I haven't posted apart from the odd reply for quite some time but now I've reached a milestone, 1 year since my operation which is also pretty much 1 year in lockdown. When I left hospital it was barely 2 weeks before we went into national lockdown and from that point onward there were just 4 weeks in the summer when my area wasn't either Tier 3 or in lockdown. Recovering in the middle of a pandemic has been very isolating but I went back to work last June (working from home) and I work in the pharmaceutical industry so it has been busy!
Being in lockdown has meant I've been with my family but even family need a rest from each other and what I've missed is the opportunity to go out with friends for a meal or a night out and practise talking about what has happened, sharing the ups and downs and receiving their affirmation of the progress I've made. The operation was a really big event in my life and for my family but we've had very little opportunity to acknowledge that and although we Facetime friends I don't think they appreciate the impact it has had on our lives and our outlook on life. I know that because most of them think we were mad to move house at the end of last year (and we were) but a life-changing operation makes you re-assess and we accelerated plans to move out to the countryside from our urban sprawl. Of course, my family and a few close friends know it has been a tough year, but I won't condemn 2020 as many are, i learnt a lot about myself. I appreciate the hardship for many which Covid-19 has caused and am forever grateful that I was able to have my operation just before lockdown started impacting admissions. My heart breaks for the operations that haven't taken place, the cancer treatments postponed and the dreadful impact on all sorts of illnesses as the NHS dealt with the coronovirus. But I felt really strong after the operation and empowered almost by my ability to accept and endure all that happened and the circumstances in which it happened.
I'd survived a minor heart attack in the November, had a Cardiac MRI then gone in for an angiogram/angioplasty in February, which was halted and that's when I was told to prepare for a CABG x 4. My arteries were blocked 100% and 95% blocked so the cardiologist was worried I'd last the week until the op. He drew me a diagram on the back of an envelope and helped me understand the situation. I made meals for the freezer and updated my will, but besides the practical preparations, I had decided I would just deal, and I did. I was determined not to give in to the fear and worry so I decided it was OK but would have to stay behind a wall whilst I got on with the practicality of the operation. The first few days after the operation were brutal. They were. But the rest was life and we all have to live that as best we can., with the good, the bad and the ugly.
I spoke to Molly Tresardern from BHF Heart Matters Magazine about recovering during a pandemic and the output was an article in the magazine and an online piece. bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo... It helped, to tell someone my story. Keep sharing.
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Tillymint1971
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Thanks EmmyLaury12. I don’t think it’s brave if you have no choice, but I certainly didn’t want to make it harder for family and the doctors and nurses by not coping. You’re right, I watched a similar operation on You Tube and the surgeon was incredibly skilled, and focussed (mine was a 5.5 hour op), the anaesthetist was friendly and funny and put me at ease. The medical professionals are amazing.
Onwards & upwards and before you know it the years will pass. I also had a quad done back in February 1999 - so 22 years and still going although have had stents from 2016 onwards.
Wow, 22 years. that's good. I mean I know there may be stents, but everyone is very vague about how long a vein and 3 arteries will last you!. Do you follow a strict diet? I am told (by well-intentioned amateurs!) that how long they last depends on how well-behaved I am. And I guess it's true really but I tend to restrict rather than abstain!
Originally I was told average lifespan of a bypass was 7 years before further intervention may be needed. I managed 16 years and have 3 separate procedures for stents since. They can stent your bypass grafts & can do stent within stent as well. I have a seefood (not a typo) diet so can be naughty every so often providing it isn't taken to excess. Now 67 and still working although only part time.
Well done and thanks for sharing your story. My husband had a quintuple bypass 2 years ago. Before that we didn’t even know he was ill. Although we were not going through a pandemic at the time we were in another country away from family, and I know how isolated that felt. Also the re—evaluating life. We also felt the need to move after that. It’s good to talk and good to share. Well done with dealing with this last year on top of everything else.
My husband had a triple bypass a year ago too. His medication is the main cause of any problems he has now and that has been murder getting anyone to help during the pandemic. He wishes he didn’t have to take it so he could feel the benefit of his renewed health but he’s here and if not as positive as you Tillymint, is doing well
I know the feeling about the medication. I declined an elective CABG and decided to stay on medication instead. Unfortunately nobody ever properly explained to me the purpose of each drug and the effect they have on the body. I am now desperate to wean myself off some of the medication as I realise the pills are actually putting a limit on what I can do.
I have found that the NHS is good at prescibing pills but no good at reviewing how you are once you are 'out the door'. Any of course a proper appointment with a GP went out the window with Covid.
What a lovely post Tilly. It doesn't seem a year does it!! I think you deserve a cake with a candle to blow out (we did this on my hubby's first and second quad bypass anniversary!!)This never ending pandemic is really hard. Take good care. Sending love and virtual hugs your way xxx
Thank you for telling your story. For a young woman to have a quadruple bypass must have been such a shock to you and your family! I had a stent fitted in my LAD last September and that was a major event for me. What an amazing recovery you have made in this last year. Well done to you and wishing you the very best of health for the future
Thanks for recognising the shock this was Lizbeth61. I had my heart attack end Nov whilst in Cambridge presenting and then travelled to Philadelphia on business in Dec, my 5th 5-7 day long trip to US in 2019. Since then life has come to a grinding halt (for everybody) so last year was a massive adjustment for me.
Morning char,Can’t believe it’s six months since your transplant, wow that seems to have gone quickly, maybe not for you!
Our snow as all disappeared, though had another delivery of rock salt yesterday never mind it will come in I have no doubt. Glad the snow as gone have an appointment tomorrow at the blood clinic checking kidneys again. Hopefully they are still behaving.
Glad your looking forward, planning a nice holiday that will be great.
I was saying to a friend just to be able to go out get a bit of shopping and stop and have a coffee and watch the world go by would be wonderful 😂
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3 months since triple heart bypass
My Heart is doing a lot better but I think it's not strong enough. 
A year into heart failure 
Introducing myself & advice while waiting diagnosis
