How to Make THE Heart Pillow More User-Friendly

When you have open heart surgery, after the operation,the hospital will give you a heart-shaped pillow to hold on to when you have to cough or sneeze. It is truly a blessing and a comfort. However, it is invariably at the bottom of the bed or behind you, or above your head when a cough comes upon you, and the last thing you feel like doing is reaching for it. But there is a way to keep it near at all times.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 

   It just so happened that during my open heart surgery, I also had to have a pacemaker put in to regulate the speed of my heart; and because of this, I was given an arm sling. It's purpose was to keep me from raising my arm above my shoulder until the pacemaker location was healed. I tell this because it plays a part in making my heart pillow more user-friendly after going home.

2. 

   During my hospital stay, the pillow was great, not only for coughing and sneezing, but also in giving me more confidence when rising from a lying position to a sitting position or vice versa. Just holding against my chest helped alleviate the pain that any kind of movement brought.

3. 
   holding the heart surgery heart pillow

   When packing my belongings to go home, they also packed the arm sling, even though I no longer needed it, and as it turned out, I was so glad they did. On the drive home, I was looking at it, and I could see a way that I could attach it to the pillow and secure it around me so that it would stay on me all the time.
   There were two "O" rings with a soft band that went around your neck from one ring into the other ring, pulling the band back upon itself with velcro to hold it in place.
   Cutting both "O" rings off, I attached them with a large safety pin to each side of the pillow, and wrapping them around my back, pulled the band back upon itself with velcro to hold it in place. Picture is at left.

4. 
   heart surgery

   What a sense of comfort this brought! Just walking around, sitting down, getting up, turning over in bed, and of course, coughing and sneezing. It also alleviated the discomforting feeling of having clothes rub against your tender skin where it has been cut.

5. Everyone is not going to have the arm sling of course, but there are other ways to make this work.
   
   A very simple way would be to just tie a long sash around you and the pillow and hold in place with a large safety pin.
   
   A very large belt could also be used.

6. 
   my user friendly heart surgery heart pillow

   The important thing is that the pillow brings great comfort during your rehabilitation, and with it attached to you, you no longer need to be searching for it just at that crucial moment when you need it most.
   The pillow won't be needed for too long, but while it is needed, it is your best friend and comforter.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the pillow to alleviate pain on movement.
• Give the pillow up when you no longer need it.

[GreenGables]

on 9/7/2009 Very good and creative idea to help after heart surgery. 5*

[jillmaria]

on 8/27/2009 Hi! As a medical professional, I am always thrilled to see patients develop their own tips and remedies to ease pain and speed recovery - I'll pass this on to my clients. Thanks!!!

[sixstring2slim]

on 7/29/2009 Hi Shirley. Nicely done! It's a pleasure to read articles that can explain how recovery from illness or injury, can be less complicated and more comfortable. 5*starz ~ Carson