Amy Steele  Since I'm having my surgery locally, I'm packing things in a way that my husband can bring them if and when I need them. Things that I'm packing: Taking with me on the day of my surgery - Aztec post-surgical bra, paperwork, spirometer, phone, long charging cord, earbuds, lip balm. For later - Pillow, iPad, noise cancelling headphones (semi-private rooms after ICU), earplugs, eye mask, robe, slippers, pajamas, brush, hairband, dry shampoo, face wash & moisturizer and clothes to go home in. I probably have waaaay too much stuff, but figure that I'll set it aside and my husband can bring it to me as necessary. Hope this helps! You'll need a lot more to last your whole trip tho...

Ellen Leng  I brought pj bottoms, underwear, and socks (cover your eyes) that I haven't worn. I have some crosswords that I have mostly let sit, my phone and a small tablet. I'm hoping to move up to pj's later today. Just got my hair washed.
My focus is minimal, so reading and movies are out. Be minimal in packing, mostly it's recovery and everyone else is in the same boat :)

Marie Leighton  I had purchased a zip front bra, but that Aztec bra looks amazing. It's pricey but it might be worth it for those of who are not...Twiggy. I found only one other reference to it here. Anyone know if it's worth the $120+? I looked on eBay for a used one but didn't find any.

Roseline Rosario  Thanks ladies.. Amy you covered everything. I do need more clothes, I'll be staying a few days after discharge. Do some walking and stuff before I can fly home. Ellen I can imagine that your own Pj's will elevate your spirits even more! Keep at it!

Phyllis Petersen  Aaagh! So much to plan. I'll leave a lot of stuff at a cousin's and my sister will be at a hotel on the campus, so that helps. The tips you all share are very helpful.

Marie Leighton  I found 2 surgical bras in my rather large size on eBay today for less than $15 total. New/floor samples. She shipped them immediately. I think I'm all set now.

Jane Buttram  I'm taking (all packed as of this morning) noise-cancelling, wireless headphones, my phone, hairbrush,moisturizer, toothbrush/paste,pair of men's knit undies that come down the thigh a little ways,facial wash, a bathrobe. I'll wear home what I wear to the hospital at 5 am in the morning. Oh, my old glasses & case (don't want my newer ones to get broken). Does anyone know, are we supposed to take our own meds that we've been on before surgery?

Marie Leighton  CC gave me a list of what I could Not take. I am to stop 5 days prior, all vitamins and supplements, my low dose aspirin, of course blooded thinners and NSAIDS are on the list and a lot of pain Meds. There are others I am not familiar with on the list, and I'm I'm sure it's different for others. The only prescription med I have to stop (so far) is tramadol for my arthritis but I can live through that. It's not all that effective anyway, but I can't take nsaids. They may add to the list when I get there.

Phyllis Petersen  I didn't receive the list from CC! I called and she was supposed to email me, but I didn't see it. I'm pretty sure I know what I can and can't take. I recently was prescribed Tramadol, but I didn't really find it all that effective. Stopping the Celebrex is the hard one. I guess it'll be Tylenol.

Marie Leighton  Make sure they send it! Rachel Dr G's nurse, is out of office until tomorrow. I'm sure she will take care of it. If for some reason you still don't get it, let me know, I should be able to scan it and email it. Tylenol seems to pretty much be it yes, made sure I packed some today! Seems early to be packing but I'm working right up to when we leave so, need to be organized. TRAMADOL sure is not very effective. I Take the higher dose, that's a little better but not much.

Amy Steele  Thank you so much, Marie! I too will be praying for safe travel to Cleveland and your surgery later this month. I'm on the final countdown and looking forward to being on the other side.

Amy Steele  Hi Tom! Looks like our stories are very similar. I will also be praying for your surgery. Have you decided what type of valve you want? I'm going with the Medtronic Freestyle tissue valve. My surgeon likes it a lot for the valve and root replacement since it's an all-in-one. The flow dynamics are supposed to be excellent. I also decided on a tissue valve because I don't want a lot of the restrictions that coumadin has. I see that you live in Colorado. I now live in Tucson, AZ but grew up in Colorado Springs, and miss it very much. Until recently, we spent most of our summers there with family to escape the heat.

Ellen Leng  Amy, you're going to do great! You've been so thorough and careful in deciding on your course, all will be well! And, of course, you have lots of people pulling for you :)

Amy Steele  Phyllis, same here! It was great to be able to talk with someone who's going through the same thing. Enjoyed our visit very much.

Amy Steele  My kids are really awesome! They're both great students and very responsible. They're always wanting to take care of me... I just worry about how hard this is for them, especially my youngest. She's very attached to me... but she's putting on a brave face.
In some ways it's hard to wait, in others not. I have essentially been waiting (and dreading this) my whole life. I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve at 2, and had more cardiologist appointments, tests etc. than I can count over the years. For a long time, I tried to downplay and ignore my symptoms (once they started showing), but now that I'm finding them to be much more life altering, it's easier. Once it became obvious that it was time, I was relieved... I keep going back and forth between wanting it all to go away and just getting it over with so I can feel better. I want to feel 'normal' again and be active without as much struggle. I had an 'oh, no!' moment today when I realized that my surgery is only 18 days away. Especially since I just spent 2 days in the hospital for a cath with complications...

Phyllis Petersen  If you need anything, including a ride to an appointment so your husband doesn't have to take off or just to talk, I'm in central Tucson. My direct email is fabphyllis@gmail.com. I don't like posting my phone number publicly. Unfortunately, our surgeries are fairly close -- I'm leaving on the 8th and won't get back until the 26th, but I do have time before.

Amy Steele  Phyllis, you're so kind! I will definitely keep you in mind if I get in a bind or need to talk. Back at you... If you need anything. I live in NW Tucson, but am used to driving ALL over town. My direct email is amy@desertsteele.com Fortunately, my husband is able to be flexible with his work and is available most of the time for appointments. In fact, he took his laptop and was able to log almost a full workday and take an online quiz for his Masters program while I was in recovery (all day) from my cath...

Ellen Leng  Love to hear about Tucson :). I left AZ for CA and am happy here, but lived in Tucson as a kid and went to U of A (go Cats!). Still have family on the east side and in Rio Rico. Was actually planning to be in Tucson on the 28th (my surgery date) for 10 days...things happen.

Amy Steele  Funny, I'm originally from CA and ended up in AZ by way of CO. I hope your surgery goes well and that you'll be able to come to Tucson after you recover... and before the hot weather comes back!

Amy Steele  Thanks, Phyllis! Glad to know that there's another person in Tucson going through the same thing... Not that I'd wish this on anyone though :-) I also considered going to the Cleveland Clinic for my surgery. My local cardiologist went to school with one of the cardiologists there, Lars Svensson, and had consulted with him initially to see if my aortic valve was repairable -- it's not. My husband and I talked seriously about travelling for my surgery, but after talking with my cardiologist of 20+ years and a local surgeon, we decided to stay in Tucson. I have two teenagers at home and my husband has limited PTO available right now, so staying in Tucson made more sense for us. I hope your surgery goes well!