The weeks ahead

[Heather1957]

I have noticed several people have posted about either having a bypass or an angiogram in the coming weeks.

I just wanted to say that it is quite natural to be afraid, if it is the angiogram you are afraid of what the news will be. if it is a bypass it is a big operation that can change your life (often for the better)

Most of us on here have had some sort of heart procedure that started with that angiogram don't be afraid to use us for information, we joined to get advice and support and to tell our story and I know most of us want to pass that on.

Good luck for the coming weeks but you don't have to go through this alone, if you don't want to 'burden' (for want of a better word) family and friends you are always welcome to come to us.

My thoughts are with you.

[Hidden]

Dear Heather

What a loverly message to get out there, especially to our “Watchers and Readers” that don’t post.

It is important that they realise that they are a very valued part of this forum and like you have stated , we are here to help in anyway we can.

Well done Heather its a good post with a kind and practical message.

Hope you are as well as you can be

Kevin

[Hidden]

Hello Heather

What a lovely post

I have had by Bypasses as you know but if I was waiting and saw your post it would have given me so much comfort and I am sure it will do the same for Members that are waiting now and most important letting them know they are not alone

Really thoughtful Heather thank you for putting this post on it reminds me why I am here because of caring people like you x

[Hidden]

For those on the waiting list for an angiogram I had one 4 years ago following an NSTEMI (a form of heart attack). If my experience is anything to go by there is absolutely nothing to fear. I was under the care of competent health professionals who do this sort of procedure sometimes several times a day using what appeared to be state of the art equipment. I was awake throughout and all I felt was a slight tingling sensation from time to time as the investigation proceeded, the whole of which took about 30 minutes although I had no stents fitted, then off to the recovery room for a light meal. I felt fine afterwards and the only permanent reminder is a tiny 5mm long scar on my right wrist.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Great idea Heather.

There is something very special about being able to share your lived experience to help others on their journey.

[Simes11]

What a perfectly ‘general’, kind and thoughtful post.. 🙏❤️

[Hidden]

You are right it is natural to be afraid. But it is quite draining. On you as person and the people around You. I think the shock is the biggest issue. To try and except and move on, but not easy it really is hard. But it is a journey and if you want to get better then think of the journey as a positive as the issue has been found and Can be managed. But everyone who is going through their individual problems are brave and courageous.

[Heather1957]

Thanks everyone for your kind messages. I remembered why I joined even though I didn't find this place until after my bypass.

There is such a wealth of information on here that it is important to be able to reassure other people if/when they need us.

I had my bypass in 2017 and 2 stents in October last year if there is anything I can do to help, inform or reassure I am more than happy to do so as I know nearly everyone else on here is.

I was lucky that when I was told I needed a bypass, I put something on Facebook and one of my old workplace friends got in touch. He had needed a quad bypass only discovered after pains in his jaw! Luckily his wife was a nurse and encouraged him to go to the hospital and he was immediately kept in and had the bypass.

Bob is/was a very fit man, very much into playing/watching football and a few years younger than me.

He came to see me and told me about his experience and some advice about 'afterwards' which was very helpful.

Friends and family try to be helpful and supportive and to some extent they are but someone who is in the same club just has that little bit more.

Group hug!!

[Hidden in reply to Heather1957]

I think this forum has shown me how brave everyone is and the similar experience everyone has especially with the mental side. You need family and friends but it's only when you talk and speak to people who have been through the ups and downs. That you can start to understand the problem. You plod along in life and then bang out of the blue a medical issue hits home and its with your heart. I think for me it will be a struggle as I have always been an axiouse person. But it is the worry of the unknown.

[Embossed]

Thank you for this and can I just say this... but I don't need any responses it just feels a safe place to get this off my chest.......I am scared...I am due to have this done on Thursday, if I knew they were definitely going to use my arm and not my groin I think I would be handling it better as the thought of my groin just makes me want to run. No one has told me which it will be. In terms of what they might find, I will just get on with it and hope if they do find something things can be improved or again I will just have to get on with it. There I have told someone I am scared, I can't let my family see I am scared as they have so many other things going on just now so thank you, thank you, I have told someone and can now have a cry in secret, get it out and get on with it x

[Heather1957 in reply to Embossed]

❤️