Allan's Guestbook

Sounds like you’ve been through it.  I also had complications that meant a second hospitalization only one day after I got home the first time.  One day at a time.  We can do it!!

Just read your story Allan. I am also a bicuspid aortic valve w aneurysm and my surgery was a huge success but had complications and hiccups on the up and up. Please post an update! I found myself lucky that my fiancé was able to help me at home on sternum precautions. I’m wondering how your wife will be able to help if you need a lift out of bed. An at home bed rail might be helpful for the 8 weeks of log rolling (can be found on Amazon) - please get physical therapy’s opinion on the best option. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Hi Allan! Hope you are doing well!! Was just at the hospital fir my three week check with Judith the NP. Everything is great and I’m feeling pretty good!! You’ll be  there soon!! Promise!!! 👍

Hi Allan! You are in the best of hands with Dr. Girardi- world class surgeon. ICU nurses, attending, residents and his pa’s and np’s all top notch. I saw Dt Girardi and team with him every day in ICU. Staff there had the right mixture of technical expertise and compassion. They really try to help you feel as best given the circumstances. Step down unit nurses and staff equally as good but of course not same nurse/ patient ratio but you are moving on your own more by then anyway.
The hardest thing with any hospital is lack of sleep- kind of goes with the territory. You basically cat nap the whole time . By day 5 I was so sleep deprived I felt delerious so I was glad to be cleared medically to go home and just rest.
after showering when I got home I was exhausted and slept better than other nights since then . I felt s much better from getting some sleep that I overdid it the next day and paid the price. Just go slow - baby steps.. i was surprised that it hurt more- my back and ribs- on the third day home. It’s like everything starting to come back - spoke to Laura , nurse in Girardis office- they are always so responsive - and she said to expect a lot of neuromuscular pain even just from the surgery position you are in. Good to know it was normal part of the healing process. I walk around the house a lot, deep breath, and you’ll cough and bring up the extra fluid and that’s great / it gets out of your lungs. That lasts a few days. I’ve been sleeping in a recliner with a couple attempts at bed but fir now it’s a bit more comfortable in the chair.

As far as hospital stuff one thing to know is that you can have a loved one in icu with you 24/7 but if they leave after visiting hours they can’t come back in till 9 am the next day. Hospital policy. Also I always felt cold in the hospital and brought a pair of sweat bottoms that you can at least wear on the step down unit under the hospital gown . Also a soft throw blanket if you are cold at night and a loose zip sweatshirt I was able to put over my gown. It was quite the look but I felt so much warmer. My husband stayed at the Helmsley towers next door as we now live by Princeton NJ ( formerly LI) . There is a great deli that makes smoothies on 1st Ave.I was so nauseous from the meds and anesthesia and had a hard time getting back to eating anything but jello- the first meal they sentt up after surgery was pot roast! Lol / so my husband would get me a smoothie with fruit and yogurt and protein powder every day and it was wonderful !! Perhaps that could be a request for a visitor!
Also, Even on the step down floor, Girardis pa’s and np’s always come in several times a day to check on you and they are wonderful. You can ask them anything and they are great! And the resident/attending will come in every morning .
If there’s anything else I can help with or any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. For me the anxiety before was the worst. My faith in the team there truly helped. He even saved the life of a cousin of ours a few years ago who was brought in as an emergency with a dissecting annuerysm. You are in the hands of an incredible surgeon and team. They are like a well rehearsed orchestra- it’s truly amazing! Good luck and reach out if you need anything! You will do great!!!❤️