THREE MONTHS DOWN FROM CABG - Open Heart Bypass

I am a 68 year old male and new to this web site and so concerned about the worries that some people have about pre and post operation, so thought I would just drop down a few points and if anyone would like my personal thoughts about the procedure then please feel free to ask. I am no expert however when you think the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off - it is actually just a slight bend in the tunnel and the light is actually never turned off. I had a minor heart attack during the May bank holiday this year and was admitted to appropriate hospital and after 3 days went for probe and stent fitting - after this I was devastated to find I had one artery 100% blocked and others very poor and would require a heart bypass operation. Everyone was marvellous and was bombarded with information and booklets to read - READ EVERYTHING - you won't take it all in but will know where to go in the literature to locate and refresh your memory. I personally found the hospital documents more helpful than others! My operation was on 7 June 2018. I know what I had done but have never trawled the internet to watch it - all I knew was that I would be out till it was all completed. I really can't remember being informed about all of the things that would go on in ICU and perhaps that may be a good thing since most people remember nothing about it. Anyway, I woke up feeling a tad sore and drowsy and eventually taken to recovery ward. One thing to remember, if offered pain killers - TAKE THEM. If you initially say no, they will often not ask again and the pain can be very bad. Not from the heart but from the sternum and from the area of the donated artery in the leg. I was personally so scared to get a cold and have to sneeze! Not even able to strain to pass wind! During first day in ward I was told I might hallucinate due to the process I had. However although one person said they saw a white hedgehog on someones head (I kid you not) I experienced nothing, which I was quite disappointed about. First steps and toilet were difficult, just because of the pain but undertaken with care. The auxiliary staff were great and as concerned as nurses and you are never alone. I left hospital on 12 June with a raft of new pills and potions and apart from visit to doctors to have stitches removed and further pain killers, all went well. I did get a bit teary for a couple of days but was assured (and had read) that this was quite normal. All of the wounds have healed well but still get the occasional discomfort in the sternum which if anything is a subtle warning that I am pushing myself too fast. I have now been to five cardiac rehabilitation (Fitness and cardiac exercise) classes which are fun, educational where you get lots of support and encouragement. I have just one class to go and then it's up to me. However hospital staff who run the classes do refer us to sports centres to enable patients to carry on with specific cardio vascular exercise classes, which I will be attending for 18 weeks. As a point of interest, if anyone out there thinks I might be glossing over things, I am not and if you ask me a question, will answer as I remember my experience. Furthermore, I too take anti depressants for clinical depression and stress however, those issues have nothing to do with wanting to live and get well again. Remember, it is your heart, your bypass surgery and for the main, your responsibility to make the most of the gift you have been given by the surgeons and dedicated staff. The future is up to you - don't fluff it because I have no idea whether I will be given another chance! On a final note -the best nurse in the world is your partner or friend, be good to them, you need them! Oh and keep smiling, so much more to look forward to.

[Zena166]

Hi. A good read for those awaiting bypass. Love the white hedgehog! It’s amazing what the brain does to our thoughts feelings emotions and all sorts! Glad to hear you’re recovering so well. Great advice especially the last bit. Take care and keep moving forward. Zena

[MKB38]

I agree entirely with your post ticking-ticker, and for those waiting for open heart surgery I have thought of a few simple things which certainly helped me following my aortic valve replacement last November. Firstly, get yourself as fit and mobile as you are able to in the weeks leading up to the operation, as it is quite difficult to get in and out of bed or a chair without using your arms, so the stronger your legs are the easier it will be - try and practise beforehand.

Secondly, ask your visitors to bring in your favourite fruit, mine was clementines, which really refreshed my dry mouth and awakened my taste buds (not to mention helping with the bowels!).

Thirdly, have a bag of hard boiled sweets handy, I would suck them during the night if my mouth was really dry, and also if I felt the urge to cough, as coughing was painful for the first two or three weeks.

Finally, for the ladies, have a couple of comfortable bras, which either do up at the front or you can get on over your hips to wear all the time, even in bed, for support. Good luck to everyone waiting for the op. Most of all be positive and take it easy. My experience was brilliant.

[Hidden in reply to MKB38]

Absolutely agree - When asked to sit up, I put my feet through the bottom rail of the bed and using my legs was able to sit up easily - a strong core - which can be enhanced whilst sitting at home and crunching stomach muscles and holding for 5 seconds over five mins or when ever you want to do it. The fresh fruit is a must as are the hard sweets, but remember, you will put on weight whilst in hospital, because of the blood you were given and the fluids also. I put on a stone in two weeks however this was resolved quickly with water tablets once discharged. By the way, the nurses will give you a towel to roll up and hold closely to your chest when sneezing or coughing - USE IT it does help to minimise the pain.....Good luck to you MKB38

[invictaAlec]

Hi ticking-ticker,

I thought I might reply to your post to try to give a little comfort to those who are awaiting operations.

Like you I'm 68. Like you I had a CABG x 3 in June and amazingly like you I've had exactly 5 of the rehab classes!

The point I'm labouring to make folks is simply this......whatever your situation, be aware that you are not alone. The will be plenty of others in exactly the same shoes. Put your trust in the staff at the hospital, they will have looked after so many people in exactly your position already and will continue to do so in the future. In my case I was lucky enough to be looked after by the amazing team at St.Thomas' hospital in London.

I'd like to re-enforce what ticking ticker has said about pain relief. If they are offered take them. I turned them down a couple of times because I thought I didn't need them. I was wrong.

All the best.

Alec.

[Prada47]

Hi Ticking ticker Just a short reply to your " White Hedgehog " the guy in ICU with me was screaming that the Doctors and Nurses were trying to Drown him in Chocolate and it was pouring through the ventilation. Powerful Pain Killers in ICU but worth the Drama. good post

ps Nurse topped up my self administered pain pump 3 times in 2 days. When Offered Take it

Frank W

[jimmyq]

A message of hope: I had CABG x 4 in 1997 and I am still around. Good luck hearties!

If you have nothing to do and you have a computer or phone, you could learn a foreign language for free on the DuoLingo website. I am learning Spanish for when we go to Lanzarote. I won't need it but it gives me something useful to do. I do half an hour a day. It is very easy.