Nancy's Journal

Civita Fahey  that's what I hear.. thank you.. everyone on this site is so helpful and truly have decreased my stress about the surgery so much.. I'm 55 and in my day OHS was an OMG! things have changed and with God's help I will also have a successful outcome and can help others .

Lilly Black  My all time favorite thing to do is Laugh! It helps a lot. It takes time to heal and everyone is different. But I hear you on the emotional front....that took me more time for sure, and I still have some not so good days. Good luck with recovery!

Meredith Bray  :) make sure you stand up as straight as you can when you're up and about, and make sure to use your torture device - I mean breathing therapy! ;)
-Meredith

Catie B  Great that you're doing so well, Nancy. Congratulations and I hope all things continue smoothly for you .

Robert D'Aurora  Good luck to you! I'm in the same boat. My date is Nov. 8 too at Cleveland Clinic. I'm excited and nervous too! Mostly, I'm keeping busy to block out the serious nature of the surgery.

Steven A Husted  i know how you feel i was the same way before surgery then after surgery it was not really that bad my recovery was very good and i healed up very smooth check out some of my posts we will be praying for you best wishes and god bless

Ellen Leng  Keep following this blog! Lots of tips here :). Get the stuff out of the way that you may have trouble with 1-2 weeks post-op. Pay bills ahead, any outdoor work, whatever. If you are having sternotomy, start practicing getting in and out of bed and chairs without using your arms (wish I'd caught that clue!). Think about what will make you feel comfy in the hospital-for me it was pj bottoms and chapstick. Keep asking questions :)

Nancy Lewis  My husband and I cleaned the house carefully. It was wonderful to come home and not once think of housecleaning or picking messy newspapers etc.

Ron Broadhead  I kept busy and took care of things around the house that would be inconvenient after the surgery (had a 17 year old water heater replaced). Other than that I just tried to maintain a normal routine.

Nancy Schnarr  Thanks Corey - I actually just got bumped so now I'm scheduled for the 17th. Stressful but I remind myself that I'm lucky not to be an urgent case like whoever needed my spot!

Briana Morgan  Bring a heat pad for sore muscles I case it isn't provided, phone and earbuds to drowned out noise, scoped neck/v neck shirt to go home with, on pants to walk with. Favorite pillow if you want. Find out if your support can be with you overnight in each unit you will be staying in.

Dwight Miller  Stay positive, I know the stress can be high, but soon you will be up and walking and back at home. praying for a smooth surgery and fast recovery.

Steven A Husted  yes try to get as much information as you can every little bit helps i know this site and adam's book were a big help to me

Shannon Sullivan  October will be here before you know it. Keep yourself busy. Write down a plan. I waited 6 months for my appointment and now the time is here. We are all here for support when you need it.

Maureen Breault  My piece of advice; work on getting in good physical condition. A balanced program of cardio, weights including upper body and core and stretch. I'm a fitness instructor/trainer and OHS knocked me on my butt for the first 2 weeks or so; but I'm feeling really good at 5 weeks out. The better shape physically you are in will help the mental aspect as well. This site and the book are invaluable!

Emily Rowley  Love your positivity and taking this time to research (word of advice-don't believe everything you read on Dr Google..) and prepare. Will October be when you visit your Surgeon?

Nancy Schnarr  Hey Emily - yes I'll have a surgeon consultation in October for a surgery date in November. I'd love to know the date earlier but that's the process here! Thanks for the advice - I've been careful not to get too caught up on google about it, I get too freaked out!

Clare Auten  I could drive after 4 weeks. I was sleeping on my side (kind of) propped up with pillows in the hospital. I could only lay on my right side though. I woke up from surgery with a surgical bra on. I wore that 24/7 in the hospital and then wore my own bras. I did find it more comfortable with a bra than without (I found one that didn't rub). I am rather large on top and the bra held everything in place.

Cathleen Weed  I drove after a couple weeks. A front clasping sports bra is perfect. Almost every brand carries them. Just Google it...front clasp sports bra is best because they don't have any underwire and are usually a stretchy cotton blend so you can sleep in them. 😊 Don't worry too much about your sleeping position because you'll find what's comfortable. Get lots of pillows ❤.

Peggy Whitecotton  It was 6 weeks for me before I started driving. The first 3 weeks when ever we went out, my doctor wanted me to ride in the backseat with a pillow on my chest under the seatbelt to protect the chest bone, he said the airbag could do great damage to the chest if we were in an accident. I am a side sleeper and I worried about that. As it turn out I slept in a recliner for 8 weeks. It really was not that bad, I placed pillows on both sides for comfort, watch a lot of Netflix movies. I eventually got to where I could get on my side in the recliner I just couldn't lay flat. As far as the bra thing, my doctor wanted me to wear one 24/7 said it would support the sternum and less pull on the incision (I had full sternotomy). Did not work for me I only wore a loose one when I went out. I think it may be because I have small breasts. But for a lot of ladies it helps. I've heard that some were given a binder to wear and claimed it was helpful, I was never offered one.

Nancy Schnarr  Thanks everyone - seems like I should be prepared for 6 weeks at least for driving! And I'm glad to hear that maybe I won't have to just sleep on my back for 2 months - I'm a side sleeper and I had been a bit worried that I might not get any sleep for a long time. And thanks for the bra tips, I will definitely need one so I'll do some investigation into what might work!

  Same story as mine and a lot of folks. It won't get any better without surgery just do a lot of research. It will get easier with time it has for me I put mine off 4 months and will be in surgery week of July 11th.
Everyone here is willing to help and support.

Petey Bello  Nancy, what you are feeling is normal. We all go through the stress and fear. So know that you are not alone. Like Dan said, the people on this site are so supportive & helpful. I waited a year before I had my surgery from the first time they told me I needed it (which was def to long) I did a lot of research & got a few opinions from different surgeons.

I feel I got the most help, support & answers to a lot of my questions from the people on this site because we are all going through this process of 'open heart surgery'. Though our stories & experiences can somewhat differ it is all very similar. Even though my family & friends were all very supportive, they really couldn't feel what I was personally going through pre & post op. I needed more!

So I guess my advice to you, would be to reach out on this site when you feel the need to. Ask questions, post your story or your feelings. We are all here for you! I am 6 weeks post op. As soon as I was given back my phone in the hospital, I was online/Adams heart blog posting questions. It brought me great comfort & support!

I will keep you in my prayers that you may find the strength & peace as you continue this heart journey! God Bless!

Cathleen Weed  Hi...just wanted to let you know that the reason you don't have symptoms is because when the valve is stenotic (calcified and tightening) it's a totally different feeling than when the valve is weak and regurgitating back into your left ventricle. I've been through both scenarios...I couldn't even climb a flight of stairs with the regurgitating aortic valve but when my next valve became stenotic I had no clue AT ALL except for some weird skipped beats...so imagine my surprise when I was told I had almost waited too long. I'm sorry this is happening to you. My only advice would be to use your time to your advantage...eat super clean, exercise within limits, and get as healthy, fit, peaceful, and organized as you can. The stronger you go in, the stronger you come out. :) You'll be healthier than ever after it's all said and done if you start now...it's true <3.

Cheryl Ventimiglia  Nancy, I too have no symptoms and my surgery is scheduled for June 21st. It is scary. I think I'm more afraid of the first weeks of recovery. This community page is wonderful. Everyone knows pretty much what you're going through and offer excellent advice. I just got my recliner chair lift off of Craigslist. And now working on finding the perfect recovery bra, not that I'm gonna wear one right away. I tried to keep busy the last couple of months to get my mind off of the surgery. My girlfriends have been great. My husband too.

Nancy Schnarr  Thanks all, it's pretty confusing and scary to be honest! I am so glad to read all of your stories and get your words of encouragement. Glad to know that my non symptoms are pretty normal! And yeah I'm full into the getting as healthy as possible before Nov!

Shannon Sullivan  Nancy, glad to hear you have a date. I agree with what everyone else is saying. I was told, I would need surgery last December but I still don't have a date. I have severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation. I do have a pulmonary stress test scheduled for June 16th along with an appt with the cardiologist...I am hoping we can set a date then.
Besides all that. I used my appointment date as a deadline for myself to get some things done. It is surprising how quickly the time has gone by, while /i have been trying to get a few involved projects completed.
Keep yourself busy, plan a trip away, learn to meditate, take up yoga. take care of yourself.

Christine Oliva  It is 100% worth it. I had a pretty quick recovery for AVR. I started walking in the hospital and continued it at home X2. I feel the chair encouraged me to get up without straining and do more things for myself. I was wobbly, but I was making my own food the second day home. Also, it really helped me sleep and all those positions are pretty handy when you aren't feeling so great. I rented mine for a month and glad I did. I actually felt sad when it left, the chair and my pillows were my best friends for a bit but I knew I was strong enough and began sleeping on a bed the next night. One more thing it helped my super tight muscles relax which people talk about, i.e. blood flow to these stressed out back muscles. Good luck with your surgery and look around for lift amount, sizes, rental conditions and maybe try one at medical supply store to see if you would like it too. God Bless.

Marilyn M  Nancy, I borrowed an electric lift chair and it was the best thing ever. It's four weeks today since my surgery and I have just started sleeping in bed a few days ago propped up with pillows. Also, because it practically stands you up, you can get up if no one is around to help. I did plan on renting if I had to. I'm so glad I had it!

Nancy Schnarr  Thanks Christine! That's all great advice, I was actually looking at renting one that has heat and massage, and it's not even too expensive ($220 for the month) so I think it might be well worth it to make the homecoming a little easier!

Steven A Husted  yes i agree with christine it is worth it 100% i bought mine a month before surgery i found a used one for $300 and i am still useing it at 20 months out

Kate Watson  I wish I could have found a rental one around here but I bought a power recliner and it's been a lifesaver. I'm 5 weeks post op and still sleeping in it a lot of the time, though starting the transition back to my bed. Heat and massage sounds great and worth it to me!

Barry Kanick  Just an FYI to everyone,,,,,,,,,I previously did some investigation on various Recliners & found a Rent-A Center who actually rents out a Power Lift Recliner but they were out of stock at that particular store. It's actually only $24.99 per week to rent & delivery is included. ,,,,,,,,,Then I went to an Ashley Furniture Homestore here in Pennsylvania & they actually had the exact same one on the floor so I actually tried it out. It will actually stand you up close to 70 degrees of standing perfectly upright. ,,,,Works just nicely & comfortable!!! ,,,,,Just out of curiousity, I then went to a Raymour & Flanagan Furniture store nearby to check out typical pricing on other electric models & they would typically run somewhere between $600 to $900 depending on your preferred brandname. ,,,,,,,,,Just simply planning things way ahead of time that hugely matter. ,,,,,,,,,,,Barry

Nancy Schnarr  Thanks All! Barry - I've been scoping out near me in Southwestern Ontario, and this is the one I found - http://www.vitalmobility.ca/Lift-Chair-Rental-B.php - but I'm not sure what brand it is.

Christine Oliva  I had a Pride Chair and cannot say enough good things about it. Just another FYI if you can get a recliner table that is super great. They are $140 on Amazon but I got mine on Ebay for $10. Yea it was deal. Just makes it super easy to have water, snacks and my spirometer close by at all times. I was alone after the 2nd day home.

James Harris  LOL. I had a bad cough and a lot of mucus build up after my surgery. There wasn't any place that rented them around here so I found one on display at a Sams Club that had the heat and massage feature, as well as the lift. So I did my walking around Sams for about 1/2 hour and then sat in that chair for another 1/2 hour. The vibrations freed the mucus and the lift feature made it a breeze to get out of that chair. Thanks to Sams for helping in my recovery.
We would have purchased that chair but it wouldn't fit in our rooms because it was not a "wall hugger" model.

Terry Shermeister   It's a great idea. I had one for about two months and it helped my recovery. I actually slept in mine for a few weeks as well. It's very important not to stress the incision area until it's healed. My nurse did a great job of scaring me before I left the hospital.

Kelton Glewwe  Practice getting up out of your chair using only your legs and your arms across your chest. If you can do that fairly easily before surgery, you will be able to do it after surgery. Then you won't need a lift chair. Invest in a nice comfortable recliner if you don't already have one.

Kate Watson  Hi Nancy, I'd say try to keep yourself distracted until then for one thing so you don't get yourself overly worried and pre-occupied with it :) Have you met with a surgeon yet? I'd be sure you discuss with a surgeon about tissue valve vs mechanical valve. That's often a big question for people facing this. And to find out if you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery or will require full open heart surgery. Make sure you feel confident in your surgeon too and seek multiple opinions if not. Best of luck!

Sophia Ridley  Nancy, I strongly recommend that you buy Adam's book. There's also an ebook on questions to ask. Distraction is good (I remained in work until a week before) but also educating yourself through research and talking with others. It sort of becomes less daunting. This site is wonderful, couldn't have got through without my heart siblings!

Nancy Schnarr  Thanks guys! We have a really great cardiac centre here but I haven't even met with the surgeon yet. I'm trying to read up as much as possible and keep going to yoga to stay calm!

Tim Alonso  Once I researched my situation (bicuspid malformation resulting in a tissue valve replacement) and my cardiologist Dr Price referred my surgeon Dr Merrick, who was experienced with it and who is from a teaching hospital (ucsf) then I kinda of backed off on getting too much info...the bottom line was due to to 3 echos in the last 8 years it just was time to submit to the surgery and put my faith in my docs...had the operation May 3rd, got home on Mom's Day (May 8th) and slowly in recovery...Best Wishes

Terry Shermeister   For me reading and finding out as much as possible was the best thing I could do. You will worry and fret, it's natural. Just know that your Doc will do a great job. I am sorry that you have to wait so long. Surround yourself with caring and supportive people, access this site, and advocate for yourself. Adam's book, all the videos, and prayers will help. Stay in the moment!

Nancy Schnarr  Thanks everyone! I'm already learning lots and feeling calmer. I know that will change as it gets closer but I'm so happy to have found this site to get support from you lovely people!