Recent content by JohnStone

Quick update: John’s getting a little stronger each day. Now 10 days out of surgery, he’s walking a mile or more daily and working diligently with the spirometer to get back to his pre-surgery lung capacity. His resting heart rate is running a little high (upper 80s/low 90s) but overall he says...

Glad you had a better experience! I know you are happy to be home. Best wishes for your continued recovery!

Practice some simple hand signals with your spouse/caregiver before surgery. I was surprised how long my husband was awake with the breathing tube (and unable to verbally communicate). We had the “OK” & thumbs up/down, but that was it. Writing was out, as his arms were somewhat restrained to...

My dad had a triple bypass when I was about 10. My memories were vague (he was gone from the house about 6 weeks, had a big scar, took lots of meds). I remember clearly the day my mom came to my school to let me know he made it through surgery. That’s about all I remember. Flash forward to 40...

After 5 days in ICU they sent John home (they had no bed space in a step down unit and I guess decided they needed the ICU bed). Never saw the doctor, not once. Recovery at home going much better (meds are given on time & nurse/wife making sure the patient eats & does his breathing exercises)...

(John’s wife here): surgery yesterday was a breeze, but the ICU care has been disappointing. They forgot to give him his pain meds last night, and I had to remind the nurse about his meds today, they decided to put him in a chair for breakfast (his first time sitting up) then left him for an...

The day is almost here! John’s surgery is scheduled for 12/23 at 7:30 am. We are both nervous, but the cardiology team at our hospital has been great about giving us information on what to expect. They’ve even had John doing spirometer exercises ahead of surgery. Thanks for all the support &...

my husband has a Garmin Instinct 2 & loves it. Before his valve started failing he was an avid cyclist, so it was important for him to be able to track his recovery (as well as get a general record of his heart rate and make sure he’s not pushing himself too hard)

Good luck! My husband is scheduled for surgery on the 23rd as well (in 12 hours as I am typing). You will both do great!

I (John’s wife Terri) love Kim Chi. John is not a fan, but perhaps he will be too groggy from surgery to protest 😀 Very good advice on gut flora/stool softeners.

That is great to hear! You really were one of the first generation of OHS patients! And he loves beer so I’m sure he’ll take that advice 🙂

That is very reassuring. My father had a valve replacement & triple bypass back in the early 1980s. I was fairly young, but I recall him being in the hospital many weeks & having a lot of complications and setbacks. And he died 7 years later. Of course, medicine is much improved now, but that’s...

Posting on behalf of my husband, as he’s a little overwhelmed at the moment (he will take over once the reality of his situation sinks in). We’ve just met with the surgeon today and they are going to move forward with surgery in the next few weeks due to rapidly worsening symptoms. John has a...