Melinda's Posts

Sending prayer, Melinda. CCF is the best. The chest tubes are more weird than painful. If you are concerned, ask for pain meds before the procedure. Realy, it only takes seconds. There are internal EKG wires that just slip out, and another monitor wire in the neck that comes out pretty painlessly. Advice: Stay ahead of any pain, this is not thhe time for heroics. sit up in ICU as much as possible, they can even manipulate the bed into a sitting position. When you get to your room ask for a heart pillow, hold it as a splint when you cough or sneeze. DO use the spirometer as prescibed. They have surgical bras if you ask, I found that breathing was easier with one on. Walk as much as you can. Miralax is your friend if the GI track is too sluggish. Unfortunately, my impression of the food was a 4 out of ten. Some meals are better than others. Ask the food liason. Ask about your iron levels, you my want to eat beef. There are graham crackers and ice cream in the coffee room. I brought my own bed pillow. Dr. Svensson has a Reiki practitioner Sandy, on staff that is wonderful. Do not know about Dr. Gillinov. There is a nice solarium on the top floor, and they even have a channel on the TV with calming music and nice images. Make a Playlist of calm music on your phone for your room. Bring a charger. If you tend to be chilly, bring a loose cardigan to wear in bed. I asked every believer that I could think of to pray for me. Anna Thompson has a good pain control .mp3 on Amazon I think it is a dollar. Technomind has sleep programs, also a dollar. You will get through this.