Mum’s Heart Surgery

[Pebbles16]

Hi,

Thank you so much for all the replies I had about what mum would find useful to take to hospital with her, you are all so kind and helpful. I wanted to give you an update as she had her valve replacement surgery yesterday. We were all on tenterhooks just in case it was cancelled at the last minute, but fortunately she was bumped up to first on the list and after an agonising wait dad heard from the hospital around 2.30pm to say the op had been successful and mum was still sedated but in recovery. He rang again around 7pm and she was in ICU and almost awake, knew where she was and that she’d had an operation. They kept her lightly sedated last night and kept her breathing tube in as she got a bit dehydrated. He’s hoping to speak to her when the hospital ring later this afternoon. It’s so hard being 100 miles away on the end of the phone and fearing the worst when you haven’t heard anything for a while! But looking positive so far. Someone asked me before what valve she was having, she chose to have a tissue valve after discussing it with her surgeon. She had her 71st birthday on Saturday - what a way to celebrate! Just wanted to say how grateful I am to everyone on here, and I’m sure I will have many more questions in the coming weeks!

[080311]

Hi, Pebbles16

So pleased to read your post, now it’s onwards and upwards, remember when she gets home it’s baby steps, and she could be very emotional, it’s just part of our recovery and very normal. Being so far away is very hard I know, one of our sons in Australia and the other is on the South Coast and we live in Scotland! Though the son here came up for the week I was in having the surgery. Hopefully you will get to see her very soon.

Just remember to tell your Mum she is now on the mended heart road we here are travelling on.

Stay safe best wishes Pauline

[Fredders]

Hi, great to hear her op went well. In some ways I think it’s harder on the family, we are out of it but my husband had to go through me having two heart ops and the stress of waiting to hear if I was okay. You’ll be surprised how quickly she’ll perk up after the op. As we’ve said before, she may be a bit forgetful and unable to concentrate, plus tired and emotional, these are all normal and do improve as she recovers.

When she comes home remember to take a cushion or rolled up towel to put between her chest and the seatbelt, can be very uncomfortable otherwise.

Keep us posted and don’t forget we are here if any of you have any questions.

Wendy x

[stillaboveground]

Hi, Pebbles16, So glad to hear your mum had her operation and that's out of the way now, as 080311 says it's upward and onward. We are all here for advice and support, I know I have relied on these good people a few times. Sending love to you and your parents, take care