Melissa Bridge posted a note for Carolyn that says:
Hi Carolyn!
I’m three months post-Op from my MV replacement and it took over a month for my bump to go away. But everyone heals differently.
Congratulations ...Read more
Hi Carolyn!
I’m three months post-Op from my MV replacement and it took over a month for my bump to go away. But everyone heals differently.
Congratulations on your walk and feeling better.
Carolyn Newell Melissa.... I've noticed that it's already starting to go down still have a ways to go. I will be o ... Read more
Carolyn Newell Melissa.... I've noticed that it's already starting to go down still have a ways to go. I will be one month post op tomorrow. Yes, I'm walking everyday and that's definitely helping me heal. Thank you!
Melissa Bridge posted a note for Carolyn that says:
Hi Carolyn!
I’m three months post-Op from my MV replacement and it took over a month for my bump to go away. But everyone heals differently.
Congratulations ...Read more
Hi Carolyn!
I’m three months post-Op from my MV replacement and it took over a month for my bump to go away. But everyone heals differently.
Congratulations on your walk and feeling better.
Congratulations on your surgery! I hope you have a quick recovery. I remember I was concerned about the bump as well. I used scar away pads over my entire ...Read more
Congratulations on your surgery! I hope you have a quick recovery. I remember I was concerned about the bump as well. I used scar away pads over my entire scar which helped. I am now one year out on my surgery, it went very smooth, and the bump just one day was gone, I would think about 6-8 weeks out. I slept in my own bed first night home or four days after surgery. I started sleeping on my side about 2 weeks out. Wishing you well.
Rich Murdock rmurdocksr@gmail.com posted a note for Carolyn that says:
I developed several keloids (lumpy scar tissue) along the healed incision. It troubled me for 2 years, until I found a dermatologist who injected the keloids ...Read more
I developed several keloids (lumpy scar tissue) along the healed incision. It troubled me for 2 years, until I found a dermatologist who injected the keloids with a form of cortisone, and it totally eliminated the lumps. Not sure if this is what you are experiencing, but if it persists find a good dermatologist. Best to you!
Carolyn Newell No my scar looks good. It's that bump at the top of the scar. I'm told it goes away in time so I'm ... Read more
Carolyn Newell No my scar looks good. It's that bump at the top of the scar. I'm told it goes away in time so I'm not too concerned about it. Thanks for reaching out.
Sending you positive thoughts and energy s you prepare for tomorrow!
Mark Wilbur Prayers for you, Carolyn. We know you're ready to go and get it over with. We look forward to your ... Read more
Mark Wilbur Prayers for you, Carolyn. We know you're ready to go and get it over with. We look forward to your report in a few days. Best wishes for an uneventful recovery!
HI Carolyn It was a pleasure talking to you last weekend. I want to wish the best of luck on Tuesday and know that my prayers are with you! You will do just ...Read more
HI Carolyn It was a pleasure talking to you last weekend. I want to wish the best of luck on Tuesday and know that my prayers are with you! You will do just great and be posting your road to recovery before you know it.!
Carolyn Newell Thank you so much Civita. Really enjoyed talking with you too. Today is the day! I'll keep you post ... Read more
Carolyn Newell Thank you so much Civita. Really enjoyed talking with you too. Today is the day! I'll keep you posted. xo
Hi Carolyn, I didn't get your email, but you can call me at 774.218.2834.
I am in RI so I am available for a call until about 9 PM EDT. Thanks and I look ...Read more
Hi Carolyn, I didn't get your email, but you can call me at 774.218.2834.
I am in RI so I am available for a call until about 9 PM EDT. Thanks and I look forward to speaking with you.
Carolyn Newell Oh great! Yeah I've been having problems with people receiving my emails. Looks like I need to make a ... Read more
Carolyn Newell Oh great! Yeah I've been having problems with people receiving my emails. Looks like I need to make a trip to the Apple store before my surgery. I will call you in the next day or two. 3 hour time change so I will note that before I call. Thanks so much and happy to hear you are doing so well.
Hi Carolyn,
The first thing I can tell you about St Vin's is it's so nice to be home again...but that's not an indictment of anything there (except the phlebotomists ...Read more
Hi Carolyn,
The first thing I can tell you about St Vin's is it's so nice to be home again...but that's not an indictment of anything there (except the phlebotomists who start their days at 5am, so try to get your nurse to put a sign on your door to not be disturbed until after 6 at least).
After ICU I stayed on 8 west. Best care anywhere. But you don't get to pick, you'll either be on 6 or 8, depends on where the next bed opens up.
Let me try to do this as a Top 10 list.
10. Food is OK but bland as you might expect. Remember to plan for constipation from pain meds so make your food choices accordingly. If I could do it over again I'd probably order the prune juice with meals from the first day, that's what seemed to work the best for me. I almost got them to give me bacon!
9. Each room has both a door and a curtain. Ask them to close the door when you want to catch a few Z's, curtain all other times.
8. Nurses are busy and are required to help you get up from bed or chair to do anything. When you press the call button and the desk replies, "someone will be right there" that could mean up to 30 minutes. (One time I was getting a bit frustrated so turned up the volume on the TV really loud. They were there about 3 minutes later.)
7. Make sure your cardiologist team and surgical team are communicating about your case. Seems straight forward but I found it frustrating that I was getting mixed signals from them on their rounds the first couple of days.
6. I think from what I saw of other's responses to your questions on what to bring you have a good list. The longer phone charging cord was the best thing I bought in advance. I bet if the hospital sold it, it would go for around $525. I got 3 for $10 on Amazon. The dry shampoo is good too, that helps if you aren't into wearing baseball caps.
5. Appreciate all that those wonderful people do for you while you are there. Nurses, Aides, PT, OT, housekeeping, dietary. I had the ones who worked with me more than once sign my heart pillow. I also grabbed a handful of forms from the nurses station on the way out so I can send them personal notes. If you meet a nurse named Helga, tell her Jim says "it goes to Eleven."
4. Ask for an air mattress for the bed. Much more comfortable and they are quite willing to do it. And wet wipes.
3. Be ready for changes from the average case. My case had lower blood pressure, A-fib and some missed heartbeats. Probably extended my stay by two days at least. Think in advance about what that might mean. In my case, it was pacemaker, then no pacemaker, finally monitor before being released.
2. Try to be active, especially if your pain meds are working. Let PT take you for walks, sometimes a nurse will. Activity is your friend, just don't overdo it.
1. Did I say prune juice?
You can come through this even if it seems challenging in the moment. I think you seem well-prepared in all ways.
Mark Wilbur I will add your comments to my file for future reference, Jim. Although I probably won't be in Portl ... Read more
Mark Wilbur I will add your comments to my file for future reference, Jim. Although I probably won't be in Portland for my procedure, your recommendations should work elsewhere. Thank you for letting me borrow from Carolyn's guest book!
You sound in good spirits today, Jim; keep it going!
Carolyn Newell Hi Jim, I'm so happy to hear that you liked St. Vincent's. PRUNE JUICE for the win and the get go!!! ... Read more
Carolyn Newell Hi Jim, I'm so happy to hear that you liked St. Vincent's. PRUNE JUICE for the win and the get go!!! I LOVED your "top ten list" and I will take them to heart. I'm smiling as I read this because I can just imagine the nurses, aids, PT, etc getting such a kick out of you. I just read the list to my hubby incase I can't remember and then he can help jog my memory. Sounds like 8 West is where it's at but I will gladly take whatever they give me. I'm going to try and have my family sneak some food in for me. Not excited about hospital food at all. Maybe a milkshake or two. hehe Phone cord is packed already. You take care now and keep up the good work. ENJOY Home Sweet Home. I'll report in from St. Vin's soon. Thank You!! Carolyn
Jim Harvey Carolyn, PS on the food - you can order practically anything (although apparently not bacon) but you ... Read more
Jim Harvey Carolyn, PS on the food - you can order practically anything (although apparently not bacon) but you might order some things like muffins and such as snack food that you know you won't eat right away but you could keep for later for yourself or for visitors. You think of this stuff after the fact!
Barbara Wood I'd add that each floor has a kitchen stocked with things like juices, sodas, ice cream, popsicles, c ... Read more
Barbara Wood I'd add that each floor has a kitchen stocked with things like juices, sodas, ice cream, popsicles, crackers & peanut butter , fruit ... the aids were always happy to get anything & even make smoothies & shakes :)
Carolyn Newell Barbara, such good info. I'll bring some of my protein powder then. ha
Hi Carolyn. If you would like you to talk here is my email address steveperrotta@outlook.com. We can exchange phone numbers and talk if you want. I have plenty ...Read more
Hi Carolyn. If you would like you to talk here is my email address steveperrotta@outlook.com. We can exchange phone numbers and talk if you want. I have plenty of time these next few weeks.
Carolyn Newell Hi Steven, Thanks so much for reaching out so soon. I will definitely email you in the next day or t ... Read more
Carolyn Newell Hi Steven, Thanks so much for reaching out so soon. I will definitely email you in the next day or two. You take care.
Hi Carolyn, my partner is having a valve replacement surgery on 9 April and we too are facing the same tough decision. I wanted to share that when we asked ...Read more
Hi Carolyn, my partner is having a valve replacement surgery on 9 April and we too are facing the same tough decision. I wanted to share that when we asked the surgeon about the on-x valve, he wasn’t comfortable with the ‘lower’ prescribe INR levels. There was another lady on a different forum valve replacement org who had a bad experience with maintaining a lower INR. Just thought I share as e ar in a similar situation and my partner is aged 52.
Carolyn Newell Thank you Wendy as this is helpful, and best of luck to your partner!
Hi Carolyn! Welcome aboard! Great to have you as our newest member! I hope educational information and wonderful people help you along your journey. By ...Read more
Hi Carolyn! Welcome aboard! Great to have you as our newest member! I hope educational information and wonderful people help you along your journey. By the way, Dr. Swanson is a great surgeon and very nice guy. Many patients from our community have had excellent results with him and his team at Providence! https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Jeffrey-Swanson-Portland-Oregon2.php
See patient reviews, physician biography and videos of Dr. Jeffrey Swanson, heart surgeon, with phone number and address in Portland, Oregon.
Carolyn Newell Hi Adam! Thank you for your book and for this wonderful community. I am so grateful. I don't think ... Read more
Carolyn Newell Hi Adam! Thank you for your book and for this wonderful community. I am so grateful. I don't think I could do this without it. I'm very confident with my surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Swanson and he puts me at ease just seeing his picture here. I will be on this site in the coming days you can count on that, so hopefully touch base with you again soon. Have a wonderful evening! Carolyn