61 year old lady

[princess24]

I had a heart failure diagnosis along with heart disease which resulted in my having to have a triple bypass last april, I am still trying to pick up the pieces at 61 years old.

[080311]

Hello princess24

Welcome to the forum, in your post you say you are still trying to pick up the pieces after your bypass op. I was 7 years older than you when I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass. Having major surgery can take a while to get over, can I ask have you managed to get any cardio rehab? I found it invaluable as much for my mental health as getting my stamina back. I realise you must have had your op in the midst of lock down so maybe not.

Being told we have a heart issue is so difficult to come to terms with. It’s as if our lives flies out of the window and this new life flies in, and the reality is that’s exactly what happens. We have medication to take, Doctors appointments to keep blood tests, along with a healthy diet and exercise to do. But we are the lucky ones we have been given a second chance.

I am over 5 years on from my surgery and grateful every day to the medical team that gave me my life back.

Maybe if you could say what you are finding difficult, we could try and help. Remember you are now part of the Hearties family and we are here to listen or lend a shoulder to lean on if that’s what you need.

Have you spoken to your GP?

Sending you best wishes

Pauline

[Denise2011 in reply to 080311]

That's awfully sweet of you, Pauline. So glad you are doing well and I hope Lady61 will be able to open up. Sometimes in life, all we need is for someone to be there and be kind - no matter what it is. It costs nothing, just a few moments of our time.

Kind Regards

Denise

[princess24 in reply to Denise2011]

Thank you, my condition gets me overwhelmed at times

[francesw47]

Hello Princess24. And welcome. Its not an easy time is it? Diagnosis of HF alongside needing major surgery is a lot to take in. As Pauline has commented you must have had surgery in very difficult times - no visitors, no rehab once you got home and so on.....so in many ways a complex and life altering time without the supports others have found invaluable. How are you physically after your surgery,? And what treatment (if any) are you having for your HF?

But more importantly how can we help? We all have experience of heart problems and are here to help each other out and are a friendly bunch. I had surgery twice in my 60s. The first time was less troublesome than the second and it took a while to get back on my feet and adjust to a different type of life - I too have HF. But nearly three years on and things are much brighter - it just took a little longer than I had thought. I'm very glad that I found this forum - should be on the prescription from the docs!

Do keep us informed about how you are getting on, someone will always respond.

Frances

[princess24 in reply to francesw47]

Thank you, i had made some comments to Blue1958, it gives a brief account, yea it is a real difficult experience, really frightening, i have had some counselling to help come to terms with it all, hoping to have further sessions in the near future

[Hidden]

Dear princess24

There are no words that I can add to the beautiful reply’s that your post has already generated .

I am here to add just another voice and for you to see that yet another member has read your post and is acknowledging you as a fellow human being and their suffering.

Please reach out to your Drs who can help you feel so much better, you are not alone and I hope that the replies that you have received confirms this.

We are here to help you whenever you need that help, it maybe just support, but sometimes that’s all we really need.

You are in my thoughts.

[princess24 in reply to Hidden]

I did have surgery in very difficult times, no visitors but i was able to video call many friends whilst in hospital, i didnt get cardiac rehab due to covid restrictions just weekly phone calls from cardiac nurses, i had been having regular reviews with the cardiac nurse specialist which has now stopped; that could be classed as good as i seem to be stable. However i have doubt as rmto whether i really am okay, it would help a lot to connect with others who have experienced similar to myself, some days i get so fatigued, i get worried about that also

[Hidden]

Hello

I was 58 when I had my triple Bypass and 59 now

It was just over 5 months ago I had it done and I to am struggling to pick up the pieces

Some days I wonder will I ever do this as the fear overwhelms me

This I think is quite normal for a lot of us after such a life changing event

I am glad you have found this Community as you hopefully will see you are not alone and have somewhere you can come and talk which talking about how you feel can help such a lot

You no longer have to feel alone just pop on here and talk with people that have been through the same are still going through the same and know how you feel x