Krissy's Journal

Susan Lynn  Welcome, Krissy. We might be able to provide you with better information if you can specify which valve and the type of surgery. There are many experienced heart warriors on this site who can help answer your questions.
I had a mitral valve repair done via a mini- thoracotomy entry. I didn't have the need for an electric recliner or hospital bed.
Some people do find them helpful, however.
Best of luck to you and Andrew. You'll both be just fine!

Dianne A  You can get a foam wedge for your bed. You can find them on Amazon, or from a medical supply store. My surgery is next week; we just found out Jan 14. So yeah, we get the world upside down part. We have a regular recliner, and I've stocked up on a wide selection of pillows to go with the wedge. A neck pillow I think well be super handy, I got a bean bag one.

Rob Sparling  Krissy, good deal that you posted and are researching. It will improve the likelihood of success and will ease your mind. A transformation occurs here. Trust us all when we tell you that the waiting is the hardest part. I had AVR — aortic valve replacement — and full sternotomy. I greatly appreciated the advice to get a lazy boy from the rent-a-center and used it! Many folks had similar — or frankly more — success. We are all different and heal at different pace. Read our journals. They are rich with details and progress reports so you both know what to expect. Keep us posted!

Thomas Brusstar  I had a mitral valve repair, with a full open heart surgery. I'm 54. I actually didn't need a special chair. I just sat in my usual comfy sitting chair, just with an extra cushion underneath to firm it up and raise me a bit. I could also sleep in my regular bed. I would take tylenol just before bed, and that was all I needed. Sleeping on my back wasn't great, so I slept restlessly; but I managed to stay on my back. The pain was just getting into bed and moreso getting out -- but after a few days, that all got easier. So some people really have good luck with recliners (some just cannot sleep in a bed flat, but I could). I was in the hospital 3 nights, home for dinner on Day 4. I was pretty mobile and independent by the time I came home. I could dress and bathe myself, with increasing walking every day. To be honest, my doctor's office told me to use my own judgment on mobility. So I absolutely did abide by weight lifting restrictions, but by 2 1/2 weeks out, I felt comfortable driving when necessary. I was still a bit fatigued, but I could spend partial days at work in the third week after. So it's all individual. He's super young, and that will be a great advantage in healing. The kids will be super sweet, my 13-yo boy was always eager to help. I'll be 7 months out this weekend, and I feel great. I have an occasional ache or pang in my sternum, but I don't notice a thing when exercising/ shoveling. Andrew will be a perfect patient.

Shannon Gray  Tho king of you all... I remember all too well the emotions that arise in the days before surgery. Prayers for a successful surgery and easeful recovery.

Civita Fahey  I had an aortic valve replaced and I found that the electric recliner was helpful, as at first its hard to push yourself up, but its not 100% necessary. As far as sleeping, I'm a side sleeper and it was hard at first but I got one of those long pillows where I could prop myself there and slightly move to the side, so I could get some sleep. Truly for me that was the most uncomfortable thing, otherwise there was no pain except when I sneezed. Like any bone that needs healing, it will hurt when moved. Be careful of the kiddso trying to jump on him for hugs, it will be tender for a few weeks, but, after the first two weeks, he will feel like a different man. Prayers that all will go well, he is young and he will do just great. God Bless.

Krissy Barraza  Susan Lynn my husband will need open heart surgery, Bicuspid aortic valve, aortic aneurysm, he'll be getting a mechanical valve. Thomas Brusstar, wow sounds like you had an awesome recovery, good for you and glad to hear that!!