Sue Waterworth - Heart Valve Journal

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Yikes! This time tomorrow....

Journal posted on July 14, 2018

Today is admission day, and I'm pretty much ready to go. Apart that is, from finally doing the housework.

But it's only 6.30 am, and I'm ready for breakfast. Trouble is, the fridge is full of nothing. There's half a celery, and jars of fermented veggies, but not much else. Doesn't sound terribly exciting. Being highly organized clearly has a downside.

Oh well! I guess its off to the local cafe for fuel before I get to work with the vacuum cleaner.

Like | Jennifer John and 1 other likes this

Marie Myers Don't work too hard.. I dusted once, and the dust all came back. Not falling for that again...
Best wishes for a smooth surgery!!

Paul Kurf Hoping your surgery has gone well and that you're on the fast-track to getting sprung and feeling much, much, better.

Getting closer

Journal posted on July 12, 2018

Only a few days to go, and I'm busy putting 'care packages' into a few of my friends freezers! Lovely light almond bread rolls and containers of creamy kefir. And little jars of crisp fermented veggies. And I've got a bag of ripening avocadoes to take with me. The thing that worries me most (Ha! little do I know!) is the hospital food. I generally eat with real care - everything fresh and real, with lots of veggies and fermented foods. So, I'm hoping that along with juices I intend asking people to bring, in lieu of flowers, I'll not die of malnutrition! No flowers, because I sneeze all too readily, and I can just imagine how that feels.
Anyone would think I was obsessed with food!

I've been putting off the housework, but today has to be the day - or it'll never get done. Then I can holiday from it for a while since I live alone, and will need someone to do it for a while afterwards.

Like | Adam Pick, Kelly Stoll, Jennifer John likes this

Adam Pick Hey Sue, In my experience, the hospital food at USC was actually much, much, much better than expected. And, they delivered it quickly. My thoughts are with you!

Sue Waterworth Thanks Adam. I'm sure I'll be fine, whatever the food's like.

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hi Sue,
My personal favourite food was high-protein yogurt, and soup/juice.
I remember the dietary staff coming each day to ask what I wanted, so they really ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hi Sue,
My personal favourite food was high-protein yogurt, and soup/juice.
I remember the dietary staff coming each day to ask what I wanted, so they really are attentive, but I just wanted the same thing everyday.

Anna Jones Hi Sue, the food at Houston Methodist was the worst I have ever tasted. I simply could not swallow it. I'm vegetarian and they marked that on my order sheet ... Read more

Anna Jones Hi Sue, the food at Houston Methodist was the worst I have ever tasted. I simply could not swallow it. I'm vegetarian and they marked that on my order sheet so if I ordered something (like honey, or butter) that went against their opinion of what is vegetarian, I was refused it! One would think I know what I eat. Eventually my friend took pity on me and started bringing me food and the nurses looked the other way. Sending best wishes that you will have an easy time finding food.

LINDA ROBERTS Thinking about you and wishing you a successful surgery.

Jennifer John A low-fat, protein-rich diet will build up your strength quicker while in hospital and once you’re home. Get a cleaning person.👍🏻🌺

Rita Savelis One is often not very hungry for a few days after OHS, so food is not a major issue, really. If you feel very interested in food after OHS, then you are probably ... Read more

Rita Savelis One is often not very hungry for a few days after OHS, so food is not a major issue, really. If you feel very interested in food after OHS, then you are probably ready to leave hospital, and get back home to the food that is familiar.
Take care.

Maria Gapinski One little piece of good advice I got from a nurse-friend of mine: you will be very thirsty when you wake up from surgery. You need to take liquids VERY slowly, ... Read more

Maria Gapinski One little piece of good advice I got from a nurse-friend of mine: you will be very thirsty when you wake up from surgery. You need to take liquids VERY slowly, the nurse in ICU will start by giving you water from a sponge swab to moisten your mouth. When you are able to swallow water from the sponge without nausea, then you would start with an ice chip. If still no nausea, then more ice chips and a few sips of ice water. Next you can graduate to a popsicle. My husband got nausea from the ice chips and CPAP machine, but stopped them in time and thank goodness did not get sick. Vomiting shortly after surgery risks pain, choking, and slows down the ability to eat, etc., so it is very important to try to avoid stomach upset after surgery as much as possible.

Update posted on...

July 9, 2018

Hi All,
I've been skulking round this site for 18 months, as I waited, hoping I wouldn't need an Aortic valve replacement. It's fantastic to be able to hear from others what its really like, so thank you to everyone who's posted.

I'm in Tasmania, that wee island at the bottom of Australia. Not a lot of choices here, but I have a lovely surgeon who I think will take great care of me. My surgery in on 16th July, after 4 cancellations due to the snafus of setting up a new unit.

I'm wondering if everyone who has bovine valves goes on lifetime Aspirin afterwards. Or are alternatives being used?

Sue

Like |

Anna Jones Welcome. Sending prayers and best wishes.

Judy Shaw Welcome Sue. I had aortic valve replacement on June 28th. I too chose a bovine valve. I was put on a 81mg aspirin a day.

Kelly Stoll Welcome Sue. :)

Sue Waterworth Thanks so much for the welcome. I feel as though I'm among friends here

Rose Madura Hi Sue. I have a bovine valve and take 325 mg of aspirin daily.

Marie Myers I have a bovine and take one baby aspirin (81 mg) per day.

John Lant My Surgeon replaced my Aortic Valve with a tissue valve and I was only put on Aspirin, 81mg.

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hi Sue,
Ditto, ASA 81 mg. daily

kirshbaum marilynne All the very best to you Sue - I see that your surgery is tomorrow.

Here's my newest picture!

July 9, 2018 Like | Susan Lynn, Judy Shaw, Kelly Stoll and 7 others like this

Susan Lynn Beautiful picture! Welcome, Sue!

Sue Waterworth I have to admit the photo is a little tiny bit out of date, but I like to think I still look that good!!!!

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