Mental Health
Recovery
Liz: A Valve Replacement Patient Story
Liz: A Valve Replacement Patient Story“I was fifteen. The doctor found and heard that I have a murmur, and in my early twenties I had-- we had itreplaced for a temporary one that lasts about eight years, eight to ten years. And now, in my early thirties, Ijust had- had it replaced.”“My frame of mind was totally different from when I was in my twenties. Now there’s a lot more to lose. Youknow, things are a lot different. There’s more responsibilities, not just about myself. It’s my family.”“And then just- just every, almost every hour, every- every hour of the day you feel yourself getting better. Imean, literally, it’s that fast. And every day they always try to encourage you to do something different, like situp. From sitting up, then they ask you, “Can you walk,” with a walker, usually at first. You have the assistanceof a nurse, as well. And then, you know, it’s just making sure you’re comfortable.You have enough pain medicine, because that’s important with recovery.And then every day is just- just another day, just, you know, you just wish that you’re, you know, you’re- you’rebetter as soon as possible.”“When they told me I was being discharged, I was-- like I almost leaped out of bed. I was really, if I can usethe word, psyched, to go and- and go home, and, you know, just- just start getting better at home.It was an awesome day, because, you know, I haven’t been home. I haven’t seen my son for, oh, for I don’tknow how many days that was, but I was excited. I was at times a little scared, ‘cause you don’t have thehospital support, you know, being home. There’s- there’s a lot of uncertain- uncertainty in- in whether or notyou can take care of yourself at home, but, yeah.But I had my family. I had John. I had my family and, you know, where the best medicine of all is- is, like, myson, and- and just being home.”“I think she realized afterwards that, you know, I did pay attention when they gave the post-op instructions and,you know, I am-- was very capable enough to- to help her out, as well as, you know, family support definitelyhelped-- uh.. helps, as well.”“Well, you know, even though it’s rare for younger people to go through heart surgery, it does happen, but youadapt. You- you move on. You know, you get better, and- and, you know, life goes on, and, you know, life isgreat right now.”This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.VER60072B EN LizAValveReplacementPatientStory.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
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