Kathryn 's Guestbook

Kathryn Wylde   Hi Gail, Thank you so much. I'm having a robotic repair, which I'm grateful for. When did you have yours done?

Kathryn Wylde   Hi Trish, thank you for your message! I found her through this website - otherwise I would have had no idea about her or any other other top cardiac centers and surgeons. I'm having robotic surgery, which I'm so grateful for. Keep me/us posted on your journey with this.

Kathryn Wylde   Hi Doug, thanks for all those suggestions! So what was it like right when you woke up? How long were the tubes in? Pain? What was the next day like?

Doug Moore  Kathryn- woke up pretty cognizant, I'd say mentally 6/10. I knew where I was and I was able to communicate and remember nurse names (Riley, Jacob). Pain was pretty intense at my chest drain tube site but only when I moved. Catheter non issue (a blessing in fact- just lay there and pee the day away). Incision site in my groin very swollen, not painful, just weird. There was a bunch of tape residue on my left upper thigh that my scrotum adhered to- that sucked although it's now a hilarious story.

Tubes: My breathing tubes were out before I woke up, so I have no memory or knowledge, thank god. Throat DID hurt but I could communicate. Chest tubes were out on Day 3 (with Day 1 being day of surgery). Removal was a non issue- fast and painless. Huge change in ease of resting with them gone, as the rib area they poke thru is full of nerves. Catheter came out Day 3 as well. Peeing into the collection cup in the toilet is a robe-wetting risk- meh. Might be easier w/different plumbing.

Now at Day 10 I am feeling 6.5/10 overall. Pain almost gone everywhere. Heart def happier. I'm walking on treadmill 1mph 6 min at a time, 10 times a day. Longer walks outside, slower than usual. Appetite is fine. Incisions nearly all healed. Groin artery spot still a little swollen but not painful. 

Additions to my original post: Get a set of angled sleeping blocks- lots online. The blocks allow you to tilt sideways to take pressure off the incision side and sleep far better. Best $$ I spent post-return-home.
Link: https://lunixinc.com/products/lx5-4pcs-orthopedic-bed-wedge-pillow-system-navy?variant=36455199604902&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABgZVIvc3M0EVFj-hEPSK5UwIHTTN&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_Yq-BhC9ARIsAA6fbAgqEaLBv5ZtKumTvvmxuDzVFdgrrJBq0nVeGpABOXA2Md6N96amnl0aAmFlEALw_wcB



Sneezing really hurt. No way around it. If you can prevent the sneeze, do so.
Otherwise, appetite is decent.  I hit fermented foods hard on my return to get my gut and immune system back to par. Lotta gas day 4-7. I didm't do stool softeners but eat a lot of fiber anyways, plus supplemented with fiber gummies. Since I don't want to die like Elvis on the toilet, no pushing- just let your system dictate the process.