Recent content by Roncul

Wow! Your replies are encouraging. You've eased my concerns quite a bit. Thanks to all!

I'm 56. I think I'll try my own bed when I get home, but I may use the recliner if the bed doesn't work. I usually sleep on my side, so I think the recliner might help me to sleep on my back. Thanks for the replies.

I had a cardiac cath at the University of Pittsburgh in November, which the surgeon required (we sent him the disk). I'm glad to hear there is no arterial blood gases tests, from what I see here. Let's hope that's not true. There's enough pain I'll have to deal with when I undergo surgery...

I am scheduled for aortic valve replacement in early April at Columbia-Presbyterian in NYC (Dr. Craig Smith). My pre-op appt. is mid-March. What does that usually entail besides basic blood tests, blood pressure, EKG, urine, etc. Do they do arterial blood gases through the wrist (OUCH!)? Thanks!

Has anyone hired a practical nurse or health aide to help immediately after surgery? I'm married, but I don't want my husband to have to deal with helping me with bandage changes, bathing, bathroom needs, etc. If you've used a nurse, please let me know the basic source you used to get a...

[SIZE="4"]I'm wondering whether or not to rent a hospital bed after my surgery. I do have a recliner, but it requires a lot of body strength to get it to recline. My bed is very soft (a Duxiana) so I think I may have problems getting on and off that for awhile. My surgery is scheduled for...

I am vice chair of the Raynaud's Association (www.raynauds.org). Raynaud's is quite common in the general population (an estimated 5-10%) so chances are that some people with heart valve issues (myself included) also are likely to have Raynaud's. From what I've heard and read, there is no...

I have systemic scleroderma as well as a bicuspid aortic valve (surgery scheduled for 4/10). I don't think they're related because the valve problem is congenital but the scleroderma (with lung fibrosis) makes the surgery riskier than normal.