Mara's Posts

Hello Mara. I have not yet had my surgery which is scheduled for May 6th. But know that these surgeons do this all the time. There are 1000s of surgeries preformed daily to fix hearts. No matter what we are all anxious and nervous but just know that what they are doing will help you live a long healthy life. There will always be some bumps when it comes to surgery but you will push through and do great. Just have faith and be strong and you will be in recovery soon. There are lots of us out here praying for you and thinking about you during your surgery. Good luck Tuesday and God Bless. Soon you will be back to normal.

Well, it depends on how one "plans" recovery. In fact you can't plan and you can't know, you just have to ease into it, and give up some control. Recovery happens in its own fashion. After any surgery there is recovery time. But you move forward, and you recover. The heart is a major organ, so you may find yourself more exhausted than you'd be after another type of surgery. Surgery goes quickly and doctors may find your surgery and recovery as going really smoothly but you may have things that are unexpected (to you )happen. Not necessarily bad, just different from how you imagined it. So breathe. Everyone is scared. It's a real emotion. Wishing you a smooth recovery. Take care.

Mara, I'm scheduled the same day. Great question on what to bring. I'm bringing two books, my glasses, cell phone and charger, sneakers, sweat pants and a few shirts. I'm not speaking from experience! I'm also going to need to find a new rental very soon and new employment as well. So much on the plate but getting fixed first is primary. I concur wholeheartedly that each of the events we referenced are stressful enough on their own. Best of health on the 16th

for me I didn't need much-a toothbrush, cell phone, long cord for charging, headphones, for music/books, ipad and whatever you're going to wear home. I did not wear a bra home, and needed a button down shirt- as i could not lift my left arm to put an over the head shirt on.

There are several things you may consider taking with you. I was told I’d be in the hospital 3-4 days; well I was there 10. During the entire stay I really never felt like readying, watching tv, or much of anything. Medical, nurses and therapist were constantly in the room. Difficult to sleep during the day and at night. I gave my husband a tube of lip moisturizer to use my lips once extubated in ICU. I recommend a pair of pj pants or pj shorts for under the hospital gown. Or, the hospital will let you wear one gown backwards on top of the first one for when walking in the halls. I took extra socks and once walking more I would wear mine first and when I got up would put the hospital sock over mine. The hospital floors were very dirty and I just preferred to not put those socks in the bed. I took a small journal to take notes in and keep a list of people who called, texted, sent flowers etc. I also kept a list of nurses daily. I’m glad I did because when I got home I would refer back because I wanted to remember different parts of my hospitalization. I took basic toiletries to wash my face and brush my teeth. Other than that I took hand lotion, face cream and dry shampoo. Most likely you won’t shower while in the hospital. Just sponge baths in ICU and a bit more when on the cardiac floor. No washing the hair. You will have sternum precautions and can’t lift your arms above your head. My hospital provided a front closure bra with Velcro and once I had the chest tubes removed I could wear it. They said that the movement of your breadts can pull on the sternum incision and make it uncomfortable. Most cardiac floors have them and will give you one if you ask. Lastly, I wish I had taken one of my own pillows. Hospital pillows are stiff and covered in plastic. Very hot and uncomfortable. Ask me questions if you have any at all.