How can I help my mom after valve replacement?

[lilybrooke14]

We just found out today that my mother is going to have valve replacement surgery in a few weeks, and possibly a bypass at the same time. During the same week, my Grandmother (who lives with my parents) is also going to be having a new pacemaker put in. My parents are in their 60's and are pretty healthy. Well, until recently. I know they'll need help on the ranch, and I can handle that. Grew up doing that. I have also been searching for heart healthy recipes that I can make and put in the freezer for them to use after we have to leave. Aside from moral support, is there anything else that I can do that can make this easier for them? I want to ease the stress a bit, without making them feel like I'm meddling or trying to undermine them.

 

[Disney Doll]

Be prepared for "Post Pump Syndrome".

When my late DFIL had cardiac surgery (and he's not "late" because of the surgery...he did fine with that. Died of cancer a few years later), he came home and his personality was different....he was crankier, more short-tempered at times, then almost apathetic at other times. It was very noticeable, as he was usually a pretty happy-go-lucky kind of guy, usually pretty cheerful and humorous.

My DMIL was all upset by his personality change. We spoke with the MD...he called it "Post Pump Syndrome". Apparently happens frequently after being on a heart/lung machine...something about the difference in oxygenation of the blood the natural" vs. the "pump" way. It lasted a few weeks, slowly his old personality came back, but it was very obvious for the first couple of weeks.

I kind of wish someone had mentioned to us to expect that so we all wouldn't have been so blind-sided & distressed by it. Even though I am a nurse, I had never heard of that....cardiology is not my specialty, so perhaps that would have made a difference.

 

[lilybrooke14]

Be prepared for "Post Pump Syndrome".

When my late DFIL had cardiac surgery (and he's not "late" because of the surgery...he did fine with that. Died of cancer a few years later), he came home and his personality was different....he was crankier, more short-tempered at times, then almost apathetic at other times. It was very noticeable, as he was usually a pretty happy-go-lucky kind of guy, usually pretty cheerful and humorous.

My DMIL was all upset by his personality change. We spoke with the MD...he called it "Post Pump Syndrome". Apparently happens frequently after being on a heart/lung machine...something about the difference in oxygenation of the blood the natural" vs. the "pump" way. It lasted a few weeks, slowly his old personality came back, but it was very obvious for the first couple of weeks.

I kind of wish someone had mentioned to us to expect that so we all wouldn't have been so blind-sided & distressed by it. Even though I am a nurse, I had never heard of that....cardiology is not my specialty, so perhaps that would have made a difference.

Thank you for the information. We will keep that in mind. I've been trying to think of things to take to the hospital for her, as she's going to be there for several days. We've got a portable DVD player, and a Nintendo DS (although I don't know how much she'll enjoy that). I was thinking about putting together a basket with some dried fruits, almonds, nice chapstick, a few magazines, and....I don't know what else.

My sister was upset. I spent a fair amount of time on the phone comforting her. My mother is scared, so I spent time listening to her and telling her it's going to be okay. It's routine. They know what they're doing. I'm the baby of the family. Who's going to comfort me?