Dena's Guestbook

Hi Dena ,
Welcome to recovery .
It is still very early days post op .
If it doubt , get in touch with your dr.
I can remember feeling very warm post op . 
Drink plenty of fluids . Rest as much as you can . 

Hallo Dena: I wish you the best for your mitral replacement. I am 75 years old and had surgery last October 16 and feel pretty well. Have full confidence in the doctors and try to arrive tom surgery in good physical shape, doing the exercises that they tell you. Warm greetings and God Bless you.

Welcome Dena! I had mitral valve surgery 2 months ago ( I also had breast cancer about 6 years ago with surgery and radiation). I did not know when I was operated on whether it would be a sternotmy or minimally invasive repair but I told my surgeon to do whatever was needed for the most successful repair. The first weeks were challenging but now I feel so much better.
      I did get a small bench to use in the shower and a recliner which I used the first month. ( I slid off my "pillow mountain" in bed the first night home and got stuck face down , not fun). I did use a back heating pad frequently when I got home ( I had back and neck pain from the position that I was in during the operation ).  Pajamas that buttonup the front  were easy to put on when you arm is sore and pants that didn't require snapping are good (sweat pants were my favorite because I had a lot of fluid to get rid  and I was a size bigger for the first few weeks. Slip on sneakers are great too.
  I have an an 8 year old granddaughter and she was quite nervous when I got home but I think trying to be honest and reassuring them is best. Try getting some things to do together like puzzles or games. We got a "grown up sticker" book on Amazon where the pieces are put together to make sea creatures .  It made a great way to provide an opportunity to talk and for her to ask questions.
Good luck , please ask if you have any questions! Sending love and prayers

Hi Dena ,
Welcome, 
Post operatively , I slept either on the sofa propped up or in bed propped up with many pillows . 
I didn't need a special chair .
My surgery was emergency open heart surgery during covid times , without visitors .
I am glad that my sons didn ‘t see me in intensive care or on the ward , it would have been upsetting for them to see me immediately post op with all the wires / tubes etc.
They saw me at the ward door once I was up and walking and looking me like “me”. 
Sleeping downstairs in the sofa was good because I could get up and make myself a hot drink in the middle of the night and it was easy to keep as mobile as possible / to recover .
I wore loose fitting t - shirts post op at home to keep my wound clean and covered . 
Having a shower post op , feels amazing . It can feel tiring though . Some people used shower seats / chairs and found them to be useful . 
Dena , I was home in time for my youngest son ‘s 18th Birthday and was very happy to be home and feeling so much better . 

Dena, you have been through so many trials in your life, I’m so sorry. The human spirit is truly tested some times, but know that you are not alone. God will carry you through this next one too. The strength you clearly have to raise your granddaughter after losing your daughter is what you will tap into for this as well. And you have this community of heart brothers and sisters now to support you too. Please keep posting and let us know how we can pray for and otherwise support you! 🙏🏻💕 

Hi Dena, I can’t imagine losing a daughter in her 20s. My daughter and granddaughter mean so much. Sending love and a hug to you. I see your surgery is coming up. I will be following your progress. May your surgery be perfect and your recovery smooth and easy to navigate. I do not have a surgery date yet but know this is an anxious time for both of us🙏🏽💕

Your story really touched me and pulled at my heart strings 😢 I thought I went through a lot but oh my you truly have Dena. I am glad you have your grand baby to look after and love, as I know they give you so much more back. Sorry to hear you going through so much but I will say a prayer and hope for the best for you keep up the fighting spirit. 🙏💛

Best Wishes Dena!  And so sorry for your sad loss of your young daughter. You will get through this for your grandchild!!!  I will follow your journey and thinking of you. My husbands surgery is on February 7th and we are scared but hopeful and optimistic.