Whitney's Journal

Nancy Lewis  You got the good vibes coming, friend. So glad to hear that you are home AND tolerating food. I kind of worry about that. I don't like to eat that much. (unless it is something I shouldn't have hee hee.)

Maeve Dwyer  Hooray and congratulations! It eases my fears to hear you animated so quickly. I hope the rest of your recovery continues smoothly!

Nancy Lewis  Hurray!!!!! Whitney!!!!! That is great news. I'm so happy to hear from you. Don't OVER DO. Sounds like you would like to race the Dr. to the exit. Home soon hon. Keep us posted.

Shannon Sullivan  Great to hear you made it thru and are on the mend. I am down to the wire with ten days to go until my surgery. I am glad to hear that four days out you start to feel better. I will concentrate on that.

Catie B  Wishing you the best and sending prayer, Whitney! So glad you're feeling calm. Look forward to hearing from you once you're able to post.

Steven A Husted  DEAR LORD TAKE CARE OF HER AND BRING HER OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE WITH A GREAT SURGERY AND RECOVERY AMEN

Nancy Lewis  You know we are all standing behind you, beside you, and sending you all the positive love we can. God bless you, and I can't wait to see your post from the other side of this surgery.

Joshua Trimberger  it took me 8 weeks to not be in pain the majority of the time and i had a mini incision at 4ish inches and 1 tube. but you will get varied answers. it really just depends on you, your pain tolerance, and healing factors. some people seem to be good to go in 2 weeks, and some are 6-8 weeks+.

Denise Campbell  I didn't have terrible pain. I had open heart for my mitral valve replacement. My back hurt more then anything. The pain meds worked. I could sleep in my own bed but needed a few extra pillows. U will need to sleep on your back for a while. You will be able to walk around but you don't want to over do it. Will someone be staying with you? You really will need help the first week or two.

James Waller  It's really an individual thing. I had aortic valve replacement surgery and replacement of part of my aorta on June 7. At
least for me, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Worst part was the breathing tube but that was removed pretty soon after I first woke up. Any pain I had in the hospital was managed well and I was off pain meds about 5 days after I came home. Read the posts on this site read Adam's book. Nothing happened to me that I didn't expect. Lucky or blessed!

Steven Dean  Everyone is different but I have a 9 inch incision (not sure how it can be any longer) and 3 tubes. Once the tubes came out things went up hill pretty quick. I would say the pain that required medication was done at about 10 days. After that it was some soreness and discomfort but nothing too bad (outside of sneezing, coughing, etc..)

Clare Auten  Everyone is different. My incision is about 8 inches, 2 tubes. Pain would vary with position in bed and movement. I took prescription drugs for about 10 days, then mostly Tylenol

Wanda Mroz  Truly my pain was far less than my total shoulder replacement surgery was. That to me was far worse. I only took Tylenol and some muscle relaxers once I got home. Yes it hurts, but hug the pillow if you cough and you'll have some good drugs your first few days when the pain is most. Once the tubes come out you'll feel tons better. Everyone is different but you'll do fine. Will be thinking of you and praying. Hugs..💞🙏🏻

Franklin Wyrick  I had aortic valve replaced and part of my aorta replaced and I have a 9 inch incision. I had very little pain and was only on narcotics for two days post op. After that just tylenol. As others have said, its an individual thing. Some have more pain than others. Good luck to you and here's hoping you have very little pain.

Rita Savelis  Pain is variable. I had no pain in my sternum (and was told by the anasthesiologist before OHS that cutting the sternum hurts much less than a rib being cracked or broken.) I can honestly say I never had "pain" after OHS (in this way it was different from every other surgery I've had). However, I had massive discomfort and I don't know how to describe that, except to say that pain is not the word.
The chest tubes did not hurt either.
So I didn't feel good at all after surgery but I didn't need pain relief. I took morphine in the ICU unit to forget that I had had surgery, but after a few days nothing. The hospital asked me several times a day for weeks if I had pain. They are there with whatever pain relief you need and you need to be vocal if you need something.
Everyone's situation is different.
Often pain is less from the incision, and more from various muscles or strange positions one can be in during surgery.
Take care.

Wanda Mroz  I had lots of discomfort in the shoulder blades, yes, like Rita says... you lay on a table for a long time and in odd positions so that causes discomfort. But yours may not be the same.

Wanda Mroz  Good that you got that out.... A good cry is therapeutic. We are all here for you and will be praying for you Whitney!💞🙏🏻

Amy Steele  Am praying for peace for you as you prepare for your surgery. So sorry you don't have more people to be with you. We're here to support you!

Denise Campbell  You will do amazing. God will see you through. Before you know it, you'll be six months down the road 💐💐

Tafang Kuo  Whitney, your sharing remind me of the similar meltdown I had before my surgery. Scary and yet can't turn it away. You will do great! Praying for you 💞

Craig Gay  I'm so sorry you are alone Whitney. I just looked to see if you were perhaps from Michigan but not even close. Is there a friend that could be there with you? People want to help so please just ask. Best of luck for a successful surgery and smooth recovery. God bless you and may you feel his arms around you.Take care, Yvonne (Craig's wife)

Wanda Mroz  Oh hon I know. I went thru it essentially alone. A couple of good friends who are like sisters to me helped but no support from a husband and kids or family so I know. Yes people with wonderful big families are blessed, but so are we.... My friends are wonderful and my mom is at 88 still supportive as well. Hang in there... Sending a virtual hug to you. 💞🙏🏻

Steve Wykstra  I hope in your journal here that you continue to express whatever feelings you are going through, Amy! And that in the hospital you will have a laptop so you can keep us posted day by day or more, so we can be a little family to you. Though depending on the incision etc it may be hard to type...you'll have to see I guess.
Also, I did find that in the hospital for six days, the PA's and nurses on each shift became like a little family to me (my wife and daughter were nearby too, but I actually kinda liked being in my little monk's cell hospital room alone most of the time, with a little call-button if I needed anything. I would get help getting out of bed to sit in my chair and read, study some chess openings, take the mandatory walks several times a day, starting at just 30 steps down the hallway with a walker and safety belt on for the nurse to hold on to me... and lots of sleeping too. Time went pretty fast...

I also requested a visit from the chaplain there and enjoyed him coming to see me. (If there's a chaplain where you are, maybe get him/her to type a message to us if typing is hard.
I had a dry shampoo (read your earlier entries just now) and it was nice--the nurse put this cap thing on my head, and it was a wonderful sensual scalp massage at the same time! (She was cute, too, though my wife says I'm supposed to notice/say things like that about nurses and doctors.)

You've got a big adventure awaiting you, like Bilbo Baggins making a journey in middle earth hobbit land, with ups and downs to take day by day, Keep us posted if you can! You're in our thoughts and prayers!

Catie B  Whitney, I hear you and know personally the pain of having to deal with something this big on your own. A divorce followed by a cross country move has left me with almost no connections. My heart goes out to you very much. If I lived near you, I would want to come to the hospital, spend time with you and do what I could to let you know you're cared about. Hang in there. Your heart buddies here may be far away, but we're real, and we're in your corner cheering you on.

Rita Savelis  You don't have to be happy and cheery.
I was rarely happy or cheery for at least a year, and had a hard time relating to those who were....
Write what you are feeling. Getting it all out can be helpful.
I think many feel alone and not understood in this whole process. One needs physical help, but can anyone else really understand the reality of it all?
I feel for you and I'm sorry you have to go through this.

Denise Kirchner  I feel very blessed to have this support. None of us should be afraid to share how we are feeling - that is what this group is all about - sharing the good and bad and the ups and downs of our jouney!

Steven A Husted  HI WHITNEY YOU DONT HAVE TO BE ALONE ANY MORE YOU HAVE MANY NEW FRIENDS HERE ON THIS SITE WHO WISH YOU THE VERY BEST AND ARE PRAYING FOR YOU EVERY DAY AND THERE ARE OTHERS ON THIS SITE WHO HAVE GONE THRU THIS JOURNEY ALONE I AM ONE AND I THINK CATIE B IS ANOTHER I KNOW I HAVE MADE IT AND I AM ENJOYING PHASE THREE OF CARDIO REHAB EVERY WEEK IT KEEPS ME GOING AND I HAVE MADE NEW FRIENDS YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS YOUR HEART BROTHER STEVE (POPEYE)

Whitney Locklair  thanks you guys the outpouring of love is unbelievable. thank you to each and every one of you!!! i do have some friends that will be along for the ride. i have a 22 year old son, away at college and an 18 year old daughter in high school, i don't want to interfere with their school work. i have my best friend and my ex husband is helping out.

Jean Raber  The wonder-working power of the Nonna is something that never leaves you! My mother-in-law was Italian. She died some years back, but whenever I need a kick in the pants, I hear her voice in my head. Dio ti benedica!

Catie B  The part about the tide turning after three days sounds good. Whitney, I'm sorry for your losses and the aloneness. There is nothing easy about it. But as you said, you are strong, probably much stronger than you know. I'm glad all the preop stuff is done. May you have peace in your mind and body this week.

Cheryl Batzing  Whitney, read your journey and you will be in my prayers. I had MVR Dec. 2014. I was the biggest baby ever....AND, it wasn't easy, BUT, good drugs are wonderful! The first day was a blur, the second day was hard, then they figured out the right drugs by the 3rd day and it got better and better...then the tubes came out and things got even better. Sorry to hear you are alone, but know you have heart brothers and sisters here. Wished you lived closer!

Corey Sines  Hang in there, try to have a happy place in your mind to go to in moments like these and during recovery.

Clare Auten  I think it varies from person to person. I remember iv tubes wrapped in saran wrap, a shower chair and a kind nurse helping me at the hospital. Once I was home, I did it as usual.

Wanda Mroz  In the hospital I used dry shampoo. I was there for ten days. At home I washed it in the shower. Sat on a shower chair and washed it as best I could bending forward a bit and mostly using one arm. It got easier each time.

Marilyn M  A nurse helped me in the hospital. At home I had a hand held shower installed and I used that and a shower chair. Did it quickly because I couldn't keep my arms raised up long.

Rita Savelis  Keeping my hair tied back helped me deal with the fact that it was dirty. But, it's actually okay to have unwashed hair for awhile. I didn't wash mine for 2 weeks. Then a nurse helped me. And eventually I could shower on my own.

Barbara Laurie  Many hospitals have hair washing caps. Like a shower cap. They heat it a bit, get your hair up in the cap and massage, remove,wipe with a dry towel. If you have painfully thin hair it's rubbish, but thicker hair it'd be nice. Also, a foamy product called aloe vesta works like this and it's refreshing. But, I was so uncomfortable I didn't care😄 But my husband and nurses did a lot for me! But bring a blow dryer if you like dry hair,💞

Meredith Bray  I had surgery on Wednesday, and had help washing my hair on Sunday when I got home. I used a shower bench and a hand-held shower. Well, *I* didn't, I just kind of sat there, hubby washed my hair for me. I have short hair that gets really oily after 2 days, but it didn't bother me, I had other things to worry about.

I was washing my own hair 7 days after surgery, albeit very very very slowly and carefully!

Meredith

Lilly Black  I was in the hospital for a week. I was hooked up to so much equipment, etc, that I could not take a shower, nor was I permitted. I waited until I got home.....that first shower felt so good!!! I kept my incision away from the shower pressure by standing side-ways. I used regular shower gel, and I had no problems. After a couple of days, I also took a bath, which was not recommended but I did not have any problems. My incision is 11 inches long....all went smooth, no dizziness, no falling, no infections at all!

Darlene Smith  In the hospital I did not wash it. They wouldn't let me shower (long story involving a chest tube that didn't come out until right before I went home). But when I got home I tipped my head down and scrubbed my scalp with my arms only partially raised since they didn't want me lifting my arms over my head.

  I had minimally invasive surgery Tuesday morning and was able to shower on Thursday when they pulled the drainage tubes and pacing wires out. I can't remember if my neck cath was still in, but I just remember it felt wonderful to be clean and I was able to change into my own pajamas! Everyone is different though.

Corey Sines  Each experience is different, but you are still coming out of anesthesia, and they have you on pain meds, so I only remember bits and pieces of the one day I spent in ICU. First thing I remember is wanting that darn tube out of my mouth. I was signing to my wife to have them get it out. They were like, "we will take it out as soon as you are breathing on your own!". I was angry and trying really hard to breath better to get that out!!! The rest is a bit of a blur really, that's the good part, but I only spent one day there before I was take to a regular recovery room, so others have had to spend longer there and have had different experiences.

Joshua Trimberger  Everyone is different. But I don't remember a ton of stuff the first 2 days....but I do remember waking up. They had all ready taken out my breathing tube by that time so I was able to wake up and not have a tube choking me. I wasnt in a lot of pain immediately as I woke up but the horrific pain came for me several hours later. On a scale of 1-10, I was about a 20. I had an aortic replacement so they had to cut and crack my chest open at the sternum. The general consensus that I got is the real bad pain lasts 1-3 days and then gets better from there.They said that my extreme pain was because I'm younger and all my nerves and stuff are working well so they are more sensitive to pain. The pain is supposedly less the older you get. You'll get a lot of people on here who had a ton of pain and a lot of people who had almost zero, so I guess it just depends on your body and pain level and how well your body can tolerate the pain medicines. For me there where 1 or 2 of the rotating 5 pain medicines that did nothing for me.

Darlene Smith  Whitney, first the breathing tube for me was no big deal. I couldn't really tell it was there except I couldn't talk and my hands were still covered in fuzzy mits. And having the tube removed was only uncomfortable for about 1-2 seconds. Then it was gone and I was fine. My sternum pain on the first day was about a 7 and I was off the narcotics after 3 days. My sternum literally has not hurt at all. I have no idea why. I'm 53 and I expected the pain to be much much worse than it was. Your experience will be unique to you. I hope it goes well!

Amy Dorsey  You won't be in a lot of pain right out of surgery because they will make sure you are on lots of medicine to help you. At some point they will give you a pain button that you can push when you need more. Just make sure you don't wait until you're in a lot of pain to get more meds because then it takes a long time to get the pain under control again. 💗💗💗

Franklin Wyrick  For me, the worst part was waking with the tube in my throat. It felt as if it was choking me. As for pain, I was relatively pain free. They took me off narcotic's on the second day post op and I then used only tylenol and even that sparingly.

Richard Puckett  I remember waking up and thinking clearly, but I was sleepy. I wasn't in much pain, but was courious about my condition. I noticed that my breathing tube was in, but I felt as if I was breathing normally. I felt that I was thinking clearly, which was a relief. My mother had recently died with Alzheimer's. I went back to sleep and woke up another time and I checked to see if was restrained. I didn't think I was, but my daughter later said that I was restrained. The next time I awoke, the breathing tube was being removed. Overall, it wasn't unbearable. When there wasn't anything going on, I slept. I learned quickly how to use the pain button.

Whitney Locklair  Gosh you guys have really helped me a lot! Just reading thru your stories is making me feel like I'm not by myself thru this ordeal...

My father had open heart surgery but sadly passed away 4 years ago from a massive heart attack. So i really dont know anyone who may have experience with this, this site is a godsend!!!

Adam Pick  Hey Whitney! Here's 75+ comments about bras from our patient community. Take a look at https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/08/13/bras-and-breast-support-after-open-heart-sugery-please-help-vicki/.

Darlene Smith  Some folks come out of surgery with a surgical bra on. My doctor wanted me to wear one 24 hours a day and I am small chested. I suspect you will want one on for comfort so nothing pulls on your incision.

Whitney Locklair  that sounds right, it just never occurred to me that the hospital would provide one. thank you Darlene

Priscila Marino  I bought a cotton front clasp no wire bra @amazon.
I am a 38DD..... All the nurses were impressed with it and I was able to wear it 2 day after OHS

Darlene Smith  Whitney, it never occurred to me either! When the hospital gave me one, I was really surprised. But each facility is different.