Where do I get my cyborg papers?

[GordoAVR]

Surgery Tuesday am and I got home today, Saturday, at noon. So far so good. My advice: Get past the pain and start walking as soon as possible. The same goes for the breathing meter. I can see why pneumonia is such a major complication. The minute I was up and moving, the my perspective changed for the better.

 

[piglet]

So good to hear from you Gordo and that you are home. Congrats on your successful surgery!

Funny you should mention Cyborg, my son said that's what I looked like in CVU the day after sugery, with all the lines and tubes. I'm still a bit choked they refused to take a picture for me.

Healing vibes being sent your way

 

[Greg a]

And such a coherent post ....well done ....like the cheque your papers are in the mail !!!!!!!

 

[Julian]

Do you mean to tell me your home 4 days post op? Freakin' beast! It took me 8 days to get home. You sound in great spirits. My spirit changes throughout the day and I'm 16 days post. Keep up the good work, I'm amazed your home and posting.

 

[Bina]

Gordo, they kicked you out early.....were you misbehaving? ha ha
Take it easy and pace yourself or the postop demons will kick your butt.

 

[GordoAVR]

One of the nurses was very instrumental in getting my head around what needed to be done in recovery. She kept saying I will cover your pain, but you have work through it. As soon as I took my first walk on the second day, I started breathing better and the tubes began to come off.

On day three, I could feel the tendrils on the cut ends of the sternum beginning to intertwine with each other. After that, the breast bone pain was treatable. I was walking three times a day for about 10-15 minutes; and trying to work the breathing machine as much as possible. After the third day, I knew I was making great progress, so I was even more encouraged. I kept joking with the nursing station, asking for a walker with GPS. !

 

[epstns]

Hey, Gordo - If it feels like you're making good progress now, just wait a few weeks. You will probably be flying by then. The pace of recovery picks up once you're up and around a bit.

 

[GordoAVR]

Thanks, for now I'm trying not to get too cocky about my progress. I know all that can change quickly. So I am just grateful that things are going well for now, and if they change for the worse, I know that God will give me the insight to get through those difficulties as well. gordo

 

[Julian]

Thanks, for now I'm trying not to get too cocky about my progress. I know all that can change quickly. So I am just grateful that things are going well for now, and if they change for the worse, I know that God will give me the insight to get through those difficulties as well. gordo

That's what I'm saying man! I love that confession, we gonna make it big we have a purpose and a destiny in our lives. Amen!

 

[GordoAVR]

Post Op - Day 5

This is why they call it The Zipper Club! Day five, tubes out, dressings removed. I just took a shower. Notice the look of disbelief in my eyes as the reality of what just happened begins to take hold.

Almost every nurses commented on the straightness of the incision. They must go back and rate the Surgeons on their cutlines!

 

[Rocky]

I think that recovery is all about attitude. Yours is superior. I tried to get out on the fourth day, but they held me for two more due to constipation and I had to be able to climb a flight of stairs. Oh ya, depending on the valve, your Cyborg papers are in the mail. I got mine about a month after surgery. I an now a card carrying St Jude Mechanical valve recipient. It is in my wallet.

 

[Lynlw]

Post Op - Day 5

This is why they call it The Zipper Club! Day five, tubes out, dressings removed. I just took a shower. Notice the look of disbelief in my eyes as the reality of what just happened begins to take hold.

Almost every nurses commented on the straightness of the incision. They must go back and rate the Surgeons on their cutlines!

Are they staples? (well it looks like either staples or stitches with my bad eyes) Yep Staples are where the Zipper got started. I'm curious, did you know how they were going to close yor incision before surgery? Everything looks good, even the tubes which tend to look a little rough in the beginning.
Keep up the good work

 

[Mentu]

Ah, the cyborg papers. Actually, you will get them. When you feel up to it, ask your surgeon's office if they registered your valve with the manufacturer or whether you need to do it yourself. My surgeon's office did not so I had to do it myself but I had all the information I needed in my discharge papers. When I called, Edwards wanted

My Name
Date of Surgery
Name of Surgeon
Hospital
Valve Model
Valve ID Number

If you don't have those things, you can get them. It is a good idea to get this out of the way while the information is fresh and no one has to hunt for it. I noticed last week that it can now be done on the internet at their website. After you register, the company will send you your "Cyborg" card.

Since my AVR, flights have taken me to a couple dozen airports, however, the last time I passed through SEATAC the sensors had been reset and they found my heart valve so I was sent to the Xray booth. Sadly, I must report they were unimpressed with my card but the chest scar evoked a much more positive response and mine is not nearly as impressive as yours since my surgeon used glue instead of staples; alas, no zipper. I do, however, have a friend who is a Tattoo artist; it turns out he has tattooed zippers over a number of chest scars. Its an idea.

Larry