Please help going for triple surgery

I am absalouty terrified off the surgery I have put myself in a state off fear and I can't lift it trying everything walking speaking what is it with the brain that makes me so frightened please please anybody else had these symptoms and how dI'd you deal with them in am beginning to lose it with anxiety and stress myself I need help can the. Medical staff at the cardiac hospital help surely they must come ocross people frightened and uncertain anybody help please I need some advice really down and don't want to be like this

[Hidden]

Hi Len

I can't imagine how you are feeling .I am probably the worst person to give you advice as I am a very stressed out person if I don't have something to worry about I make something up !!!

I can only say to you that you have to put your trust in the cardiac people in my limited experience they are wonderful people who only have your best interests at heart . I know this is consuming you and that you are trying for it not to be like this . Perhaps stop trying ? Of course you are worried anyone would be it's okay to be nervous and stressed .

Breathe deeply think of nothing close your eyes and feel the darkness something nice will come into your mind if you don't think .Feel each breath that's all you need to do .Everything will be fine and soon it will be done and you will be posting how you are .

Sorry I can't really help but want you to know people care

Xxx

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Len,

Its perfectly normal to feel that way, at least it was for me as well. For your surgeon its just normal every day routine, same with the anesthetist. They both will come and talk to you, try and alleviate your worries. I found both mine to be very informative and happy to talk you through the operation.

You will also get special care in the post op ward and for the following night or nights depending on your needs. They will get you out of bed, 5 or 6 hours after you wake, you will need to show them you can walk a few steps. After that its up to how quickly you feel able before they send you home.

They will have nurses there to talk to you, but the ward you are admitted to is liable to be very busy with a lot of heart patients, but they will look after you

Give the BHF helpline a ring, they will be able also to talk you through this and help allay your fears.

Keep us posted how things are going, look forward to hearing more

Mark

[Hidden in reply to skid112]

Mark did you handle it ok I'm in bad place with this I've been on the waiting list for a while and totally destroyed my confidencein want be strong for the op did you handle the surgery ok I got that my brain is controlling negative all the time sorry

[skid112 Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

ah, don't be sorry. We all react differently and have different timescales of recovery. At very near the two year anniversary I walked the length of Hadrians Wall, 90 odd miles in 5 days, so yes you do recover. I am off to Spain to walk up, yes walk up, Mulhacen, 3300 metres high, next month just because its there and I can. Others on here are cycling, running and even saw someone putting his football boots on (apologies for the gender assumption if it was a lady) for the first time in years.

There is a lot to go through, a lot of dark times but there is light, smelling the flowers, viviendo mi vida (living my life), amando mi vida (loving my life).

Ask away, there is a wealth of information here and lots of lovely people to help and share

[Handel in reply to Hidden]

Hi Len. I can just tell you how my husband felt and it was not too far off how you're feeling. His quad bypass was cancelled a few times because other poor souls much worse off than him, needed the operating table.

It's perfectly normal to feel really down as you're entering the unknown.

All I can say is you'll be absolutely fine. It's easy to say don't worry about the operation. You'll be in the land of nod and the cardiac team will mend you. These ops are so routine now.

Deep breaths help!

Good luck mate xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Handel]

Again thanks for taking the time and effort to reply

[Avarae]

My brother had quadruple bypass 20 years ago.best thing he ever had done..hes 60 now...i visited him after op and was shocked he was sat up chatting to nurses an looked well.he was bit sore but up an about day after but slowly..try not to worry your gonna do well too ..

[Madeira19]

Hi,

I got myself into a similar state when I had some time on my hands to dwell on my heart symptoms.

I was advised to speak to a cardiac nurse (male) who explained things better than my cardiologist, was such a calm and lovely gentleman, after a 20 minute conversation with him I felt much more informed, calm and confident. And for anything heart related the panic being calmed is lije medicine in itself. I know every nurse may be different but give them a try!

[Hidden]

Spoken with them reassuring just really anxious

[invictaAlec]

Len,

I can't imagine that anyone who has faced this surgery has taken it lightly. I can only offer that what you are going through right now is as understandable as it is normal.

In my case I remember as clear as day being puzzled by the calmness that overcame me as my surgery approached. Normally I'm a total coward with things like this. I had been told that I was "pencilled in for the next day". In my mind that meant maybe it'll happen, maybe I'll get cancelled if a more urgent case cropped up.

During that afternoon pondering my feelings, I think I realised that I had no alternative. Doing nothing was not an option. My thoughts turned to the professionals who were going to mend me. I put my trust in them and felt calm.

Good luck mate.

Alec.

[Syncro69]

Hi Len

I am in the exact same position. I got diagnosed with coronary heart disease a month ago & an now on the waiting list for a triple heart By-pass. I understand how you’re feeling as there are times the fear over whelms me. I’ve found the best thing is be try and be around people as much as you can as it’s a distraction. I’m still working and find this helps to keep me occupied as I find the worst times are when I’m on my own

Try & stay positive

Steve