Jane's Guestbook

Jane Neulieb  Thanks so very much Gerald, I am sitting at the computer looking for inspiration and there was your note. I am glad to hear that you are 4 weeks postop, I bet it feels wonderful. Did you have a lot of pain, did you wake up intubated? I know that I look forward to hearing someone waking me up but worried about the tube in my throat. Have you started cardiac rehab? Thanks again for taking the time to send the good vibes!!

Gerald Poulton  You got this Jane 👍It does feel wonderful to be here, today I walked 4 miles with no complications. From day 0 I had minimal pain, next to nothing in the sternum or from the operation, it is really amazing how little it is compared to other operations. I did get duodenitis from the operation, that was painful till they found out what it was and no problems since the acid blocking pill. I had a sore back from the operation but that only hurt when in my recliner, just somewhere it presses but no pain to sleep in bed from my first day home, on my back or sides.
You have the breathing tube when they first wake you, just to be sure you are okay but you are so groggy with the medication that you may or may not remember it and regardless it is gone soon, not a big deal considering.
I took the pain meds in the hospital to be on the safe side, if you get behind on pain it us hard to catch up, learned that lesson in the past, But I left the hospital on day 4 with no pain meds and only took tylonol a couple of times since. Best to leave the narcotics at the hospital and there is no way That I needed them. Amazingly painless 😀
Here for you if you have other concerns or questions.

Jane Neulieb  wonderful info, especially about the postop pain. The knowledge that the pictures of immediately postop patients look worse that it feels has been a relief. I will take it in the hospital to make sure I can turn etc. I thank you for all the words of encouragement and will use them to see this through. Will keep you posted!!

Steve Farthing  Regarding extubation, many people here do not remember being extubated and so 'woke up' without the tube. Others do remember the tube but were also slightly sedated and comfortable until it was removed. In my case after mitral repair 9 weeks ago, my doc woke me up in the OR and determined I could breathe on my own and removed the tube - which he does with half his patients. I do not remember that, so to me I woke up in the ICU without the tube. I asked for Fentanyl in the ICU but only needed Aleve and Tylenol after that and at home. Best to you tomorrow. We will all be looking for an update from you when you are ready to post here again.

Gerald Poulton  Cheers, find a happy place to think of and go when you are srressed etc, mine posted on my journal was my wife and I am sure when I was on the operating table being prepared they all thought I was nuts 😀because I was smiling from ear to ear and almost laughing wondering what they were thinking. Better than going down negative or tense. Look forward to your recovery now, you are in good hands.🙏

Marie Myers  Best wishes for a perfect surgery and recovery tomorrow! I can honestly say ithat my surgery was not as bad as my mind made it out to be. I was in preop one minute, and the next thing I knew , I was in recovery. With no pain! Prayers going your way!!

Jane Neulieb  Thank you STeve, Gerald and Marie, so comforting to hear from all of you. I know that it is my job to think positive and it is a lot easier to do when you hear from the ones who have been through it. Your kindness is inspiring!!!

Laura Jacobs  Best wishes to you tomorrow Jane. In no time you will be up and walking around the hospital corridors and ready to go home. Time will fly and you will be feeling like your old self before you know it. All the best to you!

Mark Hall  Jane, you will come through this and be amazed. You are "worth many sparrows" to Someone a lot bigger than you and me.

Jane Neulieb  Hi everyone, I am now 2 weeks postop and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Everything checked out good with my 2 week surgeon visit. Pain is less, just on Tylenol, walking is improving but no where near as strong as before surgery, tired a lot. Just so happy it is over and looking forward to being stronger than ever!!