not wear a bra for support because my wound between my boobs at the bottom and also the drain hole and the 2 wires into the heart so had to go without so they could heal.so my chest is still a little sore along with everthing else sholders neck back etc, i remember the ventilator tube as i gagged on it a couple of times they said would take it out when my oxygen readings were normal my family just looked at me in icu and started to cry because of all the attached tubes etc thank god i did’t see.still can’t sleep properly as well as having hot flushes from change of life still have neck and back pain, have had some physio lately is helping hopefully i will be ok before i go back to work.

By: jennifer mc cabe

jennifer mc cabe — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:36:23 +0000

hi adam my name is jennifer mc cabe i am 19 years of age and on wensday coming i am due to have the ross procedure done i have had the ballon done 3 times in my life and they all went fine. but this one is different im not sure what way i will react afterwards, i have a little boy he is 15 months now and i dont want to be away from him for to long or not be able to hold him. i was told it will take 2 months to recovery but does it really.

By: Barbara J.

Barbara J. — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:13:43 +0000

For Rick Parks or anyone who has traveled a long way for their sugery–
I, too, am going to Cleveland Clinic for an aortic replacement–2 hour flight. I am wondering about the discomfort in flying back versus a very long road trip. I am planning 9 days in a nearby hotel before returning.
I am not finding information on the pros and cons of air travel.

By: Dan Burk

Dan Burk — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:02:47 +0000

Thanks everyone for your comments, stories, suggestions, etc. I think all this information is great stuff!
I’ll be joining the ranks of all of you who have had heart surgery very soon. I have severe mitral valve regurgitation and I’m going in for my angiogram next week and will follow with the surgery probably a week or two after that. I’m going to be getting Adam’s book ASAP and I’m really glad that I stumbled on this site. My wife and I are still trying to weigh the pros and cons of going with the open heart surgery or opting for the Da Vinci (robotic) method. I would GREATLY appreciate any information that anyone might have on one vs. the other. My wife was a SICU nurse for a long time and she is concerned about the lenth of time on the pump with the robotic surgery. I’m 47 and in good health. My anxiety level just went up a couple of notches after my cardiology visit this morning when we decided that this needs to be done sooner rather than later. Any words of encouragement would be most welcome. I had no idea that there were this many people going through the same thing and just want to say that you are all awesome for writing on this blog because it has already been a Godsend to me!!
Thanks all!

By: Marion

Marion — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:55:27 +0000

Hi Gwen
I can understand your fears. I am now 6 weeks post aortic valve surgery and although I had read a lot about the proceedure beforehand I was very very worried about being “wired up” and especially the breathing tube which I really feared. I had heard dreadful stories about it and knew I would be gagging. However, surgery stories are a bit like those you hear before having a baby in that it is different for everyone and horror stories should not be listened to. Just focus on the fact that the cardiac team do everything they can to make you comfortable and they deal with any discomfort you may experience quickly and efficiently without making a big thing of it.

I had my surgery at the Royal Jubillee Hospital in Victoria Bc and they have an excellent pre-surgery information orientation session which all patients have to attend the day before. During that session they take the patient and their immediate carer into the ICU so they can see first hand patients wired up and recovering. At that time we could ask questions. I was not shocked by any of this because I had read Adams book but my husband and daughter reeled a bit with shock but later said it was invaluable.

In my case I was not conscious when the breathing tube was removed and as for all the wires and monitors they were actually placed behind me and therefore I could not see them. Gradually by the time I left intensive care some 18 hours later some of wires and tubes were removed so that when I reached my room on the ward I was not worried about any of them. (Remember your time in the ICU is a haze because you are drifting in and out of consciousness at that time).

I am still in awe of how easy a time I had. After the first few days I only took Tylenol ES and was off them completely at 2 weeks post surgery. The only problems I encountered were rolling in and out of bed and getting up from a chair or toilet without using my arms to steady me. I also had to wear a bra day and night for six weeks because I am well endoured in that area and when lying flat on my back my breasts would have pulled against the cut in my sternum. As such the bra rubbed and pulled on my scar. And that is all I have had to deal with except the extreme tiredness of course.

Stay positive. Ask endless questions. Don’t worry and good luck to you with your op.

Marion