Patrick's Posts

Glad to say I'm still here ten days out from new valve replacements and i think I need to record a few details about what's been happening to me . First . I surely must have the kindest most caring female friend that it is possible to find on this earth looking after all my necessities and recording all the meds taken , little incidents anomalies, how I feel at different times and after different meds. Second . The horrors of the incision area ( full open heart) have NO T materialized. I have yet to feel any pain in that area . Yes , If I strain or shear or contortion my body then sure I feel pain , but that need not happen if instructions are followed. Third Love / hate relationship with food drinks . Sometimes dying for water , other time have a rabid- like aversion to it. Thought the red punch Gatorade was somewhat good until I developed acid reflux ( one of the biggest curses of the whole ordeal) Four. Anxiety . Get your anxiety problems taken care of , all other edges go after that . Pain pill such as Percocet I found to be awful after first few days and of course take all others as prescribed Five. Energy , just don't expect to have any for quite a while,, maybe 6 weeks Six. Depression moodiness, prepare for it , it will arrive after a week and hang around , maybe pills will fix I don't know Lastly . This is not an ordeal I would like to repeat , but hopefully I will have saved my life Good luck to all of you facing something similar, your friends and families have no idea of what you are going to endure Patrick

Am beginning to have doubts about proficiency of Hospital that I'm going to . I can't get any records of their expertise at this type of operation . One rating dustem put their "Patient Safery Score " at MODERATE !!! Is that normal or even acceptable ? And the same hospital does not have cardio ops as one of their specialties !!! I'm just being told they are " good"...,from not being concerned with my aortic valve two months ago , now I am having it replaced next Tuesday and maybe something else as well depending on results of catheterization . Have I been too hasty here?? Seriously Concerned Patrick