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Update on my mom's aortic valve replacement

kk_stl
0 Recommendations

I've missed reading posts the last few weeks. My mom's surgery was a success today. She had a mini sternotomy to replace her aortic valve due to stenosis. Apparently, the stenosis caused part of the heart muscle below the valve to hypertrophy and it was cut away. I didn't catch the term for it. I think it is supposed to make the heart function more efficiently. The surgeon used a new brand of cow valve so he is very optimistic.

Apparently, the next 24 hours will be critical to see if bleeding or other complications occur. Please keep us in your prayers.

As some of you know, my family is not the best support system but I'm getting by. I'm pulling the 3rd shift so it will be a long day.

kk-stl

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Surgery

4 replies

mariecee

Hi, so glad to hear your Mom came through the oper OK. I also had the cow valve replacement. I did e mail your Mom a while back. If you want e mail me, or later on, if Mom has any quest, she can call me. I will give u my phone # if you would like.

Katz

So glad your Mom's surgery went well. It's always scary when something is wrong with your mother, no matter how old you are.

Scottie

kk_stl

She was not a happy camper when she awoke from the anesthesia this morning, about 14 hours after surgery. She tried to pull out the breathing tube so they tie back your wrists.

She's not taking deep enough breaths so she has some machine that acts like the incentive spirometer.

Now, they just rotate her from side to side. They might try to sit her up in bed tonight.

It hurts when she tries to push herself up on her elbows...just out of habit. They gave her the heart pillow.

There was a scare last night after surgery with bleeding but that eventually reversed itself. Apparently, that is a common problem after surgery.

We wish we could take a picture of her sleeping while hugging her pillow. She looks like a heart poster child when she naps with it clutched. :-)

Tried to request a bedside stethoscope be used since we're at a major teaching hospital but it's not on the priority list. They have a crappy disposable one they give to MSRI staph patients of which she isn't. A nurse friend suggested we request them to use a latex glove over it but we don't want to wear out our welcome or their patience.

If the group of 10 newbie residents start coming inside her room though and I'm there, you better believe I will enforce it. I'm am afraid for myself when I need to be treated by this new crop of med students. They are a different breed and not very impressive. I listened to the hospitalist train them this morning and heard there responses, etc.

KK

terodac

I am a member of valvereplacement.com. You will find a lot of good information there and it is only for valve patients. God Bless!

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