New to Forum and surgery scheduled for May 7th

[CRM-Mom]

Hello,
I've been reading the forum for a few weeks and I am new. My aortic valve replacement is scheduled for May 7th. I am glad to have a date and now it's coming fast. I was diagnosed w/ aortic stenosis in 2001 and in the last year it has progressed to where I can no longer wait to have surgery. I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. I feel a bit uninformed as I probably haven't asked the doctor enough questions. I know I am getting a mechanical valve but I don't know what kind. I just got instructions from the surgeon about what will be happening the day before in a 1/2 day pre-surgery visit to the hospital. I am more concerned about what will happen after the surgery and what recovery will be like because I have been told my recovery may be harder because I am a larger person. The messages I have gotten from my cardiologist are positive that I should do well as I am younger (age 46) but my weight is a concern more from a recovery standpoint. Can anyone give me any help on this? I am a little concerned about limitations in being able to push up out of chair/couch or grabbing on while using stairs. I tend to worry if I don't know details and have some idea of what I may expect upon going home. I am very anxious to get this done, do exactly what I am told to do in recovery, and get back to activities. I have a daughter graduating in June and we have a party to give! I have lots of friends and family lined up to help so that I can rest and behave for the party. I am known to do too much so I have had to promise my family to follow post surgery instructions to the letter. Thank you all for your posts that I am learning from!

CRM-Mom

 

[JimL]

Welcome to our recovery unit!
A graduation party is a lot of work. I encourage you to do nothing, absolutely nothing, in preparation for the party, or at the party, except to enjoy. Rely on your friends and family to do the work, and if it doesn't measure up to your standards, enjoy the party anyway.
While you are still hospitalized after surgery, you can ask to talk to someone from physical therapy about the best ways to do various tasks, like getting out of a chair, so that you don't harm your sternum. I was surprised to find that even opening the refrigerator had to be done in the right way, or it would hurt the sternum. I learned that using two hands to open a pill bottle hurt; instead, put the bottle on the cupboard, and use one hand to press down on it and turn to open painlessly.

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome- I am glad you found us and will put you on the calendar for May 7th. Jim gave you good advice and I'm sure many more will chime in. In the mean time, check out the pre-surgery thread for good hints on preparing the house and what to take to the hospital.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome!

You could also put the party off until later in the summer. In the Chicago area, because of the popularity of graduation parties, it seems they are spread out throughout the summer. If your daughter is going away to college - you could make it a Graduation/Going Away party.

 

[pamela]

Definitely use your LEGS and your hips to help you get out of bed. Avoid pushing with one arm when your hips can and will shift to bring you up over your centre of gravity.

Sit in chairs that are high enough to allow you to get close to the edge of the seat and then pivot at your hips to stand beneath your upper body rather than using your arms to push your weight up over your hips. If you're really frightened about this being an issue, look into renting a lift chair for a few weeks until your sternotomy heals enough to give you some freedom with your arms.

About 3 days after my first OHS, I had to go for lung scan to check on my O2 absorption, the bench I lay on for the scan was only about 4 inches wide. When the technician came to help me up he hauled on my right arm and caused a huge pain to rip through my chest. Of course, in all his ego he poopoo'd my discomfort but I still told the nurses on the ward and my surgeon's chief resident. I hope he was told to pay attention to the patient and not the clock. Anyway, that seemed to set me back quite a distance and I think the edges shifted, I had gaps and ridges along the scar. The point of this story is to be careful in how you move yourself around.

I'm sure your daughter will be delighted that you will share her place as an honoured and cherished guest at her graduation. Let your family host while you bask in loving attention. I know, if my mom were to come through a life-threatening condition and attend such an important occassion I wouldn't ask her or expect that she fill any role other than that of my mother and treasured guest.

Take heart, waiting is the worst part, recovery is where you see improvement every day.

 

[KathyM]

Hi,

I am 2 1/2 weeks out from surgery. I really expected to much less mobile than I am. The first few days in the hospital were tough to get in and out of bed. The nurses are there to teach you how and to even help you. By the time I left I really did not have too much trouble with it. I can also open doors (sometimes I have to use my butt to push) the fridge is no problem. I also found holding your elbows close to your waist helps. I bought a electric recliner, but have found my bed to be more comfortable. I did buy a large wedge pillow in a medical supply store and that has been wonderful. I also bought a seat for the shower and that has been the best investment. The steam from the shower tends to make you a little light headed, so I now relax in the shower....LOVE IT.


Good Luck
xoxo
just
Kathy M

 

[Jkm7]

I agree with the others that you should not plan to do any of the physical preparation and serving for your daughter's party. It is too much, too soon. You will find you tire easily and your usual stamina will take time to return.

When I needed assistance getting up from a prone position after several tests etc which were performed on me post op, all the docs/nurses attending me assisted me NOT by grabbing an arm (Bad move) but gave gentle assistance at my back. As I raised a bit, they gently supported me from behind and pushed at my slow pace. I am an average weight person but this might be something to keep in mind if you need help either in the hospital or later when you are home.

Also, I am sure you will be told to not grab the handrail on the stairs and pull yourself up. Lightly hold it for balance and security but you cannot pull yourself up the stairs. Your leg muscles need to do that work until you are healed. BUT don't worry about not being allowed stairs right after surgery. Almost all of us are required to walk a flight before we leave the hospital to prove to us we are able....and for them to check heart rate while you do it.

I think it great advice you seek a consult with physical therapy. They will surely have all sorts of help to offer.

Happy you found us and know how difficult the wait is until your surgery date finally gets here.

I am 8 weeks post op and the wait was the worst part of this whole episode in my life.

Good luck and come back with all your questions. Always someone here who can help.

 

[Freddie]

A graduation party is a lot of work. I encourage you to do nothing, absolutely nothing, in preparation for the party, or at the party, except to enjoy. Rely on your friends and family to do the work, and if it doesn't measure up to your standards, enjoy the party anyway.

Welcome CRM-Mom,
I have to echo what Jim has said. And I can understand how you will want everything to be perfect for your daughters party although I don't think you'll be able to do very much but to give orders.
May I suggest to you to make a list of everything you want/need done for the party and have someone else to carry out your "to do" list.

You don't want to be pushing yourself to hard during your recovery.......even going to the graduation ceremonies may even tire you out.

Better yet, if you can, take Karlynn advice and wait a few more weeks.

As for recovery, you already have many good suggestions/ideas.

I wish you the very best.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome aboard CRM-Mom.

I'd like to make several recommendations / suggestions for your 'learning process' if you are interested in learning more about your 'condition'.

BEFORE SURGERY

Since you have a Bicuspid Aortic Valve, I recommend that you SEARCH (see blue line at the top of the page) for BAV and read some / several of the threads which discuss BAV and it's ramifications. There is a separate website for BAV patients (Bicuspid Foundation ?... it's mentioned in several posts on VR.com)

We have had some recent posts which confirm that there is a relationship between BAV and some types of Connective Tissue Disorder which can result in Weak Tissues in the Aorta (which can eventually lead to Aortic Aneurisms).

For the above reason, it would be wise to ask your Cardio or Surgeon to prescribe a CT scan of your chest or an MRI to visualize the Entire Aorta for signs of 'dilation' before your surgery. Note that Echocardiograms do NOT fully visualize the entire aorta.

Secondly, I would want to know how much experience your surgeon has doing Surgery of the Aorta 'just in case' he finds 'weak tissue' once he gets in there. Many BAV patients are referred to Aorta Specialists for just this reason. Aorta Specialists are usually found at the Major Heart Hospitals (such as Mayo Clinic #2, Cleveland Clinic #1, or some of the better hospitals in Chicago, or Texas - Texas Heart Institute and others I have forgotten). I've only mentioned the ones closest to you.

You may want to look over the Valve Selection Forum for information on the various options. MY favorite is the relatively new On-X valve (1996 - see www.onxvalves.com) which may not be available in MN except by special request - Mayo does not stock it. My second choice is the Standard St. Jude Valve (not the Regent) which should be available just about anywhere. (see www.sjm.com) Other options are ATS and Carbomedics which are spinoffs of the original St. Jude (1977? design).

AFTER SURGERY

Many of our members found that sleeping in a Recliner was easier and more comfortable for the first several weeks following surgery when sleeping on your side can be 'uncomfortable'. Most of us did not like trying to sleep on our backs unless our heads were elevated, either by a wedge pillow or recliner or adjustable bed.

Your Sugeon will (or should) issue Restrictions on Lifting, Pushing, and Pulling (usually a 5 or 10 lb limit for X weeks and gradually increased after 6 weeks).

Many of us found Cardiac Rehabilitation to be helpful, assuming your insurance will cover it. You are given various exercises to help loosen tight muscles and rebuild your stamina under Nurse Supervision, 3 days a week for several weeks (I forgot how many).

That should keep you busy for awhile !

Happy reading.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Bina]

Hello CRM and welcome!
You are very close to your surgery, try not to freak out....just go with the flow and don't be shy to call your surgeon's office if you have something on your mind. There are many great types of mechanical valves.....including the St. Jude REGENT. The surgeon will choose which one he has the most experience with and fits you best.

 

[CRM-Mom]

Thank you all for the great comments and advice. It's really helpful and has given me plenty to continue to learn about and research and ask questions. I appreciate it coming from all of who have been there! Thanks and God Bless!

 

[Gusdog]

I am more concerned about what will happen after the surgery and what recovery will be like because I have been told my recovery may be harder because I am a larger person. The messages I have gotten from my cardiologist are positive that I should do well as I am younger (age 46) but my weight is a concern more from a recovery standpoint. Can anyone give me any help on this? I am a little concerned about limitations in being able to push up out of chair/couch or grabbing on while using stairs.

I'm a big guy, and my recovery wasn't any harder than anyone else's seemed to be. Granted, I'm 34, which probably helps. But I probably outweigh my dad by 75 lbs., but my recovery has been a good deal easier than his was a year ago, so age seems to be more of a factor. You may have to be more careful about some things, but they'll help you learn what you can do when you are in the hospital.

 

[Marguerite53]

Welcome to our neighborhood!!

I am in my 50's and no lightweight (5'8" and close to 200 at time of surgery). I don't know how you compare, but I'm sure you will be able to learn the maneuvers just fine.

May I suggest that from now on, every time you have to get up from your car (okay, some of you have cars you get down from, SUV's and the like... I forget sometimes that I'm one who likes them low and fast) anyway!!! when you get out of your car from now on, turn, but don't use your arms at all, just your legs. When you get up out of a chair...just your legs, when you get up out of bed...lay on your side, pull your body up and get up just with your legs. If you kind of use your legs like this in the next two weeks, you may have some good practice in for how you'll want to be moving.

Do NOT think you'll be more than a happy observer at this party. You won't be able to pull anything, lean over very well, twist things open or closed.....you really really really have to honor those first 6-8 weeks of babying your sternum so it will heal up properly. Really!!!

You sound very positive, as you should be. That's the biggest hurdle, really, the trust part. Stay optimistic...it's the best place to be. You're gonna do great!!

Best wishes

Marguerite

 

[Bridgette]

Eight days after my mitral valve replacement surgery I was able to attend my 11 year old son's school end of year concert and prizegiving. He really really wanted me to be there as it was his last year at that school, so it was like his "graduation" from there.
I was determined to make it - got discharged from the hospital on the Monday (a week after my op) and the concert was the following night. We parked right beside the hall, and it was very crowded and hot inside but the teachers put a chair for me right by the door and got me something to fan myself with...they could not believe that I actually made it (to the concert), lol
We went straight home afterwards, didn't go partying or anything, but I was so pleased that I went because it meant a lot both to my son and to me. I did have some hiccups later on in my recovery but they weren't due to attending the concert or anything.
You will be fine to go to your daughter's graduation and hold her party - just let everyone else do all the work and sit back and enjoy yourself

Good luck for your surgery
Bridgette

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome CRM-Mom. Glad you found us. I echo everything that's been said. Post-op you will need to avoid lifting and pulling until the sternum is well healed. Ahead of surgery try to rearrange things in the house to make life easier. I moved things I used regularly to lower shelves of counter tops, and set things up so I only climbed the stairs twice a day....Up at night when I went to bed and down in the morning when I woke up. I set up our family room on the main floor to accomodate me during the day. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[njean]

Barb,

Just wanted to wish you a smooth & uneventful OHS May 7th! My prayers & well wishes are with you! Let us know how you're doing when you are able to!

 

[Guest]

Barb,

GOOD LUCK!

Thoughts/prayers coming your way for a SUCCESSFUL surgery .



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I must be lonely" ... Matchbox 20 ... '3 am'

 

[Curtsmum]

Wishing you all the best with surgery and a speedy recovery.