Kathryn's Guestbook

Hi Kathryn. You\'re probably sleeping well by now, but I just saw your comments about the recliner. I had a full sternotomy, aneurysm repair, aortic valve repair, and pulmonary vein isolation 11 months ago. Like you, I had a lot of post-surgery back and shoulder discomfort, and I had to use a bolster and semi-recline in order to get any sleep. I just checked my journal, and I happily reported that I slept flat all night between 6 and 7 weeks after surgery. At 6 weeks I also started rehab. I too was fit before surgery, and they suggested only 6 weeks instead of the usual 12 weeks of rehab. I think it\'s a good idea to do some rehab even if you\'re fit--a lot of things got shaken and stirred during the surgery! Hope you\'re doing well. LaVonne Neff

Hi Kath- My first week home I prob napped twice a day, second week once. At 5 wks out I haven\'t napped the last two probably. Some nights I toss and turn(which is why I am responding at 146 am). I havent taken pain meds in 2 wks. The docs/nurses were 50.50 on my needing cardiac rehab, but having pnemonia and CHF prior to surgery I ended up needing this. I am glad I am going now as there are senior citizens next to me doing better and Im not even working to my targeted hr yet, Yes, some days are still good and some still tire easy but in most cases I see improvement as the days pass. It is hard when you work full time to slow down and take care of yourself. Hope I addressed most of your comments. Be patient and take the time you need to heal. Without our health we have nothing. Take care. Karen Campo

Hi, Kathryn -- I\'m sure you\'ll hear that \"everyone heals differently\" but, since you asked, here\'s my take on it: 1. The back pain -- like many people, the back/shoulder pain was really uncomfortable. I had a median sternotomy for MVR and expected sternum and chest pain. I *didn\'t* expect feeling like I\'d been hung by my neck. One of those microwaveable grain filled heating thingies brought relief, but I\'d say it was about 4 weeks before I realized it wasn\'t all that bad. 2. A good night sleep? Forget about sleeping at the hospital, and I slept in a recliner for about 3 weeks when I got home. So, again, 4 weeks seems to be the turnaround. 3. I don\'t believe I\'ve taken a nap since surgery. Which is weird, because I was taking naps BEFORE surgery! I\'d go to bed early for the first month. Now, at about 7 weeks, I\'m having a hard time falling asleep. 4. Starting cardiac rehab? I haven\'t gotten there yet. Seems like it depends on the operation, but lots of folks seem to go at about 6 weeks. 5. My vision returns to normal? My vision didn\'t change, but I was getting ocular migraines for about 2-1/2 weeks. 6. My appetite returns to normal? That was gradual....I had no appetite in the hospital and it was probably 2 weeks home before I felt much like eating. Hope that helps ... Selma

Hi Kathryn, Ok I mentione the heating pad to you, but Linda D. also had a travel pillow that she said helped her a lot. I plan on getting one. I guess it is round like a donut and JC Penneys sells them. Yes some meds can make you constipated. Get a stool softner of some kind that should help and drink lots of water. Just hang in there the day will come you will feel better. I havent been there yet for this but had another surgery allong time ago so can relate to that. It does take awhile. Good luck to you. For the long haul Linda H

I took naps for about a month or so after surgery, just without thinking about it didn\'t need them anymore. I did not do the formal rehab, it just didn\'t fit my schedule, by 3 weeks post I was walking 3 miles a day and at day 52 went hiking in the mountains. I had to set goals to keep myself motivated but have been progressing above the curve according to docs, keep positive and you will do fine.

Kathryn, I had surgery on 5/9/12 and I found that in my circumstance the discomfort in my back and neck was my biggest complaint. I had gotten a recliner prior to surgery (this was my way of getting something I had wanted for several years!) and I have found it to be helpful. Yet, its best days are ahead as I use it the way it is supposed to be used, to watch tv and fall alsleep for a little while! Yet, as it turned out sleeping was a little bit of a challenge and I ended up combining 3 things throughout the night. I started out in the recliner, then switched to the couch and then ended up in my bed around 5:00am. For me each offered a different way to deal with my back discomfort. Yet, after about 5 weeks I was able to use my bed and the back and neck discomfort is almost completely gone. I believe that the sleeping issue for me was just part of the \"adventure\" of recovery from surgery. In other words it was just something that I had to manage for a short time. Wes Phillips MVR 5/9/12

Hi Kathryn. I had my AVR May 8th, because of complications I spent 13 days in the hospital. Sleeping was a problem I would lay in bed for a few hours and then would get up and try the recliner for a while. Nothing seemed to give any relief for more than a short time. It is now 6 weeks since my first surgery and 2 1/2 weeks since my 2nd surgery and for the past week I have been sleeping 7or 8 hours in my own bed. I am sure that if it weren\'t for the second surgery I would have been sleeping normally weeks ago. Just be patient in a few weeks you will be back to your old routine. Bill Fix

Hi Kathryn Try using a heating pad for the back pain. I have heard that you can rent one of those recliners. Might be worth it. Call Arrons or rent a center. Somebody said that got a wedge pillow for their bed.Good luck to you hope all else is going well for you. For the long haul Linda H

Kathryn: my wife Mollie is facing AVR surgery in August. We\'ve been advised to buy a small electric lift that sits in the seat of the recliner. It\'s very affordable compared with the cost of the lift chair. Also, we\'ve decided on the Ross Procedure. I\'m curious if you ever considered that? Best wishes for continued recovery.