new member checking in!

[dmeehan]

Hello,
My name is Derek and I'm a 36 year old who lives outside of Boston. I will be having AVR surgery with Dr. MacGillivray in March at Mass General. I've known my whole life this was coming but when I found out in November that the time has come I was a bit surprised because I thought it would be later in life.

I am leaning toward chosing the mechanical valve, for obvious reasons. Im not into any sports or heavy activities that conflict with coumadin and given my age that seems the best choice.

Mostly I'm worried about the recovery process in the hospital. I like quiet and serenity and it stresses me out to have too many people around. Yikes for me, right? Question for everyone who has gone through this: after your surgery did you spend teh next few days lying down in bed or did they sit you up in a chair for most of it. I'm okay with sitting in a chair but I hate thinking of lying in bed for 20 hours a day.

I also have the usual concerns: the tubes, the meds, etc, but I have to tell you all that I have been a "lurker" on this board since November and I have been following your discussions and can't thank you enough! You are all making a huge difference!

 

[dick0236]

Hi Derek. You will find this site very helpful. I am a long time from surgery, but I doubt they will allow you to "lay around". I imagine the opposite will be true.....they will ask that you become active soon after the surgery.

Was in Boston a few months ago and had my first opportunity to visit "old ironsides". The fresh lobster was very good....especially for an "inland" Kentucky hill-billy.

 

[Freddie]

Hi Derek and Welcome.
First, if I may clarify most activities do not conflict when one is on coumadin/warfarin when your about 6 months post-op.
As far as your hospital stay, in ICU you may have a bit of hustle around you. Once your out of ICU and settled into your room, the nurses will normally have you walking within hours of arriving into that ward. There will be no lying around for hours on end.

The most important thing to remember is that your body will tell you when you've had enough and when it's time to rest. Either that be sitting in a chair, lying down for a bit.

Everyone reacts and heals differently and being young you should have no problems chasing the nurses down the hall 24 hours after surgery

 

[nngbwh]

Welcome aboard, Derek. Spend the first few nights in ICU lying in bed. After I was placed in the step down unit. The next day I started standing and taking baby step to a chair. When I felt comfortable I was walking around the hall with the help of a PA.
Good luck with surgery and keep us posted.

 

[mainframe]

I got to lay around 24 hours a day in bed for weeks, but I'm special.

Typically they will have you up and moving as soon as they think your ready. Laying in bed 20 hours a day is something they really don't want you do. The hospital isn't a great place to get rest, so quiet and serenity won't happen until you get home.

 

[tprice54]

Welcome...as said, in ICU you will be in bed, but you won't remember much anyway. Once you are down on the regular floor, it is up and at 'em time! I was only in bed to sleep; I sat or walked most of the day. I was much more comfortable in the chair. Also, you may not be in the hospital long, depending on your recovery, so it may not be an issue.

 

[dmeehan]

Thank you all! I really appreciate this. I'm looking forward to being "on the other side!"

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome aboard Derek!

MOST patients find that sleeping / laying in bed is 'uncomfortable' for several weeks following surgery until their sternum becomes a bit more solid, especially if you normally sleep on your side. I found that raising the head and knees of my hospital bed was the most comfortable position.

MANY find that sitting and even sleeping / napping in a Recliner works well for them, often for several weeks and maybe even a couple of months. It is easier to get into and out of than a bed.

You will have a Lifting / Pushing / Pulling Limit of 5 or 10 lbs for several weeks following surgery.
It is wise to place things you might need at a level that is 'more convenient' to avoid having to bend over or raise your arms to reach things. Remember that a gallon of water (or milk or juice) weighs around 8 lbs. Do NOT use your arms to help you get up from bed for the first few weeks!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[dmeehan]

I sleep on my stomach and from what I've read from everyone it sounds like I won't be able to do that again for 6-8 months. I am getting a recliner because I can sleep in chair. I just can't sleep on my back.

I'm glad they'll have me up and at 'em. The 6 hours or so I had to lie flat after my cath was unbearable.

I'm choosing to have it done at the beginning of March so once I get home I should be able to get outside a little bit to do my walking. That said, the 2 feet of snow on the ground here now doesn't look like it will be gone by then!

 

[jazzman]

Derek, Welcome and best of luck !

My experience was similar to nngbwh above, a couple nights in ICU then off to the step-down unit.
They encouraged walking, once you are up to it.
If you haven't already, get over and see the rooms and maybe even the ICU, if you can.



Jazzman

 

[Lily]

Hello,
My name is Derek and I'm a 36 year old who lives outside of Boston. I will be having AVR surgery with Dr. MacGillivray in March at Mass General. I've known my whole life this was coming but when I found out in November that the time has come I was a bit surprised because I thought it would be later in life.

I am leaning toward chosing the mechanical valve, for obvious reasons. Im not into any sports or heavy activities that conflict with coumadin and given my age that seems the best choice.

Mostly I'm worried about the recovery process in the hospital. I like quiet and serenity and it stresses me out to have too many people around. Yikes for me, right? Question for everyone who has gone through this: after your surgery did you spend teh next few days lying down in bed or did they sit you up in a chair for most of it. I'm okay with sitting in a chair but I hate thinking of lying in bed for 20 hours a day.

I also have the usual concerns: the tubes, the meds, etc, but I have to tell you all that I have been a "lurker" on this board since November and I have been following your discussions and can't thank you enough! You are all making a huge difference!

Welcome to the site, Derek. I always knew I'd have to have my bicuspid aortic valve replaced too and they always told me it would probably be when I was in my 40's or 50's but somehow I was always thinking 59, and not 42 as it turned out for me :rolleyes2:

You asked a few questions about experiences. Quiet and serenity? I like that too. One thing that helped me to have some control over my situation was that I'd read about someone who'd made up their mind to not complain about anything; so I focused on that and decided I'd just take each moment and each unpleasant thing as it came and just try not to complain about it; it gave me the feeling of some control and it helped me to hang onto some calm.

That said, my husband was by my side throughout the whole experience too; I felt a great comfort to have him near me also.

Some of us have a few complications and were slightly delayed getting back up; but many here were gotten up within several hours of their surgeries and the nurses/rehab began them walking. After they're sure you're steady on your feet, you can walk up and down the hallway, as much as you want, and it's all good for you. I remember walking the halls and there was another younger person like me and we were both pleasantly surprised to see another younger person because most of the other cardiac patients weren't young.

I'd also read that it's okay to ask for a little extra pain medication when they come to pull out the chest tubes. So I did and that didn't hurt.

Best wishes and take care

 

[Mentu]

Hi, Derek, welcome to VR. I shared a lot of your present concerns during the weeks before my AVR. As things turned out, the circumstances pretty much took over and carried me along. I was in the hospital for 5 days total. The first two days in the ICU, I was heavily medicated so I have only a few little windows of memory and none of it particularly unpleasant. Waking fully for the first time in my own room on day three was a wonderful experience and almost the first thing that happened was the nurse suggesting that I get out of bed for breakfast. The nursing staff will guide you through those first days of your recovery and you will do yourself a great service by working with them. It takes several days for all the medications to get flushed from the body so each day you can expect to be more alert and more active but you are likely to find that your body will pretty much dictate what you do. Even sitting up for long can leave you feeling depleted and after exercise you will need to sleep and that is a routine that will stay with you for two or three weeks. At first, you feel weak as a kitten - not bad, just very weak and I found concentration very difficult so I never read any of the books I took with me. On the other hand, I used my MP3 player a lot because I could just drift in and out. By the end of day four, however, I felt much more alert and was finding the various checks every few hours rather annoying (vital signs, blood sugar, blood gases, etc.) which is when my surgeon said I could go home the next morning.

Don't worry about the "tubes & meds" and things. Each day the staff will remove more of your "support" devices. By the time your mind is clearing from the chemical fog of surgery, most of those will be gone. As you progress, you can discuss things with the staff. For example, by day four I felt I really didn't need the narcotics and asked the nurse about switching to an analgesic. They were game and let me change. Remember, Derek, the people on these staffs have years of experience doing this. You will have a much better experience if you follow Lilly's suggestions and work with the nursing staff. My observation at the time was that the people who were difficult and spent a lot of time complaining, stayed in the hospital longer, used more drugs and, quite simply, did not have as good an experience. Commit yourself to working toward your own recovery and you will be fine.

Larry

 

[Philip B]

AVR Experience

AVR Experience

It sounds like you've got your mindset adjusted and are ready to go!

Experiences do vary among members. My AVR surgery and recovery time in the hospital were pretty easy. The hospital I was in referred to the unit I was placed in immediately after surgery as its Intensive Cardiac Care Unit and moved me into its Intensive Care Unit within 24 hours post-op. Actually, they made me walk to the ICU pushing a wheel chair with all of the stuff I was connected to in it.

Recovery and rehab were easy. I was back at work almost immediately after being released from the hospital and actively engaged in a cardiac rehab program two weeks after surgery. Being in decent physical shape and focusing on positive stuff undoubtedly helped.

I've not encountered any restrictions in activities from my use of coumadin. I probably play harder now than I did before my surgery.

I did encounter a big bump a few months post-op. Despite a very quick recovery, I got hit with post-traumatic stress syndrome. It was a real drag, but the problem was addressed quickly.

-Philip

 

[Greg a]

Hello,
My name is Derek and I'm a 36 year old who lives outside of Boston. Mostly I'm worried about the recovery process in the hospital. I like quiet and serenity and it stresses me out to have too many people around. Yikes for me, right? Question for everyone who has gone through this: after your surgery did you spend teh next few days lying down in bed or did they sit you up in a chair for most of it. I'm okay with sitting in a chair but I hate thinking of lying in bed for 20 hours a day.

I also have the usual concerns: the tubes, the meds, etc, but I have to tell you all that I have been a "lurker" on this board since November and I have been following your discussions and can't thank you enough! You are all making a huge difference!

Derek , a heart felt WELCOME to our OHS family the decision you face is very personal and varies with each person .....there is a wealth of knowledge here for now and the future .....


Bob/tobagotwo has up dated a list of acronyms and short forms http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8494&d=1276042314

what to ask pre surgery http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...68-Pre-surgery-consultation-list-of-questions

what to take with you to the hospital http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?13283-what-to-take-to-the-hospital-a-checklist

Preparing the house for post surgical patients http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...Getting-Comfortable-Around-the-House&p=218802

These are from various forum stickies and there is plenty more to read as well


And Lynw recently added this PDF on what to expect post op
http://www.sts.org/documents/pdf/whattoexpect.pdf

As others have stated you will be encouraged to get up and moving as soon as you can so that you do not get a build up of fluids also ypu will be given breathing exercises to do and you should follow those instructions .......as with growing up the more we listen and follow directions the sooner we gat our "big boy pants" back.

The worst part is the waiting.

 

[dmeehan]

Excellent threads to link to, thank you!

This board has been a saving grace for me since I found out in November. I was told that I had 6 months to a year to get it done and I still haven't decided if that was a blessing or a curse. The waiting is terrible but it also gives me a chance to prepare and ask questions to make the post-op easier.

I can't wait for the day that I can reply to the post "what surprised you about OHS"