Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog

I was just surfing the Internet when I came across a furry teddy bear designed for… Yes, you guessed it…. Recovering open heart surgery patients.

After rubbing my eyes (and shaking my head a bit), I then noticed the teddy bear had a little zipper on his chest that opened to reveal a stitched heart.

On one hand, I thought, “Seriously? That can’t be real.” Then, when I noticed the price tag, I knew for sure this fluffy creature was definitely very real.

It turns out that the Mended Heart Bear is part of a line of get-well bears from Bummer Bears. This company makes teddy bears for patients recovering from broken bones, appendix removals and heart surgery.

What will they think of next?

Keep on tickin!

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I just received a great question from Mark that relates to cardiac depression after heart valve surgery.

Mark writes, “Adam – Thanks for your book and website. It’s pretty amazing what you have done for so many patients who need heart valve surgery. As for my question, I am nine weeks post-surgery. I feel like my mental health is declining due to the operation (and other family issues). I’m having more bad days than good days. I’m curious… How long were you in cardiac depression? Thanks, Mark”

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I just read in her Heart Valve Journal that Penny McIntosh has seen her recovery get “back on track” after a few post-operative complications including atrial fibrillation and fluid in her lungs. As you may know, Penny had mitral and tricuspid valve repairs and a MAZE procedure performed on February 26, 2010.

Penny McIntosh – Double Heart Valve Repair Patient

Although her experience has been self-described as a “roller coaster”, Penny’s positive attitude is quickly detected in her recent journal entries:

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Patients and caregivers often ask me about the immediate, post-op experience in the intensive care unit. Common questions include:

• How long were you in the intensive care unit?
• Did you experience pain immediately?
• Was your family allowed in the ICU area?
• How many tubes were sticking out of you when you woke up?

However, one of more common questions I get is, “How did you feel as you came out of general anesthesia?” Honestly, I don’t remember much – just bits and pieces of the first few hours after surgery. But, lucky for me, my family has clued me in on the strange experience of waking up after heart surgery with a ventilator tube, Foley catheter and several other tubes still inserted in my body.

On this topic, I just read that the video below was one of YouTube’s Top 10 Videos of 2009. The video titled “David After Dentist” has been watched over 37 million times this year. It’s not an exact match to the experience of waking up after heart surgery but I think you might find some silly and honest humor as little David talks candidly with his father after dental surgery.

Please remember, each patient case is unique. Just because David was a tad loopy after his surgery, that does not mean you will have the same experience.

Keep on tickin!

P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.