My husband (58) has BAV and is having a mini thoracotomy in a few weeks for an aortic valve replacement. He's been nervous enough but Monday we had a Cardiac Surgery Pre-Operative Class and now he's really scared. Less about the actual surgery and more about the immediate recovery. They told us he would come into the ICU still having the intubation tube for anywhere from a half an hour to up to 3 hours. That he would have small tube in his neck besides the 2-3 other IV's. AND he will have a chest tube on each side. He won't move to a regular room until the chest tubes come out. The intubation and chest tubes are really freaking him out. He's even joked about not doing the surgery.
Can anyone who remembers this part of recovery or a spouse who was there and went through it with them please share you're experience? I don't know how to put his mind at ease. I would so appreciate any help.
Thank you.