Laurie's Journal

Betty Frydrychowicz  I had an Aortic Valve replacement Jan 20 2017, I have just about resumed all of my daily activities, got the okay to drive and the green light to go ahead and do what the body tells me is okay. I even bowled two games yesterday, and am walking up to 3-4 miles most days. I did have a lot of nerve pain mostly during the 4 and 5th weeks, but it has subsided lots in the past few days. Keep being positive and rest when needed.

Catie B  Laurie, I managed to overdo with some motions a few weeks in and became very sore for a couple of weeks. It seems things can become tender very easily. Hope you feel better soon.

Don Catoe  Hi Laurie, you and I are on the same recovery timeline. Do you do cardio rehab? I just started this week, it has really improved the aches and pains I had from the surgery. In my case I believe some of the pains come from sitting in my nice comfy recliner too much :) . I was told that my body is still ridding itself of some of the meds and anesthesias used during surgery also. It all gets better with time :)

Laurie Baglio  Hi Don!
Thanks for messaging me here. I am scheduled to start cardio rehab next Thursday. I am looking forward to moving more in a controlled environment. I thought I was doing great and may have got too confident and did too much too soon. Now I have pain across my chest when I move certain ways and sometimes I feel pressure where I imagine the new valve is.
I too have spent a lot of time in my comfy recliner. It's time to get up and get moving.
Thanks for posting and keep me updated on your progress.

Laurie Baglio  Katie, Betty and Jane! Thank you so much for posting you messages to me. It's nice to know that there are others out there who understand. I think we forget about how much trauma our bodies have been through and don't give it enough time to heal.
Keep me posted on your journeys. We are all in this together!

Lilly Black  Enjoy the game! I'm originally from Quebec, Canada. I also felt so happy it was over...the anxiety is overwhelming. I hope you have a quick recovery! Try to walk as much as you can, it helps to heal quicker! good luck!

Phyllis Petersen  It's so good to hear from you that you are doing well. It'll take time to get the energy back, so sit back and enjoy.

Rita Savelis  Alas, just because one is exhausted doesn't mean one can sleep! It is still so very early for you Laurie, so take it easy and nap in the afternoon if you can.

Maggi Turner  Hi Laurie - Pleased to hear you are doing well. I'm four weeks post op tomorrow and surprised how little energy I seem to have although I do a little more each day. Being thoroughly spoilt so making the most if it. I am still have short naps in the afternoon. Continue to take it easy, but do keep moving.

Phyllis Petersen  You won't wear underwear for a couple of days at least. You'll have a foley to drain your bladder. My hospital (Cleveland Clinic) gave me a heart pillow and two surgical bras (one larger, one next size down). You won't need much while you're in ICU. My hospital allowed phone and charger, but some do not. If you have a longer cord for your charger, you'll have an easier time. Good luck!

Amy Steele  I didn't really need or use anything from home while in ICU. After I was moved to the CCU, I didn't use much except for my hairbrush, toothbrush, underwear, phone and long charging cord, eye mask, a travel pillow (made sleeping at an incline much more comfortable), and noise cancelling headphones. My hospital also gave me a heart pillow. I also brought a post-surgical bra, but didn't end up wearing it until after I got home. My chest tube was positioned in a bad location to wear a bra, and they didn't remove it until the day before I went home. I found focusing on reading difficult while in the hospital, and mostly tried to sleep or listen to music when I didn't have visitors. (I had a lot of visitors since I had my surgery locally)

Marcia Mcgregor   I appreciate this conversation, since I had not given this subject much thought. Now I have some good ideas to think about, and it will help me in planning for my hospital visit.

Rita Savelis  In ICU I was allowed nothing (5 days) and to be honest didn't want anything. After that, a loose t-shirt and some loose pants (you can wear them to the hospital) and a toothbrush and something to tie your hair back. That's about it really. I couldn't read or watch TV or do anything much for at least a week or so. Too exhausted. Just wanted to rest.
Your hospital will provide anything you might need (and your husband can bring anything else later...)
Take care and wish you the best, Marcia.

Emily Rowley  You have a good idea and great plan Laurie! All I used was toothbrush+paste, hairbrush, phone+charger, post-op bra (there are a few out there), slippers. Whilist in Hospital I used their soaps, gown, undies, fem products (which is needed for menstrualating women), compression socks etc. I went home in loose cotton plain clothing. When you get home it is easy to have front opening/button up clothing to get on. Hope this helps 😃 All the best xx

Ed Miskovic  I brought too many things, but were I to do it again, I would still bring a portable CD player with a guided meditation CD, my C-pap machine; no clothes for while there, a zipper style hoody (or a non-pull-over shirt), pants, slip on shoes, low cut sox, hat & coat, and a cell phone. Hospital provided meds, garments, non-skid socks, meds (no need to bring mine from home). Also I would practice sitting up in bed without using my arms. I took as few pain meds as possible to avoid any future complications.

Meredith Bray  Elastic-waist knit shorts to wear under your gown, and a loose fitting outfit to wear home. Phone/tablet & chargers. I took my cPap too. When I was struggling to get enough air in I requested the cPap with oxygen, and it was a huge help. Note: Not all medical personnel are familiar with cPaps - my CNA just about ripped my nose off trying to get the headgear on the first night. If I wasn't so cranky it would have been comical!

Laurie Baglio  Thank you all for your advice and well wishes. Now if I can get through the pre-surgery suppository tomorrow evening I'll be A okay. Haha!!

Laurie Baglio  Hi Phyllis, I was aware of them post-op but not the night before. It's not abdominal surgery so I don't know why they want that. Anyone else hear of this?

Phyllis Petersen  I didn't. Just fasting, two showers with the pink stuff, and goop in my nose. Each hospital is different and sometimes it's each surgeon. All the best for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery.

Emily Rowley  Also Ed has good advice on music, I took mine+headphones (cancelled out the Hospital noises & machines) which helped me relax and pass my time, my friends brought in colouring books- you might like too. Yes I had to do (with help!) the pre-op supposity. It's to clear out bowels, particularly if you have not been that night-they like everything empty just like how we can't eat or drink for awhile pre-op. I know it can feel very uncomfortable, hang in there hun. Wishing you all the very best for your Operation tomorrow, I will be praying 🙏🏼 xox

Bob Jensen  Laurie. I am exactly 3 weeks post-op and I know exactly how you feel how frightened you are how anxious you are how scared you are and just your brain is just fried. Here's the good news and I want you to hold on to this when you wake up after the surgery and they tell you that it's all fixed you did well and you look down and see that incision all of this anxiousness all of this scared everything is going to go away instantly and you're going to know you're on the other side of this that's the good news hold on to that God has got you in his hands

Laurie Baglio  It's funny you said what you did above because I have a friend who went through this a year ago and said almost the same things as you did. Your words are very comforting Bob. And your right, we are in God's hands.
Thank you.

Emily Rowley  More helpful advice is not pulling your tube out of your throat post-op (no matter how hard resisting the urge). I kept reciting this over and over in my head, worked for me and soon enough they take it anyway painfree. 😄 God bless you 🙏🏼

Kathy Blank  Laurie- you have done all the hard work going through a year of testing and making sure you have the answers you need. Now it is time to focus on staying healthy and trusting your medical team to use their expertise and training for a successful procedure. Stay strong and there are so many of us who will support you every step of the journey!

Maggi Turner  Laurie I am just home from surgery and it really wasn't too bad. Worse part is now with drugs that need to be adjusted as they don't agree with me, once that is done I shall be ok

Priscila Marino  The monster in your head is a lot bigger then the one you will slay !!! Be confident you will do fine!!!

Laurie Baglio  Kathy, Maggi and Priscilla thank you. You are all so positive. Having people in your corner who "get it" makes such a difference. Thank you!!