It's sometimes hard to think back to how I was feeling 2 years ago, I had my operation which had been cancelled from 2 days before after having my cleansing shower and pre meds, so a bit of a roller coaster.
I was a lucky one in that my healing and recovery went well.
It seems a lifetime ago now but here is a picture of my scar 2 years later, I still over protect it when I go out in the sun and still use bio oil to help the healing, but all good.
To those still waiting for an operation and worrying about it (naturally) the anticipation (in my case) was far worse than the reality.
If I can help at all ask away.
Written by
Heather1957
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How does feel have all the surgery bye with and 2 years down the line I'm waiting to go in for surgery I'm at the start off it and am I anxious and worried been posting here but still apprehensive good to see someone that's been and done it and enjoying the results Regards Len123
Len, this web site was so helpful to me - in the early days I used it as a diary and often look back to my initial posts. I am sure I felt as you did when I knew it had to be done and I was so so scared and TBH there isn't much anyone can say that makes you feel better.
Bypasses are 2 a penny nowadays and between these and valves I am sure the surgeons can do them with their eyes shut (I'm glad they don't though LOL)
Any operation involving the heart is serious especially open heart surgery, but just think how much better you'll feel afterwards. Don't get me wrong I had pains in my left arm from trapped nerves and some terrible pain in my chest and ribs for a while afterwards, but I popped a few co-codamol which helped the pain and helped me sleep and I always listened to my body.
Don't be surprised if you get bouts of depression, I did and I found out (by asking on here) it's quite common, at one stage I think I wrote I wish I had never had the operation. Luckily those feelings fade.
I would advise you do keep a diary as it does help you focus on recovery and at times you need to look back to see how far forward you have actually come.
This site helped me a lot, sometimes not because people have all the answers but just talking about my worries and feelings and getting support back was a huge help.
The journey has to start somewhere, an old cliche I know but remember it is a marathon not a sprint.
Hi Heather, so good to see you doing well. It's hard to believe two years have passed since we both hd bypass, my anniversary was April. I still struggle, but last year had angiogram which showed narrowing in two of the grafts. I now have bouts of angina and lots of drugs. Still keep myself active, gym 3x a week.
Keep myself busy doing charity work and keeping up with my crafts. Of to York tomorrow for a break with husband and my dog.
My scar is always hidden. I just find it ugly, but it's also a personal choice as I don't want it on show. I think I have come a long way, but it has changed me and I am still trying to work it out.
On a positive note it's good that you still use this site.
Fran I am really sorry to hear that things are not going so well for you.
I have to admit I worry that I'll get further problems as I had a stroke following my last angiogram and luckily it left very very few problems I worry that if I had another one I may not be so lucky!!
As for the scar, yes it is very much a personal choice, initially I felt the same as you and was uncomfortable with the scar, I couldn't touch it for months (I used to pour the bio oil down the scar), I decided about a year ago to wear what I want and if my scar is on display who cares!
I am glad that you haven't let all the problems stop you getting on with life, life is already too short.
Enjoy your break away.
I have been a volunteer Samaritan for 12 years and although I continued to volunteer it has taken till now to find a balance again so I can work (my choice how much) volunteer and live life.
I didn't have a wait, I was an emergency case so whose bed I took at the time ime was probably someone like you on a list. Although you are waiting be reassured if it needed doing immediately they would take you in and do it. If you are concerned ring your surgeon's secretary and tell her/him and ask or an update
I had the result of my angiogram in January and was told I would be called within 3 months, An extra complication was that while my cardiologist at the local hospital could do angiograms the hospital was not equipped to carry out angioplasty ops or bypass surgery so I had to be referred on to the larger hospital. 4 1/2 months later (still suffering with angina) I went back to see my cardiologist for a routine scheduled appointment and about 2 weeks after that I had an appointment to see the cardiac surgeon (I think a phone call took place that pushed things along) After that things moved relatively quickly, I had the pre admission check and was told the next stage is a phone call telling you to come in the next day.
I had the call a week later and my heart was in my mouth (excuse the pun)
I was all prepared and 2nd on the list for Wed 31st May, I had my antiseptic shower, was given my pre-med and dressed in a fetching little outfit, when they came and told me the surgery before mine had over-run so mine was cancelled.
No-ones fault but it is a horrible feeling, long and short I was kept in and the operation went ahead on the Friday morning even though I was initially told that my surgeon didn't work in that hospital on Fridays. I was also first on the list which meant I had a better chance of it going ahead, which it did!!
I recovered well, so well that I was discharged directly from ITU on the following Tuesday which apparently is very unusual. They did need my bed though and truthfully I was glad to be going home.
The rest as they say is history.
I have heard/read about many cases where it takes a long time to be admitted, there are so many emergencies that always take priority.
My own sister-in-law needed 4 stents, they fitted 3 ( the most urgent) then an emergency came in and she was told she would be called back for the 4th, that was in February and she is still waiting.
As for the angiogram itself, not everyone has an easy ride of it, I too was very worried and 4 days after the angiogram had a stroke (which is a possible side effect) luckily it really only effected my right arm (long term) but initially my balance and eyes were effected.
I was really lucky but it has made me very frightened if I do need another one.
Anyway I have waffled on enough.
I do hope you don't have to wait much longer as the waiting can be so stressful!!
Dicky ticker have you not had your surgery yet I'm on the same boat I'm 3 months how are you coping with the wait I am anxuios the post on here keep me sane at times it a worrying time for me just see how some one else is going through this just want it over with
In a sense I am lucky as I have no symptoms and the surgeon said I have the option of doing nothing as I am ok on meds
On the other hand I have the cardiovascular disease in the background advancing and it will catch up eventually
So I am not suffering angina whilst I wait but I do get side effects from medication
Those from nitrates, statins and clopidogrel were so bad that I had to give them up leaving me on betablockers and blood-thinners
So I am coping ok apart from the anxiety when I wake up which tends to dissipate as I get occupied during the day
I also find it difficult to concentrate and all the worry keeps flooding back as soon as I try to relax
The miracle drug was the mood-changing mild sedative before the angiogram
When it took effect they could have thrown me out of the window for all I cared and whilst I could hear them talking I lost all real sense of time and feeling
Apparently we all have a "worry-box" and once we get rid of one worry we find another to take its place!
Hoping this will help in some way
My inspiration has been the late Nicki Lauder
The story I heard was that as he was recovering from his near-fatal crash he went to a function attended by one of the American drivers who had risked his own life in pulling him from his car
Lauder went up to him, held out his hand and said "thank you"
Hi Heather, l also am two years post second AVR with the first one 5 weeks before which failed. l initially felt conscious about my scar which is bigger because the first one had to be reopened but now l don't give a toss. What changed my mind was a nasty experience in Matalan! l was browsing the rails wearing a v necked tee shirt on a summers day when l heard a woman who was about 30, say about me "you'd think she cover up that ugly scar" and laughed with her mate. At first l was upset and because l was on my own l didn't say anything. Then l had a good look at her, she was so hideously fat she looked like she'd eaten a member of staff and she had greasy hair, looked grubby and had chipped nail varnish. From that day forward l have never hidden my scar, there are enough hidden scars within my head from all the trauma. On the plus side l always get more meat when l go to a pub carvery when they notice my scar so that's good. You have done so well Heather maybe we should start a two year plus club? You can be the leader. Take care, Sue xxx
Some people can be so cruel Sue I'm just glad it didn't upset you to much. There are some people who are so unhappy with themselves they try and deflect it.
Maybe I'm helped a little by the fact I have had psoriasis since I was 11 years old so have been starred at because of that. So a little scar wasn't going to bother me.
2 year survivors club sounds good to me, long may it continue. 😀
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Two weeks after bypass. 
22 years old with Myocarditis 
Pacemaker- two questions: implanting & exercise
Yearly check at GP surgery 
I year since my aortic valve replacement
