Lynda's Guestbook

Lynda Ruiz  Sorry it took so long to respond the mobile version of the site(on my phone)does not let me see all responses. I have not had any problems with the metropolol. I had BP meds prior to surgery, but not beta blockers. My diastolic tends to be on the higher side since surgery, now 5.5 weeks out. Is it working better now?

Valerie Archual  I PRAY so- they actually switched me to succinate x2 daily and I think that's working better! Fingers crossed!!!

Lynda Ruiz  I now have a surgical date set for 5/25 in TX. I will get there 5/9 for my dad's valve surgery, have my initial appt w/Drs on 5/17, then surgery 25th. I will have questions for the drs, but some things need to be answered before leaving home in AZ.

With restriction on range of arm motion, what kinds of clothes can by worn most comfortably? Buttons/snaps, pullover, etc.

Meredith Bray  Are you getting a group rate? Haha! For the first few weeks, I pretty much kept my elbows next to my body. Week 2 I was able to unload the dishwasher one or 2 pieces at a time, and I used the BBQ tongs to transfer the wet laundry to the dryer, one piece at a time. I was able to wrangle myself into a sport bra after week 2, but I mostly wore tank tops and camisoles with t-shirts. I was comfortable in yoga pants, leggins, pajama bottoms, sleep shorts. You'll be spending a LOT of time resting/reclining/sleeping in the first few weeks, so you'll want to be comfortable. but you will also need (HAVE!) to get up and walk several times a day, so unless you have an indoor track at home, you'll want something comfortable and somewhat presentable to wear outside. AND your body will be re-learning how to regulate temperature, so you'll either want layers or different weight blankets. You'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect after watching your father.

I'll tell you straight up: do NOT attempt to chase a cat through the house and then leap across the bed after him "just because you want to snuggle with him!" LOL After I recovered from the shock and stupidity of what I'd just done, I just laid there and laughed for about 10 minutes. And then realized I was on the road to recovery.

Moral: Don't spend a lot of money on "recovery clothes" because by week 4 or 5 you'll be back in your regular wardrobe. Although underwire bras still irritate me occasionally.

What else?

-Meredith

Jane Higginbotham  Loved your post! I wear so many pull over the head clothes that I will have to buy some button up things but will not shop for couture healing clothes!

Lynda Ruiz  Meredith Bray, you are very funny. No animals at home or at my sister's in TX. My 'girls' are large and I use a front closure bra with a whole line up of hooks. I have been practicing T-shirts keeping arms close to body and am bringing the largest ones with me. In the house I figure loose nitegown. I will look for things when I get there as selection for plus size clothes where I live is very limiting.

A third sister from Cincinnati is talking of coming to TX to "take care of me" I won't have to do many housekeeping tasks till I fly home at about 3 weeks. The Dr's 'gal' said about 5-7 days in hospital, then when I leave hospital will not need someone there with me all day. She said Ill likely be able to drive shorter distances when I get home to AZ.Not sure where all I'll be staying. First 5 days at least with my dad. They told him 1 to 2 nights with the TAVR in the hospital.

I had hip surgery mid February and needed tools like grabbers and such for just getting dressed. I'm bringing the longhandled shoe horn with hooks that were used for dressing. Wonder if I should bring grabbers. I am still not sleeping well in bed since I'm a side sleeper and it hurts. I use the recliner mostly still.

Did you have problems be sleeping at home from OHS?

Meredith Bray  My sleep cycle was all messed up. I couldn't sleep for more than a few hours at a time, but it wasn't from pain. The first 3 weeks it was more of a doze/wake cycle than sleeping. I watched a LOT of movies on my tablet while laying in bed at night. I did make an effort to go to bed at the same time, and get up and shower in the morning. I did not nap in bed during the day - used the recliner.
I could not lay flat for about 4 weeks, I needed to be propped up at an angle. I felt as though I was suffocating when I was flat. My surgeon told me I would know when I was ready to side-sleep, and so I tried it slowly, a little more each time. It was weird - everything in my chest cavity felt sloshy. I used a firm pillow to hug like a teddy bear while I was side sleeping, it kept my upper shoulder and arm from squashing my chest cavity. I still find some comfort sleeping like that. 3 years later and I am back to my teenage sleeping patterns - never more than 6-7 hours a night, and can sleep anywhere in just about any position.

The best advice I can give you about sleeping at home is to get one of those u-shaped travel pillows to support your head and neck while you are resting in a recliner! Your body needs all the energy it can muster to heal you from surgery, and you don't want to waste any of that precious energy holding your head up while you're sleeping (or watching tv or just staring at the ceiling because you're bored out of your mind but can't concentrate long enough to watch a move. Yeah, that'll happen too.)

:)

Meredith