Katherine's Journal

Marie Myers  Welcome to recovery! Your picture reminds me of my recovery, since I LOVED getting back out into the sun...

Rose Madura  Hi Katherine.  So glad you are home and that your experience waa good.  Regarding coughing, I don't recall much at all until about 8 weeks later when I had a pleural effusion and they drained fluid odd my lungs. The coughing was much worse when laying down.  When was your last chest x-ray?  Best wishes in your journey. 

Mary Milewski  Hi Katherine--I'm now almost 6 wks post AVR and had significant coughing until 4 + wks post op,  Certain classes of antihypertensives are associated with coughing (ace inhibitors, some beta blockers and calcium channel blockers).  I was sent home on 2 of the 3 and as each was eliminated or drastically reduced, the coughing started to subside.  Also had a small pleural effusion noted at 4wk X-ray which may have been contributing but I'm guessing meds (Also, like you, couldn't get a sentence out without coughing!)

Adam Baumgartner  I have a fully adjustable bed too and it was all I needed. With the head raised it was easy slide legs over the side and stand up. I also had no problem sitting down and getting out of a regular recliner. (I had a full sternotomy. )

Susan Lynn  I think you'll do just fine with the adjustable bed and pillows. I had a recliner, but didn't find it comfortable for sleeping. You'll discover what works for you. It may even vary from one day to the next. You'll find your groove! Good luck!

Thomas Brusstar  I had a full sternotomy.  I didn't have a recliner, and just had a regular bed.  I slept on my back for probably 60 days afterwards, but getting in and out of bed was fine (just roll and manage shifts of weight carefully).  I know some people find a recliner much better/ necessary; but I'm just saying I didn't need any of that.

  I didn’t use a recliner but a wedge and eventually three pillows. Getting in And out of bed didn’t seem very hard. As Susan Lynn says you will find your groove, I had a full sternotomy. 

Katherine Berry  These comments are saving me money and helping me plan! Last night I practiced using the bed for this purpose and I’m pretty sure it will work just fine. It’s good to know Team Recliner isn’t the only option! 

Timothy Williams  I had a sternotomy 18 days ago.  Previously side sleeper.  Started out in recliner.  Night of day 10 after surgery woke up with muscle spasm in back (more like issue with nerve - trigger it and it burns).  Gave up recliner and now sleeping on back in flat bed.  I'm fairly mobile, so no issue getting in/out.  Side sleeping still bit painful, so not an option yet.  I think like others you are well suited with options and will have to figure it out as you go.  Recovery first two weeks is exhausting - that helps!

Mike Tirrell  I had a full sternotomy.  I had a recliner but could have done without it.  It was nice to sit in it to watch TV and visit with people but I slept in my adjustable bed from day 1.  

Patsy Stewart  You’ll do just fine without a recliner. I had a full sternotomy and used a regular bed and a few pillows with no problem. Getting out of bed without using my hands to push off was the hardest part. My husband and son were usually in the room when I needed to get up and would gently guide me with their hand on my back for a few days until I got the hang of it. I found that I could kind of hook my leg on the side of the bed to give my self a boost to get up. Prayers are being sent your way. ~❤️

Rose Madura  Hi Katherine. Well, getting a second opinion was a great move. I would focus on the positive. After the surgery, take it slow and listen to your body. Must know advice? Trust your doctors and do what they recommend.

Carol Jackson  Hi Katherine. You will do fine! It’s a great feeling to be on the other side of Surgery.  I had my first surgery which was OHS 8 years ago. Be ready to sleep in a recliner or  a lift chair when you first get home. Later when you sleep in your bed be sure to have lots of pillows to lean against. 

Jay Gardner  Hi Katherine.  That you're going to be ok.  I had a SAVR and a tumor removed from my Mitral valve.  It was benign.  I'm POD11 and making progress every day.  Be patient with all your emotions

Katherine Berry  Thank you all for the support! Jay, I think the emotions will be difficult to balance with the miracle we experience. Happy to see you are able to share with me so soon PO. Prayers for your continued healing. 

Carol, I have an adjustable bed so haven’t purchased a recliner. Do you think the recliner is essential? I keep debating…thank you! 

Rose, your advice is so comforting! Thank you! 

Debbie Dunlop  Good luck with your surgery! It’s a big step just getting it scheduled! Wishing you the best! 😁

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It’s helpful to have others ahead of me in this. 

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It's helpful to have others ahead of me in this.

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It's helpful to have others ahead of me in this.

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It's helpful to have others ahead of me in this.

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It's helpful to have others ahead of me in this.

Katherine Berry  Thanks so much! I appreciate the good will and support. It's helpful to have others ahead of me in this.

Lisa Coombe  I’m 42 and had a aortic valve replacement 6 weeks ago. My dr heard a heart murmur June last year and ordered a bunch of tests, September I got my results of severe aortic stenosis. My symptoms started as severe fatigue and the shortness of breath got worse over time till it go to a point of getting breathless just walking around my house, went to see a dr and by the end of the month I had my surgery. I got a mechanical valve because I don’t want to need further surgery later down the track

Susan Lynn  Katherine - Welcome! You've come to the right place. I'm sure some folks from our community will reply to your question. I had a different procedure, but the one thing I did do, is get the opinions of several cardiologists and ultimately several surgeons. There seems to be varying philosophies about timing for surgery. The one thing we do know, our valve issues don't get better on their own, so it's only a matter of when we schedule our surgeries. My advice is to do your homework, get multiple opinions, and then, make your decision. Knowledge is definitely empowering in this process. All the best to you!

Katherine Berry  Lisa, Susan, and Kendal:
Thanks for these responses. Lisa, I’m so glad to see your recovery going well! Inspiring. This does already affect my daily life and I’m encouraged to see others sought other opinions. Maybe it’s time to do that. Thank you!

Sandy Harvey  Katherine - I had my aortic valve and root replacement on the 1sr in Plano by Dr. Harrington. I am older than you so I  went with full sternotomy. Surgery went well. Staff was generally nice with an exceptional ICU nurse - she was SO caring! I did not have an appetite for anything so it did not matter to me but their food service was horrible - six days and not one meal was correct. Plan on getting you some protein drinks - thats all I wanted and still do. Everyone that heard who our surgeon was, had nothing but praises for her which was very comforting to me thatI made the right decision. We had a lot of questions prior to the surgery and had to make our own decision on the procedure- that was the most difficult thing to do. Also, the cardiologist I went to removed himself from the picture once we chose Plano so make sure your cardiologist stays involved and available to help you with Q&A. You will do great. Waiting is tough.

Katherine Berry  Thank you so much, Sandy. Our experience in Plano was similar…wonderful staff, meh food, exceptional care. Dr. Harrington’s large team has been very helpful with providing remote access and support (we live four hours from Plano). Thank you for your support and best of luck as you begin cardiac rehab! 

Sandy Harvey  Hi Katherine - I am happy to see that you are now in your recovery stage. Take care and be patient and kind to yourself. God Bless Always.