Someone said to me they felt three months was a turning point post bypass surgery. And having passed that stage I think it is!
Fourteen months after presenting myself at my GP’s with chest pains and breathlessness I had a quadruple bypass. Mine lasted longer than usual and I was in hospital for eight days. Before I went into hospital I had an overly optimistic view of recovery brought on by both comments here and some cardiology staff. In reality I was quite unfit my walking having been limited by cramps associated with PAD (peripheral arterial disease) for some years before the angina cut in. Mine lasted longer than usual and I was in hospital for eight days due mainly I feel to the electrolyte imbalance (initially gained 9kg) and getting my diabetes back under control. I remain unconvinced by the sliding scale used when the patient is in no position to manage their own diabetes.
Once home it was all I could do to get to the first lamppost a few times a day. This remained much the same for a week or so. A visit to the GP for a review showed that I was suffering from anaemia. This has now cleared although my haemoglobin level was slightly below normal at the last blood test.
By this time the heatwave had struck. I read about 10,000 steps but by the end of the heatwave I could only manage 1,000 and would be soaked in perspiration! The weather broke and I was also discharged. With the coming of the cooler weather I slowly managed to walk more and in the past week or so have managed over 5,000 steps without too much stress. The only day I struggled was Sunday as the temperature climbed back to 25C. One evening I took my daily total over 6,000. I aw I was within 400 so took my girlfriend’s dog out for a walk. He just loves going out but dislikes the rain! Her older cat also came along keeping dry darting between cover like parked cars and shrubs. I am not sure how far I can take it as some of the old niggles (absent for years) like my left hip (arthritis) start to play up. So, I now feel I am getting somewhere although not as fast as some but we all start from a different place. My podiatrist has also found that the blood flow has improved in my legs and feet. So, in reality, it was not just PAD, but PAD made worse by CVD.
I start light rehab later this week. Wish me luck?*!
Written by
MichaelJH
Heart Star
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Hi Michael. Glad you’re on the way to recovery. As you say each of us starts from a different place so take the positive that you’re doing 5000 steps and your PAD is improving. Great you are starting rehab this week so that will help improve your fitness. I’m with the dog and cat sensible! I don’t like going out in the rain either!! Take care Zena
Good for you Michael, you're doing just fine. Coming up to two years post my quad, sponsored walk across Hadrians Wall for the BHF is just over three weeks away, 80 ish miles in 5 days. You and I appreciate the cooler weather!!
Well done Michael. The walking should help the arthritis. Iv got a really bad arthritic knee and the pain has greatly improved since I started walking. Onwards and upwards buddy
My orthopaedic consultant said that I would probably get arthritis in that hip as a result of the accident that broke the femur below. It did not happen for a few years but has now.
Great that you feel better and are making great progress. As Zena has stated we all start from a different place and with this the best person to know what is going on is you and how you feel yourself (no on else)
I myself had an AVR and double by-pass with a 10 day spell in hospital
After 6 weeks (and Iamp post marathons) I started 10 weeks rehab physio and each time felt better and better.
One off the things that I noticed was that at the end of each month I felt my inner strength and belief getting stronger as well. I was fortunate to be offered 10 sessions of CBT which helped along with my consultant and GP telling me that this feeling would go on as it was the huge General Anesthetic, given during the op, working its way out of my body. Again this happens at different speeds for us all.
Best thing is keep smiling and embrace the present and the future, it is acceptable (my life my rules) that when things get tough just what life was like before the op.
All the best, keep going and keep smiling (we all need to see more smiles and they are highly infectious!)
Well done Michael. It's not easy but you've proven you just need to keep.putting one foot in front of the other. Some days are better than others so don't beat yourself up if you don't increase your step count. And good luck!
Well done Michael, I am 2 months ahead of you & yesterday walked nearly 8000 steps. We are on holiday for a week on the Costa del Sol so it was warm as well. Like you I had an electrolyte imbalance which was so bad I had to stay 2 weeks in my local hospital after my discharge from Liverpool Heart & when finally discharged I was very weak. I am sure it has delayed the rehabilitation of us both but onwards & upwards we’re both getting there! Jean
I was the opposite I lost between 8 & 9 kilos due to no appetite in both hospital possibly due to very potassium I think.
Glad to say my appetite has returned & I have kept most of the weight off possibly because a I am more active now. I am in the middle of cardiac rehab in the gym & try to walk as much as I can. This morning I’ve walked 8,942 & that was in the heat of the Costa del Sol. Had enough now though it’s siesta time! Jean
Hi Michael, looks like you are doing fantastically given things and any turning point is great, I'm sure rehab will be the next turning point. My rehab nurse said a dog should be put on to a prescription so they do aid our recovery. My dog has been a godsend. Best of luck with rehab xx
Well done, your post makes me feel so good. I had not a bypass but a heart attack 5 weeks ago. I've had spinal problems, arthritis and peripheral neuopathy and mostly use a wheelchair/scooter for 18 years so rehab was always going to be a problem for me apart from pottering around the house. Two days ago I managed just over a mile throughout the day which is 4 times what I've been able to do in the past year. I thought just under 3000 steps was low but you've cheered me up no end. If I could do what you've managed I'd be delighted. Well done. I'm too slow as yet to take the dog with me.
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