My heart journey post op

[Dustjacket1]

Hi all,

Well I survived!

I have to say that the operation was the easy bit, a ride down to the theatre , anaesthetic applied and the next thing you know is smiley faces waking you up saying it was all over 😊

Lots of tubes wires etc and CCU was a challenge due to constant sickness unfortunately 😱 I was sat up the following day and went into AF so more drugs applied, went into HDU the next day and started moving more then up to a ward where I gradually got better. I think the worst bits were the sickness and I gained a phobia about taking pills which I have never had before also some of the procedures are not very enjoyable but luckily the mind numbs the bad bits quite quickly!

I have to say the Drs. Nurses and staff in Barts were wonderful I can’t thank them enough for the care kindness and consideration they gave me throughout this traumatic experience.

Sleeping is an issue, getting comfy etc but that will come good I have numb bits sore bits and aching bits but what do you expect!

I am home and starting to exercise and I know I will get better. I am very lucky to have a lovely Wife who cannot do enough for me and the support of a loving family.

I wish everyone well and many thanks for your support, and to anyone about to go in for a CABG remember You will get through it! I did x

[080311]

Morning,

So pleased to read your post, glad you are home and starting your journey on the heart mended road. Remember everything you have been told about arms and no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water.

Keep doing your breathing exercises and coughing exercises they really help. Listen to your body when it says I am tired you rest. You will get your stamina back but it does take time.

Best wishes Pauline

[Dustjacket1 in reply to 080311]

Thanks Pauline,Yes I’m being a good boy and obeying all of the recommendations! It’s good to be this side of the op at last x

[Hidden]

Glad to hear all went well. I found it a bit like a production line by the time I was discharged, given what they do to the body, it's amazing how 'routine' they make it seem.

Hope your recovery goes well, and try not to hurry your recovery, this is one of those where time is definitely needed 👍

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Brand,Yes they are amazing! And I agree there is no rush now just steady does it

[Retirement65]

So pleased your on the right road now it sounds like it’s been a Rocky road for you but the big stuff is behind you now - just wishing you best of health - lovely that you have a great wife and family best medicine of all take care 😊

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Retirement65]

Many thanks, I really feel like I’ve turned a corner now

[Isobel1]

Well done ! It's not an easy journey , but you've got through the hospital bit and you've got the right attitude xx

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Isobel1]

Many thanks, I have found the support on this forum priceless x

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Isobel1]

Thanks Isobel1

[Bishop1]

Great news you home and on the road to recovery. I'm 10 months out of double bypass and I feel very well. It takes time . Some great advice on this forum. Take care and stay safe x

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Bishop1]

Thanks, I will take your advise

[Beatles1956]

Welcome back, Dustjacket. I have been following your story, slightly different op coming up, but I really like your approach and attitude to all of this. I know I will be relying heavily on my wonderful wife when I come out, Wishing you all the best with your continued recovery.👍

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Beatles1956]

Hi Beatles1956,Yes there are bad bits but having support and believing that you will get better are the key

[WeaverShaz]

Glad all went well. I came home yesterday after an AVR and my journey sounds similar. I vomited whilst still intubated and sent everyone into a fluster of activity. My first sleep at home was much better than I thought it might be, once I had got comfortable. Now the hard work begins for us both - no one at home to look after me so I will HAVE to get some exercise.

[080311 in reply to WeaverShaz]

Morning WeaverShaz

Just wanted to wish you well on your road to recovery, I am 5 years post AVR and bypass. Remember to listen to your body it will let you know when you need to rest. You will get your stamina back but it will take some time.

Best wishes Pauline

[Dustjacket1 in reply to 080311]

Many thanks Pauline, I will take your advice

[Dustjacket1 in reply to WeaverShaz]

Yes the exercise does make a difference but rest when your body tells you to, good luck and I hope for a steady recovery

[WeaverShaz]

Thanks Pauline. First step is to get my body back to normal from hospital time!!

[MountainGoat52]

Absolutely brilliant! You have the right attitude. Keeping positive is more than half the battle. As we hill walkers often say, "onwards and upwards!" At your own pace of course. 😀

All the best for your recovery.

Gerald

[Dustjacket1 in reply to MountainGoat52]

Many thanks

[hadleigh71]

Welcome 2 to the road of recovery

[Dustjacket1 in reply to hadleigh71]

Many thanks

[LadyPumpkinseed]

Congratulations Dustjacket! I’m hoping for Dec/Jan op at Barts - they seem to have a wonderful reputation. Were you allowed visitors ? Mend well and best wishes to you.

[Dustjacket1 in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

Barts were wonderful, you can ask for permission for a visit by contacting the ward manager who then emails a letter for your visitor to bring with them. They should not use public transport and are required to take and register a lateral flow test. Of course this might change depending on the COVID situation. Take a long phone charger lead in with you. Many thanks for your good wishes and good luck for your operation. Let us know how you get on x

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to Dustjacket1]

Thank you

[road2ruin]

Hi,

Always nice to hear some post op stories, it gives patients who are yet to go through OHS a fresh perspective about what it will be like. I certainly took a lot from reading some posts before my AVR. Bad luck on the sickness. I only remember one guy being sick on my ward and thought at the time how bad I felt for him.

For me the potassium tablets were the worst. Not everyone has to have them and they dissolve in water, but it just makes a thick salty drink....blehhh...even mixing it with squash didn't help.

Couldn't agree more on the difficulty sleeping, but mine was more about other patients snoring and the constants beeps and lights. I had ear plugs and should have taken an eye mask too.

Good luck on the continued recovery. Keep moving, get fresh air and don't let yourself be bored.

Keep us posted also.

Peter

[Dustjacket1 in reply to road2ruin]

Thanks for your reply and good wishes,Yes I had potassium and magnesium fizzy tablets!

Was given them together before breakfast and my stomach did a triple salko!

[Golfswinger]

Hi Dustjacket, Congratulations and we’ll done, I’m 7 weeks post now after 3x CABG and it does start to get easier - take your time listen to your body and it will all come good 😊 Take care

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Golfswinger]

Thanks golfswinger,I have been told that I will be able to play golf in 12 weeks! 😀 ( I couldn’t play golf before the op so really impressed)

[Golfswinger in reply to Dustjacket1]

Lol there’s hope for me yet then on the Golf, been trying for many years and still can’t play!On the sleeping I found that a V pillow was a great help 👍

[Sunnysummerdays]

Well done dustjacket!!!👍

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Sunnysummerdays]

Thanks

[Rogo23]

Great that you are now home and starting up the hill. My cabg 4 was 15 weeks ago, and the result is fantastic.

The exercise the important bit don't push too hard for the first couple of weeks, then step it up.

I went back to work part-time 3 weeks ago, and I am a stone Mason, I have a good laborer to do the actual heavy lifting.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Oh keep a cushion nearby 🙂

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Rogo23]

It’s great to hear of your improvement in such a short time, interestingly my grandfather and his brothers were all marble masons in Bethnal Green!

[Lailabud]

So pleased you're on the up. Such a positive attitude - thanks for sharing.

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Lailabud]

Yes I feel very strongly that your mental state has a big part to play in any recovery and reading other people’s accounts has played a big part in how positive I am

[mariah222]

Thanks for your post Dustjacket, it is encouraging for me to read as I am booked to be admitted into Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital on Friday of this week, op scheduled for 25th. VaLve replacement via Sternotomy.So I'm currently isolating and getting ready and feeling positive, looking forward to it being over and to feeling more energetic.

Good luck for your continued recovery,

Look after yourself and enjoy your new life.

Mariah x

[Dustjacket1 in reply to mariah222]

Hi Mariah

Good luck and I’m sure you will be treated wonderfully, these Nurses know exactly what to do. Keep positive and you will be fine.

[mariah222 in reply to Dustjacket1]

Thank you. 😊

[Highlandmist]

Hello, I'm so pleased to read your post keep doing what you're doing and it'll get easier every day. Sleeping - I found that the wedge pillow (like a cheese wedge) from Amazon (£40?) was a god-send, really got me through the first few months. Take care, Alexis

[Dustjacket1 in reply to Highlandmist]

Thanks Alexis, yes I have got one of those and it helps a lot. I have managed to get some sleep on my side by wedging pillows in different places but normally end up on my back