Alex's Guestbook

Richard Munson  The first 24 hours will be a blur. All kinds of tubes and monitors checking your condition. Odds are you will have a full time cardiac nurse checking on you quite often. They are top shelf. That was mass general for me, assume same for you. They will be trying to wean you off the machines and returning to your own lungs and heart. Cough a lot so your lungs do not fill with fluid, use the pillow as it hurts a little. Breathe a lot into the device they provide to inflate your lungs. You will be up walking sooner rather than later. Then home and the rest is up to you. Sounds simple huh. Good luck.

Mike Dotson  I was just reflecting on my surgery the other day. In my mind it seemed like I was in the hospital for a looong time but in actuality it was only 3 1/2 days. It blows my mind to think that my surgery was on a Tuesday morning and I was discharged and walking (very, very slowly and with breaks) to my hotel room by Friday afternoon. You're going to do great, Alex. Being active and athletic will help in more ways that you think. Everyone thinks of the physical benefit, but there's a mental aspect that I think will give you a leg up. You know how to train so apply the same mindset to your recovery. Ease into it, make a little progress each day and think about how great you're going to feel this spring. Best of luck. I look forward to reading about your recovery.

Paul Lechiaro  Hi John, I had my surgery on a Thursday at Brigham. They had me up and walking the next day. Richard is correct ICU care is outstanding. I spent one night there and then was moved to step down unit the next day. Expect your voice to be hoarse for a bit after they take the tubes out. Mine is just starting to get back to normal. Ask away for anything you need. I found the nurses to be excellent. I was discharged on Tuesday afternoon so I spent a total of 5 nights. The time will go by quick. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks post-op. Trying to walk as much as I can. You will see progress week to week and feel better and better. Best of luck!

Richard Munson  It also helped that my attending cardiac nurse in the icu was incredibly good looking. It gave me an added incentive. I was probably 50 years older but so what. Lol.