Connect
← Return to What I Learned From My Open Heart Surgery
Discussion
What I Learned From My Open Heart Surgery
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: Jun 19 1:26pm | Replies (128)Comment receiving replies
Thank you for the kind words @marybird.
I think you are absolutely correct about the nail polish. It's just I was surprised, and totally get it. Mayo is very precise about everything they do and they wouldn't want anything to go wrong. It's not everyday you have open heart surgery!
You sound like you have been through quite a journey yourself. And here you are! Helping others on Connect. It's a blessing!
The pain management thing was puzzling to me. I did receive half of something, Oxy? Norco? Not sure. Just half of one in ICU, and I got a little itchy. They decided no more and from then on it was only Extra Strength Tylenol the rest of my stay. For the terrible back pain, I was given a lidocaine patch that I could only have once every 12 hours. It didn't do much of anything either. But I must be tough, because I got through this on Tylenol. And started Advil the day I got out! I do not like taking pain meds, but in this case I think I would have accepted any side effects in exchange for mercy! It's okay, because it's all behind me now as you said!
Replies to "Thank you for the kind words @marybird. I think you are absolutely correct about the nail..."
@karukgirl
I'm very surprised about these experiences with pain meds. I had minimally invasive surgery (cut between the ribs instead of through the sternum) for mitral valve repair. I had quite a bit of pain and nurses (all wonderful!) alternated between at least three different pain meds, (an opiod; gabapentin, a nerve pain med; and ???, I think Tylenol?). When I had a lot of pain and asked for something, they would always look at what I had before and give me one of the other meds. The most painful thing for me was the chest tubes - made it somewhat painful to breathe. It was a great relief when they took the last one out.
Connect
Hi, Debra.
I can't relate as far as open heart surgery is concerned, but a lot of what you said can be generally applied to other surgeries and conditions that I and others deal with. So, thank you so much for sharing it with us. Beautifully done!
If I ever need open heart surgery (which I hope I won't), you can bet I'll be right back here to your post for this wonderful guidance and encouragement!
All the best to you. You are a true inspiration! 💕