Barbara's Journal

Rita Savelis  I still get that pounding feeling 3 yrs out. I think we just feel our heart more. It certainly beats faster and harder. I've always been told i was fine but a Holter can't hurt.

Civita Fahey  I started having palpitations at about 8 months.. I did have a Holter Monitor and it showed I had over 20,000 in one day.. They weren't too concerned about, I even saw an electrophysioloigst who said that some people do get palpitations not always related to the surgery.. I was put back on 25mg of metropolol. the issue is that having palpitations for too long MAY cause some issues later on, but as a whole there isn't much they can do, unless they become an issue where it interferes with daily life.. Mine have slowed down, I haven't had a monitor since but, I definitely dont feel them as much, I can go days with nothing and then 1-2 days I feel them every so often.. I was really nervous about them at first which of course made them worse, so, I've tried to stay calm.. I figured if they were concerned I would know about it.. they can be brought on by stress ( which I think mine were) and can ebb and wane.. but, ask your doctor.. its always good to get his opinion..

Sophia Ridley  Mine were heading higher (I'm on Rivaroxaban so I was getting worried) but latest tests showed that settled down. Been drinking lots of water and eating far better so don't know if that's the reason. I was going to check with a pharmacist if I could take milk thistle as hear often that this good for liver. Pls check before taking anything.

Meredith Bray  Ask for a physical therapist to help you with neck and back pain. It's probably from supporting your head and arms all day. Make sure that when you are resting that your head is supported by a travel pillow (the U-shaped type) or a t-shirt rolled up and put around your neck. I also relieved some upper back pain by supporting my arms with pillows while sitting/reclining. That took the arm weight off my shoulders and allowed me to relax a bit 9and get some deeper sleep). I was so afraid of moving while sleeping that I'm pretty sure I never really fell all the way asleep for the first month. It was a series of twilight cat-naps. Good luck!
-Meredith

Wanda Mroz  I had bad back and neck pain. Was given some muscle relaxers for a bit. Used a tennis ball to roll between the shoulder blades which helped a ton. Also heat helped. Takes a few weeks to subside but will get better.

Brenda Miller  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...Best of luck for a successful surgery...take care

Bob M  I pray that your surgery will be text book and that your recovery will be uneventful. Tomorrow will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. God bless and rise up!

Kimberly Biddick  Things I found very useful: chapstick, my own button down nightgowns, dry shampoo (you can't shower for several days), make up remover face wipes (helps keep your face feeling fresh since you can't shower), phone charger, miralax, fiber one, snacks for my husband and visitors, my own pillow and blanket, a bed buddy (you can either make it hot or cold and wrap it around your neck), notepad and pen to write down questions for the doctors, my own slippers with grippy bottoms, razor for my armpits :) , toothbrush, hair brush, glasses and lens cleaning wipes

Elaine Cutri  That's a pretty good list. Music is nice to have. I didn't read much, my attention span in the hospital was not there for reading books. Magazines and movies were ok.

  In addition to all those wonderful things above; I took a face mask and ear plugs because: a) I can't sleep without it at home anyways, but b) they are constantly coming in and out of the room. There were several times they could come in and do what they needed without waking me up. I also agree with Elaine, I was fuzzy and not totally with it to be able to read. I spent most of my time surfing the web on my phone and just talking with my husband or the staff. Best wishes!!

Liz Burroughs  Best wishes for a successful surgery! I had a mini mitral valve repair at the end of October. I'm grateful that I was able to have the minimally invasive surgery. My incision is only 2 inches long. I went back to work on Dec. 7 and I'm just about half way through my cardiac rehab (and feeling pretty good!). You'll be on the road to recovery very soon!