Guest guest Posted June 4, 2002 Report Share Posted June 4, 2002 Hello, .... My prayers will be with you & with your doctors....did I tell you that my mom also had a mitral valve replacement (graphite) when she was 75 years old? She is now 83 and well and 'still kickin' When they discharged her from the hospital, they gave to her a firmly stuffed teddy bear to hug when she practiced her coughing....I'm sure that the Stanford staff will fill you in on all the fun exercises you get to do before and after your surgery! By the way, you mentioned that your physician plans to increase your steroids to prevent a major flare up. Did he happen to mention how much he planned to increase your prednisone dosage? Just curious.... as I was wondering if it might be beneficial to my cartilage if I also increased my prednisone prior to my broncoscopic test, which Dr. Herman's Up-to-Date reports as an invasive test. I'll ask my pulmy and ask him what he thinks... Okay, gotta get some dinner on the stove for my hubby.... Take care, Fondest Aloha, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2002 Report Share Posted June 5, 2002 I'm so glad to hear that your mom is doing so well. My cardiologist insisted on a mechanical valve and the surgeon wants a bovine or human valve. He is afraid of me taking the coumadin. Maybe he heard what a klutz I am. LOL , are you taking coumadin now? After I had my open heart surgery they kept telling me to cough. I finally asked why and they said to keep the lungs clear etc. They gave me a pillow to hold to my chest so when I coughed it hurts less. It does help. Are you doing any type of exercise now? Also, they do try to get you up as soon as possible after the surgery. I remember about the third day I was laying in my bed in step down unit when the surgeon walked in and asked me how I was doing. I was in pain but he said come on Sharon, we're going for a walk. He gently helped me out of bed and walked me around the nurses station and took me back to bed. When I left the hospital he told me to walk 5 minutes twice a day for the first week. Anyway, I am getting carried away! Let me know about the coumadin OK? Guess what , everything will be fine. I know the waiting is driving you bonkers but it will be fine Love, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2002 Report Share Posted June 5, 2002 In a message dated 6/5/02 5:37:06 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Lee27a@... writes: << Time >> Sharon, thanks for the info. No, i'm not on any Coumadin now. They told me not to even take asprin or any anti inflamatories now. As for excericse, I just walk right now. I can't go very far, but I try to walk a bit every day. Yes the waiting is driving me crazy and I just want it to be 6 months later. LOL I know I will be fine, guess I just want to hear something from the drs. thanks again for the info. hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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