beeee prepared!

[pikacat]

Yes, you'll no doubt come home with Rx meds. I assumed most hospitals have pharmacies that patients can get their scripts from, but maybe not. If you don't know about your hospital, ask when you do your pre-op stuff if you can get your discharge meds filled at hospital.

When I was discharged, the Rxs were given to the pharmacy a few hours before so when I was wheeled out it was a quick stop to get them before getting in the car. If your hospital isn't able to do this have them phone the scripts to a pharmacy where either you can pick up on the way home, or have delivered to you.

that's actually really smart -- i hadn't thought of that. i had thought to put on my list of qs if i was supposed to bring my own prescription meds to the hospital, or if they were going to be dosing my usual meds to me, but not that. thanks.

 

[Lynlw]

I don't know if you go to church, but if you do, that is another place to contact that the members are usually good about helping other members that are going thru something.

Also John brought up having someone help update your family and freinds with how you are doing, thru emails ect. I wanted to add, you might want to consider settng up a caringbridge.org or carepage site and just give everyone the URL to it. Then someone can update how you are doing before you are able to and when you are able to get online, you could just do an quick update and it really cuts down on the number of phones ect from everyone checking on you, especially if you are trying to nap, or just don't feel like talking.

 

[pikacat]

thanks john -- too bad oregon doesn't recognize handwritten wills. i'd just write: and everything to my pain in the butt brother. but if the worst should happen, i don't really own much anyway being that up until may, i was just a student. he'd be the proud owner of many useless paper degrees. too bad they wouldn't confer onto him all the knowledge of the law and chaucer, too.

luckily my pharmacy is just across the street so i hope that it won't be too much of a pain for my friends to pick something up when they're visiting. i'm sure i can call them and figure out how to allow others to pick up my scripts.

 

[pikacat]

i only really have 2 family members aside from distant family i don't speak to. i told them to call the hospital for updates. i'll probably let them know on my own time when i'm feeling better. my family and i are not very close. i hadn't seen my dad in over 3.5 years until recently, though my brother will be visiting for a weekend after my surgery. so, i'm not really anticipating lots of phone calls from them.

as for my friends, i actually only told about 15 good friends about it because it was the bar exam and everyone was so stressed out. (to me, though, that's a lot when it counts) i just only wanted people i could count on around me right now and people i knew who would really want to help. i'm not really expecting a deluge of "what's going on?" type phone calls.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

You will most likely be Very Tired and have little excess energy for the first week or two.

Raising your arms above your head may be 'too much' (or even not recommended by your surgeon).
I can remember washing my hair with only one hand at a time.
Do you have a plastic step stool or plastic chair you could use in the Shower?
Sitting in the shower for the first couple of weeks would save energy and definitely be safer than standing.

Many of our members were not comfortable sleeping in bed for up to several weeks and found sleeping in a recliner to me both more comfortable and easier to get into and out of. Others used big / long "body pillows" to lay against at an angle.
A Wedge Pillow might be another alternative.

Do you have a Cell Phone? or Cordless Phone? If so, keep it close!

Some surgeons will relent to Limited Daytime Driving (mostly to get to Doctor appointments) after 4 weeks.
Most surgeons will allow patients to start driving after 6 weeks IF there are no extenuating complications.

That's all I can think to add at this time.

Best Wishes.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[pikacat]

no, i don't have a recliner :< but i do remember how uncomfortable lying down was, so i did buy that giant pillow thing to prop me up.

i don't have a stool, either. but i think i'll get one. i'm not entirely satisfied with my showering situation. that's a good idea, thanks! i wasn't entirely convinced i had made it completely safe and all that because i remember that being difficult, too.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

no, i don't have a recliner :< but i do remember how uncomfortable lying down was, so i did buy that giant pillow thing to prop me up.

i don't have a stool, either. but i think i'll get one. i'm not entirely satisfied with my showering situation. that's a good idea, thanks! i wasn't entirely convinced i had made it completely safe and all that because i remember that being difficult, too.

One more thing about the shower.
Do you have one of those removable shower heads with flexible hose?
If not, that would be another good thing to obtain.

'AL C'

 

[pat45750]

Thanks for this discusson. Made me think more about what I might need. I also live alone, but have a neighbor friend 2 doors down that will help me. Unfortunately, I have 10 dogs and 3 cats to care for. I thought I would be able to pretty much take care of everything myself - but slowly. Maybe not from reading all the posts. She can help me feed the dogs for a few days or whatever I need. It was my opinon I would be mobile, but doing everything very slowly - then resting. Assuming it would be like my hip replacement - did everything, but slowly. I guess only time will tell. Do you have to have a nurse visit you? My surgery will be 3 1/2 hours away. I assume most follow up will be with my cardiologist or family doctor where I live. I don't think they would want me driving 3 1/2 hours to visit post op very soon. I am suppose to have a 3-4" incision in my sternum as a minimally invasive AVR surgery. Hopefully, that will make it easier. Pat

 

[AgilityDog]

I saw you were going to have your kitty litter home delivered for a while. That's good. But make sure you have someone who will change the box for you and wash it out as needed.
I know if you use the scoopable, the litter doesn't need changed as often, but when it does....You're not going to be able to lift a full bag of clay litter or to lift the full litter liner bag (or full box if you don't use a liner). And with 2 cats you know how often that chore gets done. I've got 2 boxes for 1 cat.
Icky job, but someone has to do it.
Ditto walking the dog. I'm not planning on being able to walk Jet for 8 weeks, and no agility for 10-12. She's 63 lbs, strong, and despite years of training, she's a puller, even wearing a pinch collar or no-pull harness.
I learned after my first surgery, with Tank (80 lb Labrador), that a strong dog yanking on you can cause real pain, even 10 weeks after surgery, particularly if you have a full sternotomy. Of course, if you've got a chihuahua or papillon, this is less of an issue.

 

[Lynlw]

Thanks for this discusson. Made me think more about what I might need. I also live alone, but have a neighbor friend 2 doors down that will help me. Unfortunately, I have 10 dogs and 3 cats to care for. I thought I would be able to pretty much take care of everything myself - but slowly. Maybe not from reading all the posts. She can help me feed the dogs for a few days or whatever I need. It was my opinon I would be mobile, but doing everything very slowly - then resting. Assuming it would be like my hip replacement - did everything, but slowly. I guess only time will tell. Do you have to have a nurse visit you? My surgery will be 3 1/2 hours away. I assume most follow up will be with my cardiologist or family doctor where I live. I don't think they would want me driving 3 1/2 hours to visit post op very soon. I am suppose to have a 3-4" incision in my sternum as a minimally invasive AVR surgery. Hopefully, that will make it easier. Pat

I don't know what the weight restrictions are for your incision, but for a full sternum you are not allowed to even lift a gallon of milkm that is TOO heavy.

 

[hook]

First off, I wish you the best as you go through this. Please understand it is better on the other side.

My two cents and I will repeat this every time, rent or buy a lazyboy recliner. I slept and napped in mine for four weeks. Laying flat on my back was not an option, it kills my back.

For some reason I was craving a tomato based veggie and chicken soup; I simply had to have it. Make a batch of soup ahead of time and freeze the portions individually. Soup can be made low sodium, and you can add "no salt" AKA potassium to substitute for salt. Only add the no salt until you are ready to eat. Potassium loses its salty flavor when you cook it. If you use a lot of "no salt" you will need to be careful with potassium supplements; you don't want to go overboard.


good luck

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Some more thoughts -

Re: Walking Dogs - I had a puppy that was best described as "60 lbs of unbridled enthusiasm".
Almost had to send her back to the pound...until Pet Store worker suggested a PRONG COLLAR.
That was the ONLY thing that got her under control.

Re: Drive Home from Hospital - Most Surgeons will recommend that you STOP every Hour and WALK around for 5 minutes to prevent clot formation in your legs.

Re: Stairs - It would be good if someone can accompany you if you need to climb stairs when you get home from the hospital and maybe for the first week or two.

'AL C'

 

[pikacat]

pat - we really are surgery buddies, aug 9 aortic valve replacement, living alone and a love of animals! good luck!

al - another great idea, thanks!

agility - you made me wince just thinking about a dog pulling on a walk! my dog is 90 lbs and a real puller. he's an akita mix and can be leash/small animal aggressive despite everything i've tried to do. i have a harness for him, but all the same, he can get ahead of himself. sometimes, if i see a squirrel even almost a block ahead, i just turn around. in stronger days, i'd just guide him right by it, but right now, it's a bit much.

agility, when was it ok before you could walk that big dog again?

as for my kitties, thanks to my days in law school when i didn't want to deal with 2 cats and their litter, i invested in an automatic litter box -- best decision ever! all my friends have to do is occasionally empty the bin and once in a while replace the litter. perfect! i'm hoping that it'll hold out in time for me to soap out the box and all.

hook - i hear you on the lying down, i really do. my first surgery i rented one, but this time around i'm trying to make ends meet as a just graduated from law school no income person so. that $15 giant pillow that will make it seem like i'm reclining in bed will have to do

 

[Luana]

Thanks for this discusson. Made me think more about what I might need. I also live alone, but have a neighbor friend 2 doors down that will help me. Unfortunately, I have 10 dogs and 3 cats to care for. I thought I would be able to pretty much take care of everything myself - but slowly. Maybe not from reading all the posts. She can help me feed the dogs for a few days or whatever I need. It was my opinon I would be mobile, but doing everything very slowly - then resting. Assuming it would be like my hip replacement - did everything, but slowly. I guess only time will tell. Do you have to have a nurse visit you? My surgery will be 3 1/2 hours away. I assume most follow up will be with my cardiologist or family doctor where I live. I don't think they would want me driving 3 1/2 hours to visit post op very soon. I am suppose to have a 3-4" incision in my sternum as a minimally invasive AVR surgery. Hopefully, that will make it easier. Pat

Pat,
A home-health nurse is good to have during the first few weeks that you're home. Most insurance pays for it and most discharge planners think it's good to have in place. Basically, nurse will check vitals, can do any blood draws your doctor may order (and INR), and look at your wounds to be sure they're not infected and healing well, so all that's good to have.

Maybe I'm confusing you with someone else, but I thought you were having the incision between the ribs and the mini-sternotomy?

As for the long drive for post-op visits, I would ask the hospital for a referral to a cardiologist locally you can follow-up with at least for first couple of months.

 

[Jkm7]

This is an unpleasant subject but seeing you mentioned law study, I hope you have written and had witnessed a Power of Attorney for someone to make medical decisions and choices on your behalf in the event you are unable to do the same for yourself. You should be certain that person knows your feelings re: life support, blood trunsfsions and the choices you would make for yourself were you able. The liklihood this will be necessary is tiny but it should be executed, just in case. Under HIPAA laws, medical professionals will/can only speak about your condition and care with persons holding your power of attorney. Be sure the hospital gets an original copy of it.

 

[Mentu]

PC, I was 59 last year when I received my AVR and unless your surgery is a lot different from mine, I don't think you are going to find yourself "bedridden". In fact, that is not a good idea. Certainly, you need to nap when you feel like it and get as much rest at night as you can but during the day you need to be up doing normal things and walking several times every day. If on returning home you stay in bed, it will really slow your recovery. Moving around is essential to healing and recovering lung function. It will help you feel better and sleep more soundly at night.

Sure, there are some things you will want to avoid such as lifting more than a few pounds but most of the things you do arround the house you will still be able to do. I would suggest that in the kitchen you move things you use frequently to a counter top or lower shelf as reaching into upper cabinets can be a problem although it may not be for you. It was nice to be pampered a little those first two days after I got home but it wasn't essential. After two days, I found I had no problem fixing my own meals, doing laundry, washing dishes and such and I never had a problem taking a shower by myself or anything else for that matter. You are very likely to have a similar experience.

I, also, would encourage you to complete a medical directive. There should be little need of it but it is the prudent thing to do.

Larry

 

[pikacat]

i couldn't imagine doing laundry a few days after getting back from the hospital -- did you have a minimally invasive procedure? or i don't know, maybe it's doable if your laundry room is in your house. my laundry room is 2 flights of stairs & a parking lot away.

anyway, like i said, on discharge, i was in a wheelchair a good few days and had a fever. also i was severely anemic and had 7 transfusions. i had a really hard time getting around post surgery for a while, which may be abnormal, or may be normal with the full chest incision. i'm not completely sure.

 

[pat45750]

Hi Luana

I found out I will have a 3-4" incision in my sternum. It is minimally invasive. I was mistaken thinking it was thru the ribs. That should be better than having my whole sternum cut open. I have a cardiologist locally. He took care of me in the hospital a couple weeks ago. His office has talked to my surgeon's office in Cleveland. I assume he will pretty much watch me except for maybe a couple visits back to Cleveland. I will find out all the details when I do my pre-op testing on Aug 5 & 6th at the Cleveland Clinic. I am going up for 2 days for tests and meeting my surgeon, Dr. Smedira. I will then go back home for the weekend and return Sunday before my Aug 9 Monday surgery. I should know all the details after my pre op testing. It's getting close and the time is going by fast. Pat

 

[pat45750]

Pikacat - yes we are going to be surgery buddies. Let's hope it's over and we are running with the dogs quickly! LOL Well, pretty quickily. If I had realized that I was going to be divorced and then 1 1/2 years later have open heart surgery - I would not have keep so many dogs here. We did a lot of dog rescue work and fostering in the past. They are here now and they are my responsiblity. So it will all work out with a little help. My neighbor is use to taking care of them, but now she has to go to Cleveland to be with me. So her daughter will watch the dogs for me. It is good to have nice neighbors.

We will count the days down until surgery. It will be here before we know it.

Pat

 

[pikacat]

Pikacat - yes we are going to be surgery buddies. Let's hope it's over and we are running with the dogs quickly! LOL Well, pretty quickily. If I had realized that I was going to be divorced and then 1 1/2 years later have open heart surgery - I would not have keep so many dogs here. We did a lot of dog rescue work and fostering in the past. They are here now and they are my responsiblity. So it will all work out with a little help. My neighbor is use to taking care of them, but now she has to go to Cleveland to be with me. So her daughter will watch the dogs for me. It is good to have nice neighbors.

We will count the days down until surgery. It will be here before we know it.

Pat

:< i'm sorry to hear that, but countless dogs thank you, i'm sure! my dog is from the humane society and relied on dedicated volunteers to get him to my home! so many dogs need great foster homes and volunteers <3