Food

[Nanny72]

Soft food. I have been on a soft food diet. Is it ok to have a bacon sandwich? Also op was 2nd Jan. When will I start to feel better. I am exhausted every day. Getting dressed is an effort. Have been home 8 days. I want to be able to walk around the house without being tired out

[Sina-6491]

Not going to happen yet I am afraid. You are going to feel like you have climbed a mountain for a little while yet.

Nothing is written in stone on how long it will take you personally of course, as we all heal differently and at different levels.

As long as you except that evan the most smallest of task can exhausted you out for a while. Then the faster the process will go lovey.

Small burst of pottering around the house. Then resting with legs elevated for a bit. Then short walks around the house again, then rest, elevation & so on, so on, etc, etc, etccccc....

Try as exhausted as you are to do this pottering and resting little and often.

Then as soon as you ferl you can, go for tiny walks up the road with family, friends, neighbours.

Then before you know it, your days will gradually improve without you realising. You'll realise the spouts of physical activity will last longer and longer.

Just remember to get the balance right between the rest and activities.

Keep your brain occupied and stimulated too.

Don't lift heavy things, keep hydrated.

Kerp smiling, Jo 😊 xx

[Nanny72 in reply to Sina-6491]

Thank you. I did wonder if I was expecting too much. It was just so sudden and I expected great things

[gal4God]

I had a major heart op in August and didn’t need to change my diet at all. I was onli told to eat healthy and bacon isn’t healthy.

[Philippa_BHF]

Hi Nanny72,

I was wondering what operation you have had? There is usually no need to eat a soft diet specifically,but it is important to eat healthily and to keep hydrated as not doing so will make you feel more tired and lethargic. There is nothing wrong with having 'little and often' to help keep your energy levels up.

Try to be active around the house, making cups of tea etc and perhaps get some gulps of breaths of fresh air outside in the first instance. There is also nothing wrong with having an afternoon nap too to help The strange thing is,the longer you put off these little steps towards your recovery the tougher/more daunting it becomes,but going for those short walks will really pay dividends.

It might be an idea to see your GP to go through what has happened recently and your medication in case it is the culprit. You should be able to enrol on a cardiac rehab programme too - your GP can refer you.

Please feel free to ring the heart helpline if you need to discuss your recovery/anything further with one of the nurses. The number is 0300 330 3311 and there is someone there Monday- Friday 9-5.

I hope I've helped.

Take care,

Philippa

[Nanny72 in reply to Philippa_BHF]

I have had aortic valve replacement. My gp missed my heast problem for over a year despite knowing I had a murmur for six years. Consequently this was an emergency operation. I do not feel well enough to visit the surgery and he does not do home visits. My medication needs repeating but he insists I make an appointment but there are none available. I feel stuck

[Philippa_BHF]

I am so sorry you've had all this to contend with. Having heart surgery really does take its toll,and it is very early days for you. Also, my experience of people who have had heart valve surgery often feel worse before they get better which is really tough!

From the medications side of things your GP will need to review them( some might even be discontinued) as well as represcribe them,so if there is any way to get to the surgery for a routine appointment it would be helpful for both of you. Surgeries often have 'emergency' appointments on a daily basis which they need to fill, so it might be worth persisting there.

He will be keen to see you so that he can check your pulse/blood pressure and wound etc,so although I know you feel really drained,try to get there for a check up.

You will start to feel better soon -it just takes a while- the others here are testimony to that.

Take care,

Philippa

[Nanny72 in reply to Philippa_BHF]

Thank you for your reply. I have very little faith in my gp. I will continue to try to get an appointment. The cardiac nurse is visiting tomorrow so hopefully my medication can be sorted at the least..