Lenore's Guestbook

Melinda - First of all, you've chosen the best hospital and the best surgeon, so you'll be in very good hands. I'm a nurse, so my perspective is a bit different since I spent many years in a hospital environment, but when I faced open heart surgery, my experience gave me more things to worry about because I understood so much. It's natural to worry, however the more you can concentrate on the good aspects such as going to CC and to Dr G, the better off you'll be. I found that the closer surgery came, the more calm and accepting I felt. You mention a 7 yr old child, and I hope you have someone to go with you to CC. My adult daughters both came with me, and that was a comfort. But even if you must go alone, everyone at CC is very welcoming and warm, and you get the sense that everyone really cares about you right from the start. I've had many other surgeries, for instance back fusions which were painful, so I've been on both sides of the bed. The nurses will keep you nicely medicated for pain, and actually I didn't have a lot of pain compared to my back surgeries. I was up on the second day and walking soon after that. I was kept in ICU (Intensive Care) for 3 days because my blood pressure was low. Most people are only in ICU one day or so. It is rather noisy there, so you won't get much real rest until they take you to a private room on another floor. OK, as for the actual day of surgery, it's absolutely impossible not to be anxious, however your attitude and all attempts you can made to calm yourself are of real benefit. Try listening to your favorite music before hand - even now! Music can be very relaxing. Taking slow deep breaths is a fabulous thing to do too - start to practice that now, and continue on - breathe in very slowly through your nose, hold a second or two, then exhale slowly through the mouth - you'll feel yourself relax as you do this. It helps for pain, it helps to calm yourself. You'll be in a small room near the OR beforehand, and there will be a nurse who'll ask you routine questions and have you put on a gown, etc. Family can be there with you. They roll you into a large OR on a gurney, and very soon, you'll be asleep. The next thing you know, you'll be in the ICU, and you'll be incubated (have a breathing tube in your mouth and down into your lungs - can't speak while the tube is in, but it's not bad, and they take it out soon - this doesn't hurt. You will have probably two chest tubes, and I was dreading these, but actually it's not that bad either. These tubes stay in for about three days, and I didn't Feel much at all when they took them out. If you have a mid-sternal incision, (which is what I had) it'll feel better to have the head of the bed raised a bit, and this goes for the initial week or two at home also (I bought a foam wedge and put my head pillow on top of that at home). If you have robotic surgery, the incision is very small and in between your ribs. You'll be able to eat fairly soon, and many people are hospitalized for only 3-4 days. I was there a week, but it went fast. There's a concierge at CC who helps arrange transport to the airport in a limousine (I can't recall the cost). Then the airport has a wheelchair to get you to and in the plane. I flew with my daughter to Denver, and we had another limousine ride the 50 miles to home. The trip wasn't bad, although I do recommend taking a pain pill when you're due for one (they'll give you a prescription which someone will fill for you before you leave - also for any other meds they want you to take.). Forgot to mention you'll meet Dr Gillinov the day before surgery, and he's all business, but really a great guy. I felt so fortunate to go to him. Now - enjoy Christmas with you little one, and put this out of your mind as much as you can. I'll be happy to answer other questions. Let me know how this all goes for you. My surgery was Jan 7, 2015, so I'm almost a year out. I was walking slow but ok right away at home, taking stairs just fine. My daughter stayed with me about a week, then I was ok on my own. I live alone. Oh - and when you're walking well at CC, do take the elevator up to the highest floor where there's a cool large sitting area with a view to Lake Erie - and they have free cookies up there too, a nice touch. The hospital is beautiful, and again, I've never had such a feeling of warmth from everyone from secretaries to docs at any other hospital (and as I said, I've worked in quite a few). You'll do fine! Merry Christmas!

Thank you so so much. I do have family around to help and are all very supportive. My sister who is a nurse practictioner will be traveling with me which is about a 7 hour drive. I am the type to worry over everything. I have started counseling to help cope with all the emotion associated with this surgery. I have an awesome church family who are heavily praying. I know I have to trust God.

Lenore, I read your journal and your write up on what you went through last year was awesome . I also have a leaky valve and am going through preliminary evaluations now at Abbott Nortwestern's Minneapolis Heart Institute. I'm meeting with Dr Robert Farivar in a few weeks. Supposedly I have "severe" regurgitation, but no AFIB, pulmonary hypertension or breathing problems, so hopefully I can delay surgery for a while longer. My ventricle is normal but my atrium is somewhat enlarged so I obviously have to monitor this closely. Your updates of what your experience during your recovery was one of the best that I've read and extremely helpful. I hope I can do the same when it's my turn to go through this. Ben from Minneapolis