Mara's Journal

Mike Roskowinski  Hello Mara. I have not yet had my surgery which is scheduled for May 6th. But know that these surgeons do this all the time. There are 1000s of surgeries preformed daily to fix hearts. No matter what we are all anxious and nervous but just know that what they are doing will help you live a long healthy life. There will always be some bumps when it comes to surgery but you will push through and do great. Just have faith and be strong and you will be in recovery soon. There are lots of us out here praying for you and thinking about you during your surgery. Good luck Tuesday and God Bless. Soon you will be back to normal.

Susan Lynn  Mara - I found that waiting was far more difficult than the surgery or recovery. It's easy to let your anxiety take over, but don't let it. By this time next week, you'll be home and on the road to recovery! All the best! ❤

Phyllis Petersen  I was more tired than I expected, but things went very well for me. I overdid it a little one day and had to find a place to sit down in the supermarket. Focus on what you want to do when your recovered instead of the process to get there. I took a 4 hour hike 10 weeks after surgery. I rested when needed, and when I felt I went far enough, I let my family continue on and I started back down, knowing they'd catch up to me before the trailhead. You've got this!

Diane Esposito  Mara, I’m hoping everything goes well for you tomorrow and that you are able to get a good nights sleep. Prayers to you and your family.

Rita Savelis  Well, it depends on how one "plans" recovery. In fact you can't plan and you can't know, you just have to ease into it, and give up some control. Recovery happens in its own fashion. After any surgery there is recovery time. But you move forward, and you recover. The heart is a major organ, so you may find yourself more exhausted than you'd be after another type of surgery. Surgery goes quickly and doctors may find your surgery and recovery as going really smoothly but you may have things that are unexpected (to you )happen. Not necessarily bad, just different from how you imagined it. So breathe. Everyone is scared. It's a real emotion. Wishing you a smooth recovery. Take care.

rich monoson  Mara, I'm scheduled the same day. Great question on what to bring. I'm bringing two books, my glasses, cell phone and charger, sneakers, sweat pants and a few shirts. I'm not speaking from experience! I'm also going to need to find a new rental very soon and new employment as well. So much on the plate but getting fixed first is primary. I concur wholeheartedly that each of the events we referenced are stressful enough on their own. Best of health on the 16th

Shai River  for me I didn't need much-a toothbrush, cell phone, long cord for charging, headphones, for music/books, ipad and whatever you're going to wear home. I did not wear a bra home, and needed a button down shirt- as i could not lift my left arm to put an over the head shirt on.

Louanna Miller  There are several things you may consider taking with you. I was told I’d be in the hospital 3-4 days; well I was there 10. During the entire stay I really never felt like readying, watching tv, or much of anything. Medical, nurses and therapist were constantly in the room. Difficult to sleep during the day and at night.

I gave my husband a tube of lip moisturizer to use my lips once extubated in ICU. I recommend a pair of pj pants or pj shorts for under the hospital gown. Or, the hospital will let you wear one gown backwards on top of the first one for when walking in the halls. I took extra socks and once walking more I would wear mine first and when I got up would put the hospital sock over mine. The hospital floors were very dirty and I just preferred to not put those socks in the bed. I took a small journal to take notes in and keep a list of people who called, texted, sent flowers etc. I also kept a list of nurses daily. I’m glad I did because when I got home I would refer back because I wanted to remember different parts of my hospitalization.

I took basic toiletries to wash my face and brush my teeth. Other than that I took hand lotion, face cream and dry shampoo. Most likely you won’t shower while in the hospital. Just sponge baths in ICU and a bit more when on the cardiac floor. No washing the hair.

You will have sternum precautions and can’t lift your arms above your head.

My hospital provided a front closure bra with Velcro and once I had the chest tubes removed I could wear it. They said that the movement of your breadts can pull on the sternum incision and make it uncomfortable. Most cardiac floors have them and will give you one if you ask.

Lastly, I wish I had taken one of my own pillows. Hospital pillows are stiff and covered in plastic. Very hot and uncomfortable.

Ask me questions if you have any at all.

Mara Sherwood  Thanks for all the great advice! Need to pack the bag soon. Wanted to bring at least my own pillow case. Good idea on the socks. Slippers? Or robe necessary? I was told 4 days. I hope that’s it!!

Phyllis Petersen  I didn't need much in the hospital. I bought earth sandals that I could slip the non-slip socks in but still walk around in, loose pajama pants, a robe, cell phone and charger (long cord if you have). I couldn't concentrate much, but was able to do some easier sudokus and crosswords. You may want an eye mask and some people have needed ear plugs. As for the surgical bra, ask for it sooner rather than later. It really relieve the pull on my incisions. I was at Cleveland Clinic and they gave me much of what I needed, although my sister was staying 3 blocks away and could have brought me anything extra I needed. You'll, of course, need loose clothes for going home. I was able to shower in the hospital and so you may want your own shampoo/conditioner and other toiletries. Are you having open sternum surgery? That can make a difference. I had minimally-invasive, robotically-assisted, so didn't have the issues that go with cracking the sternum. The most important piece of advice I can give you is to ASK! If there's anything you need, they really want you to get better quickly and the worst they can say is no.