Sue's Journal

Phyllis Petersen  Wow! What an insane few months you've had. You look good and it sounds like you're moving in the right direction. I hope you have a smooth recovery from hereon out and with your heart in good repair can breath easier and enjoy many more years of health.

Catie B  Oh no! So you just had an emergency appendectomy?! Six weeks after OHS. Yikes. That is a ton to deal with. I'm so sorry. I wish you a very strong and speedy recovery, Sue.

Civita Fahey  Oh Sue your poor thing.. when it rains it pours.. my prayers that it all gets resolved soon.. and you will be on your way to recovery..

Priscila Marino  OMG.... sometimes when it rains, it pours!!!! But afterwards a beautiful rainbow.... keep your eyes on the prize!!!😘😘

Nancy Lewis  Oh, you poor dear. God bless you. Hope your appendix surgery goes smoothly and you get some relief soon.

Meredith Bray  Everyone is different! Up until almost 6 weeks I was only sleeping in 2-4 hour increments, with several naps through the day of the same length. Each day gets a little better though, and increasing my walking by 1-2 minutes per session per day seemed to do the trick for me .
Regarding the laying flat - nope, not gonna happen for a while. It's just too uncomfortable! I felt like I was being smothered when I was completely horizontal.
Regarding concentration - I distinctly remember watching many different parts of many different movies between naps. I don't think I was able to read until about the time i started cardiac rehab, maybe 4 weeks? It's a slow process, and you might not notice the changes, but they add up over a week.
My 3rd week home (about 4 weeks after surgery) is when I started feeling like I needed to "do more," when my energy levels started moving more toward my expectations of how I should be feeling. It takes your body a LONG time to get over the trauma of surgery.
And I didn't like sleeping in the bed either, it was uncomfortable because I didn't have a wedge pillow, and I still needed help getting in and out of bed.

So....everyone is different, let your caregivers push you a little bit to walk and rest and eat more, and make sure you're getting some really good rest - when your whole body is supported and relaxed. It gets better!

-Meredith

Sue Pluta  Oh Meredith Bray how I so thank you for your post. I know everyone heals different but you confirmed what I needed to hear. I read about these great recoveries and think wow what's wrong with me! Most of time I just can't push myself like I did before surgery! Thank you!!

Amy Dorsey  I know exactly how you feel. I'm a fitness professional and was told numerous times I would bounce back within a few weeks. I've never had surgery before this so I didn't know what to expect. Here I am at week 4.5 and nowhere near where I thought I'd be based on what I was told. I've accepted that now. 😊 I'm still sore but off the major pain meds. I have fluid in my lung still which makes it feel like a vice grip on my ribs when I breathe, I barely sleep...usually 1-2 hours at a time, and I'm anemic since surgery and dealing with dizziness and blackouts upon standing. I had a reeeaaalllyyy hard time dealing with where I'm at now based on where I am used to being physically...some days walking 5 feet I had to stop and rest and felt winded!! What?!? I'm looking forward to getting back to normal but I know it will be longer than I expected. Hang in there...give your body the time it needs. In the big picture 8-12 weeks is not a long time although it sure feels like it is when you're uncomfortable and in pain. Hang in there!! 💗💗💗

Darlene Smith  Yup, easier said than done to be patient! Its so true that you can have really good days followed by really bad days. One of the co-surgeons said 2-3 weeks and I would be 90%. I'm almost 5 weeks post op and finally starting to feel like I'm about 75%. I think the surgeons try to be optimistic so we don't worry, but seriously, they need to be realistic to their patients. I also have a great support network who keeps me balanced with my expectations even though they have not had heart surgery before. My first two weeks post op were easy and then the complications set in. But I think those are in my past, and I'm feeling very good these last couple days. Hoping it continues, but trying to be realistic as well. One day at a time!

Sue Pluta  You guys are great...I came to conclusion that what we have in common is we are females and I wonder how a dr can say that if he has never gone through it. I have a high tolerance of pain..one of my son's was born in an ambulance on way to hospital! but this pain is so different. I am glad we have each other to bounce stuff off of because like you said unless you have gone through this you can't imagine.

David C  Glad to know I am not the only one who can't concentrate enough to read. I normally read voraciously, like 2 books a week. I haven't really cracked a book open since surgery. I have started setting books that interest me to the locations in the house that I spend the most time at. I hope to start reading again in the next week or so.

Joshua Trimberger  I started sleeping better when I got home. If your not comfortable pain wise maybe try switching up where you are or having them switch pain meds. For me the bed in the icu combined with the pain and fluid in my lungs made the bed unbearable so my whole 5 days in the icu I slept in and sat in a reclining chair and would sleep off and on in that. Try different things as well like moving pillows and in my case I couldn't sleep without pillows under my arms or the pain in my shoulders was to much. Hope it gets better for you.

Rita Savelis  Sleep meds are essential if you can't sleep. I don't take them normally but had to after OHS. Be vocal with doctors and take the pain meds you need. I feel for you. Sleeping in hospitals is hard, but especially after OHS. Take care.

Barbara Laurie  Sue, listen to Rita.. Pain meds, sleep aids, nasal cleanses for the mucus. You need all of it. ❣❣❣

Meredith Bray  I didn't sleep more than a few hours at a time for several weeks. Here's what worked for me:
A. Listen to your body - sleep when it wants to, not on some predetermined schedule.
B. Stand up straight. Resist the urge to protect your chest area. Head up, chin up, shoulders back. That will help re-strengthen your core muscles that support your body.
C. Support your body! Anytime you are not standing up, or sitting up eating a meal, make sure your head, neck, shoulders & arms are supported. Use a travel pillow or a rolled up t-shirt to support your head, and get some extra bed pillows to rest your arms on (even while sleeping!). It takes a LOT of energy to support the weight of your body, and you need that energy for healing.

I think I was afraid to fall all the way asleep those first few weeks because I was scared that I would move in my sleep and hurt myself. Seriously, once I figured out how to really rest and relax, I was able to get a few more minutes of sleep each nap, instead of just catnapping for a few hours at a time.

It gets better, I promise! And if my suggestions don't work, ask a nurse for help.

Let us know what you try and how it works or doesn't work for you.

-Meredith

Clare Auten  I agree with all of the above. I also want to add that one if the medicines I was on when I came home was Pepcid...just OTC. Never having trouble before, I didn't take it one night. I was miserable. I actually vomited. I still have to take it occasionally or I get a wierd feeling that stuff is going to come up as I lay down.

Paul Wells  Sue, don't know if I can help. If I read correctly you cant sleep for the pain . Do you mean the right side of your chest or right arm? Please tell your team more. Is the pain consistent or is it more with positions or activity?
Chest pain can be many different reason. Some reasons could be - sternal wires , bruised ribs, fluid, diaphragm pain, and many more.
Arm pain is not uncommon after surgery, my arms were tucked to my side , my shoulders rolled back and my chest is spread open with a chest spreader. I have met people that developed a neuropathy ( I did not) .Sometimes this resolves completely ,sometimes it takes a while.
It may help your Dr to be specific and inclusive of the pain. Your Dr may then have a better plan or a proper referal.
You need your sleep for a speedy recovery.

Sophia Ridley  When I was readmitted I had my own pillow, that helped considerable. It's a feather one so I could make a dip in it for my head so I didn't roll around too much.

Sue Pluta  Thanks everybody...nurse got me 3 more pillows so now with 10 pillows I am trying to get through next 2 nites at rehab before going home. I just took 2 tylenol to try to help discomfort..I go back to surgeons on the 24th...hope by then I can update you with a smile!

Joshua Trimberger  you won't really need much. you can bring your own dental care stuff if you want, but they also provide it if you ask. Maybe a book or magazine or laptop or something. But for the first 2-3 days I couldn't focus enough to do any of that. You'll want to bring your phone and charger for sure. Also a heart pillow (if they don't provide one) I saw some patients around the ICU with robes but I didn't bring one or wanted one. Good luck! You'll do great!

Clare Auten  I really didn't take much either. I agree with phone and charger. Maybe some ear buds to listen to music. I couldn't concentrate to read either. I did not take personal care items and they provided what I needed. Clothes to wear home. Elastic or stretchy is good due to waterm weight. Good luck.

Amy Dorsey  I took two bags of stuff because I figured I would get bored… Turns out I didn't use hardly anything I brought except for a blanket and pillow and robe for walking the halls, and my toothbrush! You probably won't feel like doing anything. Just bring whatever brings you the most comfort.

Conrad Skowronski  Hi Sue --here's a list I think is most important to bring:
1. A loved one
2. A positive attitude
3. Your current medication list
4. Your medical history, even if scribbled on a piece of paper. I didn't want to try to remember previous medical procedures, sicknesses I had and the year of them. I was so anxious - my mind wouldn't see through the fog to answer anesthesiologist's questions.
5. It is sometimes recommended to bring non-slip slippers and a robe. I brought them, but didn't need them. The nurses used a hospital gown as a cape. It was easy to get on, didn't have to worry about IV's and heart monitors going through sleeves, etc. The non slip socks they gave me sufficed to keep my feet warm and glued to the floor.
6. They said I should a toothbrush and toothpaste. Since I use a sonic care at home, I opted to use their "free" (okay probably $20) toothbrush and paste.
7. I did not bring any lotions, shampoos, soaps, etc. I figured the hospital would prefer me to use theirs. Indeed, the rinse-free soap, non-scented items worked just fine for my stay here.
8. I brought my kindle (although I did not read much during my stay) and of course a smart phone or iPad. It allowed me to update this site and all my friends and relatives on my progress.
9. A loose set of clothes for when you get to go home.

I'm sure there are other items that other heart patients can add, but I"m sure they will agree, if you bring anything, bring the 1st two items.

I wish you well.

Wanda Mroz  Don't take much... Hairbrush, toothpaste & brush, face wash, deodorant , dry shampoo. That's all I needed.

David C  I didn't take anything. Maybe pack a bag with the things you'll want to wear when you leave? I did enjoy having my phone once I was in the step-down room. Conrad's list pretty much covers it. You are going to be in a robe for days, and you will be grateful for shower a few days after surgery. I still savor every shower and I'm 3 weeks post op.

Billy G  I left a lot of extra things with my family in their hotel so they could bring me things if I needed/wanted them, but I didn't ask them to bring me much. Three things I found useful, in addition to a few things already mentioned, included a stocking cap, a zip-up fleece, and a neck pillow (e.g., for airline travel). The first two helped walk the cold hallways, and although I had never used a neck pillow before (we randomly bought it in the airport in Vegas when flying to LA for surgery), it proved to be super helpful so I could sleep in a chair with my head supported. The one I bought was definitely a more expensive one that offered more support, but it was probably one of the most useful things I had, which I bought on a whim. I could have gotten by without it, though, but I am thankful I had it.

Rita Savelis  I didn't bring much. A t-shirt, a toothbrush, a hair elastic. My husband brought a few thngs later, since I stayed for awhile (4 weeks). Ultimately there is not much you need if you are there under a week.

Sophia Ridley  Make sure you're well hydrated before surgery.

I had a shawl which was a blessing (my surgery was November, so depends on the AC). I had my own pillow when I was readmitted, would have loved to have had it post op. If you get hot in bed post op, it may be because the mattress cover is plastic. Two sheets on the base improved this.

Meredith Bray  I had mashed potatoes for brains the week before my surgery also. I packed a bag with stuff, and never opened it except to get shorts. I was grateful for the shorts when walking, but if I didn't have them, the people taking care of me would have given me a second gown - one to cover the front and one to cover the back. Give your hospital a ring on Monday and see if they have a list of suggested items.
OH yes - make sure to bring an outfit for going home. You'll want something loose and stretchy. You may have some water retention, so jeans are probably not a good idea. Soft pants & a large t-shirt.
When you call the hospital to ask about a list, ask about a bra also. I came out of surgery with a surgical bra on, and kept it on for several days. I was comfortable and didn't rub on my incision site, and kept my girls in line, haha! While we're on the girl side of things - if you're still having your period, you should expect to be graced with it while you're in the hospital, even if it's off schedule. I don't know why. I was miserable and embarrassed until a wonderful CNA said, so what? So if you're not still cycling, lucky you!
It'll be over soon, you'll be smiling in a few days :)
-Meredith