Just received 2 weeks notice for Mitral Valve surgery at Barts!

[LadyPumpkinseed]

Hail Hearties!

Just got the call re surgery date Barts 15 December. Told to isolate now but partner doesn’t drive and definitely need to organise some shopping. Pleased to have date at last - any advice re packing a bag? Do I even have a bag?!

[Beatles1956]

Hi ladypumpkinseed.Congratulations on getting your date. I came out of Bart's last night, having had minimally invasive mitral valve repair on Friday. I can honestly say you will have first class care from start to finish. My wife doesn't drive, so we had to top up on shopping, including Christmas stuff. All wrapped and put away easily retrievable. I drove her to the shops, she went in and did it all. I sat outside in the car. So give partner a list and hope for the best.

I went in Wednesday, had various tests/ scans etc Wed and Thurs. I was in a side room, which seems to be where they put us awaiting op, as we don't need much attention at that stage. Used own clothes and PJ's those 2 days.

Had to use the special shower stuff Thurs night, then again Friday morning. No creams or anything used after that. Take roll on rather than sprays.

Was in a dizzy spin, but met surgeon and anaesthetist night before, put my mind at rest. Went in early, lay on the warm bed in theatre, breathed in a bit from oxygen mask, next thing I knew it was all over, woke up in ICU. Bit hazy about timescales, but I think I was in ICU Saturday, moved to HDU Sunday. Stayed in operating gown till moved back to ward Monday, when it was good to have a strip wash sitting at the sink, then changed into own clothes.

Constant stream of surgeons, doctors coming to check on how you feel, and nurses/ nursing assistants doing blood tests, ECG, obs, giving meds, etc.

I remember in ICU asking the nurse if we could phone my wife. No, it's half past 3. Convinced it was 2 hours later, I kept asking same thing. Apparently only 10 mins had gone by. I eventually got my phone call, which was brilliant for both of us.

The nurses really are first class, but I had mixed feelings when the ICU nurse tripped on my catheter tube. She hurt her hip as she fell, but it made me sit up a bit sharp!

We were in a bay of 4 post op, which seems to be the way they can keep close watch on us. Able to go for a wander as often as you like/ feel able. Usual route was up the corridor, through day room, back down the other side. Most of the time we chatted, read or slept.

Hope this helps you, but if you need anything else, please feel free to respond or DM me if you wish.

All the best

Martyn

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to Beatles1956]

Thank you Martyn, It sounds like you had an excellent experience, v reassuring. I realise minimally invasive surgery is going to be different to sternotomy, recovery wise, but great to hear it went so well for you. A bit destabilising suddenly getting my date but thank goodness! Fingers crossed and I wish you all the very best on your road to a new lease of life.

[080311]

Hello LadyPumpkinseed

Great news you have a date. Keep yourself busy organising your kitchen anything you use often and is on a high shelf move down.

Packing your bag normal stuff, front opening pjs no arms above your head. Slippers dressing gown though didn’t use mine only when they took me for a chest X-ray before I was discharged. Your sponge bag for showering, a soft blanket to roll up ( I had a baby blanket) for when you do your breathing exercises and coughing, and if you need to sneeze! Hold it against your chest really helps. I ended up sleeping with my arms wrapped around it became my security blanket. Mobile phone iPad to keep you occupied, if you have a long charging lead great.

Follow the instructions you are given by the physios listen to your body when you get home when it says I am tired you rest. Keep doing your breathing exercises when you get home, they really help. Your lungs collapse when we are on bypass and they need a bit of help getting all those little pockets filled out again.

Let us know how you are.

Sending you best wishes Pauline

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to 080311]

Thank you ( quietly weeping here!)

[080311 in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

Oh dear, it’s really ok. You are so well looked after you have no pain they really make sure of that I remember the nurse coming to give me some pain killers and I said no thanks I am not in any pain she said that’s because we make sure your not 😂 these last couple of weeks are the worst, I was in hospital 7 weeks before being transferred to the specialist heart hospital so I just couldn’t wait I just wanted to go home. It’s a scary place you are looking into but your medical team do this as their day job. I live in Scotland and had my surgery at the Golden Jubilee it over looks the river Clyde. The night before my op my family had left and I have never felt so alone in my life I was looking at the Clyde and this feeling of peace came that if I just gave myself up to getting my heart mended everything would be ok. Maybe it was my brain helping me out but maybe not!So before Christmas you will have a mended heart and on the road to recovery.

I will certainly be thinking of you,

Pauline

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to 080311]

Thank you for your encouragement - I shall endeavour to find acceptance and peace

[080311 in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

You will be doing a jig before you know it 😂

[Beatles1956]

Couple of extra things to pack, some small Robinson fruit squash, the ones you only need a few drops, as you are constantly drinking water and it makes it taste better, but they will be back on ward when you are in ICU/ HDU. Also some sweets to refresh your mouth, but you won't need extra food, the food is really good. I think the anaesthetic did something to my taste buds though. Like Pauline, I only used my dressing gown once, you soon get used to seeing people wandering about in PJ's.

[LadyPumpkinseed]

Good news re food! Thanks for this advice

[fixedrider]

My double-bypass was at Barts two and a half years ago. They were brilliant, but a bonus was the ease of reaching the place on the Underground, which was great for my wife and family coming in to visit. Basically it's a place where driving in would be a mixed blessing anyway.

[spinningjenny]

Take a book and/or a puzzle book. It tends to get a bit boring in there. Nothing too heavy though, I tried reading Vanity Fair while I was in, in hindsight I should have taken something a little simpler and a little thinner!

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to spinningjenny]

😂😂

[LadyPumpkinseed]

Thank you Fixedrider, unfortunately with Covid restrictions I would only be allowed 1 visitor if my stay was longer than 7 days.

[Blackcatsooty]

Good morning right hon pumpkinseed

I replied last night then my internet decided to fail. One of the downsides of deepest rural Essex.

But the plus point is that pauline and the Beatles have given better answers than me, so I won’t go into that.

My OHS was late April 2020 when the pandemic was at its worst. So no chance of visitors. However, this wasn’t bad at all. The staff were brilliant and someone popped in every hour or so. Doctors, nurses, HCAs, catering staff , consultants, engineers, cleaners and so on.

The waiting is by far the worst. Once I got through the front door, the anxiety melted away.

I was supplied with a “teddy”. And I hung on to that when the op was over.

I took my brand new iPad plus a dummies guide and I passed time learning how to use the iPad. Mind, I forgot nearly everything I learned. I also took my large print modern bible. I wanted to read Revelations. Duly read….didn’t understand a word of it.

I am a right faddy eater but the meals were super.

I was in central London, but it was fine.

BTW you couLd order shopping from Sainsbury . Having it delivered was good after the op.

Best wishes

Colin

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to Blackcatsooty]

😂👏🏻right honourable! That’s cheered me. Thanks for that.

[funnyfennel in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

I found audio books good on the phone. (so take earphones in) You can find a lot of things to listen to on BBC Sounds app. As everyone says, once you are in their hands and after the op, although its uncomfortable, your anxiety will disappear. The nurses are so helpful and caring. I wish you all the best.

[Brolly12]

Sorry if I am repeating others, I haven’t got time to read the other replies. I had the same op as u and feel amazing now. You are in the worst time now - just before the op is the hardest. But just take your mind off things as much as poss. I bought a small, soft travel cushion in ‘go outdoors’ for about £5 it was great for hugging if u need to cough- the hospital give rolled towels but they are quite hard. Also wear short sleeves as you will have cannulas hanging off your arms. If you are a lady I highly recommend a special bra that does up at the front (also Sainsbury’s sports bras were good and cheap ). Take your phone and charger too. Hope this is a little helpful - you will be out before you know it ! Best wishes, let us know how it goes x

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to Brolly12]

Thanks Brolly12, I’m sending off for a BHIS bra, only know about those from the forum - thank goodness for all the brilliant advice and support and cheer here.

[Brolly12 in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

That’s the best bra - I had one of those. Take it down to the operating theatre with u and they put it on u . You will need it ♥️

[funnyfennel in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

Yes, I bought x2 of them and awoke to find it had been put on me. It provided good support (especially if you are on the large size like me!) You can undo the bottom few hooks if necessary. After a week or more at home, I began to wear it less and use a normal front fastening one.

[kkatz]

I always have a bag packed like a pregnant woman.Suspect I might make changes if surgery involved.At least a week of meds.Nightwear.my hydromol body wash.Charger for phone.Spare bra & knickers.Shopping online is easy .we usually use Sainsbury's saver slots.Good luck

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to kkatz]

Thanks Kkatz

[Beatles1956]

Just thought of something else; without wishing to be too lavatorial, I think when I came off the catheter they had to measure output, so had to use a bottle. That was ok while in the bathroom, but not when you have to use it by/in the bed. Tissues provided, but nothing else. Glad I took a couple of packs of facial wipes, useful to wipe your hands. (Aldi).

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to Beatles1956]

Thank you! How are you feeling?

[Beatles1956]

Tired, finding it difficult to sleep, but I understand that is quite normal. Walking every day (even in this weather), mostly up to the surgery for blood tests (warfarin), or stitches removed, etc. That is 1/10 mile each way, takes about 10 mins each way. Find I can tackle a couple of admin type jobs around the house, then I am whacked. I find it difficult to sleep in front of the telly, so have just started going up to bed for an hour or two, with the radio on in the background in the afternoon. Not worked yet. I have a very dry mouth and my voice is very"weak", might need to ask my surgeon about it when I see him.

Cardio rehab have been in touch, start in January, was given a choice of venues.

I was very lucky to have been selected for minimally invasive, but it still has its own downsides. I am sure it's nowhere near as bad as the sternotomy route. Strangely, my inside right thigh is numb, where they attached the heart lung bypass machine.

Looking back a whole week since discharge, I have moved on a lot.

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to Beatles1956]

I’m just off to bed but thank you so much for the update- will respond properly tomorrow but we’ll done on your steady progress.