Noreen's Guestbook

Hi Noreen, Sorry to know you are experiencing hearing loss. It can be from surgery as heart patients typically require lasix, which has side effect of ototoxicity, especially in high doses, or fast iv administration.

Hi Noreen, Just know that insomnia is one of those things after surgery. I was caring for my sister after her valve replacement and her solution was to get a bunch of fun books to read (what I call "travel trash") and don't worry about not sleeping. She would nap on and off during the day and eventually got on a more normal schedule when she was able to get some exercise. Good luck and God Bless!

So happy you are on the recovery-side! Be patient, your body needs time to adjust to all its been through! Everything will subside given enough nurturing, gratitude medicine has come so far! You are very brave!

Hi Noreen, I had disruptions to my sleeping pattern after my operation (very common), while still at the hospital. But they gave me a pill for that. Once I got home my sleeping was fine. BUT--a year later I developed insomnia which had nothing to do with my heart. Still, how I got cured might help you too. People--both professionals and laypeople--will suggest all kinds of remedies, from pills to herbs to relaxing tapes. None of them worked for me. Finally it occurred to me to ask myself a very simple question each night before going to bed: "What am I taking to bed with me?" In other words, what thoughts, worries, concerns or just all the news and entertainment that I took in during the day (almost all negative), were still jumping up and down in my subconscious, ready to spring out and have a party the moment my head hit the pillow. So first, I made sure to take in as little as possible of all the noise and chaos "out there." I wanted my subconscious to be as empty a slate as possible come bedtime. And second--and this is the most important part--I had to regain my sense of a Creator, an Intelligence, whatever you care to call It--which wanted the best for me in every way, was watching out for me and would give me superb guidance and advice, if only I asked. And then listened. The Creator *never* shouts, you have to get real quiet to hear It. But I always did hear It. So now my subconscious became filled with "Creator input" and with my memories of all the times my Creator was there for me. (Especially during my open heart surgery.) And I've been sleeping like a child ever since. Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps. I know what hell insomnia can be. Best, Artie

HI Noreen, I am having my surgery March31. I wanted to say Hi to the other Noreen. I do spell my name differently, but great to hCe something else in common. Best of luck to you with your surgery.