Collin, you'd made it through the very hardest part. My first two days were also tough. But now that all of "that" is over, you will get stronger and... Read more
Collin, you'd made it through the very hardest part. My first two days were also tough. But now that all of "that" is over, you will get stronger and stronger every day. Congrats, and welcome to recovery and being a Heart Warrior.
Hey! Way to go! Keep up the forward thinking thoughts! True story: when i got out of ICU, and put in the regular ward, my roomate could not quit coughing. He ...Read more
Hey! Way to go! Keep up the forward thinking thoughts! True story: when i got out of ICU, and put in the regular ward, my roomate could not quit coughing. He was going through hell, as you can imagine! The air was really dry from the air cylinders on the beds, and also, they could not run the humidifiers, because of Covid. So i told the nurse on the night shift that a way to help, maybe would be to turn the shower, in the room, on hot and let it run. She did that, and you could feel the air get better instantly. Good job, heros, all of us. Roomate slept. no coughing. Sooo, i was telling the day shift nurse about this, and she said " ya, about that, they forgot the shower all night, and it flooded the floor, and they had to clean it all up! " oops. Keep feeling better, Colin!
Patsy Stewart Greg, what’s a little water in the floor if you both got a good night’s rest? Lol! Great idea to ... Read more
Patsy Stewart Greg, what’s a little water in the floor if you both got a good night’s rest? Lol! Great idea to get your neighbor some help. Covid has been hard to deal with all the way around. Sending well wishes to both of you.
Hi Collin, best of luck on your upcoming OHS. I’ve been through double valve replacement 6 mths ago. All I can say is, be patient to yourself, follow your ...Read more
Hi Collin, best of luck on your upcoming OHS. I’ve been through double valve replacement 6 mths ago. All I can say is, be patient to yourself, follow your doctors advise, keep your positive attitude and hold on to your faith🙏💙
I had aortic stenosis secondary to my congenital bicuspid aortic valve. Got a bioprosthetic bovine valve via sternotomy 9/21/2020. ...Read more
Hello Collin,
I had aortic stenosis secondary to my congenital bicuspid aortic valve. Got a bioprosthetic bovine valve via sternotomy 9/21/2020. I am enjoying good health and would second the thought that the sternotomy was surprisingly pain free. You will be back to doing most if your normal activities in 6 weeks, but stamina will continue to improve fir a year or more. Don't expect to much of yourself in thise first weeks, but do participate in cardiac rehab. It will get you back in the game sooner. Onsider renting a lift chair for the first month or so. I found it very helpful. Best wishes for a successful surgery on the 6th and a speedy recovery!
Marie Myers I agree with what Katheryn says. My surgery for ascending and root aneurysm and AVR (bovine) was 201 ... Read more
Marie Myers I agree with what Katheryn says. My surgery for ascending and root aneurysm and AVR (bovine) was 2017. I was surprised by how little pain I had, but was surprised at the fatigue post op. But I was back at work part time in 8 weeks. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. It was very helpful to me reading on this forum and asking questions.
COLLIN SLATTERY Thanks for the comments, it is really appreciated. I will be having open heart ... Read more
COLLIN SLATTERY Thanks for the comments, it is really appreciated. I will be having open heart surgery as both the Aortic artery and valve needs to be replaced. Was hoping for a sternotomy but access is the issue. Might look into renting a lift chair. just on three days to go…
Marie Myers I rented an electric recliner for a month and I loved it. Made it easy to get up and down without hel ... Read more
Marie Myers I rented an electric recliner for a month and I loved it. Made it easy to get up and down without help, and I was able to sleep in it too. I also used a shower chair for a few days due to the fatigue I experienced. Wishing you a smooth journey through surgery and recovery!
Hi Collin , Welcome . Getting advice and support will make a big difference because you feel part of a community and less isolated . We have all varying... Read more
Hi Collin , Welcome . Getting advice and support will make a big difference because you feel part of a community and less isolated . We have all varying experiences of open heart surgery and we are all now getting on with our lives
Welcome Collin, what a great surgeon. --Could have saved your life with recommending the CTA scan. Assume that the surgeon will need to access your chest ...Read more
Welcome Collin, what a great surgeon. --Could have saved your life with recommending the CTA scan. Assume that the surgeon will need to access your chest via a the sternum incision. If so, one thing that is worth sharing right now is that it will surprisedly not hurt that much. I and most of the heart warriors have shared such. I will let other warriors that have had a similar repair to yours comment on "other stuff". Thinking of you.
Hey Collin, you have a great attitude and seem to be at peace with your upcoming surgery. That's great!! It's quite normal for the family to be nervous.... Read more
Hey Collin, you have a great attitude and seem to be at peace with your upcoming surgery. That's great!! It's quite normal for the family to be nervous. I felt that I had the easy job of taking a nap while surgery happened and my family carried the difficult job of waiting powerless for the successful outcome. You will all do great, just keep that positive attitude throughout the entire process. And, take it one day at a time. I see you were planning your Camino for next year. I hope you will get the chance to walk in 2023. I will be walking the "French Way" of the Camino De Santiago starting around April 6th, which is my one year anniversary of surgery. The pandemic and heart surgery has postponed my trip for 2 years but I feel it will be more rewarding now because I am more grateful for life after evolving into a "Heart Warrior". Good luck with your upcoming surgery and may God be with you and your family.
COLLIN SLATTERY Thanks for the motivational words Tim. Just grateful I live in a country with such talented medical p ... Read more
COLLIN SLATTERY Thanks for the motivational words Tim. Just grateful I live in a country with such talented medical professionals. Upward and onward I say and lets bring on the recovery and Camino in 2023/24 :)
Hello Collin Welcome to this group that has helped so many people. I hope you get as much out of it as I have. There is so much kind support from everyone and ...Read more
Hello Collin Welcome to this group that has helped so many people. I hope you get as much out of it as I have. There is so much kind support from everyone and lots of good medical information.
You are doing really well . One day at a time