jonette's Guestbook

jonette kruk  Hi Klara! So sweet of you to check in on me! I am doing pretty good. I have had a few bumps in the road but nothing to complain about. A bit of a cough for a few weeks and dealing with some A.Fib, but my doctor has me on Amiodarone and Eliquis and we are tapering them down due to no episodes lately. I am not liking the Amiodarone, but I don't want a stroke so I am willing to take it, the side effects are no fun. How are you doing? How is your residency going? You are amazing and I admire your devotion to the medical field so much! I asked my doctor the other day at my check up when I can go back to work and he said in about 1 to 2 months. I am so excited to get back to nursing. I miss it so much! Nursing makes my heart and soul feel so good inside and I miss that feeling. I know exactly what you mean when you were so glad to get back to work. How are you feeling? I love reading your posts, your outlook is so uplifting! Keep me posted please and sorry I have kinda been absent from the forum lately. 

Klara Čičić  I am so glad you are doing good and accepting those bumps on the road, cause they are definitely part of the process! AFib in the first three months after surgery is very common and with time it should go away and not repeat itself. I really hope that will be the case for you. I am doing great, really happy for working, just like you said, exactly like that. One more year and then I have this big exam which I am very exited about and have to study every day... Please take it easy, it is still early, give yourself time. I was on sick leave for 5 months. I went back after the cardiac rehab. Take your time... It is huge operation. Your heart is healing still... But I can totally understand the "can't wait" part :)))

jonette kruk  Dear Pamela, 

Thank you so much for your post! I greatly appreciate your kind words and words of experience. 

I do have a recliner and go back and forth between the recliner and the bed. It is a relief to hear that you had trouble sleeping as well. Two hours max is all I can do at a time. It makes me a little nervous because I know how important it is to keep the circadian rhythm (internal clock) on track to help with production of melatonin as well as heal the heart. My doctor has suggested taking my anxiety med (Klonopin)  before I go to bed, which I have tried and still no luck. He has also suggested prescribing a sleep aid. Did you use a sleep aid by chance? And then I think, oh no not another med. I am still on Oxycodone, Gabapentin and Robaxin for pain and my doctor wants me to start weaning myself off of these. 

My emotions seem to be the worst when I am in a lot a pain and chasing my pain. Right now I am taking Tylenol Extra Strength 500 mg (2 tabs) and using the Oxycodone for breakthrough pain vs the opposite, as I was doing before.  I started taking Oxycodone in the hospital as a routine medication every 4 hrs, total of 6 per day. Right now I am taking 2 per day and Tylenol in between. 

I had mitral valve repair via robotic which was very painful, lots of nerves through the ribs vs the sternum. I had a paravertebral block for the pain above my right scapula where continuous medication was given as well as a PCEA pump that I could give myself an extra 2 mg of medication if needed. The block has finally worn off and now the pain at times is worse since I can feel everything now. Pain is more internally than from the incisions themselves. 

I totally agree with you regarding the emotions (every word). One minute I am doing great, especially around visitors and family and then before I know it, I am crying uncontrollably due to pain, scared, why me, thankful, wanting normalcy again. I have to work on patience, this is one of my weakest areas. I will definitely remind myself of your words that each week/month will get better. 

I don't know if it is me or my significant other. He has been great, but at times I just don't think he realizes how serious this entire journey has been. He is not used to seeing me like this, as I am always on the go, and I think he just wants me back to my old self. At times I think he is clueless, even if I am crying; I feel so alone. 

Did you participate in cardiac rehab and if so, when did you start and how was your experience? I keep reading how much it helps and just to be around individuals like me. 

Thanks again, sorry for the long post.

Richard Munson  Jonette, sorry to hear that you are still suffering severe pain. Hopefully you will get off oxy sooner rather than later. Eventually those nerves will heal. I had pain but not like you are describing. Hang in there.

Pamela Gregory  I don't think you need to stress out about how much sleep you are able to get at one time. I did take a sleep aid and would highly recommend it because for me when I am tired my emotions are worse. I couldn't take oxi-anything because it made me nauseous and have weird dreams. They gave me something called Tramodol. I always kept ahead of my pain which seemed to help but definitely started to wean off after a couple weeks. It seems like from what I hear on this site that going through the ribs is more painful than a sternotomy. Everyone is different and you need to do what works for you to keep you comfortable because your body heals better when you are (at least that's what they told me). I'm sure your husband just doesn't know what to do. My husband was the same way. No one really "gets it" except for the heart warriors on this web site!. That's why it is so nice to be able to ask questions, share how you are feeling, and vent here!!! Cardiac Rehab was wonderful for me! I can't say enough about the group of people that were there to help me. I finished last Friday but took shamrock cookies as a "Thank You" to them today and to say goodbye. I started at 6 weeks and they gave me the confidence to push myself (very slowly though, so not scary) and get stronger and stronger. I also had a couple of emotional meltdowns while I was there and they took the time to talk to me and really helped me emotionally too. They do this all the time so I can't believe I am the only one. It is actually 5 months today that I had my 7 hour surgery at CC and I will be forever grateful to all the people that have helped me. In some ways is seems so long ago now but in others it seems like yesterday. I can tell you that I feel pretty good now. Went on a cruise in the beginning of Feb. and heading to Arizona next Friday for fun too. I highly recommend planning something fun that you like to do so that you have something to look forward to no matter what it is. For me getting away was great because it got my mind off of everything a little bit and I have been much better ever since. You will get through this. Just take one day at a time and don't be afraid to reach out to your Dr.s for help and of coarse the people on this site

Greg Lewis  Great posts! Great advice Pamela! If i may, I would like to also agree, that taking a good sleep aid can really help you through this. I know that if I don't sleep, my emotions are a mess too.  I took Ativan, for sleep and anxiety as needed. Zopiclone for sleep as needed. And I used Codeine for pain. I only take a Zopiclone once in a while now. None of the others, though.  
Recovery is tough for a lot of people. These are serious surgeries that take time to heal. Not everyone feels good after.  Do what you have to. You are doing great, Jonette!  Don't feel like it's a race. Your body will straighten out, and you will move on. But take your time.  

jonette kruk  Thank you so much everyone! Your words mean so much to me, more than you will know. I treasure your comments and advice and take them to heart. I am going to call my doctor on Monday and request a sleep aid. God Bless! And thank you again! 

Richard Munson  As for a sleep aid, which may not be an option for you but my beloved cassie slithered into bed with me and i slept like a baby. I had to sleep on my back and she would lay her gigantic head on my lap. 

jonette kruk  Thank you Felix. I appreciate your post. I seem to be more emotional lately. Sometimes I think I am doing too much, other times I think I am not doing enough. I have terrible insomnia at night, waking every 2 hrs. and my emotions seem to be on a roll coaster. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. 

Jay Heagerty  Jonette, hope all went well with your surgery. Those first few days of recovery are very difficult. However, it does get a little better each day. Best of luck with your recovery.

jonette kruk  Thank you so much Jay! Yes, for sure the first few days were almost unbearable, but I did survive and have had excellent care here at Cedar Senai and I am on my road to recovery. Hopefully, I will be going home tomorrow :) 

jonette kruk  Richard, OMG I wish I was lol...yesterday was the first day I was able to really move about, not a run but definitely a faster walk. After those chest tubes come out, life is so much different. It was difficult but I have survived. Thank you so much for thinking about me. I have been texting several times with Gary up to yesterday and have not heard back from him, I am a bit worried about him. Please keep him in your prayers! Thanks again. 

Richard Munson  Great to hear from you and that things are moving ahead. Never mentioned chest tubes. Why talk negatives. Yes, they can be a pain for sure. 

jonette kruk  Hi Roy! Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers! They are so much appreciated. Surgery went perfect and recovery is going well for today. Definitely a day by day journey! 
God was and is my savior and never or ever has left my side. I don't know what I would have done without my faith! 

Roy Yoder  Jonette
I am so happy that things are improving for you each day.  The pain is tough, but you are tougher.  The Lord is gracious. You have such a positive mental attitude, and that is one of the most powerful gifts God supplies to those who claim Him.

jonette kruk  Greg, 
Thank you so much! You do not know how much you helped me the day of surgery. They moved my surgery up and I had to leave my house at 3 am and this was the first post I read and it made my cry and put so much love and care into my heart and gave me strength! Thank you again, you will never know how much you helped me! God Bless! Jonette

Greg Lewis  I believe God wanted me to remind you that He is with you. He brought both of us closer to him, that way!  
How are you doing?

jonette kruk  I believe you are right! I’m doing a lot better. I had some rough days but pushed through with a great care team, esp the nurses! 

jonette kruk  Thank you so much Grace! I am more excited today than anxious, but once I wake up in the morning, I am sure it will be a different story, I know my emotions will be like a rollercoaster until I get some Versed to relax me. When I wake up from surgery, I know I am going to tell myself "why were you so excited about this?" LOL I have been busy cleaning and running errands today, I feel like I did when I was pregnant years ago, waiting for the baby to come ....."nesting."  So weird! 

Pamela Gregory  Wishing you all the best tomorrow Jonette!!! I also did a whole nesting thing before surgery? My house has never been that clean (under beds, base-boards, etc). Have a good rest tonight and we will all be praying for you to have a successful surgery 🙏💗

Ana Brusso  Oh Jonette, I’m lifting you up in prayer for your surgery tomorrow to go well and we will be here to welcome you into recovery. God bless you 🙏❤️

jonette kruk  Thank you so much Greg! You are right on with every word ....God and this site has been my strength! As crazy as this sounds, I am excited for tomorrow. I just want to start my journey to recovery. In six months, I will look back and say "ease pease"....and most of all, I will be feeling so, so much better and healthier. :) I look forward to posting on here with my update. BTW...my entire family knows your famous quote "Show up, take a nap, they perform a miracle, you wake up, you dangle, you recover a bit, and then you go home....ease pease."

jonette kruk  Thank you so much Susan, I am definitely ready! I look forward to posting as soon as I am able to, hopefully when I am out of ICU and able to walk :) 

jonette kruk  OMG....this is so awesome to know Gary. How amazing if we were in the next rooms. It would be so great if both of our nurses could walk us at the same time, we could encourage one another :) I will definitely try to look you up and call you. My cell is 909-730-7540. Blessings to you and your family as well. Cedar is a great hospital and Chikwe and Trento are top notch. We are in great hands. I say my rosary every night and dedicate it to someone, and tonight I am going to dedicate it to the both of us. Godspeed my friend and praying for you and your family. 

Rose Madura  When I had my surgery, a guy from my church had a bypass the next day. We had the same surgeon. We both had lots of visitors and we feel a heart connection now. Hope you guys will get to see each other.

Klara Čičić  No, not yet, I will post here as soon as it is done, don't worry. But this first cardiologist who did my first echo post surgery, he said I should do the nex one by fall :)  that is why I am not obsessing over. I am waiting for this professor to contact me, she is very busy. I am feeling fine and started working which is a huge game changer and I can not tell you how happy I am for going to work. I am still in my residency so it is not as stressful. Hang in there!! Just a little more! :)))) You are doing great!!!!! 

jonette kruk  Hello my friend! I made it and I am on my road to recovery! The first couple days were very difficult but as each day went by it got better, day by day! One of my doctors said to me and my husband "there are still going to be good days and" there are still going to be bad days" and I am so glad he said that to me and my husband. I am a straight to the point person and love so much when doctors tell you what to expect or possibly expect. And as each skill or procedure they performed, that is exactly what they did. Cedar Senai has been so good and the staff I can't praise enough! I can't tell them enough how much they helped "save me" and if it weren't for them, I would have given up. The care team makes you or breaks you and they made me and showed me light to the road of recovery! I was so glad to hear you are back to work  and how happy it makes you feel. That is awesome! Keep me posted! God Bless! 

Klara Čičić  Dear Jonette, I am very happy everything is going well. Recovery curve is ups and downs. I am 5 months and I can say that now I finally feel very good, I started working and it feels great. I am finally being myself again. When I read your posts it is like reading my own. I think we are very very much alike :) Those were my exact thoughts... Hang in there, fight, be a warrior like you are, we are here for the ups and for the downs!

jonette kruk  Thank you Richard! I look forward to hearing your story, and of course, look forward to your humor! God knows we ALL need humor! 

Marie Myers  For me , watching a video of surgery was always way more creepy to me than seeing surgery in person. Don’t know why that is….

Steven Methot  Natalie and I watched several a few years ago at the suggestion of our then surgeon when we were in Calgary.  One thing that we both got to after the squeamishness wore off:  THESE PEOPLE KNOW THEIR STUFF!  It was somehow calming to realize that in that rather tight space they were able to dance with their fingers.  It was artistry and I understood that when the time comes we'll be in good hands.

Rose Madura  Before my hysterectomy in 2014, I started to watch a video. Not sure if I made it past 3 minutes before I got woozy and dizzy and had to stop.  I just can't stomach that stuff.

Richard Munson  See i knew rose and i had something in common besides just richard edwards and heart surgery of course.

Ana Brusso  I like Richard, Rose and Angela can’t stomach those videos. Richard and I faint at our own blood. Lol

jonette kruk  Hi Everyone! :) I totally understand about not wanting to watch the video. I guess being a nurse and having seen so much, it was a lot easier for me and actually so, so interesting and intriguing and like Steven mentioned, it really has calmed me vs waking up going what, why and how....It also was another way for my fiancé to see how intense this surgery really is....even though some say we recover in an average of 2 to 4 weeks, this is major, major stuff going on here and caregivers need to know that there will be setbacks and rightfully so due to the trauma our bodies go through to be healthy again. OMG....did I just type all of that in one sentence, my college English professor would not be happy....LOL! Today is a good day and I hope so for everyone else. 

Richard Munson  Well, i made a choice tonight. To either watch an open heart surgery video or a chicago concert at the greek theater in 1992. Yes, i chose the concert. 

Klara Čičić  Watching surgery videos calmed me down just before my surgery. Now, I stay away from particular mitral valve repair video :) back then, it was reassuring, like watching a well rehearsed orchestra performing, definitely calming experience. My oldest was 5 and a half at the time, he's a smartie, he wanted to know what they are gonna do to mumy, I showed him this great animation of my surgery, not scary at all, he watched it over and over and was fascinated...it seemed like it helped him, too. 

Brady Busch  My surgeon's dad was one and probably a big reason for entering into this field of work.Also,during her childhood,she had some kind of operation and instead of being anxious,found it very interesting.There's a certain kind of person that does this kind of work.

Marie Myers  Gonna stick my nose in here and say I loved guided meditations pre surgery, and still use them today. Try The Honest Guys or Jason  Stephenson  on UTube. I found them very helpful.

jonette kruk  No I do not, but I will definitely check out Marie's suggestions, I am willing to try anything. Thank you Marie. :)  

Louise Moore  Guided meditations really grounded me and the feeling stuck so I was calm and very ready for my surgery.

Alex Sagan  If you do recorded books, I would recommend the meditation recordings/books by Belleruth Naparstek and Martin Rossman. These are specific for surgery and they helped me a lot to prepare mentally, manage fear, and visualize success. 

jonette kruk  Thank you everyone! I appreciate your suggestions and will definitely try them, anything to help the nerves and anxiety. 

jonette kruk  Richard, thank you so much for your heartfelt post and prayers, I truly appreciate your kinds words and sharing your story about being dropped off, which made me realize I am blessed that I will have my fiancé, mother and sister both at my side to help me. I am very lucky! Wow, re the anesthesiologist, yes I agree "cold." Were you given any medication beforehand to relax and calm you and did it help? Do you remember much of ICU? Do you care to share your experience with me? Thanks again! 

Marie Myers  Jonette, another story for you on preop relaxation… Being a nurse anesthetist myself, I was plenty apprehensive about the whole surgery. (Yes, I have done many open hearts with an anesthesiologist in my 43 years).When I met the nurse anesthetist the week before my surgery, I told her to keep that Versed coming. (Versed is the trade name for midazolam, which is a relaxing, make you forget drug)  At the time she came to preop  and take me to the OR, the nurse anesthetist  gave me some Versed through the IV. I remember absolutely nothing about going to the OR, moving to the table, nothing. Don’t remember seeing a thing..It was great! I woke up about 6 hours later, chewing on my endotracheal tube in the ICU. The tube was removed very shortly after. I only remember bits and pieces of those first few hours. Mostly I was just uncomfortable, mostly in my shoulders and upper back. Would have paid anything for a massage…If there is anything else you would like to know, just ask. Plenty of people can share their experience.

Richard Munson  I recall waking up and seeing my beautiful nurse at the end  of the bed and being who i am even at 80, my first thought was that i had died and gone to heaven. It hurt but not as bad as kidney stones. Lots of folks here pulling for you. 

Alex Sagan  ICU is loud. Beeping. Beeping.  Take earplugs and buy noise canceling headphones. But they have eyes on you there all the time, which is very reassuring. 

Richard Munson  I suspect, but do not know, that the first day is critical which is why you have a nurse almost full time. Those icu nurses are the best of the best i think. 

Brady Busch  My experience closely mirrored Marie's,except I don't remember the tube being in or coming out.
The pain was more like an ache,which was bearable.Developing AF in the ICU,was an uncomfortable thing,as often it happened at night and was difficult to sleep.I did cough up a lot of mucus too,which was annoying.
Exhaustion was also a biggie,when all I wanted to do was lay there a little while longer,as the nurses wanted me to get up into a chair or take a walk.

jonette kruk  Thank you Marie, Richard, Alex and Brady for your responses. I think half of my anxiety is also being a nurse, sometimes knowing too much on that end, can be overbearing. You would think the opposite. I do love nurses thou, during all of my testings before this point (TEE, angiogram, TTE, stress echo etc) they have been so nice and supportive. The touch of the hand from a nurse, brings my anxiety way down, the "touch" and the reassurance makes so much of a difference for me. I am so nervous until I do see that OR nurse and she tells me "I am going to take care of you, don't worry" and every nurse I have had has never let me down and has really taken care of me. 

jonette kruk  How long did everyone stay in the hospital? Were you scared to come home and what helped you the most? I am 2-1/2 hrs away from Cedar Senai which makes me a bit nervous. I am not a big fan of the hospitals where I live (unfortunately had bad experiences), so I am kinda nervous about being released in 4-5 days after surgery being so far away from my cardiologist and surgeon. 

Richard Munson  They kept telling me my vitals were great , you’re going home but i knew i was not ready so i fibbed about  my discomfort walking the corridors with my therapist. I ended up staying 5 days. You know best how you feel. After all, its your heart. You have an entire heart valve site warrior crew pulling for you. As ringo sings “ you’ll get by with a little help from your friends” 

Richard Munson  As much as i love my wife of 56 years i missed my cassie the most. Her picture on my bed my first day home on my profile tells the story. Talk about devoted. Her ashes sit next to my bed and will remain there thru my life. 

Brady Busch  My stay was nine days,maybe because of AF and the need for a pacemaker.I booked a hotel near my home,for a week,because of the accessible shower and ended up staying for two.I also knew there wasn't going to be someone to stay with me,but if there is family or a friend to help,that is probably much better.
I wasn't scared leaving the hospital,because my condition had improved.A nurse practitioner asked me what or where I wanted to go and my answer was Argentina.Then said,ready to go home.So we agreed it was time.

Marie Myers  I was in the hospital 5 glorious, sleepless nights. I was not afraid of going home, and so I was ready to leave. What helped me the most was the peace and quiet of home. I also remember how wonderful it  was getting back out in the sun! I also needed a shower chair for the first week, and I loved the electric recliner that I rented for 4 weeks. Made it easy to get up and down myself. Even though sleep was elusive , it was nice being able to watch brainless TV and maybe doze off while in the recliner.
if you are nervous about going home and being away from the hospital, you could spend a few days at a hotel near the hospital. I think most of the people who travel for surgery do that. 

Richard Munson  Wish i had purchased a recliner. Getting out of bed was not easy. I rang a bell till my wife threatened my life. Argentina? 

Alex Sagan  Ask your surgeons team, how long they expect you to be hospitalized. They can estimate based on a few of your risk factors. I was 6 days ICU and 7 more in step down unit. I think you need a plan for how you are going to deal with issues after your discharge. The surgical team will probably take responsibility for you for a while after discharge, but you have to know that you can reach them by phone. Do you have a general cardiologist who is going to follow you longer term? How would you get back to the hospital promptly if you feel you need?

Rita Savelis  5 days in ICU, 2 and a half more weeks in hospital. Then livein rehab for another 3 weeks. But I had triple valve surgery and then a pacemaker planted a few weeks later. So not a normal heart surgery.  The nurses in ICU are amazing although it is such a strange place to spend 5 days. The cardiac ICUs (different from other ICUs) that many hospitals have are essential to their incredible success rates and one has to be in awe of them, even as one can't wait to get to a regular room. I also let my anasthesioologist know to give me meds against nausea. Anasthesiologists can concoct whatever you need. Be vocal with them. I had no pain waking up after surgery, just much discomfort. I asked for morphine anyway so that I could forget where I was for a bit. The one thing that really surprised me about ICU was that other patients were eating full meals soon after surgery. I absolutely had no appetite of any kind. Take care.

Thomas Brusstar  I woke with my arms restrained with big Velcro straps, but once I was conscious and they could see I was oriented they removed those.  My trach tube was in for a while, maybe an hour, while I was awake.  Finally they pulled that.  I went in for surgery Tuesday morning, stayed 3 nights, and was home for dinner Friday.  I welcomed going home, as hospitals are loud!  Home nurses visited every day I think during that first week, to test blood thinner levels mostly, I think.  But they were friendly and comforting, so you will have some reassurance things are being handled.  

jonette kruk  Thank you everyone for your great responses and suggestions. I had my preop with the anesthesiologist the other day and made her well aware I am a bit of a nervous person....LOL...to say the least...haha and to please make sure my medical file is noted and she was very receptive to this and said I will be in very good hands. I don't know what I would do without all of you. It is amazing how people you have never met can give you so much comfort and comfort is an understatement from this group. The knowledge is unbelievable!!! I still have a bit of fear but nothing like I had before this site. I CAN'T THANK EACH ONE OF YOU ENOUGH! I hope I am able to return the favor to our future warriors and friends on here. 
2 more days and the day I have been waiting for is here! I pray for strength, kindness, and patience, especially with my loved ones. Being sick is no fun and I can get a bit cranky, so I need prayers. I also need prayers for releasing my control.....now I just have to "show up." :)))

Richard Munson  She is a good person to know in case she shortchanges you on the anesthesia. Bring a bullet to bite on just in case.

Brady Busch  This is a small thing,but was big at the time.One of the pills,Potassium,was so large,even cutting it in half was difficult to swallow and I dreaded it.
A nurse later showed me,taking with some ice cream really helped.

jonette kruk  OMG....can't wait to have coffee again. I have a lot of PVC's so I had to give up caffeine and it is no fun, but I have to do what I have to do.....I am hoping the PVC's will dissipate or decrease significantly after my MV repair. 

Timothy Andre  I spent 8 days in the hospital. 3 in ICU and 5 in the step down unit. I contracted Covid while in the hospital so it took longer before discharge. I was also 2.5 hrs from home but couldn’t wait to return to my own bed with some peace and quiet. I agree with Marie, when I was wheeled outside for the first time it was glorious. The sun and fresh air was something to remember. It really is the little things in life that are so important; coffee included. Lol 

Klara Čičić  I was in hospital for 9 or 10 days, without complications, pretty long, but that was because it was weekend after which was some German holiday and also because I had to get stronger for my trip home, which was 10 hours by car (we stopped half way to sleep in a some weird small town hotel ), it was surreal experience but I made it. You will, too. I was a little scared of going home and not being monitored for 24 hours. But you just go with the flow, each day you survive, it gets better and you go on... You can do this!! Can't wait for your first recovery post here :)

jonette kruk  Hi Angela! Thank you so much! 14 days to go and counting each day down. This site has been a God sent. I still have fear and anxiety but nothing like I did before I joined this "amazing group." I hope future patients are able to find the comfortable, knowledge and confidence as I have on this amazing site. 

jonette kruk  Hi Ruth, I have been in menopause for about 5 years, but I have had anxiety/panic disorder since 7 months after my third pregnancy at age 28. Due to the heart working harder during pregnancy, they could really hear the murmur from the MVP and had me wear a Holter Monitor. My anxiety had been controlled with medication but since being told I have to have open heart surgery and I have Barlow's (more complex MV surgery), it has exploded again. I am doing my best with self-help techniques. I do have PVC's like crazy as well, I am hoping these are more controlled after the surgery. Thank you for your post :)