Judy Willcutt - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2613 days ago

Have any of you purchased the incision shield from Adam?

Nancy James I wondered about that too.....it's probably too late for me to get one cause my surgery is next week ... Read more

Nancy James I wondered about that too.....it's probably too late for me to get one cause my surgery is next week - but perhaps the hospital will have a clue as to what to do

Amy Steele Neither of you will likely need one... As women, we have natural incision shields. :-)
I wore a post ... Read more

Amy Steele Neither of you will likely need one... As women, we have natural incision shields. :-)
I wore a post-surgical bra (AZTEC Heart) after my first surgery, and this time after my sternal repair, I'm wearing a compression vest (bra style). I'm large chested, so it's more of an issue to have that support... Many women also just wear a comfortable bra of their choice. Also, button-down shirts aren't necessary. I have found that wearing comfortable v-neck shirts works fine too.

Barbara Wood I think it would have helped me feel more comfortable. I had a prickly, burning sensation right below ... Read more

Barbara Wood I think it would have helped me feel more comfortable. I had a prickly, burning sensation right below my collarbones, not really over the incision. Clothing really bothered it. I wore v neck tees & when I felt I really needed to, when I was out in public :), used a sleep bra. Buttondowns were really not comfortable for me. Doing it over I would probably spring for one.

Judy Willcutt I ordered it Monday, and got a notice yesterday it had been shipped. The thought of a tight bra scar ... Read more

Judy Willcutt I ordered it Monday, and got a notice yesterday it had been shipped. The thought of a tight bra scares me. I'll also check out the post surgical bra.

Judy Willcuttposted a journal

2613 days ago

Hi Everyone, I've been reading many of your blogs for the past few weeks, and I think this site is fantastic. This is my first post. I've had mitral valve ...Read more

Hi Everyone, I've been reading many of your blogs for the past few weeks, and I think this site is fantastic. This is my first post. I've had mitral valve prolapse all my life, and the valve developed a small leak about 15 years ago, with no change until this Summer. Now it's severe. I live near Mobile Alabama, and my cardiologist recommended I go to either Oschner in New Orleans or University of Alabama Birmingham, where they perform a high volume of heart valve surgeries. I'm scheduled to either have my mitral valve repaired or replaced by Dr Sar Pieiera. She was highly recommended by my longtime cardiologist. My surgery date is next Thursday morning at 7:00. Needless to say, I'm very nervous. No so much for the surgery, but the recuperation, and that dreaded breathing tube. Dr pieiera does the more minimally invasive surgery, but my arteries are too small. I'm have the larger incision OPH. I wanted to have my surgery closer to home so my large family could visit. Please keep me in your prayers., and I'll do the same for all of you facing this surgery. Thanks Judy

Rose Madura Hi Judy, My heart goes out to you because I know how it feels to be nervous. Best wishes for a succ ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Judy, My heart goes out to you because I know how it feels to be nervous. Best wishes for a successful surgery and I wish you an uneventful recovery. We will keep you in our prayers.

Clayton Mcarthur Best wishes and you will feel a lot better, I was afraid of the breathing tube but it wasn't that bad ... Read more

Clayton Mcarthur Best wishes and you will feel a lot better, I was afraid of the breathing tube but it wasn't that bad, wish you the best

Gerald Poulton 🙏 coming your way. Most people dont even remember the breathing tube or it is not as big as the fe ... Read more

Gerald Poulton 🙏 coming your way. Most people dont even remember the breathing tube or it is not as big as the fear of it. You are very heavily sedated at tge time, mine is but a fleating memory. You will ve fine

Kathy Blank I also feared the breathing tube but it was quickly removed when I was barely conscious.

Kenneth Hart Prayers for your surgery and recovery - the breathing tube freaked me out prior to surgery as well. I ... Read more

Kenneth Hart Prayers for your surgery and recovery - the breathing tube freaked me out prior to surgery as well. In my case the tube came out before I was completely awake from surgery and before I was wheeled into the ICU. The surgical team is very aware that most people are anxious about this issue and they will do their best to keep you comfortable - you are in good hands.

Cathy Zuber Hang in there..yes, I think all of us have been worried about the breathing tube. I remember it..the ... Read more

Cathy Zuber Hang in there..yes, I think all of us have been worried about the breathing tube. I remember it..then it was out...recovery is different for each, I think. Get a good book, binge nap and watch movies..take it slow. I always pray for my "heart friends"...

Bob Gillespie I also dreaded the breathing tube. And I did wake up with it in. Wasn't anything to have worried over ... Read more

Bob Gillespie I also dreaded the breathing tube. And I did wake up with it in. Wasn't anything to have worried over. Just bang on the bed and they'll fix ya

Barbara Wood I woke up, but just barely, with the breathing tube. They take it out quickly once you are awake. I h ... Read more

Barbara Wood I woke up, but just barely, with the breathing tube. They take it out quickly once you are awake. I had my mitral valve repaired. I was surprised at how exhausted I was for the first week of recovery, but had no pain. And it steadily improves. Wishing you the best!

Lilly Black the dreaded breathing tube! I hear you....but I have had 2 heart surgeries and both times I was so ou ... Read more

Lilly Black the dreaded breathing tube! I hear you....but I have had 2 heart surgeries and both times I was so out of it that I didn't even feel the breathing tube....honestly! my recuperation went quite smoothly as well. I walked a lot and did everything I was told....I recovered very well. Almost 3 yrs later (Dec. 2017 will be 3 yrs) and I am still doing very well! Nothing stops me from what I want to do in my life. But we all understand about being nervous.....it's quite traumatic to say the least. I wish you all the best!

Judy Willcutt Thank all of you so much.

Wanda Mroz I was terrified of the breathing tube also and woke up with it in place... yes it was not pleasant b ... Read more

Wanda Mroz I was terrified of the breathing tube also and woke up with it in place... yes it was not pleasant but you will get thru it and overall it’s just a few seconds. Most people don’t remember it. I had a repair and the pain was surprisingly not that bad! Once home I used regular Tylenol with an occasional muscle relaxer. My back and shoulders hurt but other than that it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought. Just remember to take each day one at a time and know that you will have good days and not so good days in recovery. It’s normal and it’s ok! Best of luck! 💞🙏🏻