Diane's Guestbook

Regarding post-operative clothing: Check with your surgeon or their nurse. I woke up from surgery with a surgical bra. It had a velcro closure in the front and the back, and the straps were also velcro-adjustable. I was in hospital for 5 days, and all I needed to wear was the surgical bra, the hospital gown, and I had under-shorts I brought from home. I was never in any discomfort from clothing. You'll definitely want to wear the gown because of the tubes and IV lines and accouterments going in and out of your body. Once I got home I wore button-up pajama tops. I found I was more comfortable wearing a snug tank top in lieu of a bra. I did need help putting it on for the first two weeks. I was able to wear my usual undergarments for short spans of time after about a week. I also appreciated elastic-waist pants/shorts the first few weeks. but don't spend a lot of money on a special wardrobe, you won't need accommodations for very long!

Diane. I am sorry for the loss of your husband and can clearly understand why your heart and mind might be considering the option of not going through with your surgery. People who have their heart valves needing mending are all faced(especially the closer it gets to surgery)with the choice of not going through with it and we(they) haven't had such a loss as yourself. I should like to think that deep within your grieving for your husband something of that love you shared together and your shared life experiences would shine a light within you that opts to let in the possibilities of what you can do with the life that awaits you once your heart is mended and is in better shape to continue on in life stronger because of the surgery where you will have the people here in our community to support you along the way as you recover and find your way back from both your loss and the outcome of your surgery. Here(this community)is a great group of people who know first hand how to comfort and support each other and I am so glad you found this site for this reason. I would also hope you have family and friends to also make this journey with you and I can tell you first hand if family and friends are few you can still make it through this with the Heart Sisters and Brothers and this community you are now a part of. Know you are not alone in this and that we will all help direct your needs with our collective experiences to help you along your way.

Hi Diane, First, my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband. As for going through with your operation--assuming you're otherwise fit to have it--I think your husband would want you to have it. Wouldn't he want the best for you? Well, now you should want the best for yourself too. The operation itself, while a significant one for each of us, is pretty routine for your medical team. Most teams have performed thousands of these surgeries, with a mortality rate overall of two percent of less (and those were invariably people with other health problems). It's one of the very safest surgical procedures they do. And as you can see from the postings here, we all get through it and come out better--even MUCH better. I encourage you at this point to surround yourself, in person, with others who have gone through it. They'll be an incredible source of warmth, encouragement and love for you. You won't be going through it alone. So contact a group called Mended Hearts through your hospital. Or if there's no such group local to you, ask your hospital if they can put you in touch with individuals who have had your procedure. Wonderful as the people on Adam's site are, we're gone the moment you shut off your computer. You need in-person people now, and there lots out there. Go for it! My very best wishes, Artie.

I'm Diane. One of the great shocks of my life was being told on Dec. 10, that my aortic valve idamage has reached 'severe' and it's time to think about replacement. I'm terrified! My husband died July 28, and the thought of going through this without him waiting for me just keeps me crying. I procrastinated long enough and have a consultation visit with Dr. Kevin Accola on February 15. I also have Adam Pick's book from a dear friend, but can't make myself read it. Is there anyone out there who ever decided not to go through the surgery? I guess that's an option too.