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And a good nurse makes SO much difference

No incentive spirometers! I asked! Waking up is hardest - first time getting a good sleep is also longest time without pain relief. I am learning ben things about my ability to tolerate discomfort and what is important. I'm very lucky to be surrounded by good friends when they can visit...

Yes I ended up having the full sternotomy as my surgeon was worried about access, hence the chest pain. They're telling me I'll be back on a standard ward tomorrow some time. All drainage gone now except for one line for medicine in my neck. I think they pulled all that stuff off quite fast as...

You're right on every front Anne. It's cooler now and exploring different pain management options. Definetely had a wobble!

Getting a full breath is painful work!

I did indeed. Having a sudden dip today, feeling a lot of pain since the drains came out and moved to w room on own with less people around. It's. So. Hot. Feels rough!

Just had chest drains and catheter removed- both very new experiences to me!!

I'm alive! Operation went very well and recovery is good so far. Plenty of meds for the pain and about Tuesday have the chest drains our. I'll attempt a more thorough update later.

Maple yes and first up!

Sitting now all hibi scrubbed and ready for surgery. Frankly I'm terrified, but mostly of waking up full of new holes! It's been a surreal couple of days but looks like the next message I post will be from the other side. PS: one of the nurses on my ward is in fact a friend from the local...

Thanks everyone! I must admit I'm pretty nervous but I imagine that's normal. Here's hoping for no pacemaker and getting all the tubes and wires out quickly!

Thanks pellicle !

Hello all, Just got my surgery date which is set to be this coming Monday. I'm frankly a bit shocked by the short notice, but looks like the show is on the road. As I'm on the NHS I guess there's a chance it will still be bumped for a more urgent case. I'll try to keep in touch as things...

I definitely would get out of the house and go back to walking as much as you can Jimmyk - in my understanding that's the absolute safest kind of exercise you could be doing and you're more likely to be harmed by isolating yourself than going out for regular walks.

Delighted to hear you're OK Geoff

pellicle One note on that presentation - the novel anticoagulant drugs like dabigotran have not proven effective for mechanical valve patients in trials so our new, easier to manage drugs may not in fact materialise soon.

Thinking of you libra rising ! Hopefully you're checked in and getting ready for surgery.

Thanks again for the comments and advice everyone. I've taken advice from a couple of surgeons, as well as having now had a heart CT scan which showed my root as - not dilated but - a little large. Due to the risk of my aorta further dilating with the increased pressure caused by multiple...

Not at all! Now I know what to prepare for ;) Best of luck for Monday.

I'm on the list at harefield as well! Still waiting for my pre-op assessment. If the dates are any guide you might even be in surgery right now. Best of luck and I look forward to hearing from you on the other side!