After waiting on a list since last October I'm finally going to have my op mid-September! After months of anxiety I'm feeling quite relieved (not sure how long feeling relieved will last and turn to panic!!)
Any tips for what to take into hospital and afterwards would be appreciated.
It's great you finally have a date! What a relief. One of our Heart Matters readers wrote a diary of her experience, which might be useful to have a read through: bhf.org.uk/heart-matters-ma...
Take care, Chris
...and this! bhf.org.uk/heart-matters-ma...
That's a great diary, for me hospital I found terribly noisy so I had ear plugs, plus head phones for watching programmes on my pad and listening to music. Oh and a bottle of squash, your throat will be tender from the breathing tube. Good luck
I'm so pleased, just home late last night after a week in for mine.
Very tied will reply asasp
Hope you are ok Madgranny2 and I look forward to hearing how you are when you've got time.
Just a quick reply to wish you luck and mention I had no interest in reading, TVs etc as I felt quite unwell until the day before I came home.
I agree a wash bag, face/hand wipes, PJs (front fastening)some mints anything else can be bought in by visitors
One thing at home I found essential has been a V shaped support pillow it's not easy getting in and out of bed when you can not use your arms/hands. In hospital the beds can be tilted but at
home these pillows help so much
I'm improving all the time and am so grateful for everything that has been done for me good luck xx
Thanks Madgranny2, hope you are feeling ok x
Hi,
Thats fantastic
I have my mitral valve replaced on the 14tg August so i will post on here do any other people having it done know what it's like.
They told me at pre op yesterday that you only take in a wash bag and slippers,this is because of CICU And HDU there is no room for bags,family can bring belongings once moved onto the ward.
Good luck for the 14th. You'll be 5 weeks ahead of me so will be interested to hear how you progress with recovery.
Thank you very much.had a call yesterday and some bloodwork showing some anitibodies,i have had a chest infection so its postponed for 4 days until 18th August or until i am better.more bloods needed now for them to test.this has happened twice now.its very hard mentally 😢
Oh no that's so disappointing for you. But I guess you don't need an op if your not 100% and you will bounce back more quickly if you're rid of infections. Take it easy and keep positive although far easier said than done!
So pleased to hear you've finally got a date. I remember very well the anxious wait & tensing at every hospital letter! Now to plan your recovery!
I ended up with a mitral valve repair ( only down to the surgeon's skill as he told me afterwards!) remember to have someone bring a small soft cushion for the journey home as the seat belt is right where your scar is. Also, I needed a loose pair of trousers as on discharge I was still swollen with fluid..( it dispersed quite quickly) once home, I needed several pillows as it's uncomfortable & you can't sleep on your side or flat)
It's amazing just how quickly you do recover if you're careful & slowly increase the walking. I was starting dance classes 3 months later.
Good luck with your op & a speedy recovery.
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Thanks everyone for the good wishes, advice and BHF articles. Will definitely take in ear plugs and have an first day/night bag and another with more stuff in it.
Does anyone have an idea how soon after the op I'll be able to sit at my piano and play as I'm hoping to take my grade 5 exam 8 weeks after the op?!
I would say take a wide variety of books to read preferably on an e-reader. The same goes for music on a phone or mp3 player. You may want to read/ listen to something very different from your normal favourites - it all depends on your mood. Also take photos of your nearest and dearest. It sounds sentimental, but I found photos of the family in happy times could give me a big boost!. Some hospitals store your belongings while you are away from the ward in intensive care/high dependency.
Congratulations with your date... I too am waiting for a date & can imagine how you are feeling. Desperate to get back to normal & feeling more like myself, active positive & living life to the full.
Being anxious is normal but from what others have said on this forum, it really is the start of the mended heart journey! Embrace it & go with a positive attitude that finally it s going to be sorted. The waiting is very hard & stressful.
Wishing you all the best x
Mitral valve replacement 
Mitral valve repair. 12 months on. 
