Befriending

[Nannyjenny]

Hello everyone! I have recently been discharged after open heart surgery and am feeling isolated. Contacted cardiac rehab but I do not fit criteria for help. Is there such a thing as a befriending service where I could speak to someone who has experienced similar? I live in South Wales. Many thanks Jenny

[CarlGreen]

Hi Nanny Jenny, I hope you find a service where you can actually talk to someone but you will find good support on here, only trouble is its not actual voice contact unfortunately.

All the best with your recovery and I hope you find the befriending service, as there is nothing like talking things over with someone with 1st hand experience.

Good Luck

[080311]

Hello Nannyjenny

I haven’t heard of any service here you can talk to people who have had the same heart issues as yourself apart from when I was at cardio rehab after my surgery. Talking here on forum with others is as close as I can get now.

I live in Scotland so maybe they is something in Wales. If you need to talk, someone here on the forum will always be here to listen or give you a shoulder to lean on.

Hope you can find the help you are looking for

Best wishes Pauline

[S11m]

Yes - I am a befriender for Age UK:

ageuk.org.uk/

If you are not old enough to qualify, they might be able to direct you to some other support group.

[therug]

You can call the British heart foundation love, hopefully this feeling will pass, you are so mentally fragile right now, understandable of course , maybe soon you will be offered rehab. But the people on here are great for help x

[Joseph65]

Hear anytime u what to speak

[woodlandwonders]

Hello

People are great on here and I urge you to use us. It's not the same as hearing a voice and seeing a human. But sometimes that makes it easier to share what you need to.

I see the forum like being in a buzzing room, filled with people who totally get the heart thing. There is always someone to chat with, lots of healthy debate, laugh out loud shenanigans, serious moments, and encyclopedic knowledge . It's all wrapped up in a lot of compassion for each other.

The love can sometimes make you blub

And the nurses are AMAZING! So if you do need any advice or reassurance, please ring them.

Take care

[Jenwren49 in reply to woodlandwonders]

Many thanks to all who replied to my post. I think I am suffering from ptsd after what was a traumatic illness ending in emergency open heart surgery. It wasn't a standard procedure and therefore I do not qualify for cardiac rehab. I have spoken to my gp/nurse and they say they can't help. There are so many unanswered questions but main thing is are all these pains normal? Even in my breasts. I had a wound infection where the chest drain was but I kept telling there was something else - a yeasty smell (blamed the dog) and now there is pus coming from stitch hole in the main scar. Don't feel as if anyone is listening - think I know my body better than them.

[woodlandwonders in reply to Jenwren49]

Sorry, I didn't see that you had replied.

Please call the Nurses from the British Heart Foundation 0300 330 3311. They are extremely knowledgeable about all things heart and will be able to answer your questions. They are also very, very nice

I called them myself a couple of weeks ago and it was the best thing I could have done. Infact I should have done it ages ago. It REALLY helped me.

Take care

[Cavehill14]

I have not had open heart surgery but had a heart attack followed by emergency angioplasty just over four weeks ago and I know that feeling of isolation. Sent home and every twinge pain or odd feeling is scary. My life seems to revolve around what I feel in my chest! So can sympathise with you . Sharing the fears does help

[Chickenlou]

Hi Nannyjenny

I’ve not had heart surgery but my fiancé had a triple bypass in January this year and I’ve been with him every step of the way.

He’s defiantly felt isolated at times as he also missed out on cardiac rehab (as have i whilst caring for him)

If you ever want to talk please send me a message and take good care of yourself 😊

[therug]

Hi, just came across your message and wondered how you are doing a few months on , better i hope , stay safe