Harry's Guestbook

Hi Harry. I am 3 weeks out from having surgery, and I have been home just over 2 weeks, so your questions are very fresh for me. My first question is, are you having a TAVR (transcatheter) or SAVR (surgical) valve replacement? If you are having SAVR, I do not recommend Fidel's approach, as I was told not to use my arms to push or pull until cleared by the surgeon. Also, not to lift over 5 lbs or reach over my head with my arms. I purchased a wedge pillow (on the advise of several users of this website) and have found it very helpful after surgery for sleeping. It was also recommended to me not to lie flat until cleared (my follow-up is 10/7). The wedge pillow I purchased is my a company called Linux. I don't know what shipping terms are to Canada, but you can probably find a company with similar products there. Between the wedge pillow and a few other pillows, I have found a pretty comfortable spot for sleeping on my back, but I admit I can't wait to get cleared to sleep on my side again. I also have enjoyed having a recliner available for resting. If your experience is anything like mine, you will be tired, a lot. Just having a couple of options of comfortable places you can go to rest will really make a difference. I have not had a great deal of post-surgical pain, but I find melatonin also helps with me getting settled into sleep. They will likely give you a pillow in the hospital. I also purchased on on Amazon, which I love because it has straps for around my neck and around my waist. It also has a sleeve where a seat belt can pass through for when you are cleared to drive again. I think the main concern when in the vehicle before you are driving yourself is to always ride in the back seat. Your sternum could not withstand an air bag deployment in the early days after surgery. My partner and I purchased a quantity of simple meal items before I had surgery, both in pantry and in freezer. He is already trying to do everything he normally does, plus care for me, so simple food that you like is important. My appetite has not returned to anything like normal, so I am eating small portions. A moveable seat in the shower also helps, so I can turn my back to the shower and not have the spray directly on my chest. You won't have to worry about buying front-closure bras! I didn't have many shirts that button up the front. If you normally wear those, or at least have a few in your closet, you will be good to go in that department. I would just kind of visualize yourself in your home and, depending on who and how often you have someone with you, think about having the things you need regularly at a level between your knees and your shoulders, and in containers that are light enough to move easily. At first it may seem like there is nothing you can do, but after a few days home that will change and you will start to evolve into doing more things for yourself. Please reach out if you have any questions. Take care, Ellen

The decision between mechanical and bio was a tough one for me. What really identified the right choice, for me was. I decided I would get the mechanical vale’s and lived with the decision for several weeks. Then, I made the decision to go with a tissue/bio valve. The day I changed my decision from mechanical to tissue there was a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. Prior to that the idea of being on warfarin was really taking a mental toll on me. One thing to remember the bad thing has already happened now the doctors can save your life. Once , I started thinking about this was literally saving my life instead of something that happened to me was another turning point. I’m currently 3 days post surgery and can say this sucks, but we all heal and move in to other things.