L
ludlowjack
Jack wanted me to let you know that he's home and healing. Dr Goldman at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia did the aortic valve replacement on Wednesday, July 2nd. Surgery lasted less than 5 hours. He installed the Toronto Stentless Root Bi-links valve as planned. Jack had a tough time at first, not getting any sleep for the first 30 hours while they tried different combinations of drugs, but had none of the nausea and vomiting some on the forum describe.
We bought a Cequal BedLounge pillow from The Comfort Store on line. It's meant for folks with back problems and is super adjustable. He slept through the night on the couch using it his first night home. He's been off pain pills all day and plans to use them to sleep tonight. He's not "toughing it out"; he just doesn't have that much pain at this point. I know that could change, but mostly he's feeling bruised and sore with some pain on deep breaths. He's walking, resting, breathing, enjoying food, particularly fruit. The visiting nurse suggested protein for healing. He came home with Protonix to prevent stomach acid problems, Lassix, potassium, Lopressor to help regulate heartbeat as well as maintain blood pressure and Zocor which he'll stay on as it's now thought to help prevent calcification.
I don't recommend scheduling surgery over a holiday weekend. We missed some services due to
4th of July. It was nice that he had the room to himself though and I was able to stay late without disturbing anyone.
It's so good to be home. We're letting our answering machine take many of the calls and discouraging visitors for the time being. Seeing him through this was the hardest thing I've ever done, and the first three days were the hardest, not counting the anticipation.
He'll climb the steep and winding stairs to the computer later in the week and post for himself.
Thanks for the information and support. I had a much better sense of what might happen thanks to the forum.
Ruth
We bought a Cequal BedLounge pillow from The Comfort Store on line. It's meant for folks with back problems and is super adjustable. He slept through the night on the couch using it his first night home. He's been off pain pills all day and plans to use them to sleep tonight. He's not "toughing it out"; he just doesn't have that much pain at this point. I know that could change, but mostly he's feeling bruised and sore with some pain on deep breaths. He's walking, resting, breathing, enjoying food, particularly fruit. The visiting nurse suggested protein for healing. He came home with Protonix to prevent stomach acid problems, Lassix, potassium, Lopressor to help regulate heartbeat as well as maintain blood pressure and Zocor which he'll stay on as it's now thought to help prevent calcification.
I don't recommend scheduling surgery over a holiday weekend. We missed some services due to
4th of July. It was nice that he had the room to himself though and I was able to stay late without disturbing anyone.
It's so good to be home. We're letting our answering machine take many of the calls and discouraging visitors for the time being. Seeing him through this was the hardest thing I've ever done, and the first three days were the hardest, not counting the anticipation.
He'll climb the steep and winding stairs to the computer later in the week and post for himself.
Thanks for the information and support. I had a much better sense of what might happen thanks to the forum.
Ruth
