shannon's Guestbook

Shannon, I had the (full monty) sternotomy. I was like Linda and did not wear my robe or pj\'s. I stayed in hospital gowns. The bra is a big deal if you are big busted due to pulling on sternum. I am a DD. I woke up with a hospital surgical bra on. Ask nurses/doctor prior about this if you are big busted. They will give you one! A recliner is so helpful when home. I slept in mine the first 4 weeks. Travel pillow for your neck is also a good thing to have. Don\'t forget chap stick for lips!! Thank you cards & stamps are helpful to have on hand at home in case you get flowers or neighbors dropping off food. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. You will do great. Try and not worry. Janis Kielbasa

Hi Shannon, I am Linda Hillman, I understand your feelings but don\'t be afraid you will do great. I am in waiting with my problems but I will tell you that I am so blessed in finding this site. I have meant so many wonderful people. We are like family. Read Linda Dixons and Mitch Friedmans story and journal. That will help you a lot. There is a tremendous amount of info in the computer as well as on this site. You can never not know to much, the more the better off you will be and feel better about it. I will follow you with everyone else here. I will be saying a prayer for you as well. That is the strongest thing goind and God will be there for you. Good luck to you. Oh and welcome to HVJ. For the long haul Linda H

Shannon, I agree with the others...a robe is a must. I also brought slippers and dry shampoo. I have long hair and my sister gave me pig tail braids, which was good for keeping my hair out of the way of the neck IV. As for the bra, I bought a non-underwire bra, which is very comfortable. Good luck. You\'ll do GREAT! Lily Cardlin

That is a great question I think one thing for sure is a comfortable bra, more like a sports bra nothing too tight that will have a wire in it, I asked my surgeon\'s nurse about that on Friday. I will also be getting the full incision (not looking forward to that). I know a lot of people talk about getting recliner\'s because trying to sleep in bed will be difficult, just the getting in and out of bed, the strain on your chest and you will have a hard time sleeping laying flat on your back. In Adam\'s book he talks about buying a chest guard, I haven\'t looked into that though. Hope that helps since I haven\'t had mine yet I\'m kinda with you on this one. Cindy P.

Hi Shannon, I know how scared you must be right now. I had my aortic valve replaced March 22. From symptom to surgery was just over 4 months for me. There is a huge amount of knowledge and experience here. Learn all you can beforehand. It helped me and my family a lot just knowing what to expect after surgery. Most everything I read on this site and others has been accurate. My surgery was on Thursday, I went home the next Tuesday and have been up and around every since. Bill & Jennifer

Shannon I will definitely pray for you! My surgery is the day after yours so we can cheer each other on :) I read through so many of the journals on here and it actually makes you excited because people really feel better after the surgery. Cindy id right...Adam\'s book is a great resource. Definitely get it!

Hi Shannon, my name is Linda Dixon, a little over 2 weeks post op with aortic valve replacement and aortaplasty. I went to the Cleveland Clinic for my surgery and I could not have had a better experience. It was nothing like I imagined it to be, there was very little discomfort even immediately after surgery. I had been told by everyone prior to surgery that waiting was the hardest part, and in all honesty, I thought...yeah, right...they are just saying that so that I won\'t be afraid. But they were absolutely right!!! I wasted so much energy being worried, it absolutely was not worth it. I know each person is different, but I can honestly say that for me, it was no big deal. I was discharged on day 4 and flew back to SC on day 5 with no problem. Please do not be afraid...just remember to have positive thoughts, use the spirometer religiously and you will be fine. Let me know if you have any questions. Hang in there...you will be amazed!! Linda Dixon

Hi Shannon, I can understand your fear and so glad you have found this site. So many success stories to read and so much encouragement. I am a mom of 3 kids, 24, 21 and 18. I have always had a heart problem and actually had OHS when I was only 6 years old to work on my damaged aorta, a surgery they did not give much hope to my family about back in the 70\'s, but here I am now 44 with 3 kids. I will be having surgery again within a few weeks, trying to get that darn dental clearance right now, this time to fix my bicuspid aortic valve that I have had, I too have been having a lot of symptoms, short of breath, dizzy, getting tired if I over push. I\'m nervous too, but I read these journals and see how much advances have been made and take comfort from that. Ask questions it will help to ease your fears, if you have time, get Adam\'s book, it is so fantastic and will give you a realistic idea of what to expect. If there is anything I can answer for you or you just need to talk, please contact me, my personal email is cindyp@buypcw.com. God is good, it\'s all going to be okay. I\'ll be praying for you. Cindy Pastrano

Hi Shannon, I\'m sure you are scared, but in my opinion the more you know, the better off you are. Burrying your head in the sand is not going to help you or resolve your fear. Read the information here and you will see how many people just like you have had successful heart repairs and feel SO much better after it\'s done. You can get through this! Perhaps you will even come out the other side as a more assertive, self confident person. Use it as a life lesson to learn about yourself. This website is a wonderful source of information and support. Feel free to lean on us! Nancy B

Hi Shannon, My name is Tammy King, I want you to know that my family ie:my husband,Bill, 2 sons Jordan age 12, and Joshua age 8 as well as myself will keep you lifted up in prayer during this most difficut time. I myself have just been recently diagnosed with 4 leaky heart valves, and the cardiologist told me that the conditoin is in the mild phase for now, this comes about after suffering with incidenes of tachycardia for the last 4 to 5 years and me being told there was nothing wrong and that my heart was perfectly healthy, now there\'s a problem that the cardiologist wants to keep an eye on. during my last visit with Dr. Thomas, he discussed doing a transesophageal echo to get a better yiew of the heart and its structures, this is very scary for me as I am totally new to all this cardiac stuff. I\'ve had many, many surguries before,but they were all for another conditon I have, called hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, 30 surgeries total. I have a VP shunt for the hydro and have suffered many shunt failures, plus I had herniated abdominal muscles repaired 3 years ago, NOT FUN AT ALL!!! as the surgery was very painful. Just know this, that I\'ll certainly be praying for you, that the lord will give you his sweet peace that passes all understanding, and that he grant you a full and speedy recovery. Tammy King