New to this Whole Darn Thing.

[PairoDocs]

My husband had OHS, but it was up to me to arrange things logistically. We live 120 miles or so from the nearest hospital that does OHS. My husband's procedure was emergent, and he was at one time the sickest patient in the SICU, but we still left the hospital 6 days after his surgery; he had been hospitalized for 2 days prior to surgery at the local hospital. His next-door neighbor in the SICU had valve replacement surgery and bypass surgery the same day as my husband's OHS and was a gentleman in his late 70's, and he left the same day my husband did. Other than a little fatigue, the drive was OK.

If your husband has his own health issues and is on Medicare, you can get personal care services or even a version of "adult day care". Many volunteer groups will send someone out if he needs someone to check on him, so check with your local Office on Aging, senior center, or adult development center. Never discount neighbors, friends, and church. We have 2 small children, and my mother-in-law, at age 75, flew out from California to take care of the kids (God bless her!); friends would stop to offer assistance. Even my father-in-law, from whom she has been divorced for 20 years, came over to help! Usually, my husband takes care of his dad!

Our local cardiologists did all of my husband's care after his surgery. We did not even see his surgeon at the follow-up visit, just his nurse.

If you are concerned that your husband can't care for you properly when you get home, the same thing applies. Many insurances pay for home health care. Personal care services are usually dicier for reimbursement. I would have no qualms asking a family member for help. My sister took her vacation time to help when my MIL had to leave.

Hope this is helpful!

Summer is here in Idaho,
-Laura

 

[ruth]

Welcome Braveheart, just wanted to say 'hi'.

Give yourself a little time to mull all this through, it's a big piece to bite off and try to deal with all at once. Looks like you've got some pretty solid footing already.

Peace,
Ruth

 

[hensylee]

have you looked into Shands? it's a teaching hospital as you probably know (in Gainesville at U of F). Several members have had theirs done there and seemed to be in good hands, in their opinion. It isn't far from Tampa so it's easy to get to. MarkU is in Sarasota and he might drop in to tell us where he had his done (or you might search his posts to see - look in members profile). One member had his done in Tallahassee. Mine was Pensacola but was not valve - it was bypass. We've got several members in Florida who cancomment. Sarasota has fine hospitals - so does Pt Charlotte. But if their history of replacement isn't enough, then I agree you may have to look elsewhere. I can't remember any member having theirs done in Tampa.

 

[Cooker]

Welcome to the Zoo.....glad you found us