Heart hugger

[Curtsmum]

Do children need to have a heart hugger, Curtis didn't have anything last time, i assume it was because he was a baby. I have never heard of it untill i came on here. He is 7 , will possibly be 8 when he has the surgery, he will be 8 in December. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Ross]

I really don't think so. It's more of a convenience thing then a necessary one. If fact, I don't know if they have them in childrens sizes. There is a link to them on the main page. Just click the valvereplacement.com logo up top here to go to the main page and look for the link.

The smallest is for 22 to 38 inch chests.

http://www.hearthugger.com/flash.html

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Interesting question...

Perhaps one of our Nurse member patients could address the issue of a child's need for and ability to utilize the Heart Hugger.

The next question would be availability. My guess is that they don't make one small enough, but you could check that out on their website at www.hearthugger.com

IF you decide you want one for your child, and none is currently available, you could try to convince the manufacturer to produce one in his size or see if you could find someone to fabricate a custom one for him.

Good Luck in your quest!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Mary]

I would ask one of the mom's whose child has had surgery if a Heart Hugger would be helpful.
I had a Heart Hugger, but I don't think Curtis would need one even if you could find one small enough for his size.

 

[Lynlw]

justin had surgery at 10 and 17

justin had surgery at 10 and 17

and did fine w/ a small pillow the younger they are the better they seem to handle the pain too, when Justin was 10 at a childrens hospital they told him to fold a reg pillow but that was way too big so we ran out and bought a thro pillow, that's why he started making them as his eagle project, has made over 125 now and the nurses tell him how great they work. for his last surgery we got him an uglydoll on line and it was perfect for him , we actually bought them and sent them to 2 oneline friends his age having surgery and it helped both of them, plus they liked them. ) just make sure he keeps it close the first week home, and he should be fine, Lyn www.caringbridge.org/nj/justinw
ps if anyone has free time and a little extra money and one to makes some fleece pillows, your local hospital/childrens hospital would probably love them and if they don't need them you can ship them here since we are trying to make them for 2 children's hospitals now

 

[Curtsmum]

and did fine w/ a small pillow the younger they are the better they seem to handle the pain too, when Justin was 10 at a childrens hospital they told him to fold a reg pillow but that was way too big so we ran out and bought a thro pillow, that's why he started making them as his eagle project, has made over 125 now and the nurses tell him how great they work. for his last surgery we got him an uglydoll on line and it was perfect for him , we actually bought them and sent them to 2 oneline friends his age having surgery and it helped both of them, plus they liked them. ) just make sure he keeps it close the first week home, and he should be fine, Lyn www.caringbridge.org/nj/justinw
ps if anyone has free time and a little extra money and one to makes some fleece pillows, your local hospital/childrens hospital would probably love them and if they don't need them you can ship them here since we are trying to make them for 2 children's hospitals now

Lyn.What a lovley idea, i might give it a go and make Curtis his own. I also dont mind making some and shipping them over, when i get some spare time but a wouldn't like to do them wrong.So is it just normal teddy bear filling and does it matter how thick they are, let me know. Paula x

 

[Lynlw]

Lyn.What a lovley idea, i might give it a go and make Curtis his own. I also dont mind making some and shipping them over, when i get some spare time but a wouldn't like to do them wrong.So is it just normal teddy bear filling and does it matter how thick they are, let me know. Paula x

Justin just used reg polyfil, and made 2 sizes, one started w/ 18x15 pieces of fleece and smaller ones, 15x15, remeber when he started they were made by his boy scouts ages 11-15 so weren't perfect but they were just perfect if, youknow what I mean, instead of paying to ship them you should call Curtis's hospital I bet they would be thrilled to have some and Curtis proably would be so proud to drop them off ) Lyn