Priscila's Journal

Catie B  I'm so sorry for your loss. The suddenness is hard.
Good word about changing our destiny. I know the Lord is blessing us with another portion of life. Though I have a bit of a hard time connecting the dots, because, gratefully I don't have any symptoms but feel healthy.

Meredith Bray  My heart condition is what brought me back to God. I thank Him every day for my continued presence here on earth. I'm so sorry for your loss :(
-Meredith

Jane Buttram  Thanks you for your words. I had not thought about the surgery and chance to be healthy again as God's gift to me. Maybe He has a plan

Ellen Leng  So sorry for your loss. It is a blessing to be able to recognize the wonderful time you had the day before.

Lise Bowles  I am so sorry, life is so precious, so sad. You are right, it certainly helps put our problems in perspective. I think my resistance at first was due to my shock and denial. I had never known anyone who had valve surgery and I eat well, don't drink, don't smoke, how could this happen to me? Well welcome to reality and thank God! My cardiologist told me in a follow up exam the other day that I would have died of congestive heart failure if I hadn't had the surgery! We are all so fortunate to be here!

mandy payne  Life is precious. God is great and he has blessed me tremendously. I think him everyday for it.
Unfortunately we never know what the future holds. I lost a dear friend two years ago to a car accident . I was heartbroken and depressed. God got me through the hard time. God bless and I'll pray for your healing.

Steven A Husted  yes amen and amen your words mean so much to all of us what a blessing your words are we have so much to be thankful for god is so good if we just trust in him he will see us thru this journey amen and thank you jesus for another chance at life

Roseline Rosario  God does have a plan and His plan is perfect. God needed that beautiful soul and called him. We all have our day, that's one thing that's certain. But while we're here every day is a miracle. Live it to the fullest . Do good to others. GB you all

Amy Dorsey  So happy to hear things are going well for you! And you made it through the scariest part! Don't worry, you're still very early on. Your appetite will come back a little at a time. 💗💗💗

Michael Meyer  Priscilla:

I did not have much of an appetite when I was still on narcotics. One I shifted to over the counter pain meds it made a huge difference for me. Glad you are doing well.

Ron Broadhead  Wow - you are doing really well. The recovery is tough, even for those of us who did well and had no complications. But you've got a lot of support and a very positive outlook, both of which are a really big plus. And week by week you'll be feeling better and stronger. For me, anyway (and we're all different in this) I started to feel quite a bit better about 2 weeks after surgery which is when the pain really started to subside. Just keep an eye on the future and the better times that it will bring.

Rita Savelis  Thanks for the update, Priscilla. It's still very early in recovery for you (and I can relate to the difficulty of sleeping on your back and appetite going up and down...). Take care.

Steven A Husted  ONE DAY AT A TIME IT WILL GET BETTER WE NEED TO GIVE OUR BODY TIME TO ADJUST TO THE OPEN HEART SURGERY WE JUST HAD TIME IS A HEALER

Meredith Bray  Yay! Read my most recent journal post regarding back pain, there are a lot of tips and hints in there that came from my physical therapist that may help you.
Meredith

Ted Miko  Awesome! A sister in Christ is always WELL protected. Godspeed on a full recovery. Also, Awesome verse.

Wanda Mroz  Glad you are doing well. I had the same issue with my upper back. Hurt so bad I couldn't take deep breaths. They put heat packs and ice packs on it and gave me muscle relaxers and that helped. Blessings for a speedy recovery.🙏🏻💞

  I had extra bruises I did not even know what they were. They beat you up in surgery so you may have pain in places you did not expect. Use your breathing thingy it will hurt to cough but you need to.

Kevin Lee  Glad to here surgery went well. I was suprised about all the other "pains" that come with OHS. I feel more pain in my arms and shoulders now than I do at the incision. Stay strong Priscila, and we will keep praying for you.

Wanda Mroz  My back hurt so bad I could nt use it effectively for weeks... The thingy is a spirometer. But it will help clear the lungs.

David C  Fantastic to hear! Tubes out already is awesome. Took me three days and it was so much better when they were gone.

We are immobilized for a long time during that surgery and it effects the neck. Absolutely had some wonkiness in my neck, shoulders and back. Nothing disabling, but I am still aware of it today.

Someone replied to one of my posts [when I was a few weeks post op, so ignore this till you are walking regularly] to really focus on posture, and being upright. It was some great advice. I found that I was naturally folding inward to kind of protect my chest. Forcing my shoulders back and chin up helped move some of the tightness and cramping along. It's the one area I am looking forward to strengthening in cardiac rehab...

man, I am rambling about shoulders when I should be saying how great it is to see you on this side of the surgery and that it's good to hear that you are having minimal chest pain. Just know that everything gets easier, every day. I am 7 weeks today, and I just spent the last two days walking 5-7 miles on the beach with my wife and son like nothing had ever happened [other than I still get a little faded at times].

Conrad Skowronski  Great news. You will be sore in so many places, but it will get better every day. Congratulations on a successful surgery. Wow - tubes out already. That's awesome. Keep us informed on your progress - but get plenty of rest. Don't forget to give that incentive spirometer a work out.

Bridget Sawmiller  Priscila, you will do great today, praying for a successful surgery and I look forward to your updates after surgery is completed and you are feeling up to posting!

Catie B  Very, very best to you, Priscila. Praying things go super smoothly and looking forward to your posts when it's over and you're up to writing.

Susan Schweter  I'm on day 5 and the only thing I have used so far yesterday was my own robe and underware. I had a lot of trouble coming out of anesthesia. Now I have fluid on both lungs and I have developed anemia. Good luck Priscila Marino. You will do great.

Clare Auten  I didn't use much either. Underwear. Phone and charger. Chapstick. Hair tie for a ponytail. Loose fitting clothing to come home in (I still had water weight gain.) The hospital wasn't far from my home and my husband was coming and going to check on the 3 kids so he could bring things I needed.

Tracy Simmons  Hi Priscila. I didn't use much that I packed, but as Susan and Clare mentioned, I used my phone charger, ponytail holder, loose clothing - I recommend a zipper top so you don't have to pull anything over your head, and my toothbrush and toothpaste. Those toothbrushes and toothpaste provided by the hospital just don't cut it. Best of luck and many prayers for you.

Wanda Mroz  Honestly, you won't need much. I had my phone and Kindle charger, Kindle, face wash, toothpaste & mouthwash and a toothbrush and floss, dry shampoo and a brush. That's it. I wore their hospital gowns because it was easier with the heart monitor on all of the time. I just wore the slipper socks to walk in. That was it. Whatever you think you'll need, you probably won't. Pack light. Best of luck to you Priscila... you will do just fine. I know the anxiety you are feeling... breathe... God will be with you and it will go well. Prayers and hugs to you.

Barbara Wood  Maybe those little moist towelettes? I was in for afib a few months ago and had to wash my face with hand sanitizer & papertowels. I just bought a pack at tjmaxx- Avalon organics- actually that would make a great gift to take someone in hospital. Best wishes, Priscila, my thoughts & prayers are with you!

Terrie Syvertsen  Hello Priscila-For the most part I was happy to have cotton(Like p.j's/boxer shorts) that fit comfortably under the soft cotton(also stylish) hospital gowns the entire time until I left the hospital. The gowns are clean and easy to maneuver around with any IV's, tubes especially when you are up and walking around the hospital when allowed to. I have to throw in that it is a very special and proud moment when you area able to make the rounds during these walks and that it is comparable to being part of the hospital "Olympics". Something to look forward to as you will have the encouragement of passer-by patients, nurses and those visiting you and
knowing that your surgery is behind you! I only used a toothbrush/paste, lip gloss the entire time as I had short hair. You will definitely need a hair
tie with that beautiful hair of yours! I am excited for you to have this behind you and want you to know you will be on the other side and ready to deal with recovery soon and this is one of the greatest feelings of all!
You have many "Hearts" sending wishes and prayers for you. Take care
and looking forward to reading about you later!

Lise Bowles  They really give you everything you need, day 3 after my shower, I put on my own jamies and that was really nice because they were soft! Burts Bees chapstick is a serious necessity!!!!

Joshua Trimberger  You don't need much. For the first couple days you won't want to do anything but sleep. Things I brought and used were a phone and charger, laptop to watch netflix, toothbrush and paste (they have some if you don't want to pack it), I saw some people wearing robes and slippers, I was good in just my gown. Because I was having hot flashes a ton, my face got sweaty and greasy so I had someone bring me face cleaning wipes, but thats not essential. A small "heart" pillow (check and see if your hospital will be providing one or not) You will want to hug your heart pillow when you cough/sneeze/get up. I just wore the clothes I was going to wear home to the hospital originally. You'll want a loose top and easy to get into bottoms and i prefer slip on shoes as its hard to get regular shoes on. They don't want you to bring a ton of stuff to the hospital either and the more you bring the more likely you are to lose something when they switch you from ICU to step down. Also they won't want you wearing make up or nail polish or jewelry. Good luck!

Marie Leighton  This is the most ridiculously long list, a combo of something I got on the Internet from a very organized patient, and my own notes from a nephrectomy last year. So the "I" in the narrative is seldom me, and probably WAS NOT a heart valve patient. I will be referring to it for my own valve surgery, of course not everything will apply. But it is good to consider what does and doesn't apply to you.

1. Your cell phone — Keeping in touch with friends and family is crucially important, and while hospital rooms typically have a landline phone, it’s also typically huge and on a table or windowsill far out of reach. Up to date contact list.

2. A small notebook and a pen — You’ll think of questions to ask your doctor, or things you’d like your family to bring you — or someone will tell you something in a phone call, and you’ll want to take notes. Notepad on the iPad will do.

3. Comfortable clothing — Those hospital gowns, even the newer ones, are a sad story. Bring a robe for when they let you start walking the halls, and bring comfortable slippers or socks (non-skid bottoms are a bonus — this is no time for a slip-and-fall). Someone noted that their father-in-law, cold except in the tropics, needed a wooly hat to be comfortable, and you might want a thick shirt or a cardigan sweater for a bed jacket (avoid things you have to pull over your head). A throw blanket or a shawl might be helpful, and would add a welcome shot of color to a room that is likely to be all-cream or all-beige. I almost froze to death after the physical therapist ripped the blanket off my bed to tape up as a coughing pillow or something. I couldn't get it apart. I was in shock from pain and freezing cold. And could not get anyone's attention for quite a while.

Marie Leighton  4. Earphones and a TV substitute — It’s just about impossible to hear the sound on a hospital TV. All too often, it comes out of that same paddle that your nurse call-button is on, and you might as well be listening to a distant group of quacking ducks. In fact, the TV is generally so small, and so far away, that it’s useless too. If your roommate is watching TV at the same time, there’s just no hope at all for you.
Bring a pair of earphones, for sure. Get your hands on a DVD player or an iPad (or your laptop), subscribe to Netflix, and watch shows close up. When you’re choosing movies to bring with you (if you’ve chosen the DVD player option), make them old favorites, or light-hearted summer-type flicks — your attention span and ability to focus won’t be up to a heavy drama, and you may well be more reactive to emotions than usual. Also, there’s every chance in the world your viewing will be interrupted by a blood pressure check (or a meal, or one of a dozen different visits you’ll receive in a given day), so choose films that can be stopped and started repeatedly and still entertain you.

5. A source of music — You already have the earphones, so add in an iPad, iPod or a Nano, and load it with your favorite music.

6. Earplugs — If you have a roommate, there’s a good chance that you’ll have different ideas about what to watch on TV, or listen to on the radio, and when. Even if you don’t have a roommate, hospitals are noisy places. Bring a pair of earplugs, and consider bringing a battery-powered machine that will play you the sound of ocean surf, or white noise (if you prefer).

7. Books — For me, it was lots of books. A Kindle iPad, , or other e-reader, would be brilliant, because they’re light, easy to hold, and can be refilled with a visit to Amazon.

Marie Leighton 
8. Craft project — Bring your knitting, or your needlepoint. As I mentioned, there are a lot of interruptions during a day in the hospital, so choose a pattern that you can drop easily when they come to take you down for x-rays.

9. Reading light/eye mask — The lighting in every hospital room I’ve seen has been dreadful. Whatever’s not fluorescent is distant and poorly-located for anything but general illumination. Buy yourself a cheap floor lamp from IKEA or Walmart and place it next to your bed (a table lamp isn’t as good an idea because the available tables, a “bedside” one that ends up in a corner and a rolling overbed table, get moved around a lot, and your lamp may end up on the floor).

The flip side of needing light is getting too much light — especially likely if you have a roommate, but there’s a lot of light leakage from the hall during the night, too. Bring an eye mask, like the ones they sell for use on airplanes.

10. Comfortable pillow — Hospital pillows are typically very firm. They’re also wrapped in plastic — for your own good, of course, but the result is unpleasant. Bring a comfortable pillow from home (you might want to add one of those u-shaped travel neck pillows. Know that when you go home, you’ll want to have both professionally cleaned, since hospitals are dirty places. Use colorful pillowcases, so that the nurses who change your bed recognize which pillows are yours.

11. Essential toiletries — You’ll be given a packet of toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, soap), none of which will be your preferred brand. Bring your own toothbrush from home (there will be a plug for your buzzy toothbrush, if you have one), and your own soap, toothpaste, and shampoo, brush, comb. Bring your own hand lotion and moisturizer (you’ll find that hospital air is drying), and bring, too, at least one of those little bottles of disinfecting gel for your hands. Your hospital room will have a gel dispenser, but it’s usually located by the door.
BABY WIPES/ WET WIPES for freshening up
Lip balm
Proof of Insurance Coverage
Medicare and proof of identification, and any other insurance identification are needed to verify your eligibility for claims filed by the hospital.
Referring Physician Information
Name, address and telephone number.
DRY (NO RINSE/ WATERLESS) shampoo
THE PHONE NUMBERS OF LOCAL FAST FOOD DELIVERY COMPANIES – (pizza, Chinese shops and the like). Most will deliver to the hospital provided you give the full name and address of the hospital, as well as your floor/ ward and room number. I have personally done this when the food was particularly nasty on that night, and if it is too much for one person then you can share with the nurses or invite a nurse to dinner to share with you. I don't know about this for heart surgery but may need for my husband.
Remember how I said that hospitals are dirty? Protect yourself with the disinfecting gel, whether you’re sharing a bathroom with a roommate or not. Also helpful: Get one of those plastic canisters of disinfecting wipes, so you or your visitors can wipe down your rolling overbed tabletop and your bed rails from time to time.

Marie Leighton 
12. Nail clippers and file — It is desperately irritating to have long or broken nails, or frayed cuticles, catch on the sheets. Bring basic supplies to keep your nails short and smooth; pack toenail clippers as well, and recruit someone who really loves you to tidy up the bits you can’t reach.

13. My hand braces (bad arthritis)

14.A list of your normal medications. Multiple copies!
As soon as you’re in the hospital’s hands, your normal list gets replaced by a medication list tailored to your immediate needs. The small supply of your usual non-prescription meds is a resource in case your doctor agrees that you should continue your multi-vitamin or probiotic, for example, but the hospital pharmacy doesn’t happen to carry your preferred brand.

CPAP machine theirs almost blew me out of the room and was very cold.

charging cords

Documents and paperwork. Ideally, you should bring all the necessary paperwork in one folder, preferably the kind with a tie or snap closure to guarantee that important documents will not be lost. Don't forget insurance cards, a list of all the medications you are currently taking, and a list of telephone numbers of family and friends. If you have a written power of attorney or living will, always bring those along with you too.

Prepare a living will and choose a health-care proxy if don't have one.

A small amount of money for newspapers, vending machines, and such. Bringing credit cards or large amounts of cash is not recommended, since theft can occur in hospitals. It is also a good idea to leave all jewelry at home, it is one less thing to worry about losing or being stolen.

Laundry bag
CANDIES TO SUCK ON
CHOCOLATE – Need I Say More?
Maybe a kind bar
Bank your blood? Ask about it.
Crossword book
Eyeglasses Consider, also, a neck chain for your glasses, case for glasses, reading or computer glasses.
List of questions that you already have, for example, Ask anesth about anti nausea meds intravenously


What Not to Bring

leave all valuables, such as large sums of money, jewelry and credit cards, at home or with your companion

Electrical equipment such as hair dryers, radios or razors and other personal appliances are permitted only after the equipment has undergone a safety check by the engineering department. Such equipment is usually not permitted in any of the intensive care areas.
Don't bring luggage with wheels as they bring in germs from the outside. For real.

Sophia Ridley  Ear plugs and eye mask I would recommend too. I was absolutely beside myself with the lack of sleep in ICU / HD from monitors beeping and lights on. Own pillow if you're allowed (take colourful cases so don't lose it).

Make sure you're well hydrated in the days before surgery. I was too dry and had a blood and plasma transfusion as they battled my low BP.

Big box of chocs for the nurses when you check in, you'll feel less guilty pressing the buzzer!! 😊

Linda Richards  you don't need much. Grammy panties or boxer shorts, chap stick ... You will be on so many drugs/sleeping
... I never looked at my iPad once.

Roni Reinhold  I'm flying to Houston Texas Heart Institute for my AVR, next Sat. The doctors office told me not to make plans for my return flight for at least two weeks. The surgeon will want to do a follow up two weeks after surgery. Im6not sure I'll be in the hospital all that time or I'll be released and need to stay a a local hotel. Has anyone had this type of experience. I'm trying to get my suitcase packed and need to know how if I'll be in pj's or will I need clothes to wear at a hotel. Any and all feedback is more than welcome.
Thx Roni

Darlene Smith  Bring as little as possible. I used my chapstick, phone charger, pen (for a small sudoku book), hair clip or pony tail holder, underwear or lounge pants, toothbrush and face wash. I should have brought a nail file and brush. And one thing I found invaluable at night to drown out all the noise, my ipod so I could play the music on low and drift off to sleep. My husband brought my clothes on discharge day. Make sure they are loose.

Emily Rowley  I packed alot and honestly didn't use anything much. I stayed in their Hospital gown (inc undies) which was good ESP being female (surgery can onset men cycle) and used their soap (can bring your own along, I used my own shampoo). You will need: small toiletry bag with toothbrush, hairbrush+post surgery bra (unless they supply it)+your phone, headphones (music is a good idea), a change of going home clothes & anything else you wish.

Emily Rowley  For post-surgery, loose fitting cotton shirts ESP front button ones inc pj's are good, along with surgical bra and pants that are not too much of a struggle to get on with help as you won't be able to bend down for awhile. I took comfy flat slip on shoes (ballet flats) & slippers for walking esp walking up & down the Hospital Ward (they give you compression stockings).

Clare Auten  Yes, as others have mentioned surgery can bring on your cycle whether you are due or not. The nurses will help but be prepared.

Lilly Black  I took so many things and ended up NOT using anything. I was in ICU for 2 days, and 5 days in a hospital room. I basically only needed a tooth brush, a brush for my hair, and slippers to walk in. After surgery, all I did was take as many walks as I could, rest, eat my meals as much as I was able, watch movies, sleep, and be tended to by nurses and doctors. I only wore the hospital dress.....I didn't feel like dealing with clothes at all. When I was ready to go home, I wore loose sweats. As soon as I got home, I took a shower.....it felt so good! then put some fresh comfortable clothes on.

Bridget Sawmiller  I took men's boxer shorts to wear under the hospital gown, my own tooth brush, tooth paste, face wash, dry shampoo, hair tie, cell phone and charger, surface pro, protein bars, hair brush

Lora Lee Peterson  Tooth paste, tooth brush, Bioteen to keep your mouth hydrated, clean underwear, a robe, and whatever you are going to wear home, and slippers. Don't get fitted ones, as your feet will probably be swollen. I wore a tank top with a built in bra from Target, loose pajama pants that didn't look too pajama-y, and a light loose gray kimono thing with sleeves. I had a 6 hour ride home, so we had to stop every hour so I could go the bathroom or eat, and I actually went into public places with this get up on, and it didn't seem like anyone was staring. At that point, I really didn't care anyway. Oh, and I think I wore my slippers. I had a scarf on too, to wrap around my neck, because my scar looked really red and awful at first, so I didn't want to scare anyone. Now, you can hardly see my scar. Don't bring things to read or do, because your concentration is not there for about a week.

Linda Richards  Lora, I have to comment. I had minimal inv surgery, I gained at least 15 pounds in water weight. My clothes barely fit going home. I can laugh at it now. And yes, men's boxer shorts are the best!!

Amy Dorsey  I took way too much!! I too was worried and asked this question and took everything suggested. The only thing it did was cause difficulty when being discharged because I had so much stuff plus all the flowers and plants and gifts people sent. I didn't even use anything I brought except a set of comfy clothes, a blanket, and my phone.

Cathleen DeWitt  You have lots of support and prayers from everyone on here....you can and will do this...focus on the big picture and how great you are going to feel after the healing is done. Big hugs to you xo

Juergen Li  Priscila - I went through this less than three weeks ago and would like to assure you that pain will be well managed. In fact you might be amazed how much better you will feel.

David C  It's been 6 weeks since my picture showed up in the upper corner of this page. It's 100% terrifying, but you have the strength to get through this.

You mentioned the fear of pain is bothering you. While pain is subjective for each of us, I can tell you it was so much less painful than I imagined. For me recovery has been all about managing fatigue, pain is a footnote that is addressed easily with extra strength tylenol.

Yes, you will have some pain in the ICU, but that is what the morphine drip is for. What amazed me was that by day 4 I didn't even need the drip.

There will be moments in recovery where you feel hyper sensitive to things. Your shoulders and back will be oddly sore and your incision will feel tender but it's not going to be something you can't manage with the medicine you'll have.

More importantly, you will get through this. You will feel better shockingly fast. You've got this thing.

Conrad Skowronski  The pain isn't as bad as the anticipation for the surgery. You will do well. Prayers going your way.

Steven Dean  I can also say that the pain is not that hard to manage. There are moments of pain (for me it was when I was sleeping and hadn't given myself anything from the drip for a while) but the relief from the drip is quick.

Priscila Marino  Thank you guys.... This all feel so surreal!!!! I hope you aren't all liers;)
...... Just kidding!!!
thank you for giving me the strength and push I certainly need. God keep blessing you all in every stage of this process you are. Xoxo

Michele McMinn  Praying God will lift the pain for you. He did for me! I was unable to tolerate the pain meds. & had to just take extra strength Tylenol. I am a wimp when it comes to pain, but it did lift enough of the pain that I could get through. God will give you just what you need, & that is my prayer. Wishing you a fast & speedy recovery. God bless :)

Bridget Sawmiller  You will do great the pain is really not as bad as I thought it would be. As a matter of fact, I had shingles last year, 2015 in August and I can tell you that shingles was far more painful than my post op open heart surgery!

Diane Zeigler  Please don't worry about the pain. I can honestly say that I never had pain. I took the pain meds while in the hospital and then Tylenol. Just don't let the pain get ahead of you. Take pain meds offered to you even if you don't need them. I never felt "loopy" or sedated. I had no problem when I just went to Tylenol. You are going to do great! Good luck to you!

Sue Pluta  You so sound like me but I had only a few days from my cath to surgery for new valve and triple bypass. I was petrified and was an emotional basket case. Now I am 16 days post-op and am thrilled to be on the recovery side. We are all here for you! Fyi.....I bought sports bras from walmart...inexpensive and comfy and had someone help with putting them over my head....

Lora Lee Peterson  You are going to be fine - just uncomfortable for awhile. It's hard to believe that when you start thinking about what they are going to do, but now I have more stamina at 53 than I've ever had, so it was definitely worth it.

Emily Rowley  Yes, I suggest a non-underwire front-oppening surgical bra which are super comfy (not fashionable). The Nurses encouraged me to wear one 3-4 days Post-Op for support and so I don't strain my healing scar. I have 2, one is from AZTEC (white velcro surgical), the other ABC brand (front clip masectomy). Hope this helps 💕

Clare Auten  I woke up in a surgical bra and wore it 24/7 in the hospital. In fact one nurse got me a second one and hand washed the first in the sink in ICU. My surgeon prefers one as it holds the incision together. I had a full sternotomy. When I got home I just wore my own bras. I am large and I was more comfortable with one on. I did need some help with back closures at first.

Priscila Marino  I am a 38DD.... Large breasts as well. I bought a couple no wire front clasp beas @ amazon. They are of a very soft material, it was described as sleeping bra. Hope that works or they give me one at the hospital too!!

Bridget Sawmiller  My surgery was August 4th, I was in a surgical bra when I came out of surgery, wore it the entire time in the hospital and at home, did not wear last night because the bra was irritating the chest tube drain incision, but otherwise I really liked them and I did buy some from a medical supply house the clasp in the front.

Meredith Bray  I, too, woke up with a surgical bra and wore it for my stay in the hospital. It had velcro closures in front AND back, and each strap was velcro-adjustable. One I got home, I tried to wear a sport-bray but it was a PAIN to put on, so if I wasn't wearing my surgical bra, I was wearing a snug-fitting spandex/lycra tank top. I was uncomfortable when going without support. After a few weeks I could wear my usual underwires for "public appearances" except cardiac rehab. I wouldn't spend a whole lot of money on new bras if they don't fit your current lifestyle, you probably won't need them very long.

-Meredith

Barbara Laurie  Priscila, Ask your surgeon or coordinator if your hospital has surgical bras. Mine did not and I was wrapped in a large ace bandage type thing, though I have no recollection of it, just pics my hubby took. I am a 38 DDD and I am still so very uncomfortable in any type bra, I was bra less in hospital for 10 weeks and in my lounge wear here at home most of the summer! but yowza! I need support😄 So I suggest soft, no wire..and if you find something like that and you like it..tell me! ❤️❤️❤️

Amy Dorsey  Hmm...I did not have a surgical bra but I also did not have the sternum surgery. My incisions were directly on my breast and on the side of my breast and also a few holes poked in my sides by my ribs, directly in my armpit, and right where the arm and armpit meet. I have been unable to wear a bra for 4 weeks.

Darlene Smith  The hospital provided me with a very lovely pink bra that I was directed to wear 24/7 while my sternum healed. I finally pitched it in the trash after about two weeks home. I am able to wear my own bras comfortably because I don't wear underwires.

Priscila Marino  Thanks ladies!!! I bought as per your suggestion 2 no wire front closure cotton bra off Amazon!!! As of right now they fit very comfortably. Lets pray it continues this way after the surgery!! :)

Diane Zeigler  I tried a surgical bra provided by the hospital but felt like I was in a straight jacket! I have worn a sleeveless tank top under regular shirts and that is it. I might never wear a bra again! They are overrated!

Amy Dorsey  I remember feeling that way too when I got my date! Good for you. Soon you can put that anxiety behind you! 💗

Ron Broadhead  Great that you have a new date. You also have a fantastic attitude, which will be most helpful in getting through your surgery and recovery. Best wishes to you.

Bridget Sawmiller  You will do grear and you will be so glad when it is behind you, speaking from experience one week post op.

Priscila Marino  Thank you all!!!! My mom gets here on monday and although I wish my date hadn't changed, I am glad I will have some time to snuggle up with her!!! 😘😘

Sue Pluta  Best of luck to you! Waiting is the worst and I only had a week to wait but now am looking forward to getting rid of this pain so the true rehab can begin. With regards to the bra ? I have tons of sport bras bought at Walmart which the nurses helped me put on. Comfy enough to sleep in. Prayers for you!

Gloria Maier  That is incredibly frustrating - going through OHS is a major ordeal, physically, emotionally, and logistically. I hope that your doctor is able to reschedule it ASAP so you still get the benefit of your mom's assistance for as long as possible.

Conrad Skowronski  Hi Priscila -- I hope your doctor is able to reschedule to your original date. Wish you luck here!!!

Susan Schweter  So sorry to hear that Priscila. I was scheduled on the 11th and 7 days prior they changed it to the 17th. My sister is coming and my daughter. With date changes they can only stay 3 days so they won't even be here to help when I come home. Ifeel your frustration. In addition I started going through all the stress and panic all over again.

Darlene Smith  That is very frustrating!!! I don't understand why so many folks have their dates rescheduled! Granted mine was too, but I was asked if I could come in one day early, I didn't have to take the revised date if it was inconvenient. Does the hospital not have a surgical coordinator? That is the only person I talked to for the 6 weeks leading up to my surgery and she coordinated everything (and was amazing to boot). Hope it gets worked out!

Sue Pluta  As yucky as that is my new motto is if you can't change it don't fret it...easier to say than do but don't add any more stress to your plate....I think that's part of my problem that I worried for the world! Lol

Amy Dorsey  Very normal! The last week or so up to my surgery I had a very hard time getting through work or being around anyone! I just needed that time to focus my mind and prepare for it, but I still had to work. It was like I was absent but still there… The whole world going on around me and I was oblivious to it all. I know exactly how you feel. 💗💗💗 I took as much personal time as I could to just breathe and meditate and find quiet time until my last days at work. When I got to Ohio a week before my surgery, I just separated myself from everyone. My family seemed to understand what I needed. When you're feeling like that, just remember there are lots of others who know exactly how you feel. Find comfort in that. Sending you hugs! 💗💗💗

Kate Watson  I agree it's totally normal. My emotions were all over the place throughout this process and I was pretty irritable at times. We all know just how you feel. Wishing you peace and strength.

Juergen Li  Yep - been there, done that, it is all part of the process. I hope for you that you will be surprised how fast surgery and ICU will fly by and you are walking around with great relieve.

Rita Savelis  Everything is "normal". Everything is what it is. Real. Listen to yourself and allow your feelings to be there. Nothing is "bad", Priscilla, that's for sure. It's hard to really be prepared. You'll just face each day, each thing as it happens. Take care.

Susan Schweter  It's 10 days away for me now. I am feeling the same way. Only one of my friends have called and my husband's family who I am close to have not called. On one hand I'm not good company, and I want to seperate myself, but I am a little hurt that I haven't heard much from any body other than a like or quick comment on fb here and there. Most haven't even bothered to contact me on fb. I guess that's just how they deal with it.

Lise Bowles  Pricilla,
I feel exactly the same way! I just want to climb in bed, pull the covers up to my chin and watch re runs of Greys Anatomy or Bluebloods! Calgon take me away! I am grumpy, then sad, then happy, etc. I have canceled lunch dates lately with friends because I just feel restless and NOBODY can understand, as hard as they try, how we feel. And when they pat me on the shoulder and lightly say "you are going to be fine," I want to smack them! Not literally of course, but .........
They say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and we, my friend are going to be Arnold Schwarzenegger!

Conrad Skowronski  The days leading up to it are both calm and nerve racking. Some people who you thought would be with you every step of the way do not contact you. Others will surprise you with much contact, even though you haven't been that close lately. The surprises are constantly contacting you, giving you hope and comfort.

Wishing you calmness during your lead up and praying for you during your waiting, surgery and recovery.

  I had some of those feelings and drove my wife crazy. Oddly i wont say it was a calming thing more so
Just a big wave of acceptance that i was there and getting it done. I have my story just waiting to get home to tell it. You will be fine just have faith in that.

Rita Savelis  You can't expect others to react the way you want them to. You have to contact them, or not contact them if you don't want to. People (family, friends) don't necessarily know what is expected of them, and or what you specifically want/need. I didn't want to talk to anyone for weeks after surgery, or have any visits. I was too exhausted - I needed to heal, people were too tiring....The good friends understood when I said: Don't come. But other people need lots of social media throughout. So be vocal about your specific needs.
Take care.

Priscila Marino  Thank you all..... Its nice to be assured I am neither crazy or mean! Thanks for all the support.... The best to you all xoxo :)

Darlene Smith  Didn't have to do the things you describe. Used the special soap night before and morning of surgery. Stopped vitamins one week before. Used a special antibiotic in my nose for several days prior to prevent MRSA. That's it.

Emily Rowley  We all go through a range of emotions in preparing for such major surgery. I know how you feel when people say things like "you'll be fine, don't worry about it", I too was angry as it's not helpful and I could not stop worrying about my Surgery. Those people are trying to help but may not know how as perhaps they haven't experienced this surgery or know how much better we will feel onced feeling well recovered. Let your emotions run freely ☺ Do you feel overwelmed by the process of clensing? Although Hospitals have their own cleaning process, all take procautions to protect patients esp from infections. Will you be staying at the Hospital proir to Surgery? I suggest making a list, or enlisting the help of Family to make a list that is easy for you to understand. In reality, the Hospital might not be strict in practice as they say or is written, but I do know they want the best possible outcome for you.

susan kotansky  Dear Priscilla, I hear you. The time right before surgery is by far the worst part of it all. No one was more anxious, panicky, hysterical than I was last September. I did everything i could to lessen the worry and fear ...meditation, yoga, listening to tapes, educating myself. I asked my surgeon for a prescription for ativan for a few weeks which definitely helped calm me. It is entirely normal to experience what you describe as you enter into the unknown but trust me....once the surgery is over the fear will be over too. You will have gone through the most difficult part and then can deal with your recovery and healing. Reading all the success stories on this site was a real source of comfort to me and I can tell you that 10 months after my surgery I feel completely back to my healthy self. I wish you the very best!!!!! I am thinking of you...I really do know how you feel.

Wanda Mroz  You are going through the normal emotions. I did not have to do any enemas... But the soap is pretty standard. It's all to keep germs at bay so you recover well. 💞

Rita Savelis  It is never helpful to me when people say "Everything will be fine." That totally ignores what you are feeling right now. Right now is very hard. I'm sorry you have to go through this. It's unfair. It's terrible. Your present needs to be acknowledged.

As far as all the "cleaning" goes, alas it is important. Infection is a big problem. I remember in ICU after surgery as well, nurses would "wash" us twice a day. It felt like a car wash with two of them working on me very quickly but cleanliness was very important. So take a deep breath and use that stupid soap.

Susan Schweter  I am terrified too. This is not my first rodeo though. When I was 7 I had heart surgery and have a scar from under my left breast that goes under my arm, around my back to the back of my neck. I then had spinal surgery at 13 and have a scar from my neck to my tail bone. I had spinal surgery again at 17. I also had 4 hip surgeries with an artificial on the right side twice. So this new scar is nothing. I don't mind the scars because they are why I am still alive. But even though I have been through all of these and about 5 additional surgeries in my life, I am still terrified. Don't worry about the scar, mine serves me as a reminder of how lucky I am to be alive. You are not alone, I think we are all scared in one way or another.

Franklin Wyrick  You wouldn't be normal if you weren't scared. We all are to one degree or another. I was impressed on how little pain I actually felt. They are very good at managing it. As for the scar, with modern techniques, the scar is minimal. Mine is fading more each day. My brother, who had the surgery 6 years ago, has a scar that is almost invisible. I hope this information helps to quell your fears. Good luck.

Wanda Mroz  Sounds so familiar... I was terrified. It is part of the process. If I had to do it again, I'd be just as freaked out and today the fact that I went through it is so surreal. The scar... Fades. It is a symbol of your strength and resilience and you should feel proud of it. I too thought I would feel fragile with it, but I don't... I feel proud of myself for getting through it, and the scar is a reminder that I am stronger than I believed. You are stronger than you think you are. Try to stay positive... Breathe... You will be fine. 💞

Ron Broadhead  Oh yes. The apprehension is normal. As others have said, they are really good at valve surgeries these days. The scar seems like a big brutish thing at first but it does indeed fade with time. At 1 1/2 years after my aortic valve replacement its barely visible and I rarely think about it anymore. The best thing about the surgery was that it was a portal to a much better life. I feel better and can do things I had not been able to do for a long time. I am so glad I had it done. We all offer our best wishes and prayers for a successful procedure, an uneventful recovery, and a better life.

Rita Savelis  Fear is there. Scars take time to get used to. Difficult memories fade away. All that is hard to hold on to when you are facing OHS. But everything you are feeling is real and valid. Your family will be okay. Allow yourself to be a patient and to be vulnerable. You are a lot stronger than you think. Take care.

Ginger Marine  I am actually pretty proud of my scar. If I did not have it I would likely be, at best, feeling a lot worse than I did last year. So it is just a part of who I am now, and I am glad.

Emily Rowley  It is important that you feel comfortable and trust in your Surgical Team, their job is to achieve the best possibly result for you with treating you and your body with respect. Let us know if you have anymore questions (I'm sure your head is filled with million questions-that's where I found writing a journal book helps), we are here to help. 😁

Bridget Sawmiller  I know how you feel, the anxiousness can be overwhelming, I am 2 weeks away from my OHS. Prayers of peace for you during these next 28 days.

Terry Shermeister   Hi Priscila, I remember the feelings and thoughts. It's awful! I had my mitral valve repaired May 14, of 2015. Just try to stay in the moment enjoy what you can, and surround yourself with supportive people. Talk about how you are feeling. Soon you will have this in your rear view mirror, be in recovery. Trust your surgical team, they are the best! Prayers and thoughts of recovery.

Darlene Smith  The waiting is the worst but try and fill it with fun!!! It will go by quicker and you will have good memories.

Conrad Skowronski  Good luck Priscila -- mine is this coming Monday. Darlene has it right -- the waiting is difficult. Can't wait til I'm "over the hump". Hope you find some peace and relaxation in your pre-surgery time period.

Steven A Husted  i am glad i did not have to wait long i went to see my cardiologist and went right into the hospital for tests and was operated on 4 days later you will do fine god will be with you all the way best wishes and prayers

Susan Schweter  Good luck and prayers for you Priscila. I am 21 days away from mine and I am so scared I can't even sleep. I know how you feel. I am hoping this web site will give me comfort.

Priscila Marino  Thank you all!!!! This group has been a blessing!!! There is no support from family and friend that equal the support we get from those that are going through the same as us!
I thrust the team I choose... My brain knows that once is over life will be better..... But my heart (not the physical one) can is filled with fear! I fear the pain, I fear having my body open , violated ..... I fear been incapable of caring for myself and my family...... But inside my house those are my fears and mine alone.....
That scar will be on my body forever.... How will I fell about that??? ......and what if.... So many ifs!!!

My prayer is with all of you......