My mother, age 79, had mitral valve replacment surgery 2-14-07 - pig valve. Prior to procedure, her health was excellent. After 3 days in ICU, she was moved to room. she had very little pain but seemed more alert on 3rd day in ICU than she is today - day 8 after surgery. She spent 5 days in hospital, transferred to acute LTC facility for further nursing and rehab.She still has very little pain but is constipated, only one bm since surgery. I am inquiring via this forum re: concern for her recovery.She remains constipated, very tired. She is unable to complete a sentence her voice is weak.She cannot get out of bed without assistance. She is doing as expected from a physical standpoint. My concern is with her mental state. She is beginning to believe that she will never be the person she once was and will spend the rest of her life as an invalid.She has received no rehabilitation or physical therapy since the surgery. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Is her mental state, which is deteriorating daily, common for what she has gone through? What are realistic expectations for her recovey time-frame? Any ideas how I can reverse her mental attitude and help her to get back to the vibrant, hard-headed, determined person she was prior? I don't want to watch my mother die a little each day until she's gone permanently. Any help, "war stories" and suggestions will be greatly appreciated...........