The Cleveland Clinic is an impressive place. Only regrets is we didn't come sooner. Being an Oklahoma Sooner and living 1,050 miles away, it wasn't an easy ...Read more
The Cleveland Clinic is an impressive place. Only regrets is we didn't come sooner. Being an Oklahoma Sooner and living 1,050 miles away, it wasn't an easy trip. One day post op after AVR and MVR along with the thoracic, ascending, arch and descending aorta frozen elephant trunk procedure. 11-hour surgery Debbie is doing amazingly well. First she's tough as nails and second Dr. Marijan Koprivanac is an amazing surgeon along with the entire team. A long recovery ahead. If you want to know the story of how we got here it is in My story which is really Debbie's I just accompany her. Day one post op was tough, but she's a fighter.
Jim Moody Thanks all. two days post op so far so good.
Trygve Harris Wow, that is some surgery and it sounds like she's in the best hands. May she heal quickly and well... Read more
Trygve Harris Wow, that is some surgery and it sounds like she's in the best hands. May she heal quickly and well
Jim Moody She struggled with getting off the vent. Two attempts 1st day post op only to have to put her back on ... Read more
Jim Moody She struggled with getting off the vent. Two attempts 1st day post op only to have to put her back on then another attempt 5 days post op only to have to put it back in. Rested her a day and then removed it yesterday. It was tough but she made it. Out for 36 hours now and doing good.
Ana Brusso Hi Jim, yes Debbie is tough. Continued prayers for her recovery to continue and she gets stronger. Go ... Read more
Ana Brusso Hi Jim, yes Debbie is tough. Continued prayers for her recovery to continue and she gets stronger. God bless you both 🙏❤️
We are making plans for our journey to Cleveland. 16 hours by car from OKC. Stop over in Indy to see our kids. Not sure about return trip 14 days post op best ...Read more
We are making plans for our journey to Cleveland. 16 hours by car from OKC. Stop over in Indy to see our kids. Not sure about return trip 14 days post op best case scenario. She's been through two open chest procedures, Debbie is tough but not sure which would be worse all day flying with potential layovers on the return trip or 16 hour drive in our Sequoia possible to lay down if needed. Any experienced heart surgery travelers have any advice?
Klara Čičić Hi Jim, I traveled cca 10 hours 600 miles 10 days after my procedure. I made it, although it wasn't ... Read more
Klara Čičić Hi Jim, I traveled cca 10 hours 600 miles 10 days after my procedure. I made it, although it wasn't easy. But it was doable. Large pillow, lots of little pillows, blanket, lot of painkillers, little walk every 2 hours, one stop to sleep over at a hotel half way to home.
Pamela Gregory I flew home from Cleveland and it was pretty good. Got a wheel chair at the airport and purchased my ... Read more
Pamela Gregory I flew home from Cleveland and it was pretty good. Got a wheel chair at the airport and purchased my first-first class ticket so I would be in the front of the plane. Wheel chair on the second end (ask for it before you travel or when you check in). Walked right before flight and a little after we landed. If you could get a direct flight I would highly recommend that. I hope this is helpful in making a decision.
Louise Moore Hi Jim, 9 days after OHS my husband drove from Cleveland to Jacksonville, FL with me in the back seat ... Read more
Louise Moore Hi Jim, 9 days after OHS my husband drove from Cleveland to Jacksonville, FL with me in the back seat with a pillow on my chest to cushion the seatbelt. We overnighted in W.Va. and SC hotels. Like Klara, we stopped every 2 hours to walk a little. I didn't have any pain but it was advised to take meds before driving, so I did - for us driving was more comfortable than navigating crowds in airports ( Covid was still an issue and I didn't want to get that!) I brought my own chest pillow to CC because I knew they were out of their heart pillows at the time. Note: Since you'll be traveling out of state, fill your pain meds at the hospital when you are getting ready for discharge. Your home Pharmacy's won't fill out of state opioid prescriptions. I honestly didn't need them but what if I did?
Jim Moody Thanks everyone for their comments. We have a SUV and bringing so much to stay for almost 3 weeks, I ... Read more
Jim Moody Thanks everyone for their comments. We have a SUV and bringing so much to stay for almost 3 weeks, I wasn't sure if she'd be up for the drive home, although I know she hates flying. Unless we have a change of heart PTP will probably drive. I can't even imagine getting stuck at the airport how uncomfortable that would be, and it happens more often now than it used to. My cousin stuck in Portland for 2 days a couple of weeks ago.
Greg Lewis Good point about the airport. Thinking back...I would have hated that!!!