Kenneth's Journal

rich monoson  Kenneth, mental preparation is the key. As soon as you are in recovery your rehabilitation plans should kick in. Thats the difference maker. Valve surgery is a very highly successful procedure and modern medicine is incredible. I see you are a local So. Cal guy. I had my procedure (aortic valve replacement) performed at Cedar Sinai. It was an awesome experience. The medical team was incredible. Like yourself I was informed about the "sooner' urgency of when my procedure had to be performed. At first the acceptance was shocking but two days after being told I must have the procedure I put my game face on and began the mental preparation. It is a life saving procedure with a high success rate. I focused on an expected very positive outcome and actually looked forward to getting it on and looked at it as a life enhancement opportunity. It was. Post surgical results are incredible. I almost forget I was a heart patient. You'll do great. Anything I can do to help I'd be happy to do so.

E Taub  For me making sure I'd have the support I needed for after surgery was key. That included mental health before and after surgery(actually did tele-therapy while in hospital), home care so I wasn't alone for first week or so, and help with meals (thank you to my dear friends). People will ask to help you out - accept it. It will make a big difference. Mental health was where the biggest punch was - not much pain with surgery. It was the emotional rollercoaster and anxiety that I found difficult. Someone gave me a good tip and really worked for me. Each day they said just look for a 1% improvement. Just 1%. Each day I looked for it and when I recognized it I would tell someone what it was or remember it when I was feeling down. Really helped me mentally to know I was moving forward in my recovery because it seems slow until you look back week to week where you were.