Carol Jackson posted a note for Suzanne that says: Glad to hear that your surgeon is going to try to save your valve. I had surgery Oct. 2013 at Mayo. They were able to repair my ascending aortic anuerysm and save my valve for another 15 years!
Hang in there as you are in ICU- ask for an ice pack or heating pad for the tube incisions- those hurt the most.

DVB posted a note for Suzanne that says: Way to go Suzanne! Best news ever!

Connie Jewell posted a note for Suzanne that says: Keeping Suzzane in my prayers!! I had my surgery on Monday morning, May the 12th. I know that first day is a long one for loved ones hopefully you'll get to see her in ICU very soon. I know you'll feel better once you see her. Cleveland clinic is amoung the best from what I hear, she's in the best hands for sure. She is in my thoughts !

Deb Bialecki posted a note for Suzanne that says: Good luck Suzanne! Sending good thoughts your way for a successful surgery and a quick and uneventful recovery.

:)

Julia Hsu posted a note for Suzanne that says: Susan
I am still waiting to go to OR. Saw your message. Thank you & good luck to you too.

Ellen cooper posted a note for Suzanne that says: Suzanne - I will be thinking about you tomorrow and praying for you. This is Ellen from maplewood nj. My surgery was cancelled and I will be re evaluated in November. The CC is an amazing place and you are in the most expert capable hands possible.

Stay in touch. I look forward to hearing about your recovery

Ellen

Meredith Bray posted a note for Suzanne that says: The waiting is almost over! I can't see or feel my wires, for what it's worth. You probably won't have stitches you can see either. Just remember, all you have to do tomorrow is show up, and take a nap. And then smile when you wake up.

Then you can start the training regimen - breathe, sleep, breathe, eat, sleep, walk, breathe, and so on and so forth.

The first few days will be borderline miserable, but with the science of pain meds, it will be bearable.

My thoughts and prayers are with you tomorrow morning and for the next few days. In a month, it will a be a blur!

DVB posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne. Thanks for your note on my journal.

Those wires. I got 'em. They are my friends and don't bother me. Not to worry, just part of the added equipment. Lotsa folks have entire knee and hip joints made from metal.

You know, people say that because they don't know what to say, they haven't experienced it. But they have you in their thoughts, and that matters.

I say: you are a brave optimist, willing to have this surgery even though it is hard, so you can live your life to its fullest and be with those you love for as long as you can.

So be excited for the new future that surely beats the old one!

Connie T posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne
I had my aorta valve replaced @ CCF almost 2 yrs ago. I did not have a visiting nurse and did just fine. I saw my family doc 10 days after surgery for a "stitch check" and he was quite surprised how well I was doing over all. The pain from surgery was quite manageable....in fact, compared to my other surgeries....it was certainly one of my "easiest" (except for the darn fatigue!!). It will certainly take you several weeks to get "your groove back" but hey....enjoy a little pampering...you deserve it!!
You will soon be on the other side of the mountain.....enjoying a healthier life......Take Care and stay strong...and try not to worry....CCF is the best!
Keeping you in thought and prayer.

Alison posted a note for Suzanne that says: We are proud of you, Mom, and so glad you are going to the very best hospital. It will be a tough road ahead but you are strong and we are so thankful you are getting the best care, so we have our mom in our lives for many, many more years to come!

Lynn Quast posted a note for Suzanne that says: People mean well, but I think most of them are overwhelmed by what we have to experience and just don't know what else to say . No one can say it will be ok, but it sounds like you have the best doctor and hospital for this and you're making sure you are as prepared as possible ! There's no more to do than that. Also know the statistics are so in your favor for survival and being better than ever!!! I just went thru aortic valve replacement (my second) and double bypass 4weeks ago and had your same worries. I'm 66 and I know how fast time goes! Take pleasure in each day and try to relax and know you've done all you can and now your doctor will do his best too!! I'll look forward to hearing about your experiences on the other side of this!!!best of luck!!!

Vicki D. posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hang in there Suzanne, people say all kinds of dumb stuff when they don't get it. I have an elderly family member that told me my bicuspid aortic valve might be because I "used to be heavy". This is after I said it was present at birth and nothing I did or didn't do caused it.

Concentrate on the considerate and thoughtful people.

Best of luck to you!

Deb Bialecki posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne,

Yes, it bothers me a bit when people say you'll be fine. I know they are trying to be polite and supportive but my experience and perception lately is more like it doesn't register that this is truly major surgery. I've had a number of people at work tell me that some relative or a friend of a friend had the same condition and was fine...surgery or not - and out of the hospital in a couple of days and back to work in a couple of weeks. It's quite irritating. That could be my attitude lately though. Like I said, I know they usually mean well - but I'm not receiving it the way it is intended right now.

My therapist has told me to not listen to them anymore - that it's OK that I'm stressed and nervous and overwhelmed by it all, and to not worry about getting back to work in a certain period of time because everyone heals at their own pace.

I wish you luck with your surgery. Mine is scheduled for May 22 - so another 2 weeks to wait and stress....but also another 2 weeks to get stuff prepared.

Hope everything goes well and that you heal quickly.

Take care

Julia Hsu posted a note for Suzanne that says: Suzanne,

My surgery is 5/15 too. Good luck to you. Don't let what people say bother you. I believe people want you to have the best outcome and most people don't know what to say.

Julia Hsu posted a note for Suzanne that says: Suzanne,

Thank you so much about leaving a message on my guest book. Good luck to you on your surgery too.

Connie Jewell posted a note for Suzanne that says: Suzanne, I live in Baltimore about 20 minutes away from Johns Hopkins Hospital that is where I'm having my surgery done by, Dr. Duke Cameron I believe he has done surgery on several other people on this website. I'm starting to get a little nervous here and there, I received the consent forms in the mail on Saturday for me to read and sign so that seemed to hit me that it was more real and coming soon! As well as I have my pre-op app. this Friday morning at Johns Hopkins Hospital. From everything I hear about Johns Hopkins Hospital and Dr. Cameron I'm in good hands. Just need to get through the long sometimes hard road of healing after the surgery as so many here have talked about. I'll be thinking of you sending positive energy and prayers your way too Suzanne, good luck on May 15th!

Connie Jewell posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne,
Looks like you and I will be recovering from OHS right around the same time. I'm scheduled for my surgery on Monday May 12th just a few short days before you. I'm having an aortic root replacement. So you and I should be hitting all the post op mile stones very close together from the sound of it. Here's hoping we both come through with flying colors and have a smooth recovery.

Deb Ziegler posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne,
Great to read you have such a positive attitude! I have no doubt that it will help with your outcome and recovery.
I just read your previous post, and I want to let you know that when I went to CCF two years ago, they did not line up a visiting home nurse for me. They said they didn't think I would need one if I had someone at home with me, and they were right.....I didn't need one. I did have a few questions when I got home, but CCF gives you a 24 hour call in number for anything that comes up. I used that a few times. If you don't have a visiting nurse, you will need a driver to drive you to doctor appointments and to have your coumadin levels checked those first few weeks at home. Maybe things have changed since I had my surgery, but I wouldn't count on them lining up a home nurse. Might be worth a phone call if it will comfort you to have one.
You will not need to do any wound care. They glue your incision shut, and you just need to use their special soap when you shower. They tell you just to leave it alone, and in a few weeks the scabs will fall off and it will just be a scar. For the record, my incision never hurt, and I could never figure that out. I also want to mention, at CCF you will be given a twenty four hour local anesthetic during your surgery so that there will be no chest pain when you wake up. After it wears off, you will feel some aching, but it never got very bad.
Take care and God Bless,

Jean cook posted a note for Suzanne that says: Suzanne, I had mitral valve replacement last April. The nurses at the hospital will arrange the home nurse and call your insurance and make all the arrangements. She will take your vital signs and test your Coumidin level. Mine came 2-3x a week for about 2 weeks. You can climb stairs and sleep in a bed. There are no staples. Mine was wired on the. Inside and surgical glue on the outside. No dressing needed when you go home. Don't climb the stairs a lot. You could have someone bring you food up to your room. Get up, take a shower and get dressed and go downstairs by noon and stay downstairs till bedtime. When you need a nap in the daytime use a recliner but sleep in a bed at night. Bring your own pillow to the hospital. Much more comfortable than a plastic pillow at the hospital.

Dora posted a note for Suzanne that says: Suzanne, I have Kaiser Insurance and they set everything up when I got out of the hospital. I started getting phones calls from them letting me know when they would be at my house the day after I got home, but I would imagine with your insurance it would be the same. Everything will fall into place. Don't worry.

Clare Auten posted a note for Suzanne that says: I did not have a visiting nurse. My incision was glued and open to the air from the very beginning. I was showering at the hospital with saran wrap over my iv's....I just remember the nurses saying to pat it gently and not scrub. I don't think I would have scrubbed anyway.
As far as car riding, my surgery was in the middle of winter and it was below freezing most days. I was thankful for my winter coat. It was an extra layer of padding and the collar held the seatbelt off my neck perfectly.

Dora posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne,
I had a visiting nurse come to my home about 3 times and another nurse come twice a week to check my INR levels. She came for about 3 weeks then I had to go to the clinic myself. I appreciated her coming to me, because it would have been hard for me to get out that early in my recovery. I bought a wedge pillow at Walmart.com, and slept with that on my bed. It helped a lot. You will do fine Suzanne. So many people will be thinking of you and praying for you.

Meredith Bray posted a note for Suzanne that says: I had a visiting nurse to test my anti-coag levels and to check up on me. She was there twice a week for the first two weeks.

There shouldn't be much wound care at home. I was worried about that as well. After the surgery, my sternum was wired back together, then my flesh was stitched up, then my skin was "taped" together with what felt like ribber cement (it wasn't obviously, but it wasn't tape). There were a few small scabs after the first day, and the incision itself was dark red. The holes where the drain tubes were a "wound." Once the tubes were removed, the nurse bandaged them up quite well. Mine were dime size. You'll get very thorough instructions on how to take care of yourself once you get home. You should be able to do it all by yourself. It all depends on how they close you up!

I played a joke on my brother and told him that when he was my caretaker, I would still need help in the bathroom. He was EXTREMELY relieved when he arrived 2 weeks post-op and saw that I was quite capable of taking care of myself, LOL!

Meredith Bray posted a note for Suzanne that says: I was in the hospital for 5 nights. I sat up in the back seat for the 1 hour ride home. The bumps didn't bother me. The worst part of the ride home was going around corners in town. I protested loudly, and my driver husband adapted. I would think you'd be able to sit up, make sure you have a travel pillow. Your back will be sore from the surgery, and your neck will be sore from holding your head up all the time. My Physical Therapist likened my noggin to a bowling ball, and told me I needed to rest it several times a day for the first few weeks. I didn't have ANY problem following those instructions!

Meredith Bray posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne! I slept between my bed and my recliner the first few nights home. But even in bed, I needed to be propped up because I was very uncomfortable when I was flat out. (I still am a little uncomfortable in that position, 7 weeks post-op.)

I have sleep apnea, and use a cPap. I have an EXTREMELY vague recollection of opening my eyes and being semi-fuzzily aware there was a tube in my airway. That lasted about 2 seconds before I went back to sleep. When I woke up again, the vent tube was gone. If you use a cPap, make sure you take it to the hospital with you! I was calmed/reassured by having it on my face at night, and almost wished I could have worn it all day as well because it made it so much easier to do my breathing exercises!

I rode home in the backseat of a Ford Escape. I took me a few minutes to move around and get comfortable, and it took me a few minutes to get out when we got home. Then I didn't really go anywhere for a few days. By then, getting in and out of the back seat was MUCH easier.

No, it's not always as bad as it sounds! I haven't really thought about the broken bone aspect or the wires, I've been pre-occupied with the scar (mine's not straight and it drives me nuts to see it. So of course I STARE at it in the mirror, trying to come to terms with it. In the Grand Scheme of things, it's just a scar.)

I thought about renting a hospital bed, but ended up with an electric lift recliner instead. That chair was my home for the first week. After that, I was too antsy to stay in it for very long, and 2 weeks later I was back in my regular LazYboy chair. Now, I much prefer to be doing something around the house or out walking around. I'm totally digging the (re)newed energy levels!

I think it's great you're going to Cleveland Clinic, even if you do have to travel. Everything will be ok!

jeffo posted a note for Suzanne that says: My CCF incision is healing nicely, though I was hoping for an impressive Frankenstein zipper scar for the beach. The internal wires were unnoticeable for me for the longest time. Now I can tell where they are if a feel for them.

Recliner for me was a necessity. My biggest problem has been right shoulder pain which is slowly going away. Sleeping in bed did not work for me for the longest time.

jeffo posted a note for Suzanne that says: Pain pump at CCF worked like a charm for me. My pain was there but never bad. I was up and walking the day after surgery, a little slow but without much pain.

Yes getting into an SUV was little difficult. I had to go slow and be purposeful. Biggest problem was not being able to pull with my arms. On the positive side it was much easier to get out of an SUV than a sedan.

Barbara Colvin posted a note for Suzanne that says: I am still sleeping in a recliner. I think that the secret is getting one that reclines to an almost horizontal position. Mine is an electric recline/lift chair and has been such a blessing during my recovery. It was so much easier and more comfortable getting into my recliner when I got home from the hospital that it had been getting in and out of that hospital bed!

Barbara Colvin posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne -

I had my aortic valve replaced with a full sternal splitting incision on February 7, 2014. I was doing stairs before I left the hospital on Feb 11 and doing my basement stairs once or twice a day was part of my exercise program.

God bless you as you prepare for your surgery.

Deb Ziegler posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne,
I had my valves repaired at CCF two years ago, and I can assure you, they don't use staples to close you! They actually have a plastic surgeon glue your incision shut, and you will barely be able to see your scar six months later. I, too, kept imagining the worst, but I can honestly say the pain wasn't bad at all.....never got more than a four on a scale of one to ten. Most of the time it was a two. You will be able to go up stairs, but it will be extremely fatiguing the first week. If you can stay on the first floor, it will be a little easier. I bought a recliner, but I never slept in it. I used it to rest in all day, but at night, I slept in bed with about six down pillows propping me up. (You won't be able to lie flat.). My bed was a much better place to sleep for me, but others love the recliner. Everyone is different. CCF is an amazing place, and they will take very good care of you!
Godspeed and God bless,

Carol Jackson posted a note for Suzanne that says: Suzanne,
I had open heart surgery for my ascending aortic aneurysm in Oct. 2013. You can search for my journal - Carol Jackson and then look at Nov. 15 or 17 entry for helpful ideas.
I did rent an electric recliner from a hospital / health supply place and used it for about 2 weeks. other wise you can prop yourself( with help from someone!) with LOTS of pillows.
Doctor said I could go upstairs 1 time per day for thr 1st week home.
I had no problem with the wires. Actually my doctor used glue for part of my scar. I wear my 8 inch scar with pride!
Hope this helps you. I remember asking so many questuions to people on this site and everyone was so helpful. I look forward to following your progress.

Patti posted a note for Suzanne that says: ICU is not room- more like bed with curtains so nurses always watching monitoring etc. I think limit of two guests at a time. I didn't feel real social. My husband stayed in hotel while I was in ICU. As soon as you are stable you are out of ICU and into reg private room about 24 hours post surgery.
Once released from hospital about 3pm we went to hotel for two days after stopping to pick up lots of meds. That night ended up in ER so next day took it easy. Getting dressed, out to eat , a nap was about the extent of my activity. CC does have art and concerts but we only went to one. The weather was awful -cold and almost blizzard like -so bundling up didn't have a lot of appeal when getting dressed was an event in and of itself. Visited the gift shops at CC etc. but accepted I was not a tourist but a patient. Each of us recovers at our own pace and for me the pain pills made me sleepy.

jeffo posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne, I had my ascending aortic aneurysm repaired at Cleveland, along with a minor aortic valve repair (I know, minor?). My surgeon was Dr Svensson he is super. The Cleveland team is great. They took excellent care of me. We drove home from Cleveland to Appleton Wisconsin after a 4 day stay at relatives. I was tired and achy and whiny but it was not a bad ride at all. We rented an SUV for the ride home. I rode in the second row of seats with the back seat down. Our 85 pound puppy rode next to me for the 600 miles. Just take you pain meds as scheduled and stop every hour to walk to avoid DVTs. We were lucky to be one of the last people to stay in the guest house.

Patti posted a note for Suzanne that says: Hi Suzanne-
The pre-surgery time manages to both drag and come before you know it.
Had mitral valve repair at Cleveland clinic in late February. We stayed at Hilton Tudor Arms before and after surgery. They run a free shuttle and the staff was wonderful even running special shuttle on surgery day when I had to report early. Parking at Tudor is expensive ($16/day) so we parked at CC, bought a parking packet 6 days for $30 and never used the car.
After ICU the hospital room has fold out bed and furnished linens so we checked out of hotel for four days and then back into hotel when released and I slept in the bed without problem.
Opted for one week post op appt at Cleveland Clinic before driving home because wanted to minimize surprises. After appt drove 4 hours getting out every out every hour to stretch and next day same routine. Temps were below zero which bothered me more than the ride. I rode in back seat and had brought lots of pillows and bottled water for meds. Travel easier than I thought despite the weather.
I packed too much and it stayed in the car. pack light- space limited- hospital gowns are reasonable and no body notices or seems to care.
You will be in great hands.
Best of luck.