Length of hospital stay????

[gijanet]

For those of you who have had more than one mitral or tricuspid valve surgery -either repair or replacement, what was the length of your hospital stay?

I know it is a crapshoot at best, but I am trying to get an idea of what to expect if possible. Our hospital stays have been 8 weeks, 10 days, and five days, so I can't use our own experiece as any indication. Of course, we are having two procedures - the fontan and AV valve replacement, so that probably complicates things a tad, too. Anyway, we got our date of July 12th UGH! This makes it so in my face real. You would think that we would be old pro's at this by now.................sigh! But it never gets easier! Oh well, I have a few more months in which to fall apart, so I won't do it tonight.

Sure would appreciate your input, though. Hugs. J.

 

[geebee]

Janet,

It never gets easier because it is your little girl.

My first surgery I was in for 2 weeks because it was back when pre-op testing and such was done as an in-patient so I was brought into the hospital 4 days before surgery. I was in a little longer after surgery because of an infection.

For each of my last 2 surgeries I was in the hospital 9 days. I was brought in 3 days before surgery to go off coumadin and onto a heparin drip.

I wish you peace in getting ready for Katie's surgery.

 

[Emma]

hi Janet

hi Janet

When Chloe had her mitral replacement (following a previous 2 repairs!), she was ready to go home in 11 days from admission except she caught a blood infection and so was on really strong IV antibiotics for the next 4 weeks! Not in there for her heart by that time though!

However, if Katie does have a replacement then it's getting warfarin settled and the INR stablish that can take any amount of time.

But as I say, going on Chloe's experience, it would have been in and out in 11 days (and also bear in mind she was VERY sick when she went in there so that would have been a really good amount of time to get out in!).

Hope you're doing ok - I completely know how you are feeling and I'm always here if you need to talk!!

Emma
xxx

 

[Ross]

Janet sweety, your past experience is your answer. It can be anything. Plan on minimal, but realize that it maybe long term. I know when people asked me, I told them if all went well 5 to 7 days and if something went wrong, I had no idea. Well the something turned into 60.

 

[gadgetman]

Ross was in so long they added two months rent to his bill . I was in 9 days but 4 of those were ICU stays before surgery to get things stabilized. Children may take a little longer stay.

Good luck on the pending re-surgery. Sure hope this is the last one Katie and you have to face for a long, long time. I hope and pray that one of our grandkids never has to experience that.

Prayers and good thoughts are coming your way on yet another walk on this path.

May God Bless You Both,

Danny

 

[Karlynn]

Janet,
I must admit that I heaved a little sigh when I read that Katie has her surgery date. That makes it real, even for those of us that are your cyber friends. As her Mom, I'm sure it has many many mixed emotions going through your head. We'll be hanging in there with you Janet.

 

[Guest]

Janet sweety, your past experience is your answer.

Janet, listen to (er, read) Ross here....

Hospital stays vary...depending on situations and conditions....

My last 2 surgeries, I was in the hospital for 4 and 5 days respectively. Not sure how long I was in for my 1st one....

Glad to know that you finally have a date for Miss Katie...know you and she and your family will be in our thoughts/prayers.


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 31swm/pig valve/pacemaker
'72,6,9/'81,7.hobbies.chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
MC Guide = http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html
What's it like to buy your favorite car brand new? Wish I knew...

 

[Gnusgal]

I was in for 9 days. But that was mostly getting coumadin adjusted more than anything else. The OHS I had before that I was only in for 3 days (but I think they released me too soon, personally). Like everyone keeps telling you... it all depends.

You know we're all here waiting with you. Just drop us a line if you need anything at all.

 

[gijanet]

Major thanks, guys and gals...............

Major thanks, guys and gals...............

I realize now that this was probably a stupid question..........not even sure what was going through my mind - the remnants that were left.............I just figured I would average everyone's together and go by the law of averages...............course Ross's would skew that one way out of proportion. And no thanks, Ross, 55 days was long enough for us. You win the prize at 60! SEnding you major hugs for that one. It does seem, though, that a repeat surgery in the same location does not appear to add days to the recovery - hey, maybe that was what I was looking for! barring complications, of course. WEll, thanks you guys so much for answering and putting up with me..............I'm afraid that it will only get worse as July 12th draws nearer...............huge sigh!

 

[BionicRedneck]

I had an AVR and had my aortic root and arch replaced with a Dacron Graph due to a 7 CM aneurysm. I ended up being in the Hospita 18 days. When I went in I was told avg 7 days, but being age 24, 4-6 days. I damn near didnt get to spend one day of Feb at home since it was 28 days. I believe I was placed on the Hospitals Payroll and given an address with a mailbox in the nurses station, but the promotion from Temporary to Permanent was the kicker. No really it was because 5 Days after surgery they did a post follow up Echo and found massive fluid buildup around my heart. That was on a Friday. Surgery was that following Monday to place another tube in me to drain fluid. That stayed in 4 days. For the surgery they had to take me off coumadin and when the tube came out start it back up. Then they had to get my PT right so that was 3 or 4 days. There was also a bladder infection somewhere in there due to the catheter.

It is easy to say 5, 6, or 7 days, but truth be told I bet you stay in there longenough and until your Dr. thinks you are able and well enough to go home, and you ont stay one minute longer. I hope that you stay in there as short as possible, heck if I had my way you wouldnt have to go to the Hospital in the first place. I hope all turns out well and your ticker works like it is new again.

 

[catwoman]

Anyway, we got our date of July 12th UGH! This makes it so in my face real.

Janet:

What hospital?

 

[ericaj]

Janet,

Will keep you in my thouhgts and prayers as I already do - I have been thinkin
of you alot lately. In my thoughts and prayers,

Erica

 

[mike shields]

Hi everyone

My hospital's stay were 20,15,11 and the last was 53 days. The first surgery I was in for they did a heart cath. 3 days before the surgery. Maybe the next time I can beat Ross. HA ha





mike

 

[gijanet]

It's back to lovely Ann Arbor again.

It's back to lovely Ann Arbor again.

Janet:

What hospital?

We are sticking with Dr. Bove and the University of Michigan children's hospital, C.S. Motts. Amtrak will be getting our financial support again.

And, ERica, thank you so much. We love ya.

Okay, Redneck, Mike, and Ross, I am officially throwing out y'all's long hospital stays and averaging all the others. I'm thinking positively here. And REdneck, they better leave my ticker alone and focus on Katie's..........unless they're having a two for one sale. Actually, I wish to God I could go through this for her. Tain't fair that a four year old should have to go through this a fourth time!!!!

Anyway, thank you all so much for your input and support. Hugs to all. J. P.S. Katie planted a rock garden - a real rock garden. She dumped all the flowers out of the pots and planted.........you guessed it..........real rocks! She's been watering them religiously..............sigh! Guess I will have to take some of the loose ones out of my head and put 'em in her pots, so she can see her garden grow!

 

[BionicRedneck]

Sorry bout the mistake. I did read your posts but guess I just missed the part about your daughter being the one. Everything will go as planned and she will be that much better equipped to handle life and kick ass as a woman.

 

[gijanet]

Oh, I was just yankin' your chain, Red.

Oh, I was just yankin' your chain, Red.

Sorry bout the mistake. I did read your posts but guess I just missed the part about your daughter being the one. Everything will go as planned and she will be that much better equipped to handle life and kick ass as a woman.

Only take about half of what I say seriously. And, shoot, she kicks my butt now!!! At least she runs it ragged. Thanks for the good wishes. Hugs. J.