Kenneth's Guestbook

Hi Ken! Thanks so very much for sharing your story. I will be thinking of you next week and praying for you and your family. Your story/journal inspires me! ❤️🚴‍♂️

Preparing for AVR. 1. You need a good recliner (you may need to sleep in!) 2. A good adjustable bed, split down the middle if your wife doesn't agree with your settings. (or at least a wedge pillow) 3. Slip on shoes or slippers for hospital and to get you home. 4. Because of the incision, they don't want you using your arms to push/pull, start exercising with sit ups, now ect. So it's easier to get out of bed. 4. Walk and exercise your lungs, before and after. 5. You will be on blood thinners after, for only about 3 months to prevent stroke. Read up on what foods to avoid and ask where to test your blood for thickness every 3 days/ week? 6. Ask when and where rehab will be. Good program, take advantage! 7. I had an annoying dry cough after my surgery, you may need cough drops. I had almost no pain after surgery but I was aware of my incision. The IV drugs and the heprin shots after surgery were not fun. 50% of patients have AFIB because of the swelling of the heart after surgery. I had to stay a couple of days longer because of my AFIB. Sleep is difficult after you get out of the hospital because of all the drugs and testing in the hospital. I was only able to sleep about 2-3 hour intervals the first week and 3-4 hour intervals second week. Etc... You can sit in your recliner and read about your favorite sports team on your phone ( small print) to make your eyes tired so you can go back to sleep. My bicuspid valve was replaced with an Edward's Lifesciences bovine tissue valve. The company invites 50 patients to Orange county California to tour the factory and meet the people who sewed the valve all expenses paid, every year. If you are getting an Edward's valve, check into it, it was a great trip for me and my wife in 2018.