Hello, and my Dad just out of surgery

[Bluegrass]

Hello to all,

Reading the messages here at this forum has been such a comfort to me leading up to my Dad's surgery. This is my first post here, as, for some reason, I found myself unable to bring myself to post until he was officially out of surgery. My Dad underwent an aortic valve replacement and one bypass earlier this morning. The surgeon told my mom that he discovered during surgery that my Dad had a bicuspid aortic valve, which was a big shock to us. In addition, he said that my dad's heart was enlarged, but that he hoped it would "go down in size" a bit now that it won't have to work as hard as it did before (?) The surgery went well otherwise. I have passed along a lot of the experiences you all have had recovering from surgery to my Mom. I was wondering if any of you have any experience with or insight into having a bicuspid valve replaced, or also an enlarged heart, and what we might expect with Dad's recovery in light of this situation.

Also, I live several states away, and am unable to be at the hospital to support my Dad, Mom, and sister, which saddens me greatly! Were any of you all that underwent the surgery able to take phone calls comfortably after a few days? I can't wait to talk to my Dad! I would also like to send a care package, but am unsure of the normal activity level following surgery. Do any of you have suggestions about what to send?

Christie

[terryj]

Glad you found us and your dads surgery was successful. My husband had his bicuspid valve replaced with the ATS mechnical valve on 9/11/01. He is was 51 years old. He did very good after surgery. He was able to walk the halls 1 day after surgery and 2 of our granddaughters came for a short visit on his
4th day after surgery. He came home after 7 days but he could have come home sooner if his coumadin level hadn't taken so long to get in the safe range. He wasn't able to do much reading, so books weren't a good gift. He did appreciate the non-skid houseshoes and some old movies he had already seen. That way he didn't have to concentrate too hard on watching them. His appetite was off so my work sent him a cookie gram and we both enjoyed those. Just remind your dad to walk,breathe,eat and rest.

[Mary]

Christie,
I'm glad you found Hank's great site.
Regarding the bicuspid aortic valve, around here they seem to be fairly common. I had one, but didn't know it until 4 years ago. After replacement, most members reporting feeling much better than they have in years. Hopefully this will be the same situation for you dad.
I think your dad would do great talking to you; maybe by tomorrow. If you let someone know when you are going to call, that might be helpful too. Sometimes it's hard to find free time when nurses and techs aren't badgering you with different tests and procedures, so a heads up as to when to expect your call would probably be appreciated.
Coupons for movie/dvd rentals would be good. I would have also loved a big box of chocolates, but sadly, no one offered me one.:( ;)
Mary

[hpuehler]

Christie,
I had surgery on 1/4/06. I had an aortic valve replacement with a mechanical St. Jude. The surgeon had planned on trying to repair the valve and to his and my surprise, I had a bicuspid valve that was very bad and could not be repaired. The first thing I remember thinking after surgery was, "they must have replaced my valve, because I can hear it ticking". I was right. I am only thirty five so my recovery may have been quicker, but I will give you some care pack reccomendations. Some Carmex lip blam., the hospital is a dry place. My attention span was horrible, but hand held games were nice like yahtzee and poker, nothing that takes too much thought. Gum and mints tasted really funny so I don't know about those. A digital thermometer to monitor temp at home. Maybe a vibrating neck pillow, my shoulder is still sore and I had a hard time laying back. Thank You notes for when he feels a little better. Some of those icy patches for the back or a heating pad, I have used both like crazy since I got home. Magazines instead of books due to short attention span. Some of my friends bought us gift cards to area restuarants so my husband could just go pick up a meal to bring home, that was nicer than flowers! Bland food such as four sheese mashed potatoes, ers, rice, Lipton cup of soup. These were my staple foods for the first two weeks. Was not very hungery, but you must eat with all the narcotics to keep a calm stomach. Gift card to the pharmacy, we spent $300.00 just in co-pays the first two weeks.
Well, I hope all is well with your dad. I will keep him in my prayers. I hope some of the ideas help.

Heather

[Georgia]

Thanks for posting, Christie!

Heather's suggestions were great! Since massage is the only thing that helps the shoulder pain, a gift card for a masseuse would also be nice.

He should be able to talk on the phone as soon as he's out of cicu. Just don't expect him to make a lot of sense.

Heart enlargement: it can take a while for the heart to get back to its normal size. It took mine a year. Some others do so much faster

Best of luck to your dad.

[Ross]

If his heart was enlarged, they probably waited too long to intervene. Sometimes the heart will shrink back normal after a year or so, sometimes not. It all depends on just how enlarged it had become.

[Bluegrass]

Thank you all for all of your responses!! I honestly had no idea what sort of things he would be able to use/enjoy during his recovery as far as care packages go. The suggestions are wonderful.

I have hopes that Dad will feel better than before his surgery, as in recent years he has seemed less active overall, kind of tired, and maybe even a little sleepy! After reading these boards, I wonder if what we thought was Dad indulging himself in his retirement years wasn't really his heart issue. I feel awful, but I never connected some of those lifestyle changes with a possible heart performance problem. Dad had a brief "weak spell" 6 weeks ago, and had the wherewithall to mention it to my mom. A trip to the cardiologist flagged the valve issue, and here we are.

Thank you for your well wishes! My Dad is 70 years old.

Christie

[Granbonny]

I am sure your Dad will be able to talk on phone soon..However, I would have your Mom, sister, to call you..when he is up to talking.....however, I would make it short..I hated to talk on phone..when I returned home. Takes to much thinking.:p He will still have many drugs in his body..that's will make him pumpheaded.:D ..but, they should leave his body after a week or so. You didn't say which state he lives in..cold?..Maybe a few pairs of soft-flannel lounging pj's?Joe Boxer, ect.....Any shirts that button down the front..he will not feel like lifting his arms for a pull-over.....for a few weeks......Hope he does well and can come home soon. Bonnie

[hensylee]

glad to know he's out of surgery.

Phone calls, yess, yessss. Someone in my family spread the word and I got calls from friends and family I hadn';t heard from since we were - well, a long time ago. He will enjoy the calls - but, as Bonnie says, keep it short. Hard to keep your head about you for long while under the pain stuff. He'll be in sort of a limbo for awhile, trying to get over soreness, short breath, trying to walk and do all that extra breathing - just getting himself back in a pattern. It's a job. Encourage your other family members to give your mother some time to herself, even tho she might discourage. They can help by taking some meals so she can devote herself to your father's needs. She'll be on edge, probably, but she does need her rest, too.

Best wishes to you all. blessins......

[aussigal]

Welcome Christie...

you sound like a wonderful caring daughter...


I am sure your Dad would love to hear your voice ....

I know I will be wanting to see and hug my kids after my surgery no-matter how grumpy or sore or doped up I am...

Also maybe add a piccy of yourself in the care package ...
photos of loved ones bring on happy-healing memories .

prayers for a speedy recovery.

[Bluegrass]

Hi,

I just wanted to provide an update on my Dad. He is doing really well! Late last night, he came off of the ventilator. Today when my sister visited, Dad was sitting up in his bed eating a bit of lunch (he was able to eat some rice.) Megan said that it seemed talking was really tiring, so she just sat next to him, and made conversation when he wanted to initiate it; even then he was only able to comfortablely manage a few words here and there. We are so relieved the surgery is over!

I did get a few details regarding his new valve; it is a bio valve (I don't know the lingo, but not a mechanical valve,) but I'm not sure which one. Also, it was 23mm (??)

My mom and dad, and sister are all in Louisiana.

Thank you again for all of the kind messages,

Christie

[BDMc]

Christie, My heart had doubled in size before my valve replacement. One year later it was back to normal. I was only 29 at the time, and don't know what caused my problems. Hope your Dad does as well as I did! Brian

[Bluegrass]

Hello to all,

I just wanted to share that Dad is scheduled to be released from the hospital tomorrow! We're keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes as planned. I had a big surprise last night when Dad called me - I could not believe how great he sounded. I noticed he was a bit hoarse, and a bit short of breath, so we kept the conversation brief, but it was wonderful to be able to tell him that I loved him, that I was so glad he was doing well, and that I am so, so proud of him for telling Mom about his weak spell 6 weeks ago! Mom passed along the info that a few of you shared with me about your own hearts going back down to size, so that gives him hope that maybe he will realize some degree of improvement in that area over time, despite his late diagnosis. Who knows, but we are keeping our fingers crossed. His care package is all boxed up and ready to go out tomorrow.

He did have an issue early yesterday morning in the wee hours that had to do with water retention??? I think I have read on this forum about how watching water retention was important once at home. I'm sure my mom will read the discharge paperwork to the letter regarding these details.

Take care,

Christie

[hensylee]

I know you are pleased that all is going well. we are, too.

Your mom will do her part. You can help by checking in here for awhile til things settle down at home.