Lenore's Guestbook

Lenore Mitchell  Melinda - First of all, you've chosen the best hospital and the best surgeon, so you'll be in very good hands. I'm a nurse, so my perspective is a bit different since I spent many years in a hospital environment, but when I faced open heart surgery, my experience gave me more things to worry about because I understood so much. It's natural to worry, however the more you can concentrate on the good aspects such as going to CC and to Dr G, the better off you'll be. I found that the closer surgery came, the more calm and accepting I felt. You mention a 7 yr old child, and I hope you have someone to go with you to CC. My adult daughters both came with me, and that was a comfort. But even if you must go alone, everyone at CC is very welcoming and warm, and you get the sense that everyone really cares about you right from the start.
I've had many other surgeries, for instance back fusions which were painful, so I've been on both sides of the bed. The nurses will keep you nicely medicated for pain, and actually I didn't have a lot of pain compared to my back surgeries. I was up on the second day and walking soon after that. I was kept in ICU (Intensive Care) for 3 days because my blood pressure was low. Most people are only in ICU one day or so. It is rather noisy there, so you won't get much real rest until they take you to a private room on another floor. OK, as for the actual day of surgery, it's absolutely impossible not to be anxious, however your attitude and all attempts you can made to calm yourself are of real benefit. Try listening to your favorite music before hand - even now! Music can be very relaxing. Taking slow deep breaths is a fabulous thing to do too - start to practice that now, and continue on - breathe in very slowly through your nose, hold a second or two, then exhale slowly through the mouth - you'll feel yourself relax as you do this. It helps for pain, it helps to calm yourself. You'll be in a small room near the OR beforehand, and there will be a nurse who'll ask you routine questions and have you put on a gown, etc. Family can be there with you. They roll you into a large OR on a gurney, and very soon, you'll be asleep. The next thing you know, you'll be in the ICU, and you'll be incubated (have a breathing tube in your mouth and down into your lungs - can't speak while the tube is in, but it's not bad, and they take it out soon - this doesn't hurt. You will have probably two chest tubes, and I was dreading these, but actually it's not that bad either. These tubes stay in for about three days, and I didn't
Feel much at all when they took them out. If you have a mid-sternal incision, (which is what I had) it'll feel better to have the head of the bed raised a bit, and this goes for the initial week or two at home also (I bought a foam wedge and put my head pillow on top of that at home). If you have robotic surgery, the incision is very small and in between your ribs. You'll be able to eat fairly soon, and many people are hospitalized for only 3-4 days. I was there a week, but it went fast. There's a concierge at CC who helps arrange transport to the airport in a limousine (I can't recall the cost). Then the airport has a wheelchair to get you to and in the plane. I flew with my daughter to Denver, and we had another limousine ride the 50 miles to home. The trip wasn't bad, although I do recommend taking a pain pill when you're due for one (they'll give you a prescription which someone will fill for you before you leave - also for any other meds they want you to take.). Forgot to mention you'll meet Dr Gillinov the day before surgery, and he's all business, but really a great guy. I felt so fortunate to go to him. Now - enjoy Christmas with you little one, and put this out of your mind as much as you can. I'll be happy to answer other questions. Let me know how this all goes for you. My surgery was Jan 7, 2015, so I'm almost a year out. I was walking slow but ok right away at home, taking stairs just fine. My daughter stayed with me about a week, then I was ok on my own. I live alone. Oh - and when you're walking well at CC, do take the elevator up to the highest floor where there's a cool large sitting area with a view to Lake Erie - and they have free cookies up there too, a nice touch. The hospital is beautiful, and again, I've never had such a feeling of warmth from everyone from secretaries to docs at any other hospital (and as I said, I've worked in quite a few). You'll do fine!
Merry Christmas!

Lenore Mitchell  To take with you to CC - earplugs are helpful, although they do have some there, and an iPod or something with music would be nice.

Melinda Queliz  Thank you so so much. I do have family around to help and are all very supportive. My sister who is a nurse practictioner will be traveling with me which is about a 7 hour drive. I am the type to worry over everything. I have started counseling to help cope with all the emotion associated with this surgery. I have an awesome church family who are heavily praying. I know I have to trust God.

Emily Rowley  The Nurses put me asleep when I had mine taken out. That's good you are taking the steps the prepare mentally.

Robert Frederick  My guy removed the tube like a magician pulling a table cloth out from under a fully set table. I guess the quicker the better in both cases.

"Inhale" "Exhale" "Deep Breath and Hold it"

I felt a tug, and he said, "all Done"

I felt quite relieved.

Ben Hyman  Lenore, I read your journal and your write up on what you went through last year was awesome . I also have a leaky valve and am going through preliminary evaluations now at Abbott Nortwestern's Minneapolis Heart Institute. I'm meeting with Dr Robert Farivar in a few weeks. Supposedly I have "severe" regurgitation, but no AFIB, pulmonary hypertension or breathing problems, so hopefully I can delay surgery for a while longer. My ventricle is normal but my atrium is somewhat enlarged so I obviously have to monitor this closely. Your updates of what your experience during your recovery was one of the best that I've read and extremely helpful. I hope I can do the same when it's my turn to go through this.

Ben from Minneapolis

Lenore Mitchell  Thanks for your input, Robert. I see your surgery was back in Aug, 2014, so it's been awhile. I've had chronic insomnia issues, but never this bad. I'm retired, so usually can nap daytime if really needed. I've tried melatonin and valerian without results. This is quite a problem. Will ask my docs about lorazepam.

Robert Osmachenko  Be careful, lorazepam (ativan) is addictive. Use only once every three days. Can't remember the saying but using this drug is like a double edge sword.
Yes, it has been a while since surgery. (7 mos) Diagnostically I check out fine but have pressure in the chest area and not sure what it is. Could it still be that I'm healing?
When I go physical like a long walk and such I can do a lot but this chest pain (pressure) lingers and does affect my sleep.
Thanks for writing back. Be well.

Barry Van Gemert  I think Lenore brings up a good point: having your local cardiologist follow up from your surgery, the good and the bad. It would be ideal to be followed up by the people that operated on you, but frequently not possible.

Lenore Mitchell  Barry - I asked for Dr Gillinov after reading about each surgeon on the CC web site and then watching their videos. It seems several of the CC surgeons do mitral valves, and Gillinov also does other valves. I went there for an initial cardiology consult on Oct 1 (didn't meet any surgeons then) and had surgery 1/7. Didn't meet Gillinov until 1/6. Traveled there from Colorado. Good luck to you, nice that you live near Cleveland. The care is excellent and I felt very fortunate to go there. BTW, Gillinov and cardiologist Dr Steven Nissen co-wrote an interesting book on heart health, coronary and valve issues. Available as e-book or print. Gillinov gave me a copy when I meet him. Nice guy, excellent surgeon.

Lenore Mitchell  Bill - I was also at CC for 7 days, and other than the food and the very noisy ICU, the care was great and I'm so glad and so privileged to have gone there. I'm now a month post op, and feeling much better. Almost entirely off pain fills, although i'm sure you're still needing pain meds at just one week out. The flight home was long and tedious, but it felt so good to be home. Wishing you well too.

Elaine Foster  My taste buds were way off too Bill. Scrambled eggs and toast tasted good, but anything sweet was awful. I had some protein shakes at home and tried to be sure and get some of them down. Our heart needs protein to repair, so you might try something like that.
My appetite got better the 2nd week. Hang in there, it gets better day by day. God Bless you

Bill Hendrickson  Thanks for your posts. At 8 days postoperative I don't need pain med during the day and some Tylonol at night. The oxy is not good at night for a sound sleep,too many weird dreams. Food is my big obstacle. Regards Bill

Lenore Mitchell  Terri - Hope that Cole is feeling better by now. Since we're both a month out now, it's getting better. I managed an hour long slow walk with a friend today and although i felt a bit short of breath on mild hills, it feels so good to be more active. Give my best to Cole and to you too.

Lenore Mitchell  Tammi - I've thought about you a lot, hoping you're recovering. I'm still tired and sore, but so very glad it's over. We're on the road to recovery now!

Lenore Mitchell  Terri - I'm sorry we didn't get to meet, but hope Cole is doing well. I was discharged on 1/14 and feeling fairly good. It's such a relief to be on this side of things. I told my daughters to be on the lookout for you, thought maybe you'd end up in one of the family classes at the same time. But tell Cole I wish him well. It's uphill from here.

Cheryl Batzing  Lenore--I also have been thinking/praying for you today! Hope to hear an update soon. Praying for quick recovery and healing.

Bob M  I pray that your surgery and recovery will be peaceful. Tomorrow will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. God bless and rise up!