Todd Hanson - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1008 days ago

Miriam Alejos, Susan Lynn, Dan Baltazor and 2 others reacted to this

I am on day 2 sitting on my hospital from my mini thoracotomy to repair my mitral valve. I am doing very well-- arterial line, 2 chest lines, and IJ line... Read more

I am on day 2 sitting on my hospital from my mini thoracotomy to repair my mitral valve. I am doing very well-- arterial line, 2 chest lines, and IJ line have all been pulled. I am feeling very good, a little soreness but not too bad at all. I have walked the hallway a couple of times and 2 flights of stairs. I have been given the green light to walk the halls and go to the bathroom on my own. I am blessed.

A few days before my surgery, I decided to order Adams book for some light reading on Sunday afternoon in preparation for my surgery. The book answered many questions for me, even though I thought I had researched everything. It put me in a solid state of mind for surgery. Thanks Adam!

But I can tell you that all of your posts over the past month or so since hopping on this site has given me the courage to get in and get this done. I have read everyone one of them on a daily basis and all have been extremely helpful for me. Thank you to my new family here on heartvalvesurgery.com!!

You were the ones that minimized my anxiety going in on March 9 for surgery.

As always, I am more to share my experience with anyone that has questions. Thanks to all of you-- on the road to recovery!

Deena Z You climbed stairs on day 2 post surgery, outstanding. Congrats on the successful surgery and being ... Read more

Deena Z You climbed stairs on day 2 post surgery, outstanding. Congrats on the successful surgery and being in recovery. Exhale!

Susan Lynn Great news, Todd! Glad you're doing so well! You should be going home in no time!!! Wishing you... Read more

Susan Lynn Great news, Todd! Glad you're doing so well! You should be going home in no time!!! Wishing you continued success with your recovery!

Rose Madura Sounds like you are doing wonderfully well! Jeep up the good work!

Marie Myers I am impressed that you are posting so soon! Welcome to the recovery side!

Richard Munson Great to hear todd. All ahead full.

Robert Young Great news! Full speed ahead

George Gardopee Welcome to the recovery side. I think in a few weeks you’ll see it will be like it never even happ ... Read more

George Gardopee Welcome to the recovery side. I think in a few weeks you’ll see it will be like it never even happened.

Todd Hansonposted a journal

1024 days ago

I am curious, since my surgery will take 4-6 hours, would my family members typically be waiting for me at the hospital during the surgery? I am not really ...Read more

I am curious, since my surgery will take 4-6 hours, would my family members typically be waiting for me at the hospital during the surgery? I am not really sure what condition I will be in immediately after the surgery.

Holly Wale Todd, my husband waited in the waiting area. They had a system with a number that would show the v ... Read more

Holly Wale Todd, my husband waited in the waiting area. They had a system with a number that would show the various stages along the way so he'd have a sense of where things stood. The surgeon or team called him once to update him and then came out after to let him know how it went. I bet it was a tough few hours for him as he waited. But that is how it worked for us. When I woke up in my ICU room he was already there with me.

My surgery was on 10/6/21 - Delta variant was high but starting to decline. I could have 2 visitors.

Timothy Williams Univ of Mi is currently only allowing one named visitor for duration.

Linda Johnson Cedars-Sinai allowed one visitor in the surgery waiting room. They sent text updates to him then the ... Read more

Linda Johnson Cedars-Sinai allowed one visitor in the surgery waiting room. They sent text updates to him then the surgeon met with him after the surgery ended. No visitors were allowed at the time in the inpatient units due to the pandemic restrictions, though he continued to get updates via phone or text while i was in the CSICU for the first 24 hours. The next day, visitor restrictions were lifted and he was able to visit me in the ICU which was such a relief! (One visitor was allowed)

Richard Munson In my case, due to covid i had zero visitors and yes, you will be out of it right after surgery so th ... Read more

Richard Munson In my case, due to covid i had zero visitors and yes, you will be out of it right after surgery so they would most likely not be seeing much of anything anyway except a person all hooked up to multiple wires and hoses and tubes, and machines.Plus the activity level of after surgery staff is pretty intense. Once you move to another area, it becomes less hectic.

Todd Hanson Thanks for all the info. It was only one visitor in the waiting room for me during my TEE, so it may ... Read more

Todd Hanson Thanks for all the info. It was only one visitor in the waiting room for me during my TEE, so it may be the same in a couple of weeks.

Richard Munson Visitors are over rated. I had a great roomie who i probably drove to insanity and it was fine. My to ... Read more

Richard Munson Visitors are over rated. I had a great roomie who i probably drove to insanity and it was fine. My tom petty music no doubt was painful. We still email so i guess it went ok.

Rita Savelis The hospital will be in touch with your family (sending updates by phone). After surgery you will be ... Read more

Rita Savelis The hospital will be in touch with your family (sending updates by phone). After surgery you will be in ICU and not even thinking about visitors. As Richard said "visitors are overrated". You need to heal and rest. There will be time for visitors in the days to come.

Oh Richard, you always creating trouble even in the hospital. Lol
I am glad I brought you a fond mem ... Read more

Oh Richard, you always creating trouble even in the hospital. Lol
I am glad I brought you a fond memory of your younger daughter with “me too”.

Richard Munson Can you believe she will be 52 monday. Ugh. We still call our kids and grandkids on their birthday an ... Read more

Richard Munson Can you believe she will be 52 monday. Ugh. We still call our kids and grandkids on their birthday and sing happy birthday. I think they secretly like it. I always change the music a little but the words are the same. Last year i sang it to 16 candles by johnny maestro fame. Still mulling over this years tune. Maybe a beach boys song.

I’m sure your kids and grandkids love it Richard. Time does fly. 1970 was a great year, wish her a ... Read more

I’m sure your kids and grandkids love it Richard. Time does fly. 1970 was a great year, wish her a Happy Birthday from me 🎂

Richard Munson My 2 daughters are only 11 months apart. After mondays birthday, both will be the same age for a mont ... Read more

Richard Munson My 2 daughters are only 11 months apart. After mondays birthday, both will be the same age for a month.

You guys were busy…..it was the time of the season for love😊

Richard Munson Those were the days of the catholic church temperature taking for birth control. Shows how effective ... Read more

Richard Munson Those were the days of the catholic church temperature taking for birth control. Shows how effective that was.

Patsy Stewart Todd, they should give you that information when you go for bloodwork, paperwork, meet with the anest ... Read more

Patsy Stewart Todd, they should give you that information when you go for bloodwork, paperwork, meet with the anesthesiologist, etc a few days before surgery. There was only one visitor per day when I had surgery. The chaplain met with us while I was being prepped that morning, and then he kept in contact with my husband when he would get an update from the surgery room. The surgeon came and talked to him afterwards. My son stayed in the car. In our area, they are now allowing 2 visitors per day since some of the Covid restrictions are being lifted.