tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390107437127298472.post6826190093855251412..comments2023-04-12T09:34:43.840-06:00Comments on Moos Crossing: 31 for 21: Open Heart Surgery AdviceMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06474584473012742915noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390107437127298472.post-20071353335881002742010-10-12T08:58:05.421-06:002010-10-12T08:58:05.421-06:00This was some advice given to me from anothe "...This was some advice given to me from anothe "heart mom". While your baby is in the icu get some rest yourself because when they move them into a recovery room it is all you. And you will mneed to rely on that extra sleep you ge.Natalie Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17850539490325223949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390107437127298472.post-73279917124261061972010-10-10T11:50:17.597-06:002010-10-10T11:50:17.597-06:00Look at post-surgical photos from other children&#...Look at post-surgical photos from other children's surgeries ahead of time, so you're prepared to see your baby all hooked up and puffy. I was very grateful for some of the photos posted on the Downs Heart Yahoo group page, and was not too shocked when I saw Samantha afterwards.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14963099760885760598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390107437127298472.post-53590755100513879832010-10-10T00:05:52.425-06:002010-10-10T00:05:52.425-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09157042189311838003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390107437127298472.post-21858080856302293982010-10-10T00:05:07.481-06:002010-10-10T00:05:07.481-06:00Our Lillian Grace had her OHS 1 year ago. I agree ...Our Lillian Grace had her OHS 1 year ago. I agree totally with...be comfortable. I wore yoga pants and a tee and brought the jacket. You have no control over the temp. in the room. Also ask for a private space if you'd rather not wait in the main area. We elected to recieve text msg. on my phone as to when she was in surgery, on bypass, repair,closing and it was really nice. They even sent a text to meet the surgeon in conf. room #2 in 10 min with directions to the room.I took my laptop as our home is in WI and she had surgery at CHop so many were wanting updates and with just the 2 of us there it gave me something to do.<br />Post op let the nursing staff do their job but don't be afraid to speak up if you think your child is in pain. Lillian was totally peaceful the first 24hrs. post op and then became restless and REALLY fussy. I was on it and when the nurse couldn't get Lilly's pain under control(after 3 hours of attempting and then telling me she's going to have some pain, it's ok for her to have some pain) I spoke to the nursing super and a new nurse replaced her and within 20 minutes Lilly was again pain free and resting. Be prepared for the 10-12 hours out post op mark when their hearts can become irritable and and have life-threatening arrythmias. our doc was very straight forward with us. He told us what to expect, and was there in view of her room from about hour 9 to 13 or so. Lilly didn't have any cardiac arrythmias as they expected her too,Praise God, but I am glad he prepared us because I would rather have knowledge going in the front side vs being in the storm and wondering why after 10-12 hours of peaceful post-op is she crashing. Get aquainted with the clergy at the hospital. As Lilly was an inpatient for 8 months before surgery I was glad I knew those on the clergy service and they stopped by to check on us and see if we needed anything.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09157042189311838003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390107437127298472.post-1900513710411325282010-10-09T21:39:16.748-06:002010-10-09T21:39:16.748-06:00I have no experience to offer but I want to say wh...I have no experience to offer but I want to say what a great post this is! Matthew is lucky to not need OHS so there is nothing on my blog about it. But I will be sure to direct people to this post on the issue.Riahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06737298798388579270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390107437127298472.post-6362501686320188812010-10-09T15:51:28.259-06:002010-10-09T15:51:28.259-06:00This is a great post!
We did stay in the PICU wit...This is a great post!<br /><br />We did stay in the PICU with Lucy. I brought pillows and blankets from home. It was nice to have something familiar. Mark and I each brought out laptops, which was WONDERFUL! We were able to amuse ourselves, AND keep everyone updated. <br /><br />We brought a deck of cards. We played a thousand hands of rummy, but that is one of the happier memories of our stay at the hospital. <br /><br />We also brought snacks and goodies. It was a big money saver not to have to buy munchies from the hospital gift shop. Nothing healthy, all junky comfort foods! <br /><br />I never changed out of sweats. If you're going to be there for a while, be COMFY! <br /><br />And that, is my guide, to a successful surgery stay! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390107437127298472.post-45851069543470308542010-10-09T14:59:08.441-06:002010-10-09T14:59:08.441-06:00Loved having my computer. I updated Lily's Ca...Loved having my computer. I updated Lily's Caring Bridge site throughout the surgery. It gave me something to do AND it kept others up-to-date without having to call us.<br /><br />If your child is feeding from a bottle, take some of your own along. I was so thankful someone told me to do this or we would have been in trouble.<br /><br />Your child should not have to be in pain. ADVOCATE for him/her. I am by nature, a shy person. Not when it came to my peanut.<br /><br />Get rest!!! Let the nurses do their job. You will not be getting much sleep for a while once your lil' one is home. And speaking of that...Lily's sleep schedule was completely out of whack for about 3 weeks after coming home from the hospital. Be prepared...feels like you have a newborn again.<br /><br />If I think of more, I'll post. Please keep us up-to-date. I will pray!!Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06533628798558130274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390107437127298472.post-64281447132384443652010-10-09T12:19:55.101-06:002010-10-09T12:19:55.101-06:00buy your baby a bathrobe for all of the tests and ...buy your baby a bathrobe for all of the tests and procedures the day before. it saves having to dress and undress over and over again.<br /><br />we got cell phone updates every hour, so i found it helpful to just walk all around the hospital and distract myself by watching other people<br /><br />don't be afraid to ask them to place the IV someplace other than the head. the first time, they did it in her head and it took a long time for it to heal. the second time, i told them if at all possible, could they try someplace else first and they were able to get it in her foot.Deannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17349924733409797566noreply@blogger.com