Harry's Posts

I did need a blood pressure monitor and a scale(measuring water retention weight, they want to see this going down not up) post surgery to keep records for my post surgery follow ups with surgeons nurse. I traveled for my surgery and was fortunate to have booked a hotel with a scale in the exercise room and brought my BP cuff with me. If you go home from hospital then have those at home. Also a thermometer to check for fever.

The BP Cuff (omron is my choice) is a great add. I will also give a little advice on what to bring to the hospital with you. I bought a cheap pair of sweet pants, a front buttoning short sleeve shirt and had a good pair of slip on walking shoes. They will want you to walk in the hospital and the above is far better then a hospital robe and slippers. I got in my own clothes when I left ICU. I was much more comfortable then others on the floor who had hospital issued clothing. I did bring a change of clothes but never needed the second set. Good Luck on your journey. Dan

One thing about the pill boxes, have at lest two each of a different size. You will have morning pills and evening pills, the size difference makes it easier to tell which is which each day. I also had enough for several weeks before restocking. If you need a bell here is mine, never used, free to anyone who thinks they can use it and survive. Just send me your address and it is on the way😇

Great idea with the front button shirt, I never thought of that but will definitely remember it!! As for a bidet!!! Haha, my wife definitely wants this cuz she said if I’m getting a full sternotomy she definitely wants it as clean as possible down there before she helps me wipe…. Haha!!!! Top Priorities of the care giver I guess 💩

Hi there, great ask. I had a sternum cut so could not roll over on my sides, thus my back ached. Extra pillows were essential. Stuffed under my sides and back. Apple watch alerted me to heart rate and afib. Ate more protein than usual, especially red meat, given it is heme iron. Did not have that much pain in sternum but when it ached, heating pad eased it. Needed a shower chair for the first week. Headphones within reach to listen to music, podcasts, meditations.

Hi a good list. I got great help to learn how to roll , raise and get out of bed at the hospital. It was painful but manageable. Heated pillow helped a lot. I do not like to take strong painkillers but they were clear that that I should take it to secure that I moved. Phased it out gradually, Make sure that you have big plasters and cleaning stuff at home to take care of the wound. I managed to walk quite a lot early but also spend quite a lot between the walks in the sofa sleeping and watching streaming programs. I was lucky since our son was home during my first 2 weeks keeping an eye on me and helping me before he had to go back to his university studies. I tried to eat stuff I liked but in smaller portions. I sleep better if I do not eat too much. I was not allowed to drive for 8 week. If you get the chance to do cardio rehab TAKE IT. It helped a lot both physically and mentally to both do training under supervision at the hospital but also to meet other in similar situation. That said we are all different and you need to find your way. Do not give up when the tough day come, because it will. Respect it but try to come back. I do not know how many days during the 2 months at home I felt like now I stay in bed.. but then I thought about how much better I would feel if I got up.

Hi Harry, A pill dispenser could be handy. Immediately after surgery and at home I was taking several pills at different times of the day and keeping track of them was necessary. I started writing them all down as I took them because between tiredness and affects from anesthesia it was hard to remember if I was staying on track

Hi Harry, One thing that comes to my mind and which was very useful to me was using any cloth strips or bandages tied to the foot of the bed, I could hold onto them to pull myself up into a sitting position. Perhaps it is disposable in specilized shops, I don´t know but you can improvise yourself .Very useful, above all in the time when you are alone at home. Wish you the best.

Also, I tried a wedge pillow, and I hated that thing. We needed a new bed, at the time so we just got adjustable ones. They are expensive, but I was so glad we made the investment. Also the surgery gave me GERD for awhile, so it was good for that too.