Cheryl's Journal

susan kotansky  I had a sternotomy but If you had breathing tubes down your throat it can cause hoarseness. Of course always ask your doctor but I was hoarse, had a feeling of thickening in my throat, and swallowing was a little difficult. It did go away after several weeks. Good luck in your recovery!!!!!

Jennifer Lorenz  Yes! I was hoarse for about two and a half weeks. It worried everyone who spoke to me (besides medical professionals). One day, it just went away and I'm fine a month out. I think, like so many other things, it's just a little thing that caused unnecessary worry. Good luck...it will get better!

Michael Meyer  Cheryl:

I had sinus tachycardia not necessarily ventricular tachycardia. I did have minimally invasive repair. The tachycardia did resolve 7-9 months after surgery. I did see my cardiologist to ensure there were no other potential issues (thyroid is apparently very common). There are a couple of other patients on the site who have also experiences tachycardia with mitral valve repair.

Sophia Ridley  Cheryl, I had AFib after mitral valve repair. Any arrhythmia post surgery that you didn't have before is frustrating. The heart is a fickle beast and doesn't like to be messed about :(

I was just doing some research on nutrients, I'm becoming a big believer on balance... I suggest that they check your Mg, Ca, Vit D and iron.

Wanda Mroz  It's common to have some afib after surgery minimally invasive or not. I had a short run of it and was on thinners for 3 months just in case. I was put on a heart monitor for two weeks then and had no afib whatsoever so I came off the thinners. I also wear a fitbit HR 24 hrs a day just in case. So far, so good! Not sure if you had a MAZE procedure for afib prevention... I did, but again, it takes time to heal and afib is common even after the procedure.

Cheryl Shute Walter  Sending positive energy for a successful surgery! I'd say good luck, but there is no luck involved, only skilled hands of the surgeon and medical team, and God. I'll check back once you are able to post again.

Cheryl Smith  Surgery was a success. I've recovered remarkably well. Hope to go home tomorrow. It hasn't been easy. But thankful to have my valve repaired.

Cheryl Shute Walter  It only goes up from here. Don't be alarmed if you have a hiccup here and there. That is totally normal. Glad you're on the upside now!

Emily Rowley  Wishing you all the best for your surgery & recovery. How are you feeling? Hopefully they can repair it 😊 Please keep us updated, only when you feel up to it.

Praying for you Cheryl 🙏

Em.

Melinda Queliz  Just got done praying for you and your surgery! I am looking forward to hearing your recovery story. You may not know this but you inspire me to stay positive and honestly give me some strength for upcoming journey.

Robert Frederick  Tell Dr. Lewis that the Rocket Scientist say "Hello" and I am doing great!

You will do fine. Three weeks from now, most of it will be behind you.

Cheryl Smith  Robert I just saw the message for Dr. Lewis! But Gloria did tell one of my daughters that you and I are 2 peas in a pod with our questions and attention to detail. Teachers. We mark ourselves.

Sophia Ridley  My list: own pillow (if allowed), non paraben shower gel, face wipes, mouthwash (non alcoholic), electric toothbrush (less effort), toothpaste, roll deodorant, ear plugs and eye mask, nice shawl which doubled as a blanket when cold (you get hot/cold/clammy), couple of magazines, front fastening non underwire bras (feel like they hold you together!) I took in maternity gowns (gownies) as allergy to hospital detergent, they were a lot easier to undo for ECG etc as front folded down rather than having to take off. My drains were in the way so couldn't wear pjs. One thing that I couldn't have been without is a colourful scarf - nice to have warm neck and hides scar if you're not brave enough!
When home I was surprised how much movement I had so could wear most things as long as no too tight. I've been living in loose yoga pants, t-shirts and jumpers. Getting my trainers and socks on at first was a struggle but ok now.

Jackie Owens  It's hard to sleep, especially in ICU. Best thing I did was download a white noise app in my phone and plugged in some headphones at night or napping! That drowns out all the noise and helps you relax. I used the ocean wave sound. :)

Sophia Ridley  Jackie, that's an excellent idea. With all the bleeping and lights I really struggled, I was constantly aware of sound and movement. By time I got to my room I was dizzy with lack of sleep.

susan kotansky  They supply mostly everything you need and frankly I didn't really notice however, I did bring an ipad/headphones with my favorite music which really did help block out my environment. The other thing that helped was to pack "normal" clothes to go home in. That was a great moment, putting on some civilian clothes, a little make up and leaving!! And you might anticipate having your family bring you some of your favorite foods.

Emily Rowley  Great Question! :D

For my first Op I was so sick afterwards that I didn't worry with using much of what I packed-they showered me with Hospital Stuff. They helped me change into day clothes to help my recovery to 'normalization'. People brought in mags+choc etc.
The Hospital needs people to be fully shaven before the Op, so maybe a razor. I did get some IPL done before my next Op.

This time it's at a Private Hospital, so I will ask what they supply & update you.

So far I have packed:
•Cotton plain tops
•Summer shorts
•Incision Shield
•Cardiac cotton comfy bra
•Noise cancelling headphones+music device with relaxed music
•Camera
•Feminine products (last time I had a sudden onset of bleeding & the Hospital only had few large uncomfortable ones)
•Pen & book
•Hairbrush
•lightweight slippers & I'll wear slip on ballet flat shoes down there+smart watch.
I'm heading down there via train so I'm trying to pack light lol.

My family are buying me some more things for my stay but it's a Christmas surprise.

I wonder if compression tights/pants would be helpful to prevent clotting? But would they be hard to get on?

Sophia Ridley  Ooh, slippers with good soles. Check hospital re shaving, mine insisted done there to prevent nicks.
Home I wore a work shirt with scarf and loose trousers and felt like I could face the world!! Do take pillow to hug on way home, don't know if you have same, but London is dotted with speed bumps (ouch!)

You will get fed up of hospital food, so anything from home is a blessing. Finding the hot chocolate machine was bliss! :)

I was expecting compression stockings from prior surgery experience but didn't have any. They would be a nightmare to get on yourself as can't pull. Normal socks were bad enough.

Emily Rowley  Are we meant to bring PJ's? I'm concerned all my clothes & things will smell like the Hospital smell like last tine. 👃

I'm staying in overnight the night before my surgery so they will probably fix me up then.

How'd it feel wearing your work shirt? Did your scarf irritate your scar or get in the way of tubes?

Pillow for the chest is a must have! The Hospital made me a pillow using blankets in a pillow case 😊

My journey is 2-4hrs home.

I loved people bringing me food in but anything I ate I unfortunately brought up, hope this doesn't happen to anyone else! I was thinking about buying a cold press juicer so I could make fruit n veg juice after my Op to try boost my immune system.


Really, my Hospital made sure I wore them 24/7 esp when in bed. The medical compression stockings+non slip socks that is. But yeah I'm thinking the long pants or 3/4 in compression would be extremely difficult to place on myself..

Eddie Patton  Playlist, audio books and earbuds. Found it hard to focus on TV and all the bustle of the hospital made it hard to rest. Put in the earbuds with an audio book or music really helped to rest.

Eddie Patton  One more. Bring some treats for the staff. Not to benefit you but as you will see they deserve it. I bought a bunch of Godiva chocolates and made a thank you poster to put in my room. The whole staff was amazing wish I could have done more.

Emily Rowley  I agree with being sleepy and not feeling upto much Popeye. They definitely do deserve it Eddie, I wish I bought a gift before hand for the Staff who looked after me so well last time! All the Staff were great, I was the baby of the ward being the youngest.

  The best thing I brought was a sleep mask and ear plugs. They constantly poke and prod on you while hospitalized so anytime you can catch a little bit of a snooze, it is a good thing. I was also thankful for my own button up pajamas after I was able to shower, lip balm, and my own pillow and light blanket. Good luck!!

Tina Maroon  I had packed a bag and never ended up using it. I was in a hospital gown the whole time until I left. I then got to put on my own Pajama's. I was to sick to need anything else.

Sophia Ridley  I had my favourite PJs the night before which my husband took home the next day. Unfortunately, everything will smell of hospital.
If the hospital mattress cover is plastic, I suggest that you ask the nurses to put a couple of base sheets on as you'll get sweaty and uncomfortable otherwise.

I brought in chocolates and card on day 1, (as bribery!) I also did my best to build a good rapport with my nurses as all helps.

That first shower and to wash my hair... Bliss. The nurse will help you. I had bought dry shampoo but didn't use it as didn't have the energy.

The scarves I've worn are either cotton or silk ones that you would wear normally to smarten an outfit, so hence leaving hospital in a crisp white shirt and scarf made quite a different to my gown! I has a dressing on for a few days after. If you have an incision protector it will do the same thing. The wound was dry when dressing removed. Scarf is a personal thing, I still have some dry blood on my wound and so prevents my girls from seeing it.

Couple of home things... We had already a folding disable shower chair which has been very useful when dizzy prior to surgery and I use it each day since. I sit with my back to the shower and use a shower cap when needed. The wound gets washed through the flow of water but it's not taking the pressure of the shower. I haven't directly put any shower gel on it yet.
I have found that it's ok to wash my hair but do it sitting down back to shower.
I always have a clean hand towel to press lightly onto wound to dry it.
Last suggestion is try to get out the house each day even if just to walk/sit on the front step and breathe fresh air. Makes such a difference.

Emily Rowley  How do you get the Hospital smell out? Last time tried washing my PJ's but still wouldn't come out so I never worn them again :/

Oh yeah, good tip. I see alit of plastic covered mattress in Hospitals now.

You had to bribe them? Haha :P

In Hospital, they used the young Asian ladies (I felt sorry for them-getting used for all the dirty work) to wash us. They were gentle but too gentle as I like to scrub my body thoroughly.
Do you need to cover the Incision while showering at home?

I LIVE SCARFS! I just ordered another one. I like how they look & make me feel safe (+they are so soft). That's smart thinking about the scarf to hide blood on your wound from your girls. Okay, I understand now-I wouldn't want to wear my green hot sweaty polyester work shirt lol.
As long as it makes you feel great 😃 They like encourage people to place on normal everyday clothes.

We had that shower chair too, which really helped, though my shower is on the small side. Does it take longer than before to wash your hair? Is there a time limit on showers in Hospital? Also do you find the water pressure on your head hurts?

Mines in mid Summer so lots of fresh air, warm sun-but they advise not to get the wound sunburnt. I might go the beach, can I get salt water on me?

(Sorry Cheryl, I don't mean to take over your Post, like to give & receive advice).

Cheryl Smith  Thanks sooooooo much for the tips. Tucked them up there where I have 1 million passwords tucked :) Emily no worries. The more I know the better I feel.

Sophia Ridley  Hospital smell just seemed to come out on washing. Try more detergent and then send through a second cycle?

:) read a blog on this site about giving chocolate beforehand in readiness for 2am call!

I don't cover it in the shower but I'm careful just to get water trickling rather than the full pressure of shower. I don't seem to take any longer now (probably shorter as I insist my husband waits in bathroom incase I'm dizzy after hairwash!) Do find it quite therapeutic the water on shower cap and my back, I could potentially stay for ages!
In hospital I had low BP so started feeling dizzy towards end. It wasn't rushed but I went back to bed and slept soundly ! True bliss being clean (make sure they have a hair dryer!), in clean bedding and clothes.

I would love to have the beach/salt water worry :) ... It's 4pm and nearly dark here, drizzly and that dampness that gets through to your bones! (I'm doing wonders for the UK tourist board !!!)

Emily Rowley  You're welcome Cheryl, that's what we are here for and I will keep you updated. Ask as many questions as you would like no matter if you think they are strange or embarrassing, guarantee someone has experienced it or has a answer.

Tried that last time but probably gave up too early in frustration...

Thanks Sophia for sharing what you did. For me it felt like 5min cold camp shower :S I normally take on average 30 mins showers, longer if wash my hair lol.

Yeah I love having clean hair-going to the hair dressers tomorrow night after a face & back beauty treatment & IPL session during the day. Pamper Day! 😃 They have a note *Please do not bring any hair dryers to the Hospital*

Ah do you have many beaches there? Oh what I don't like the cold O.O it's 7:30pm here & hot 30 degree whether with sun still out (Daylight Saving)...Sounds advertising enough for you? ;) Haha Soon you'll be the face of British tourism 😉 I love the British Show Judge John Deed :P

Judy Freeman  Wow! Just read through this and what a huge help!!! Much better to take care of getting stuff now vs depending on my husband to buy me a front closing bra after surgery. That would be a fun shopping trip.

Sophia Ridley  Fabulous attitude Cheryl. Best wishes for the tests.
I'm 3wks post MV repair, had some ups/downs but the joy of seeing, on the echo, a valve working like a pin ball machine can not be described. I used to cry at every echo as it sounded so sloppy, this time I cried with joy it was fixed :)

Cheryl Smith  Cath was all good. The 6 hr wait wasn't fun. I may have even whinned a bit. It was done through the wrist. CTA scans tomorrow and we should schedule surgery tomorrow. Thanks for the support.

Enrique K  Hello Cheryl, my cath was done through the wrist it was a non-event! Good luck with your CTA scans tomorrow.

Cheryl Smith  Mine was in the wrist. Not bad. The 3 hr wait in the holding area was brutal. CTA scans today were nothing. Surgery Jan 6.

W. Carter  A piece of cake, you will be high as a kite for the cath and you can sleep if you want. No pain during or after. With the cardiac ct scan they will inject you with dye. Your whole body will get hot for a few seconds from head to toe. The scan only lasts about a minute. I have had a few of each neither is bad.

Adrianne Colatosti  My cath was not the best experience I have ever had. BUT all in all... with all the steps I have gone through. I am glad to be almost done. I have surgery Monday the 7th. Looking forward to being home and healing! Wishing you well!

Ginger Marine  My cath was very easy--he went in through the wrist and I was comfortable, relaxed,and awake for it. I was surprised when it was finished so quickly! I feel lucky my arm veins were good for it--I think the groin entry is more difficult. I went out to eat afterward and spent the night at my daughter's, rather than alone at home.
No problem with the Ct either. You will do great!