Question for Ya'll on the Other Side of the Mtn...

[StretchL]

Noni and I will be in NYC for 10 days post-op. I'm guessing I'll be discharged on day 4, 5, or 6... Does anyone have any thoughts on how much I might feel like doing during the rest of our stay in the city?

Also, we're flying home to Richmond on 12/21... I wonder if I'd feel like riding with Noni down to Asheville, NC, where my mom lives, in order for us all to spend Christmas together. It's about a 6 hour drive.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mary]

I don't think you're going to feel like going out while you're in New York.
I think the Christmas trip is do-able, but you might want to make yourself comfortable in the back seat for the trip. Sitting upright bothered me when I traveled afterwards . . . it felt like everything was still swollen in my chest and abdominal cavity, and I was pretty uncomfortable.

 

[Susan BAV]

Hey Stretch -

You may want to talk to your doctors about all that, those travel plans and such... Have you run that all by your surgeon?

I was given a batch of papers from my surgeon's office pre-op -- which I can't locate right now or I probably tossed -- but somewhere I read that if the drive home was more than an hour, for the patient to get out and walk around for a few minutes every hour or so. I think it was to avoid blood clots.

Are you flying home from NYC, ten days after OHS?

Can someone else post on that? I thought flying that soon was not a good idea.

 

[Kate]

Hi Stretch!
I don't think you'll be able to do much in New York beyond take care of your basic needs (eating, doing your breathing exercises, taking short walks and sleeping). Are you staying in a hotel or with friends? If in a hotel (and if your resources allow), it might be worth taking the money you would otherwise spend on going to shows, eating out, etc. and investing it in a slightly more expensive hotel than you would normally go to, so you'll feel pampered, have a cheerier room and perhaps even a small suite. You'll be spending a lot of time there so you'll want it to be as comfortable as possible. Also, if possible, you might want to bring your own pillow or whatever else will make you feel at home.

I took a four hour trip back to the Cleveland Clinic about two weeks after my surgery and, while doable, it was not enjoyable and took a great deal out of me. I would definitely wait to decide about the six-hour trip until you see how you feel at that time. One thing to keep in mind is that you will look and feel worse than normal after traveling that far, which might needlessly scare those you are going to visit. Best of luck! Kate

 

[Phyllis]

All good advice, Stretch especially Kate's advice about splurging on a luxury hotel room. We had a two hour ride home from Boston after Dick's 5 day stay at Brigham. He rode in the back seat and we stopped twice for him to get out and stretch. By the way, orders were for him to ride in the back seat until the 6 week surgeon visit. A six hour car trip so soon is a bit much and maybe you should wait and see how it goes- any chance of flying instead?

Susan, many valvers who had surgery away from home flew after surgery. They usually like you to stick around after hospital dismissal for a week or more first.

 

[Jkm7]

I had emergency bypass surgery and no prior warning of heart disease before my heart attack that triggered the bypass surgery.

Our best friend is a well respected Internist in our community. He was in the ER with me (though not my treating physician during my heart attack). After my dismissal from the hospital following surgery, he TOLD us we were coming to his house for dinner that weekend. (five days post release). I thought he was out of his mind. I asked if he was trying to kill me? It was freezing cold January in New England.

He insisted I'd be fine. We live 30 minutes from their house. He knew that was the only place I would feel safe going. The only thing I would have considered doing outside my own home. It was the biggest favor he could have done me. His point was, I'm not an invalid; don't make myself one. BUT.....he knew I only felt safe because he was there to take care of me if something happened which he knew would not.

We went; I was very happy to be with them; we had dinner and left. We were gone from home about 3 hours and I near collapsed when we got home from exhaustion. I got his message and it served me well but do not underestimate the level of weakness most of us have to recover from.

I am grateful to him for insisting I go but I would hesitate to recommend others think they can go out to dinner mere days after hospital release from OHS.

Book a nice hotel with a good Room Service Menu. Plan to have your meals delivered to you. Maybe you might feel up to going to a lobby restaurant they might have for lunch. It isn't lilkely you'll wish to do very much other than the basics......rest, breathe, eat and walk the hotel corridors a bit.

Good luck. You'll do fine. But I don't suggest you push yourself too much too fast. The price is too high to pay.

 

[WayneGM]

Hi Stretch,

All great advice, and I have little to add.

For weeks after OHS I had no desire or energy to go out even though dining out is one of our favourite past times. I did have the appetite though so my wife went to some of our favourite restaurants and brought diner home. If you must stay in NYC post-op, Kate's idea of pampering yourself within the hotel is an excellent idea.

For several weeks post-op I found car trips were very uncomfortable as I could feel every little bump in the road and the seatbelt over the incision (even with a pillow). I'm into my 9th month post-op and I still find long car rides somewhat uncomfortable, but at least now tolerable.

Have a speedy recovery....but please remember to pace yourself.

 

[Dennis S]

Recovery

Recovery

I think recovery time is a very individual matter. You are younger, and I believe fitter, than many who have the surgery. Having said that, I have suspected for a long time that people who recovery quickly are more likely to post their experience than those who had a harder time, i.e. a person might underestimate the normal recovery time by reading these posts.

Speaking for myself, (within the time frame you are describing), by the time I got down to the lobby I would have been ready to go back to the hotel room. I caused myself some problems by pushing too much. It would have been wise to have been more careful. As far as the car trip is concerned-I think you will feel much better by then, and would bet you would have no problem. But there probably will be some discomfort.

Here is the main thing-when it comes to deciding what you are going to do, your vote is the only one that matters! This is a time in your life where you need to give yourself permission to be completely selfish.

 

[Adrienne]

I agree with what everyone said about the time you will be in New York. About the car trip, it's hard to say. If you do take the car trip, I would put a small pillow or something between the seatbelt and your chest.

 

[Marguerite53]

Stretch.....as your name implies......do you even fit into the back seat of a car very well?? If you have a wonderful front seat that reclines and scooches way back for your legs, then a 6 hour car ride is do-able. You'll have to stop a few times and move around outside the car. Frankly..... I would personally skip it. You're not going to be the life of the party.,...you'll be resting/napping still quite abit. You simply won't believe the level of tiredness that overwhelmes you post surgery. It dissipates completely...but at an individual rate. At 10 days!! You'll be very weak and tired in between those bursts of gratified energy.

NYC?? Book a grand trip for your 1 year anniversary. Cuddle up with comfy surrounds and watch some movies and sleep this time!!

GOOD LUCK!! Marguerite

 

[StretchL]

You may want to talk to your doctors about all that, those travel plans and such... Have you run that all by your surgeon?

yes... but I thought I'd also get opinions from the experts.

Are you flying home from NYC, ten days after OHS?

Can someone else post on that? I thought flying that soon was not a good idea.

yes... we're flying... it's only about 90 mins... I'm pretty sure Stelzer knows about that... Dr. Oswalt, who does Rosses in Austin, said he plans for patients to be in the hosp 3-4 days, then stay in a guest house another 3-4 if they're from out of town, then fly home.

 

[StretchL]

Are you staying in a hotel or with friends?

Hi, K8!

We're staying in an apartment near the hospital that Beth Israel has for out of town patients...

If in a hotel (and if your resources allow), it might be worth taking the money you would otherwise spend on going to shows, eating out, etc. and investing it in a slightly more expensive hotel than you would normally go to, so you'll feel pampered, have a cheerier room and perhaps even a small suite. You'll be spending a lot of time there so you'll want it to be as comfortable as possible.

Goodness gracious I don't want to THINK about what a suite would cost for a week in NYC! At least it would be tax deductible as a medical expense!

I took a four hour trip back to the Cleveland Clinic about two weeks after my surgery and, while doable, it was not enjoyable and took a great deal out of me. I would definitely wait to decide about the six-hour trip until you see how you feel at that time. One thing to keep in mind is that you will look and feel worse than normal after traveling that far, which might needlessly scare those you are going to visit.

That's a damned good thought... and one that hadn't occurred to me... I'd be going to see my anxiety ridden mom, so it probably wouldn't be a good idea for her to see me looking less than ideal. Thanks for sharing that...

 

[StretchL]

...Good luck. You'll do fine. But I don't suggest you push yourself too much too fast. The price is too high to pay.

Very good and much appreciated advice...

 

[StretchL]

All:

All:

Thank you so much for all your thoughts. You've really helped me to have more reasonable expectations. I'm very very grateful.

One reason I may have had so much trouble with that hemorrhoid surgery is that I may have pushed a little too hard too quickly. I went out on a shoot 6 days post-op, and the stitches popped the next day.

I also remember how absolutely without energy I felt from the severe anemia after that bleed out... and how it very slowly but very steadily got better... I suspect that's a pretty good preview of what OHS recover will be like... plus the fun of the sternotomy healing!

 

[Ross]

Most everyone is totally wiped out after surgery. Darn few, if any, could consider doing anything. It's hard to say for sure, but I think you might be able to do Christmas. You'll still tire pretty easily around then unless your bionic or something.

 

[Sunshine susan]

Relax, relax, relax...

Relax, relax, relax...

Stretch---even if everything goes as smoothly as possible, you really won't be up for much in the way of hyjinks in New York. Your main concern will be getting your breath back and trying not to cough or sneeze! You will be doing much better by Christmas! Good luck! Susan

 

[Guest]

yes... but I thought I'd also get opinions from the experts.

*chuckles*

Flattery will get you everywhere ... so they say .


Seriously, Stretch, I echo the advice you've received thus far ... don't think you'll be up for much while you are in NY. The 6 hour drive should be fine (tho, then again, I love road trips ... so, I wouldn't mind it a bit ... he he he).

But, as Dennis noted, recovery is determined individually ... by your own abilities and limits....

Good luck ... thoughts/prayers coming your way, of course.



Cort:33swm."Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/quilt.html
"We got mountains to climb" ... Rod Stewart ... 'Broken Arrow'

 

[AlonnolA]

I got tired walking down the block the weekend after my surgery (about 7 days post-op). I rode in the car from NYC to Albany, about 2.5 hours, on the next Monday. It was doable, but not fun. You really do feel every bump. I actually found the front seat to be more comfortable, but that might depend on your car.

You'll be near Central Park so you might enjoy doing your walks there. Other than that you probably shouldn't count on a lot of sightseeing.

Wishing you a speedy recovery Stretch!

 

[Philip]

Pack your bike and running shoes, maybe a little skiing in the NE? I am a push at the edge of and envelope kind of person but AVR made the big red S on my chest fade a bit. My recommendations for these 10 days is room service and a few good books.
Philip

 

[KMS]

NYC in December...very cool

NYC in December...very cool

Stretch -

I think some short walks in the city could be a nice way to spend some time after surgery. As long as you don't push yourself too hard (I hurt thinking about your popped stitches) and plan to nap after every walk (you'll be wiped out), you should be fine. I found that for the first month, one outing a day, nothing too strenuous (going to dinner, visiting with friends, etc.) worked for me. Get ready to embrace your afternoon siesta.

As far as the car ride goes, as others have said, I'd think twice about it. 18 days after my surgery, my husband and I traveled 5 and a half hours to our cabin in Northern Michigan. I didn't have actual pain, but was very uncomfortable. Sitting in the back seat, pillow between me and my seatbelt, trying to get in a comfortable position, Advil-ed to the gills...let's just say it was a very long trip (to and from). Waiting another two weeks would have made a big difference.

Happy Turkey Day,

Kristine