My father was in his mid-70's when he needed a triple by-pass. At the time, I did not understand the recovery (it was 9 years before my AVR) and figured it would be unmanageable for me with 3 children at home. We placed him in some kind of a recouperative care wing of a large senior residential facility for 7-10 days. It worked very well. He had to share a room and complained of the snoring of his roommate, though! He was also adamant about always having cash on his person, so of course that $100 disappeared!! He then came and stayed with us for 2 weeks, then his brother came and stayed with him at his house for a week. As for me, OHS in my 50's, I had someone around for the first week, 24/7 (family or friend) but really after 4 days home I would've been fine on my own as long as my meals and housekeeping were taken care of.
For both he and I it was very important to have someone there to give meds at the appropriate time. Physically he was practically bouyant. Mentally he was lost and his sensibilities took quite awhile to recover (much has changed for the better now for heart patients and the drugs they use and the filters on the heart/lung machine). It would have been quite a hardship for me in the early days of his recovery, though once that first 10 days went by, I was fine (I'm a squeemish nurse).
I think we all need to set things up as we see fit. Nothing will be perfect... it's a bumpy road even for those of us who sail smoothly down it. You want to be cared for professionally -- excellent choice! Smart to walk in unannounced!! That should ease your mind.
Just keep it all in perspective. It's only 2 weeks out of your entire life! You will be comforted knowing that someone is watching over you, and that someone isn't anyone you know or will feel indebted toward. You can leave early if you are doing fine!
And when you do get home -- you will REALLY appreciate how comfortable and you it really is! There is no place like home!
In case you do decide to break away early, why don't you line up some delivery restaurant menus so that you can have your food brought to you at home for awhile? Or have plenty of peanut butter and jelly on hand, or whatever would be very easy (using a hand can opener will not be possible for a few days or more!). If frozen dinners to microwave, you will not be able to dig deep into a freezer (no stretching or reaching) or lean down an rummage around in drawers for awhile. So re-arrange that stuff so it's right out front now.
Best wishes. Stay calm, however you get there -- it's the best way going in.
Marguerite
