We're into the final countdown now before hubby goes in for a procedure next Tuesday. Trouble is, they won't know until they start whether they can fix him with another stent (he had one last November), or go straight into a bypass situation. Apparently, this is a distinct possibility for him.
We're also wondering exactly how his admission & stay will be different this time due to covid. He's getting quite fearful, especially knowing I won't be allowed to go in with him or visit.
What are your experiences of coping with the anxiety leading up to admission?
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Aska58
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My husband had a stent fitted today, had a COVID test on Monday and had to wear a mask all day, we were told they were staggering arrival times to keep contact to a minimum but he went for 9am and didn’t get done until 2.45 so spent all that time on a ward with people coming and going he’s type 1 diabetic so Had food served then went into cath lab in his own clothes no gown , the dr shook his hand whilst he lay on the table having IV lines put in etc my husband commented on it and he said oh I know you’ll have been scrubbed clean before you came in but actually he hadn’t, he’d washed his hands as he’d been to toilet before going down to theatre but he’d been sat on a ward touching the chair the table the food container and cutlery as well as his clothing which he’d walked into and around the hospital in, so a bit silly if you ask me. It’s worse for you waiting outside and wondering what’s going on, they let him use his phone so he let me know when he went down then it was an anxious wait for him to text when he got back to the ward so I hope someone will be able to let you know what’s happening as the day progresses it’s terrible For both of you, not being able to accompany Him and I send my best wishes to you both and suggest you make sure he has some hand sanitiser and a mask
I think it was, actually, a helpful post - at the least it demonstrates every trust/hospital has its own way of doing things, people can 'slip through the cracks' and it behoves us as patients to be alert and willing to ask questions when things seem to be less than optimal.
My take, any road. I saw the post as a precautionary tale.
I joined this group for some positive & supportive insight.
I understand you are upset. I hope your experience is reported to someone appropriate to deal with it & his recovery is good anyway. I hope in future you will address your concerns more appropriately & not foist them on someone who:
a) cannot help with your health board
b) is full of stress & fear already
Think carefully in future about filtering who you report your problems to.
I had a new valve fitted 2nd May. Admission was cool. A very polite bouncer guarded the hospital doors. Nothing went past him other than me and my clothes, excluding my outdoor jacket. I went to a first reception and temperature was taken and the usual questions about how I have been. Then on to the second reception zone to check who I was, have my luggage and coat taken to the ward and then a nurse came to reception to collect me.
I had my own room and I wasnt allowed out of it. No visitors , not even allowed inside the hospital doors. Staff wore masks and it was odd not identifying staff other than by name tag. But I felt safe and the time went by quickly.
Seeing the surgeons "gowned up" (the ICU overlooked the dressing area for theatre) was a bit creepy as they look like a space walker. But heck, was I grateful they would do all that for me.
Staff were just fabulous. Everyone spoke cheerily to me. Janitors, cleaners, kitchen staff, engineers as well as all the variety of medical staff. Always someone just popping in to say hello.
I did feel great concern for those staff, working 12.5 hour shift then having to get home.
I asked the surgeons etc not to tell me the mdical details. So they just gave me an outline. And, just like hubby, they didnt really know what was needed until they were into the op. Yes I was nervous. But quite bluntly I felt so unwell that it really didnt sink in.
I preplanned by doing two extra things. 1) i had been intending to learn how to use an ipad so that went with me and I had a few goes at it. 2) I have been meaning to read the bible in respect of corona, so I plodded through revelations, which in fact told me nothing but it passed a few hours. With hindsight, I wish I had made better arrangements for phoning home. I do have a mobile but I use it about once a month. The outcome was that I spent a fortune ringing out and my wife spent another fortune ringing in, Way over £150 which I did not expect. Last time I was in hospital there was a free phone supplied.
As opposed to Tyke1 s experience, everything was clean. I had a special shower and soap, including my hair. A nurse took me to theatre and handed me over in an ante room, to a different nurse who was fully protected. The surgeon rang my wife from the theatre suit.
In ICU I was offered a hospital mobile to phone my family.
They checked out my transport and my home before letting me go home.
Everywhere was cleaned. The food trays etc were spotless.
And please remember, hubby wont know much at all for the first days post op. Or indeed not a lot for the first two weeks !
Aska I am at home recovering from a quadruple heart bypass surgery on the 9th of June
I was admitted to stepping hill stockport on the 30th of may I was there for 8days whilst an angiogram confirmed that a bypass was necessary
During my time I had two COVID test the latter a few days before my surgery at the manchester mri as they insisted on it
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared about COVID but the mri had so called COVID free wards and the staff were all wearing suitable ppe
I grant you nothing is perfect but in my situation the risk of me actually dying from a heart attack were greater than getting COVID especially when so many people who do get COVID don’t even get symptoms
Bottom line is that all hospitals have got their act together re COVID and are a lot safer
I can’t make the decision for you , but at least weigh up the risks and alternatives
From your OP I'm assuming the procedure your husband is about to undergo is an angiogram with the 'added bonus' of the team being prepared, if need be, to go straight to a bypass. In light of that assumption, have you seen this BHF video:
Exact actions will vary from trust to trust and hospital to hospital but the essentials outlined in the BHF page and the accompanying video are the same all over the NHS. I found the video exceptionally helpful when I viewed it (twice ) before my angiogram - which I went into forewarned by my cardiologist depending on results I might well find myself being whisked to theatre for bypass. (not needed in the end, my arteries are deemed 'crystal clear' and so will be investigated for microvascular angina post-pandemic)
Hi I had emergency surgery 3 weeks ago and it was absolutely fine. Although it was strange knowing i could have no visitors and was admitted alone the staff were amazing. They all understand the situation and in some ways were able to sit and talk with me for longer as there were less distractions. I was amazed how quickly i was discharged also, the way they have it all set up is amazing. I know it's scary but honestly i have nothing but praise for the way my surgery and aftercare was delivered. I had my phone on me most of the time and was able to facetime my family anytime i wished to. Good luck hope all goes well
Thanks so much - great to have confidence in the approaching situation. So pleased you had such a positive experience & wish you well for your recovery.
Coronavirus worries aside, I'm sure the uncertainty of not knowing whether your husband will have another stent or bypass is really ramping up the anxiety for both of you; if you knew whether it would be one or other, you could plan accordingly. When I felt wobbly about going in for a second attempt at stents (the first having failed), I tried to focus on how well I would feel and the things I'd be able to do once the procedure was over. There was a lady on my ward who was absolutely terrified (that day was the first anniversary of her husband's death, just to make things worse!), but she had unstable angina which was ruining her life, and we had a moment before we went down for the procedure of talking together about how well we'd feel when it was over - and we were laughing and high-fiving once we got back up on the ward, both successfully treated! Easy to say I know, but instead of focusing on the procedure, maybe try to trust that whatever route the doctors take, it will be the one they judge is best for your husband and that once recovered, his health will be much better, with a knock-on effect on his quality of life. Good luck to you both and let us know how you get on.
What a precious time you two ladies had - neither of you shall forget it!
You're quite right about not knowing which procedure it'll be. He could be in one night or a week. Last time there was the camaraderie of fellow patients, but presumably this time will be different.
Still, I keep reminding him that in a weeks time, it will be over & he'll be a new & improved model 😊. I think the waiting is the worst part!
I had my stents done before Covid and went in alone while husband came home to look after the dog. No problems at all. I understand it is different for yu when you don't kow whethert hey wll have to do more. As for the hospital and covid risks, please don't worry. I went to ours on Tuesday and was really impressed at the arrangements and how careful everyone was. Met at the door by a lady who sprayed my hands and gave me a mask then directions. Clinic had screens up. The receptionist had to remove her mask to speak to me as I need to lip read but she was safely behind a screen. Nurse took temperature and explained how my treatment would go, what everyone would be wearing and that I would have to have my whole body covered by a weighted sheet including my face. Once finished the nurse had to take off her visor and dispose of it but kept her mask on. When I left the hospital there was again someone at the door to make sure I removed my mask, disposed of it properly and used sanitiser. Timing was arranged so there was only one other person in the waiting room. I took spare masks, gloves and wipes with me. As for the chance of your husband having to stay in, make sure he has everything he could possibly need for a hospital stay; there's nothing worse than finding your forgot your toothbrush; phone, CHARGER, nightwear, change of underwear, comb, razor, dental fixative if needed; ( I went without on my last stay and boy was that a mistake) wash bag, slippers, dressing gown, something to do such as a book or crosswords or a tablet, anti viral wipes or spray. Learn how to use whats app or zoom or facetime so you can actually see him and talk.
Each hospital will have their own arrangements but they are all carefully thought out for every member of staff. Make sure he asks them to phone you with updates and get the ward's phone number and best time to ring. Forget Covid; they have all that in hand and just concentrate on your husband. Before you phone the ward or they phone you, write down any questions you have thought about and keep it by the phone. They won't have a lot of time to talk to you so be ready.
Brilliant - thank you so much for all the details; it's really bothering him that that it will be very different from his stay last November, so to hear about your recent visit is very informative.
I'll make sure he's got all his bits & pieces - his car magazines seem to be top of his list 😄. Thanks again & all the best.
Sure there will be some differences but really apart from the PPE and one way systems through the hospital and things working that bit slower because of all the safety issues, ours was certainly pretty much the same.
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) before my angiogram - which I went into forewarned by my cardiologist depending on results I might well find myself being whisked to theatre for bypass. (not needed in the end, my arteries are deemed 'crystal clear' and so will be investigated for microvascular angina post-pandemic)
Feeling a bit frightened
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Bit of a wobble 
A bit of a shocker
