Heart pillow/ valve choice

[Alerion]

I got a heart pillow from the hospital but it was too soft. I used a nice firm throw pillow and that worked well. I tried , briefly, to convince my good wife to allow me access to her ample bosom (Purely for medical reasons) but she did that eye-rolling thing she always does.
You want to control how much your chest expands and a firmer pillow will help you do that.

Good luck

David

 

[JCSydney]

I wish you all the best Carole, and a fast uneventful recovery.

When I was moved out of ICU the hospital gave me a big white fluffy towel, they even let me take it with me when I was discharged, man I carried that thing everywhere for weeks and it really did the trick.

Jeff.

 

[CA Pigg]

THanks to all the date is coming up soon!!! I'm ready to be fixed but getting nervous!!! Thanks for always being here!!!
Philip, I appreciate it!!!!!!

 

[gerrys]

Carole:
Shoot me an address and you'll get one in the mail.
Gerry

 

[Lynlw]

I have 2 heart pillows. I teated them as my teddy bear. If I didn't have it I was panic city. I still get jumpy when I have to sneeze. Ihave used sofa side pillows. I wonder if it wopuld be a good Idea for us to circulate heart pillows? For those less fortunate here.

I don't think it is a good idea to circulate used pillows to be held close to the incision. I think only brand new clean pillows should be used.

Justin's Eagle Scout project was to make pillows for the heart kids, we just used fleece and poly stuffing. Maybe if people want to help they can make pillows.But since everyone goes to different hospitals you usually don't know until surgery if your hospital gives pillows.

 

[Bina]

I think it may be okay to pass on a heart pillow since a fresh pillow case can be easily slipped over it.

 

[ejonbry]

I actually got 2 heart pillows during the same stay. I kept one and my 11 year old son wanted the other. He still sleeps with his, to remind him of my surgery he says.

 

[Lynlw]

I think it may be okay to pass on a heart pillow since a fresh pillow case can be easily slipped over it.

I just know that when Justin and I went to the head nurse to talk about his Eagle Scout project of making heart pillows for the kids post op (because he didn't have one) They said the pillows had to be made of washable material and they had to be given to the child to take home, because they were not allowed to use them for more than 1 patient because of the odds of getting an infection. Now they might be too cauteous and coverring their butts, but it made sense to me not chance infection, even if it is a small chance. CHOP doesn't give out pillows (they roll up towels too) but we buy Justin a new ugly doll for each surgery.

 

[Bina]

Lyn, I agree that in hospitals the heart pillows need to be new and are given to us to take home, I have one.
I just thought that if I had a friend or neighbour who needed one, I would gladly lend them mine with instructions to use a clean pillow case.
The doll idea sounds good too......

 

[Lynlw]

Picked up my new pillow today while on my trip to the hospital. Wanted the one with 3 eyes but they were all out. It's a perfect size to hold & cough.

Justin had a Black Tres for his last surgery , he's also had OX, a dog and ice the bat and OX .http://www.caringbridge.org/nj/justinw/photo.htm the bottom pic is from his surgery at 17

 

[Tbone]

You could go to a fabric/craft stor & get a firmly padded cushing.