Elinor McCullough - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3083 days ago

Thinking on the recovery from SAVR, where do you sleep? In a bed with many pillows to prop yourself up on an angle? How about one of those bed wedges, would ...Read more

Thinking on the recovery from SAVR, where do you sleep? In a bed with many pillows to prop yourself up on an angle? How about one of those bed wedges, would that work and/or does anyone use that device for sleeping. Have read that some sleep in a recliner which for me is not all that comfortable. I have a Zero Gravity Chair (which I purchased after long ago knee replacement surgery for the over-the-top back problems) but unsure if that's a good place to rest/sleep. Help?

Della Parlapiano I had to sleep in recliner w pillow on one side to lean on. After 3 plus weeks coukd use wedge w ext ... Read more

Della Parlapiano I had to sleep in recliner w pillow on one side to lean on. After 3 plus weeks coukd use wedge w extra pillows. Im back home niw and find ny recliner pretty comfortable so back to that. I was staying w my kifs before. Im less than month out

Elinor McCullough Thanks for your response Della. Do the surgeons or nurses give you any suggestions on "how am I goin ... Read more

Elinor McCullough Thanks for your response Della. Do the surgeons or nurses give you any suggestions on "how am I going to dress myself" "does every shirt I wear need to button up the front" "how do I get socks on my feet, let alone pants since you're not supposed to bend over/down". How in the world do you dry your body after a shower or are "sponge baths" a better option. Wow, so many little things to consider that you take for granted on a daily basis.

Joanna Prisiajniouk Would be nice if the medical staff actually had tips for these?

Clare Auten I had to experiment after surgery to find what was comfortable. I did sleep slightly on my side even ... Read more

Clare Auten I had to experiment after surgery to find what was comfortable. I did sleep slightly on my side even in the hospital with lots of pillows and help from nurses. At home, I liked our old lazy boy recliner. Nothing fancy. I wore tshirts and pull on pants for the most part. Again, nothing fancy. I managed to dress myself with a little help hooking the bra. I was able.to put on my own shoes. I don't remember being told not to bend over or maybe I am not a good listener.

Sophia Ridley I'm 7ish months post MV repair, OHS.
Does your hospital have occupational health therapists? They an ... Read more

Sophia Ridley I'm 7ish months post MV repair, OHS.
Does your hospital have occupational health therapists? They answered quite a few issues I had. Do practice not using arms to get out of chairs, nor on bannister. Getting out of bed involved on side, knees up to chest and then using your legs to counterweight you to sitting using arms slightly (do it v slowly, I had AFib post op after getting up too quickly).
Also look at all you'll need and make sure it's easy to reach (none over head).
I used a bed wedge and extra pillows, I couldn't sleep flat for months and on my side was v painful. I have a zero gravity chair but as it was winter I thought i'ld get cold so didn't try it.
I was worried re clothes, wasn't as tricky as expected as long as they weren't too fitted - lived in tee shirts, yoga pants and cardigans! I also worn a cotton scarf as I had a cold neck and it psychologically protected my scar. My hospital insisted on cotton non-wired front fastening bras to be worn 24/7 for 6wks. Doing up my trainers' laces was quite impossible for the first week but got better.
Showers weren't a problem as I bought a shower chair. I did have my husband or my mum close by in case I felt dizzy. Do have a clean hand towel each day to pat dry your wound, I sat down to dry myself. I wasn't told not to bend, but I had low BP so would get a head rush so did best to avoid bending. The more you prep the better.

Petey Bello While still at the hotel I slept propped up in a chair. Once home I slept in the recliner, I could st ... Read more

Petey Bello While still at the hotel I slept propped up in a chair. Once home I slept in the recliner, I could still not sleep in bed. I tried the wedge in bed, it didn't work. Then I was finally able to propped myself up in bed. I could not sleep on my sides or flat for a long while. You will have to experiment to see what works.

I did wear button down shirts for a while & loose fitting pants. Take your time drying yourself after a shower. There are a lot of little things you will just have to be very careful & take your time. Good luck!

Cheryl Ventimiglia I purchased a chair recliner chair lift to sleep in. It's not 0 gravity. I don't use it to sleep in. ... Read more

Cheryl Ventimiglia I purchased a chair recliner chair lift to sleep in. It's not 0 gravity. I don't use it to sleep in. It's just not comfortable. I bought mine used and it was a petite chair. I'm 5'5" slightly over the threshold of petite. Feel like a giant in it. So now I've been sleeping on the couch. Tonite I'm going to try the bed. Another issue is a bra. I've bought a couple but found the hospital one I came home in is the most comfortable. I couldn't find them online though.
Tuesday it will be two weeks. Anxiously waiting to get back to normal. Everyday I'm getting stronger. I think your zero gravity chair will work well for you. Send well wishes.

Bob Fessler Everyone...when you say you slept in a recliner are you talking about an electric lift recliner or on ... Read more

Bob Fessler Everyone...when you say you slept in a recliner are you talking about an electric lift recliner or one with a handle on the side (which I'd guess you couldn't work)?

Petey Bello I had a regular recliner, but I think the electric lift would be a better choice...

Elinor McCullough Have to tell y'all about this! Thinking about a front close bra that was each to "hook" together (I' ... Read more

Elinor McCullough Have to tell y'all about this! Thinking about a front close bra that was each to "hook" together (I've got Rheumatoid Arthritis in my right hand) I searched on Amazon dot com and found what has to be the world's most comfortable cotton stretch bra. No kidding. Have tried a lot of this type of bra but hated them. Not this one. Feels like you're not wearing a bra at all it so comfortable. Extremely easy to fasten the 5 hooks, I know that's hard to believe but it's true. What took me so long to find this.....I know, having heart surgery! Specifics:

Maker: Carole Martin
Type: Cotton Full Freedom Cotton Bra
Easy to close 5 hooks (true and I'm not ambidextrous)
Carried by: Amazon dot com -or-
Carolemartinbra dot com
Style No: 7276
Order by: Regular band size (I wear a 34D so ordered 34 [fits perfect])
Read all the reviews on Amazon dot com. They're all true. I'm a happy camper and ordered two of them and now this is the only bra I want to wear. Gives more than enough support (even for someone 74 yrs old).
If you're in the market for something like this you seriously can't beat it. The package says "so comfortable you'll forget you have it on" and that's true 100%
Hugs to all
(my nickname: Tiffany)
Ex