Whoops, put the wrong day for my last post, should have been 12th, not 11th. Must be the drugs!!
So far, so good after being home for 9 days, have stopped ...Read more
Whoops, put the wrong day for my last post, should have been 12th, not 11th. Must be the drugs!!
So far, so good after being home for 9 days, have stopped all pain meds as I didn't need them, so just on amiodorine and warfarin. Have been for quite a few walks in the sunshine on a nice quiet dead end road beside us, just a little puffing going up a slight rise but getting better as time goes on.
Nice to have a little nap during the day to get a boost, but I missed it yesterday, a little tired towards evening. My scar is healing nicely and I am happy. This time last month I never thought I would be looking forward so much to spending Xmas with family and friends.
A very Merry Xmas and all the best for a great New Year in 2019.
Hi and thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my road to recovery. To all that are close behind me, I hope I have helped put your mind at rest and ...Read more
Hi and thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my road to recovery. To all that are close behind me, I hope I have helped put your mind at rest and let you know that if I can do it, you can. Honestly the worst is the waiting.
Today is my second day from discharge and I am taking a rest. Yesterday, day after discharge was feeling really good so after getting bloods done, we went for a lovely lunch and then Xmas shopping followed by grocery shopping. Must have done a few kilometres, although was pushed around grocery shop in a wheelchair which was kinda cute. So, arrived home pretty knackered and slept well last night!
I am on Warfarin tablets and need to get bloods taken on a fairly regular basis so I don't clot or bleed. Can anyone tell me how long they were on Warfarin after discharge?
Linda Griffin I was told that 3 months is the average unless you experience A-fib.
This time last week I was waiting to go into theatre and now today, following Monday, waiting for discharge from the hospital. Isn't life a waiting game? ...Read more
This time last week I was waiting to go into theatre and now today, following Monday, waiting for discharge from the hospital. Isn't life a waiting game?
Had pacing wires out yesterday and wasn't a problem, maybe just felt a little twinge on the last one, but not hurtful.
Looking forward to going home today. Had a lovely stay in the hospital with amazing views across Auckland city to the harbour with the big ocean liners coming in. But I do miss the green grass and my 4 legged furry friends at home.
Hopefully my other half will be able to pick up some groceries on way home, as I am sure he has depleted the stocks over the past week.
So good go be going the other side of the fence, it's all been worth it, the waiting and the emotional roller coaster we go through.
Hi fellow warriors, I am now post op day 5 and feeling good considering what the body goes through. The only attachment I have at the moment is the pacing wires. ...Read more
Hi fellow warriors, I am now post op day 5 and feeling good considering what the body goes through. The only attachment I have at the moment is the pacing wires. My HR came down to 35bpm so I have a pacing box (my little black box) which has a setting so it doesn't come below 40bpm, my HR is now in the 60's so looking good to get pacing wires out. What's it like getting them out as mine have been in for a few days now. Nurses tell me they keep us lying down for an hour afterwards and that it can make you feel a bit funny when they come out, but they haven't had it done to them. Can anyone enlighten me on this.
Thanks
Joy Rose
Lisa Guinan Removal of the pacing wires was very easy for me, but mine weren’t ever hooked up. If you got your ... Read more
Lisa Guinan Removal of the pacing wires was very easy for me, but mine weren’t ever hooked up. If you got your chest tubes out, I think that felt the weirdest. I didn’t have to lie still after my pacing wires were removed but did after they removed the IV in my neck.
Tom Bartolomei Removal of the pacing wires is quite a simple procedure and it only just feels a little weird. No di ... Read more
Tom Bartolomei Removal of the pacing wires is quite a simple procedure and it only just feels a little weird. No discmfort. Between chest tubes, Foley catheter, and pacing wires, they all fall in the “feels weird” category when being removed. I didn’t have to lie still after the pacing wires were removed. Welcome to the other side.
Paul Howarth Same as above. Just feels a little strange. Does not hurt at all.
Post 5 days great job. I'm day 11 a ... Read more
Paul Howarth Same as above. Just feels a little strange. Does not hurt at all.
Post 5 days great job. I'm day 11 and I'm finding I'm getting /feeling better about 2% per day. Over a couple days or a week your going to start noticing blocks of positive improvement. 😊
Louanna Miller My pacemaker and wires were removed on my 10th day of hospitalization. I was on the pacemaker numero ... Read more
Louanna Miller My pacemaker and wires were removed on my 10th day of hospitalization. I was on the pacemaker numerous times during my post op hospital stay. Removal was not uncomfortable or painful. Removal of my right chest tube was the worst. I did have to lie flat on the hospital bed for 2 1/2 hours after the pacing wires were removed.
Jennifer McInerney Removal wasn’t painful although for some reason I expected it to be so was pretty anxious. I had t ... Read more
Jennifer McInerney Removal wasn’t painful although for some reason I expected it to be so was pretty anxious. I had to lie down for an hour afterwards.
Mark Jaycox Like everyone else said having the pacing wires removed just feels weird. I can’t wait to have the ... Read more
Mark Jaycox Like everyone else said having the pacing wires removed just feels weird. I can’t wait to have the IV in my neck removed today. Last night was tough. I’m not sure if it was because I was excited to go home or something else. I just want a night of NO interruptions so I can finally get a good nights sleep.
Joy Rose So no worries getting pacing wires removed, so I can relax. Getting them out today and heading home t ... Read more
Joy Rose So no worries getting pacing wires removed, so I can relax. Getting them out today and heading home tomorrow. I am showering myself and walking a fair bit. What a journey we have all been through, I really think the worse was the waiting, so all you warriors about to come new warriors, you will be fine. Probably the hard part for me will be no riding my pony, cycling or swimming for the next 2-3 months. I think I had the best view in Auckland from hospital room watching firecrackers from Xmas in the Park. Asked one of the nurses what the extra charge would be and she had a great laugh.
Glad to now be part of the warrior clan. Post op day 3 and feeling pretty good, although a bit wozzie yesterday afternoon so had bloods to keep haemoglobin ...Read more
Glad to now be part of the warrior clan. Post op day 3 and feeling pretty good, although a bit wozzie yesterday afternoon so had bloods to keep haemoglobin up and HR a little low. All in all haven't got any complaints, just happy to be on the side. Sending my wishes and speedy recovery to all the other warriors and the ones waiting for surgery.
Rob Sparling Rose, my docs told me (upon discharge, mind you) to go have a lean piece of red meat. I did. Doctor ... Read more
Rob Sparling Rose, my docs told me (upon discharge, mind you) to go have a lean piece of red meat. I did. Doctor’s orders. No argument! The red blood cell count can be a challenge so stay ready to do what they say to do!
Jennifer McInerney My dr advised to increase my red meat consumption. I’m not a big fan but did it and it helped.
Dan Vechiola Welcome to the other side Rose! Your hemoglobin gets hit pretty hard during OHS but will steadily co ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Welcome to the other side Rose! Your hemoglobin gets hit pretty hard during OHS but will steadily come back once your body is left alone as you move forward.
Louanna Miller Great to hear you are doing so well. One day at a time.
Susan Lynn Great news!! Continued success with your recovery, Joy! ❤
Jill McDonald Great news for you Joy! Continued steady healing for you and your family!
Surgery early this afternoon. In hospital since last night getting last minute tests. Can't complain, all nurses, doctors and staff are really wonderful and ...Read more
Surgery early this afternoon. In hospital since last night getting last minute tests. Can't complain, all nurses, doctors and staff are really wonderful and making me feel comfortable. Had a pretty good sleep last night with the help of a sleeping pill! Just had a cup of tea, then will have second disinfectant shower and surgery here we come. All the best for other patients having their surgeries today 😍
Dan Baltazor Great to hear Joy. It does help meeting the team and they are comforting. Prayers for a swift succes ... Read more
Dan Baltazor Great to hear Joy. It does help meeting the team and they are comforting. Prayers for a swift succesful surgery today.
Diane Maher A great start....feeling comfortable. Best wishes❣️
Linda Griffin My surgery was nearly 8 weeks ago. Dont worry-each day is some kind of progress. You will be so rel ... Read more
Linda Griffin My surgery was nearly 8 weeks ago. Dont worry-each day is some kind of progress. You will be so relieved the surgery is behind you
Karen Warren Prayers your way for a safe and successful surgery and recovery.
Jill McDonald Steady hands and quick healing for your surgery tomorrow! Blessings for better health!
Susan Lynn Wishing you all the best, Joy! We'll be here waiting for you!
Only 2 more sleeps at home before I go to hospital on Sunday afternoon in preparation for my OHS Monday morning. It's almost a 2 hour trip to the hospital. ...Read more
Only 2 more sleeps at home before I go to hospital on Sunday afternoon in preparation for my OHS Monday morning. It's almost a 2 hour trip to the hospital. One thing about looking at this, is that I will be almost ready to come home in about a weeks time from now. The only recurring thing I keep thinking about is waking up after surgery with the ventilator tube down my throat, how scary is that. Don't want to choke or gag on it as I've been told it probably needs to stay in for 4-6 hours! Definitely not looking forward to that. Can anyone enlighten me on how they coped with it. Since I'm in New Zealand I am almost a day ahead of most of you, by the time you wake up on Monday morning I will be in my first recovery day, how's that. Looking forward to getting back on my pony again and going cycling soon, I hope. We have amazing cycle trails nearby. Look up www.haurakirailtrail.co.nz.
Brian Havlin I’m still in the hospital for mitral valve surgery. I too was stressed about the tube. To be hone ... Read more
Brian Havlin I’m still in the hospital for mitral valve surgery. I too was stressed about the tube. To be honest it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought. When you wake up it will be there but you’ll be sedated still and it won’t bother you that much. Also, they will ask you to squeeze their hands and move your feet. The faster you respond the quicker it comes out. Sometimes it can take 3 or kore hours for you to wake up after surgery. I woke up about 90 minutes after surgery. I barely remember the tube being in. Hope that helps.
Lisa Guinan My surgery ended at noon and my vent tube was out by 4:00. I was really only aware and of it for abou ... Read more
Lisa Guinan My surgery ended at noon and my vent tube was out by 4:00. I was really only aware and of it for about the last 30 min. I was also not look8ng forward to it but it wasn’t that bad. I remember them saying “we’re going to get that tube out.” It did seem like it took forever after they said that but it was only about 10 min. As long as you’re prepared that it’s there, you’ll be fine. Just try and relax.
Joy Rose Thanks for the tip, I will squeeze their hands and my feet will do a little jig! Ha ha! Great piece o ... Read more
Joy Rose Thanks for the tip, I will squeeze their hands and my feet will do a little jig! Ha ha! Great piece of advice. Looking forward to getting this done and back to the real world again.
Bob Fessler I was only aware of the tube when they were removing it. They had to put suction in my throat to cle ... Read more
Bob Fessler I was only aware of the tube when they were removing it. They had to put suction in my throat to clean it out of liquid so I wouldn't choke. It was over in 5 seconds. No big deal.
Louanna Miller I was told before surgery that the tube would be removed in 2-4 hours depending on when I was alert a ... Read more
Louanna Miller I was told before surgery that the tube would be removed in 2-4 hours depending on when I was alert and able to breath on my own. My tube was not removed for 8 hours. I was very sedated and not that aware of the tube. I was in terrible, terrible pain and they had to get the pain managed with a change in pain medication because the morphine and codeine were slowing down my respiration’s. I was unable to talk and tell the RN about my pain and discomfort. I reached for his arm and spelled out on his forearm what I needed to tell him; like “pain 10+“ or “hot”. I could hear much if the RNs and my husband’s conversation, so I responded the best way I knew how. I dozed off from time to time too.
The change in pain meds helped and they could start backing me off of the ventilator to make sure I was able to breath on my own before removing the tube. The tube and removing it didn’t really bother me.
Anders Carlos I was worried too but honestly, when I woke up, I was fully aware of it and WONDERFULLY did not care. ... Read more
Anders Carlos I was worried too but honestly, when I woke up, I was fully aware of it and WONDERFULLY did not care. You are on some many great drugs that it doesn’t bother. I’d echo what others have said, the faster you respond to commands, the faster they get it out. Getting it out ways a breeze too.
Joy Rose Thanks so much for all your helpfulness and kindness. All you warriors have made this journey for me ... Read more
Joy Rose Thanks so much for all your helpfulness and kindness. All you warriors have made this journey for me a lot less stressful and easier.
Wow, time flies on by. This time next week I will have had my OHS. Going in on Sunday 2nd December to hospital and having surgery Monday morning. Have been ...Read more
Wow, time flies on by. This time next week I will have had my OHS. Going in on Sunday 2nd December to hospital and having surgery Monday morning. Have been trying to keep busy in the meantime to focus on everything but. It's like being on a roller coaster, on a high and then too many thoughts bring me crashing down. Any helpful hints from anyone coming up for OHS or from the Warriors who have been through it.
Marie Myers Yoga, meditation, and relaxing videos on UTube...An occasional Xanax helped also...
Yes, surgery scheduled for 3 December. Mitral valve and tricuspid valve repair, otherwise mitral valve replacement if necessary with a cow prosthetic valve, ...Read more
Yes, surgery scheduled for 3 December. Mitral valve and tricuspid valve repair, otherwise mitral valve replacement if necessary with a cow prosthetic valve, fingers crossed we won't go there. Surgeon needed to know before hand just in case. My partner and I run a drystock farm and he suggested we supply the cow!! Funny faces all round 😁
Lisa Guinan My sister had her mitral replaced and tricuspid repaired 7 weeks ago. She’s doing great and is curr ... Read more
Lisa Guinan My sister had her mitral replaced and tricuspid repaired 7 weeks ago. She’s doing great and is currently on vacation in Vegas. She’s 71.
Jill McDonald Wow Lisa. That is great! How are your feeling?
Joy Rose Tired after surgery and glad it's behind me now. Hospital staff are really taking care of me and have ... Read more
Joy Rose Tired after surgery and glad it's behind me now. Hospital staff are really taking care of me and have no complaints about the food.
Lisa Guinan Good for you Joy! You’ll feel better and stronger every day.
Joy Rose Having some bloods to get my haemoglobin up. Been really tired so hopefully I will feel better later ... Read more
Joy Rose Having some bloods to get my haemoglobin up. Been really tired so hopefully I will feel better later tonight. Have got wonderful nurses that are really helping me through this. Hope you're feeling better Lisa.
Off to meet my surgeon today. Looking forward to meeting him and maybe some members of his team. Have jotted down a listful of questions to ask, hopefully the ...Read more
Off to meet my surgeon today. Looking forward to meeting him and maybe some members of his team. Have jotted down a listful of questions to ask, hopefully the right ones. May have a surgery date when we leave, hope so! Anyone got helpful questions I should be asking.
Had a call from surgeons secretary this morning to make an appointment to go and meet surgeon and team on Monday. So, looking good for surgery before Xmas at ...Read more
Had a call from surgeons secretary this morning to make an appointment to go and meet surgeon and team on Monday. So, looking good for surgery before Xmas at this stage. Be really good to get over and done and back home before Xmas.
Has anyone got questions I should be asking surgeon or any of his team. Would be really helpful.
Thanks from New Zealand 😎
Pretty happy, had angiogram on Monday evening and arteries all clear of any blockages. Hoping surgery not too far away, don't really want to be in hospital ...Read more
Pretty happy, had angiogram on Monday evening and arteries all clear of any blockages. Hoping surgery not too far away, don't really want to be in hospital over Xmas. Can anyone please let me know how long they had to wait after the angiogram. Would appreciate, thanks.
Had my heart cath (all clear) and other pre-op testing on November 7th.
My surgery is scheduled for ... Read more
Had my heart cath (all clear) and other pre-op testing on November 7th.
My surgery is scheduled for November 19th. Guess I'll be eating turkey in the hospital! LOL
Anyway, I would assume your surgery will be soon. They usually don't like to wait much longer after you have the pre-op testing to do surgery so your latest health status is up to date for the surgeon performing the operation.
Joy Rose Looks like I won't be too far behind you Jeremiah. Had a call from hospital this morning and hopefull ... Read more
Joy Rose Looks like I won't be too far behind you Jeremiah. Had a call from hospital this morning and hopefully surgery before 14 December. I am pretty sure you will be eating turkey at home, not in hospital!
Thanks Joy for the encouraging words.
But it'll be low sodium turkey, right? 😊
Yep, your surgery ... Read more
Thanks Joy for the encouraging words.
But it'll be low sodium turkey, right? 😊
Yep, your surgery probably won't be too far behind mine.
I wish you all the best for a successful surgery and a complete and total recovery.