Recent content by aviator67

Congratulations! It's my sixth year also with an Edwards bovine aortic valve. Doing well as I hope you are.

I spent about 2 weeks in a recliner, I'd really recommend it. I slept in it at night too because after trying one night in our waterbed, it was just too hard to get out of it by myself.

It's now almost 5 months out of surgery and the pain that I was experiencing is much better now, although I still take Ibuprofen for it and without it, it's quite noticeable. It also seems to hurt more with changes in the weather. A cough or sneeze is very uncomfortable when it happens but...

I had a very lovely (and professional) nurse do it on both sides when I had my angiogram done and thankfully I was unconscious when shaved for the AVR surgery that took place 4 weeks later. It's my experience that modesty will be the least of your concerns after surgery.

I was finally able to sleep on my side in our waterbed the last two evenings. I'm probably a bit late at 24 days post-op but all is well that ends well.

Jeepers, now you tell me! Had I thought about it, I would used used the baby oil. It sounds like a much better idea.

Just got home from speaking with my surgeon today for my 3 week post-op checkup. I asked him about this issue with pain specifically but he had no definitive answer as to why this would be hurting me so sharply. It has subsided over the past week but still hurts more than my incision or...

At 2 weeks post-op, I just pulled mine off with tweezers, toward the center, from both sides so as not to tug on the incision. Then I gently removed the gummy residue with "Goof-off" and rinsed in the shower.

Being self-employed and still having kids at home, I have to go back to work soon but I sure sympathize with you not wanting to continue doing unfullfilling work after OHS. I'm on my 18th POD and am going into the office for a few hours tomorrow to see how it goes. Here's an idea that I've...

Terry, I'm on my 17th POD and am experiencing similar pain as you describe, though I would characterize it as more of an evolution of pain symptoms in various places. My sternum is sore and and an everpresent discomfort, though certainly bearable and a bit itchy now and then. Last week I...

Profoundly good advice!

I have a similar "ripping, burning" pain that developed a couple of days ago beneath my left pectoral muscle and is the primary pain that I feel when I cough. I'm on my 12th POD and this started on about Day 9. Percocet only has a mild effect on it for me and the sharpness of the pain is very...

I presume that since air will flow freely from the hallways and other patient rooms into the isolation room, you will be exposed to more than you would if not staying in one of these rooms. When I was in ICU last week, I noticed others in these rooms and thought that they were 'special' and...

I am convinced that I will choose a mechanical valve if/when I need a redo. I am 9 days post-op now and I am convinced that last week (the first week out of surgery) was one of my most unpleasent weeks ever. I COULD do it again and may well have to I've come away with a very strong desire not...

You are your own best advocate! Good job and thanks for the information.