What to expect

• By Sweetpea64
• Reply 3333701
• August 30, 2012 at 12:01 pm
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Glad to hear you're going into this optimistically! Yes, have whomever will be with you in ICU have something for you to write with. I just posted my experience on Junebug50's latest comment, it's pretty scary so you may not want to read it. I'm just four weeks out from this and really don't know how you could do this without some kind of pain meds.. I too have a High pain tolerance, but am still taking Vicodin just to be able to sleep comfortably. I'm sure your doctor will come up with some kind of answer. My most severe pain actually comes from my graft harvest site. My mammary artery was used for my bypass and that pain is not diminishing, it seems. The sternum bone has a pressure/pain like someone putting a plunger on the top of your sternum and pulling HARD.
My son came into ICU to see me (he's 21). It was good for him to just see that I made it. I was completely wrapped up like a mummy, so he didn't see ANY tubes or anything else. It may be too much for your daughter. You really won't want to have visitors other than your closest family, most likely. You will probably come out of the surgery with chest tubes sticking out of your stomach. These are not comfortable.... They won't be removed until just prior to your going home. You will likely have a central line placed in your jugular vein for meds. It's just tough to feel presentable with all this stuff sticking out of you. The best thing that friends can do is come and visit you once you're home. Have them bring dinners to relieve your mom from cooking a bit. My co-workers came to visit the night before my surgery, but I wasn't up to any visitors afterward. It's really not an easy time. I took smiling pics of myself and my new scar and posted on Facebook for my friends. It was best for me to communicate with them this way in between naps. You'll need to sleep ALOT during your hospital stay. If you have an iPad or some kind of communication tool, take it with you.
I read last week about your concerns about the scar. I have been using ScarAway for four days now and already see a difference!
It's good that you're asking questions, I wish I had had time to do it!
All the best,
Karen

• By imapeacemaker
• Reply 3333809
• August 30, 2012 at 12:38 pm
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Oh thank you so much for all your help. I know that I will not want visitors and everyone is really wanting to come see me cause I live so far away from all my close friends and coworkers like an hour away. Have you started cardiac rehab yet? I have ordered some scaraway and hoping it will help with the gallbladder scars as well!

• By Sweetpea64
• Reply 3333894 · In reply to 3333809 by imapeacemaker
• August 30, 2012 at 1:12 pm
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My first dr. appointment (since coming home) is next Wednesday. I'm hoping then I get cleared for cardiac rehab and to drive. This couch potato thing is driving me crazy! My friends and co-workers are also that far away. Don't be afraid to tell them before you go in, that you'd prefer they visit you afterward at home. I too am known as the one who has a smile during the grimmest of times, but this really kicked my butt. I was pretty emotional and would cry at the drop of a hat for the first week or so, still am a bit if truth be told! Good that you got the ScarAway already! I have Been cutting the strips in half lengthwise and putting three in a row vertically. I cut one three inch piece in half lengthwise and then in half again for the chest tube scars. Be sure and prepare yourself for the chest tube removal and ask for some pain meds if at all possible... This was UGLY at best and I was not fully prepared for it. I wish I had known all of this before it happened.

• By shamrock7
• Reply 3334228
• August 30, 2012 at 3:30 pm
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Dear Peacemaker,

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that all goes well and you have a speedy recovery. I agree with Sweetpea, you are going to need pain medicine to help keep you more comfortable and help you recover. I didn't want visitors when I was in the hospital either. You will not feel like seeing too many people. I also kept my husband's visits short because I napped a lot in between taking my walks and using my incentive spirometer every half hour to prevent any respiratory problems like pneumonia and to help cough up secretions from my lungs. I can't stress how important it is for you to do this. I actually made a game out of it trying to get that little ball up higher and higher every day. I would do it 5 times every half hour when I was awake and the nurses were great in cupping their hands on my back to also help me cough up secretions. You also may find it more comfortable to sleep in a recliner at the hospital and when you get home until your sternum heals which takes awhile. Some heal faster than others. I couldn't lie flat in bed for quite some time and found a wedge pillow helpful since I didn't have a recliner at home. I am also praying for your mom . Like you, I remained calm going into my surgery because of my belief in God and handing everything over to Him. A lot of people say this surgery is harder on our loved ones than it is on us. God Bless you and your family and know we will all be waiting to hear from you when you are up to it. Shamrock

• By Ponygirl
• Reply 3334390
• August 30, 2012 at 4:47 pm
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Hi Peacemaker: I just wanted to comment on your calmness issue. Once I had made my decision to have my mitral valve repaired, I just accepted it and said that I would be better coming out of the surgery if I was positive going in. And I worked and rode my horse up to the very night before my surgery so I could just keep my mind occupied and people also commented on the fact that I wasn't in a corner wailing. We all handle stress and issues differently and I can handle my own personal issues better than I can see a loved one struggle. Once I came home from my surgery my attitude was that my valve was now fixed and I my job was to get myself mended up and back on track to where I was before. I must tell you that the surgery is an enormous one and the breathing tube is the hardest part. But, you only have the breathing tube in for a short while, no more than a half hour after you wake up b/c your lungs have to be working on their own and be able to process room air after the anesthesia. (All your internal organs take their time waking up and functioning on their own.) So that is the toughest part. I was only in the cardiac intensive care unit for 24 hours, transferred to the cardiac step-down unit, starting walking the next day and went home after three days, but I really was a walking fool b/c I wanted to go out. I agree with Shamrock that you need to do the breathing blow thingy religious so you can get your lungs clear from all the fluid so you don't get pneumonia. So, the walking and breathing exercises are the most important the first few weeks you are home. I have to run now, and will post more later, but take care. I commend you for how you are handling things and your wonderful positive attitude. You will be just fine. Hugs --PG

• By PamsPups
• Reply 3335397
• August 30, 2012 at 11:45 pm
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Tomorrow will be one week since open heart valve replacement so forgive me if this reply is biased on the pain level. Although a lot is still foggy here is what I know.
They took the breathing and NG (gastric) tubes out fairly soon after I opened my eyes in ICU. First thing I noticed was how shallow I was breathing, just little pants, because it hurt to breathe due to the sternum. The chest tubes didnt come out until day 3, discharge day. I was scared to death of having the chest tubes pulled, crying for meds first. It was over in a second and I said "was that it?". It wasn't pleasant but it was literally a second and done.
From the day of surgery until right now (7 days) I have not been able to lay flat or sleep comfortably. I slept (use that term loosely) on a recliner at the hospital and play musical chairs all night here at home. The back pain for me is horrendous. Back, shoulders, sternum and neck. I have had 3 migraines probably due to sore muscles in my neck. Percocet doesn't touch the pain so since you don't take meds you aren't missing anything here. It feels like a constant spasm. Not everyone gets it, it seems tho, so I hope u are one of the lucky ones.
I can only walk about 5 mins at a time at this point. Get too short of breath and heart pounds. Take it easy!! there's no race. But try to walk as much as possible. Third day home I am only at 5, 5 minute walks a day. After that I'm exhausted.

I could go on and on since this is my first post here so I will stop and hope I was some help in what to expect.
Good luck and you will be in my prayers. Feel free to mssg me if u have other questions or just want talk.
HUGS

• By purple66
• Reply 3335544
• August 31, 2012 at 1:57 am
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imapeacemaker,

I am similar to how you describe yourself emotionally, and also would consider myself happy go lucky most of the time. I don't think there is anything wrong with that - of course I may be prejudiced, eh? :) Sounds like you have a great attitude going in and that can only help.

My aortic valve replacement surgery was 3 years ago today and I remember things like it was yesterday. It leaves quite an impression. I had open heart surgery when I was 13 years old to repair the valve so this was my second time around. Enough time had gone by that I had forgotten......I read the brochures and thought I was prepared and knew what to expect.......but the brochures didn't properly prepare me. They underestimated the recovery time so I felt I was lagging behind or being a slacker. Really it's just very individual for each of us. Our body has it's own pace. Allow your body time to heal.

My daughter was 24 years old and still cried when she saw me in ICU afterwards I was told (I was medically under for 19 hours after surgery) There were tubes everywhere and I looked awful. They had me pumped me full of fluids and that combined with being on the bypass had put 24.25 pounds of fluid on me - I kid you not. I am pretty sure this is unusual though.....there was some kind of "issue" my family was told but they say they don't remember what it was. Anyway, pretty sure it might be scary for your daughter who is much younger.. I might consider letting her go to school late though so she can see you before.....

When I woke up my first thought was "oh thank God, I made it" followed quickly by "oh crap, the breathing tube is still in". Seemed like forever till they took it out but it probably wasn't that long. My arms were tied down and I tried to tap out SOS in morse code with my index finger. I laugh at my attempt now but at the time I thought it was brilliant. It didn't work. LOL It was very dim in ICU

I didn't think the pain was that bad.......I was expecting it to be worse. It was more like VERY achy. But I was on morphine and vicodin. They stopped the vicodin after day two. I was out of ICU and in a regular room within 24 hours. They had me walk from my bed to a wheelchair to move me up to the 7th floor. I was surprised by that. Helps prevent blood clots to get mobile as soon as possible.

I had a few issues come up afterward including rhythm issues......I developed complete heart block and they were waiting to see if it would clear......it didn't and I got a pacemaker on day 9 then finally went home the next day. I also had stress diabetes that lasted 4 days then thank heavens went away. By the time I went home I weighed only 1/4 f a pound more than when I arrived despite the HUGE water weight gain (lots of diuretics and bathroom visits)

Halloween is my very favorite holiday and that gave me a good goal. I was well enough to go out with my friends, dressed a serving wench, for my first time out and had very much fun. I was tired - but loved it and felt more "normal" again.

Now as for the TEE........I had one prior to my surgery and was scared to get it......it was a picee of cake. I hope you don't have reactions to sedation because that is what got me through it so well. They wheeled me into the room and the nurse started talking to the doctor. She said "doctor, are we using propofol? Now mind you this was 2009 and Michael Jackson had just died form propofol in a home setting......I jokingly said "didn't propofol just kill Michael Jackson?" I swear to you I could see the doctor roll his eyes from across the room as he said "that wasn't in a hospital under proper care". LOL They actually gave me fentanyl and apparently I liked it. I told ANYONE who would listen that I liked it. The procedure flew by and seemed like about 5 minutes when it was really 20 minutes. I was commenting to my family how foolish I thought it was that they said I had to have family there when they gave the results cuz I would be groggy. I said "I feel fine, I will remember everything." Then later I asked my family when the doctor was coming and they all started laughing because he had already been there to brief us. :) I had a scratchy throat for about one day after.

I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers wishing you only the best,

Jeanne

• By imapeacemaker
• Reply 3336232
• August 31, 2012 at 10:26 am
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Thanks so much guys. Your comments made me smile and made me much more prepared! Purple, I apparently also like the fentanyl and when they took me back to do a scope a few weeks ago I was telling everyone in the OR that I had a single friend and all about her. They said I was trying to get her a hubby at the hospital! I don't recall any of it however. I definately think that it will be best that my daughter see me after the breathing tube etc. come out.

• By Ponygirl
• Reply 3336420
• August 31, 2012 at 11:35 am
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Hi Peace: I think it is a wise move not to have your daughter come see you in the ICU right after your surgery--wait until you are transferred to your room, it will be a more reassuring experience for your little girl (just remember, you cannot lift her for at least four months until you have a solid sternum heal!!). All the equipment that they have you hooked up to in the first hours is a little intimidating. Just remember when reading all the posts, that everyone's healing experience is different and you have youth on your side, a good mental attitude, and family support and you will be okay. I will be thinking of you and sending you all my positive energy. Hugs --PG

• By vampyrra1
• Reply 3339602
• September 1, 2012 at 3:40 pm
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The ICU is really not an appropriate place for children and as such most have rules prohibiting visitors under a certain age... some units 16, some 14 or so. In the 22 years I worked in ICU, the only times I recall a child being allowed to visit was when we "bent the rules" for a seriously ill or terminal patient that had been in unit for many days or weeks. For someone in ICU for post-op observation, I wouldn't be concerned... you'll be out before you know it!

My best wishes for an uncomplicated procedure and rapid recovery!

Terri