Ellen's Guestbook

Ellen, this is just a stab, but my son experienced something like this and it turned out to be gouty arthritis. I know this can often accompay use of diuretics. When I was on Lasix before my surgery, I had a high uric acid and the doctor asked if I had had attacks of gout. I did not. I was taken off Lasix after surgery (four months ago) so it will be interesting to see if the uric acid level went down. I hope you have a short recovery and are soon back to your active life. Mary Ann Marko

Hello, Ellen, thanks for the compliment, but I don\'t feel like the bionic man; this experience has really brought humility into my life, which i believe is good. I do know it\'s important to get moving and like you wrote, really follow the recovery protocols. Thanks for sharing your experience with everyone in our community. I wish you a God speed recovery. Daniel

Hi Ellen I see all have given you encouragement on the HR, Ditto, 8 wks still 90-100 suprising the 1st 2 days in rehab HR only increased to 120 highest. That is so true about reading took me weeks, TV, still I get sooo tired yesterday after 2nd day rehab 2/1/2 hr nap, out cold, but better today. Listen to your body, don\'t get discouraged we all know what it feels like. Hang in there Susan V

Dear Ellen, I\'m so sorry you had to go through this surgery at such a young age. However, my 19 year old son had the same surgery just 3 months ago. I was TERRIFIED for him and it seemed so unfair and I wished it was me. In answer to one of your questions, will I be afraid to do all the things I did prior to surgery; I can tell you that my son, Danny, is back to playing 4 to 5 hours of basketball (high intensity) DAILY. He is ONLY 3 months post op (and has been doing so for nearly a month and a half). Additionally, he does push ups and sit ups and is VERY active. He was only in the hospital 3 days after his surgery. You are so young, too, and I\'m SURE that is in your favor. Danny had bad pain in his shoulders shortly after his surgery, too. This seemed to be alleviated fairly quick. I will pray for you and your QUICK recovery. I am sure that you will do fine. I think it is the NOT knowing truly what to expect that makes you anxious. I was a basket case worrying about my son. I hope you have good support people to help you during this early stage of your recovery. I can\'t wait to read about your continued SPEEDY recovery. Sincerely Mary James

Hi Ellen, My Heart Rate was in the high 90s and 80s for the first 6 or 7 months following surgery, so try not to worry too much about it. It\'s only been in the 8th month that it has dropped down to the mid 70\'s. I have been active in cardiac rehab, but my HR only just started to decline. I\'m sure you\'ll be fine...just be patient. xoxo Lori

Hi Ellen. My heart rate is still high nearly 10 weeks after surgery - consistently over 100. So, I\'m still on the beta blocker & probably will be for some time. I\'m taking Metoprolol. My understanding is pretty much what your doctor said - it\'s not uncommon after valve replacement surgery & should settle down when it\'s good & ready. I also had difficulty with reading in the early days after surgery. I just couldn\'t keep my mind on it. Too bad because I had a bunch of books I figured on reading while I recuperated. Netflix vs what TV has to offer is a good idea. Same tube but at least you have some control over what\'s there to watch. The only advice I have regarding the boredom is that you should know that you will be feeling better & able to do more as time goes by. Sandy who has a journal here too described it as \"putting in time\". He was 100% right - there\'s just a period when you can\'t do much, but it will pass. Hang in there & keep getting better - Joy Vera

Hi Ellen glad to hear you\'re back home. Just about everyone I know who\'s had heart surgery has some form of back/shoulder pain The only thing that I found to ease the pain was TIME, and exercising/stretching at Cardiac Rehab. If you had a sternotomy like I did, I was explained that it puts pressure on your spine when they spread your chest. Plus if you\'ve seen videos, they don\'t exactly do it very gently! Good Luck, Kyle in Montana - 4 months post surgery!

Hey Ellen glad to hear you are home, so glad you came though this. I to had BAD back pain. Honestly worse then the chest pain. I used a muscle rub and got one of those homemedics back massagers. Honestly besides a muscle relaxer and pain meds it just takes about 10-14 days before it eased off. Also walking helped to loosen up the knots. Hope it helps. Jerry H

Hi Ellen Glad you are home. Most likely back and shoulder pain from the anesthesia, heating pad and pain Rx is about all that you can do until your body works it out. Try not to let your mind overrule your body as in doing too much activity. All too often we find that \"I can do that\" and boom we\'re exhausted. I found yesterday even after 8 wks and my 1st rehab session, that group exercise, warm up, treadmill, bike and aeroboike that I was fine. Awakened 5 am today hardly able to move and really sore but as the day progressed it improved. It seems that every few days I have a day where I am exhausted and can\'t do anything I want to. Let everyone that is near you help you until you know you are able to do the activity without any ramifications. I know I am a whole lot older than you but when I was your age and had my first surgery 2 days after being home I thought I could wash the bathroom floor on my hands and knees since I couldn\'t push a mop, I was in bed for 3 days afterward my chest was really hurting. Take Care Susan V

Hi Ellen Isn\'t it a great feeling to be out of the hospital!! Glad to hear all went well for you. Continued good luck as you are on your path to full recovery. Each day, and especially each week will get better for you. Keep up your walking. Mark Keller, TX

Hi Ellen You\'ll just have to learn what all of us have learned, that is to pace yourself. Do a little, rest a little, etc. I never did push myself too far but those who have, ended up paying for it with increased pain and fatigue. Is there anyone home with you? Fran

Hi Ellen, So happy to hear you are doing well!! The fact that you are on this side of surgery is awesome news and I wish you a comfortable recovery. My mitral valve was replaced in January and although I didn\'t have any complications following surgery, my chest still hurts from time to time. The first thing I did wrong 4 weeks post op was I took a bath and used both arms to lower myself into the tub, and POW something felt wrong with my sternum. Please don\'t make the same mistake I did, because until then my sternum felt fine and immediately it got worse. I think the most pain I experienced in my chest was the breast tissue from 1) spreading me wide open and 2) the drainage tubes that were shoved up in either breast. I still experience \'breast\' pain even after 8 mos. Pay attention to the lifting too, don\'t lift more than the 8 lbs fpr 8 weeks or so. I also noticed a funny feeling for the first few months when I would bend over to scoop up kitty litter, etc. It felt like my heart was working overtime and sometimes I felt a little dizzy when standing up from a squatting position. I also slept on my back for the first 4 or 5 months because it felt safer. Hopefully none of this scares you...I just wanted to share the experiences I had. Everyone is different and I hope you have an uneventful recovery. We are here for you!! ps. you can fine me on facebook at facebook/lorisobrero Heart hugs! Lori

Hi Ellen I was happy to hear you are hanging in there. If you have never been hospitalized let alone open heart surgery that was alot for you to handle, especially the pain etc the first few days. Know you have lots of HVJ friends out here thinking of you. Susan V

Hi Ellen Thanks for the update and letting us know all went well. Too bad about the first few days. They usually give you enough pain meds so that\'s not a problem. Continue to heal so you can be discharged. Fran

Hi Ellen Hope your surgery went well and you or someone will be able to post soon and let us know. Just do what the medical staff tells you to do and you\'ll be fine. They\'ve done this hundreds of times. Fran

Hi Ellen. Here\'s my list of what I took. Paperwork – anything regarding insurance, medications etc. Robe A pad of paper & a pen Pajamas – I purchased some that button up the front for use at home, but in the hospital, I used just the bottoms with the hospital gown on top Socks – didn’t use these because the hospital furnished socks with no slip bottoms Toothpaste & toothbrush Hair brush & comb Shampoo – turned out I did not need as the hospital furnished Reading material I-pod with headphones (used for relaxation tapes) For the trip home – underwear, button up shirt, stretch pants, shoes Take care, Joy Vera

Hi Ellen I no how you feel. I have the same problem. My surgery is booked for Sept. 24th. and Yes i am scared. And it is normal for us to be scared. I too think. i am too young. 48. i am scared of making the wrong decision on what valve to get. i sadi mechanical but having second thoughts.i am not bringing that much to the hospital. i am not having a private room, so threat is an issue. i really hate to say that.

Hi Ellen Looks like others have covered most everythin. It does not matter how bad I feel I am one to wear jewelry and makeup. Own toothbrush, lotion, deodrant etc etc. So after I was discharged from ICU after 4 days, and in my own private room I did put on my make up and although hair is not an issue for me I purchased a great can of dry shampoo which was wonderful, only because I was not allowed to shower until the 8th day, due to my heart rate being so low. I wore mens small boxer shorts due to abdominal water weight, brought 4 pr. Really can\'t get away with hosp gown due to monitor. Purchased button down pj\'s for home with tie waists. Overstock has some cute ones that were great, inexpensive. I wore pull up Nike pants and a button down shirt for home and a tank top underneath. I did purchased from Adam\'s book the incision protector, did not need it. I do wear a sports bra when I am out of the house, but I cannot wear any other one comfortably due to my L arm and L rib pain, burt last surgery bra was not a problem. As Rikki indicated heart pillow for coughing etc was provided. I did bring my own bed pillow. I knew I would not be able to concentrate I did not bring any reading material, but stocked up @ home prior to surgery with great books, crossword puzzles etc. We did bring our favorite movies as I had a room that had 2 DVD players. My CD player with a variety of music helped block nose etc,out and when I was having any pain helped alot. Although I am now 6 wk post op I am still in sleeping in a hosp bed. @ home. I learned that from my last 2 surgeries as we do not have a recliner @ home. Simple things like having my husband fill Rx in hosp so we did not have to have anyone pickup or stay with me when we arrived home really helped. Keep us posted and if you have any other questions, you can see how helpful everyone is. Susan V

Hi Ellen I will only add what the others may not have taken. I am not matter how bad I feel one to wear jewelry and makeup. Own toothbrush, lotion, deodrant etc etc. So after I was discharged from ICU after 4 days, and in my own private room I did put on my make up and although hair is not an issue for me I purchased a great can of dry shampoo which was wonderful, only because I was not allowed to shower until the 8th day, due to my heart rate being so low. I wore mens small boxer shorts due to abdominal water weight, brought 4 pr. Really can\'t get away with hosp gown due to monitor. Purchased button down pj\'s for home with tie waists. Overstock has some cute ones that were great, inexpensive. I wore pull up Nike pants and a button down shirt for home and a tank top underneath. I did purchased from Adam\'s book the incision protector, did not need it. I do wear a sports bra when I am out of the house, but I cannot wear any other one comfortably due to my L arm and L rib pain, burt last surgery bra was not a problem. As Rikki indicated heart pillow for coughing etc was provided. I did bring my own bed pillow. I knew I would not be able to concentrate I did not bring any reading material, but stocked up @ home prior to surgery with great books, crossword puzzles etc. We did bring our favorite movies as I had a room that had 2 DVD players. My CD player with a variety of music helped block nose etc,out and when I was having any pain helped alot. Although I am now 6 wk post op I am still in sleeping in a hosp bed. @ home. I learned that from my last 2 surgeries as we do not have a recliner @ home. Simple things like having my husband fill Rx in hosp so we did not have to have anyone pickup or stay with me when we arrived home really helped. Keep us posted and if you have any other questions, you can see how helpful everyone is. Susan V

Hi Ellen, I had my surgery this May and I would say don\'t bring much. I packed a bag full of stuff and didn\'t use most of it. Things I did use: toothbrush, toothpaste, facial soap, moisturizer, brush/comb. Bring shampoo. I brought pjs but never wore them . . . I was on heavy doses of lasix and pj bottoms would have been a pain. And the tops would have gotten in the way of the wireless EKG pack. I wore 2 hospital gowns - one with the back open and on top of that one turned backward so the opening was in the front (like a bathrobe). It worked very well. I did wear slippers (make sure they have non-skid bottoms) starting 4 days after surgery (before that I wore the non-skid socks the hospital supplied.) Bring something to wear home. It can be clean pjs if you live in the area and are driving home. I flew home so I brought elastic waist pants (be prepared to gain lots of water weight after surgery) and a large button-front shirt. I did not wear a bra for several weeks after surgery. The hospital did give me a surgical bra (it had velcro closures) but it was very uncomfortable for me so I threw it out as soon as I got to my hotel room after they discharged me. Some people have brought sports bras in a size larger than normal. You probably won\'t be up for reading or anything that requires mental energy. I watched a lot of tv but some people say they couldn\'t even concentrate on that. Bring and ipod and/or DVD player if like music or movies. I brought an iPad so I could email, which I did but not a lot. (again, not a lot of energy.) I brought eye shades (whatever you call them ) to block out light. I never used them. I was at the Cleveland Clinic and even ICU was not bright (which surprised me). Nor was it noisy (again, a surprise.) I brought wrapped individual Dove chocolates for the nurses. They loved them! I think that\'s all I ever used while I was there. The CC supplied a heart pillow, a large water container, and a spirometer. Those were the 3 things I used most! Good luck with your surgery! Ricki Shine

Hi Ellen, What to bring to the hospital...chapstick, ear plugs, eye patch for blocking out light in your room when the nurses come in every 4 hours, mouthwash, baby oil or bio oil to remove the adhesive crop circles from all the heart monitor leads, pj\'s, slippers, laptop, books, knitting (in case you knit), sanitary pads just so you don\'t have to use the hospital ones, mine didn\'t have any adhesive so they never stayed in place. Good luck to you...I wish you well and a speedy recovery. My email is lori_sobrero@yahoo.com. I had my mitral valve replaced this past January, and very happy to be on this side of surgery. Hugs, Lori