Posted by Carl Plaskett on August 17, 2001 at 07:58:01:
In Reply to: hospital stay posted by katie on August 17, 2001 at 00:05:47:
Katie: I agree with Anders re: being insistant about more info/communication from your doctor, but realize that some doctors don't want to have patients involved in their own care and decisions. My former (3 years ago)cardiologist would reach for the door knob as soon as I started asking questions. I finally left him for an EP who never spent less than 30 minutes answering any questions I had, and posing his own questions as well. When I decided upon the maze, he said: "I've been wondering when you would decide upon it.", and then set it all up. He was the kind of doctor Anders may encounter regularily in Sweden. Here in the US, we have to look for them.
I also cannot imagine being released after open chest maze surgery in only 2 days. I was ready after 4 days, but couldn't believe how weak I was when I had to walk more than the few hundred feet at a time I had been doing in the hospital for 3 days.
As far as the sternum discomfort goes, I also am still very much aware of it. It seems to shift at times and I feel it more after some strenuous exercise. I think it is just muscles taking a long time to heal, so I don't worry about it.
I did not have a pacemaker and have remained A-fib free since leaving the Cleveland Clinc almost 7 months ago.
Good luck with your doctor.