Update on CABG

[Stevie335]

Thanks for all the replies and support ive received here folks. To update ive today received my letter for my 1st face to face outpatients appointment with the cardiac surgeon for 4th september. Its taken a while and a lot of emotion but its finally here. Im a bit apprehensive on what to expect so if anyone can shed any light on the process moving forward id really appreciate it. Thank you.

[Tos92]

I don’t have any experience on the CABG side of things however, wanted to wish you the best of luck for the procedure. Please let us know how you get on.

All the best.

Tos

[Stevie335 in reply to Tos92]

Thank you, I will do. Its amazing how strangers on a site like this begin to feel like family, especially on this emotional roller coaster x

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Have you had all the pre op tests yet if not they may run through those with you and book them in

They will talk to you about the operation and explain what will happen do not be alarmed as they will have to tell you the risks but remember having a tooth or anything done they tell you the risks but they are very rare but covering themselves so remember even though they know you are fit for surgery they just have to run that by you

Hopefully they will be able to tell you how long you will be waiting etc the appointment is nothing to worry about just think of it as getting one step closer to getting the op you need done

I had a triple heart bypass will be 2 years in a few days and I am the worst when it comes to worrying so if I did it I know you will do it

Let us know how you get on and any questions just ask and we will try and answer as well as maybe making a list of questions to take with you to your appointment so you do not forget to ask what you might want to know x

[Stevie335]

As always Bekind, thank you for your words. This is the first appointment ive had since my angiogram and stent surgery was abandoned. Im happy that its finally moving along then all the questions start to arise. For now I feel apprehensive but at the same time lighter because the stress of not knowing has vanished 😊

[BeKind28- in reply to Stevie335]

Hello

That is exactly how I felt well not apprehensive but terrified if I am honest but glad they were going to do the operation at the same time so the way you feel sounds normal

Any questions though jot down nothing as silly as you think it might be they will think is or neither will we and remember if I did it which I did you will do it and I even thought it was not as bad as my mind had blown it up to be x

[Jcdg]

Morning Stevie

I’m 6 weeks post double cabg , the waiting is the hardest , the kind words and support I got on here was so helpful , exactly what bekind said , they will explain what they are going to do !

I had my surgery in Southampton and couldn’t ask for better treatment, they were all so kind and caring and supportive

One day at a time both before and after op

Good luck with op and let us know how you get on

Take care

[Stevie335 in reply to Jcdg]

Thank you, and I hope your recovery continues to go well 😊

[MarmiteB]

Hi Stevie!

I’m sorry to hear that you need a CABG it os a scary thing to be told. I hope you’re as OK as you can be. There are so many people on here that have had one and come out the other side feeling SO MUCH BETTER. I’m one of them had my op aged 34 in January 2022 and so I’m just over 18months post op.

In regards to next steps your in the “rubbish” part of this journey - the waiting part. From the sounds of things you’ve had all the scans etc that you need and so, as the lovely BeKind has said, when you see your surgeon they will talk you through it. And also as BeKind said, take a list of questions with you - and a second pair of ears if you can. From there it will be a case of having your pre-op tests just before your surgery date (bloods, ecg etc.) to make sure you’re fit to have the op.

It’s funny, when I met my surgeon he was so reassuringly relaxed and I remember thinking “Wow, he’s really not worried about this”…of course he’s not, it’s his day job!! It’s much scarier for the patient to whom it is all new.

I know right now that’s it mad to even think about being a year post op but I wish you could believe me about how much better you will feel and how you’ll look back and think “Oh, the surgery wasn’t that bad”. Honest.

About 5 months post op I sat down with my colleague who had been through 4 rounds of chemo while I had been off work with my surgery. And I asked how it had gone…he replied “Oh it was tough but ok” and I asked “Was it as bad as you thought or people make it out to be?” And he replied no. I think it’s the same with any major surgery or medical intervention, it’s tough but doable. I’m not suggesting that joining the zipper club is going to be a really easy ride but I am saying that you’ll be surprised at how well you do whilst joining it.

One of the biggest things that is English folk don’t talk about is the mental aspect of it. They try and warn you in the leaflets but you’ll just brush it off, however…..You WILL cry. Probably every week, if not, everyday for a while! Why? Well, a huge combination of factors - drugs, being in hospital, seeing or not seeing certain people, weird dreams, being really tired, pain, going home, getting home or just a release of everything you’ve been anticipating right up until that point. I’m not a “crier” and I cried everyday from the day I left the hospital for about 2 weeks. It slowly got better - going to every other day to then once a week and then back to my “normal” self. Whatever that is 😁😁

You will have some CRAP days post op physically as well, most people find that’s day 3, 4 or 5 in hospital and you’ll also have a CRAP week at some point - I think mine was week 3 BUT you’ll keep turning corners and feel better each time you do.

You’re young so I think your journey will be similar to mine…I was walking a good distance at a good pace 6 weeks post op and I ran 5km (slowly!!!) 4 months to the day I left hospital. I’m not a health guru or even a regular gym goer but it felt so good to move post op because before it I couldn’t even walk without getting angina so to suddenly (over night) to be freed of angina was absolutely AMAZING and it made me want to move more. Your physical self will feel so much much better, your head space might take a little longer.

I’ve spoken to a few hearties on here on the phone to talk about having a CABG/recovering from one and I’d be more than happy to do that with you too. By all means just private message me and we can set up a phone call or teams or if we close geographically I’d be happy to have a cup of tea with you

Please come on here and ask all the questions you want to, we are all ears.

Take Care Stevie, you’re going to do really well,

Rosie x

[Stevie335 in reply to MarmiteB]

Thats so sweet Rosie thank you 😊 Oddly enough i slept the best I have in months last night, 8 hours straight through and woke up with a significant amount of pressure off my chest. I must admit the biggest concern i have is waking up with the breathing tube but if it means ill have more go in me to play with my kids without feeling like ive ran a marathon, ill take it. Ill admit im going to struggle with the post op recovery, I cant sit still for 5 minutes haha so Im foing to do all I can to pre plan for this as Im incresibly lucky to be in the position to do so. Thank you for your kind words.

[MarmiteB in reply to Stevie335]

Hey!

Oh I’m so pleased you’re sleeping, that’s great. I really struggled on the lead up to the op, so long may it continue!! Zzz!

Ok, so the tube was my biggest worry!! Honestly, I was so worried. BUT it was absolutely fine. So, I’m one of about the 30% of people that remember the tube being in place - most people have absolutely no recollection of it.

I remember being woken up and the dr saying “Rosie, are you OK? Do you want your tube out?” I nodded and it was out. No pain, no gagging, no coughing and I fell back to sleep. Done. Very very easy.

Before the op I had in my head that I would be awake and fully with it, with a tube in my throat and no one noticing. In reality, they wake you up (as they stop giving you the sedation) and as soon as they see your conscious and you respond, they take it out. The only thing I can liken it to is waking up in the night for a wee, you know it happened (if you really think about it) but the memory barely registers because your basically still asleep. The memory of it now is distant at best. I hope that helps. ….but, I do appreciate that you’ll still think about it and worry about it but try not to.

Any other concerns? X

[Stevie335 in reply to MarmiteB]

Thank you Rosie 😊 that has helped a lot. This letter has come at the right time as the fatigue is getting worse now, cant wait to feel 44 again instead of 104 😅

[Survivor1952]

8 weeks post CABG and AVR here having had double stent via angioplasty three weeks or so prior to that. Spent just over 5 weeks in hospital having been admitted without notice following a routine check up.

Feeling great now. I was apprehensive before the operation but loving my new life. Still sore though but slowly getting better. Start rehab next week and looking forward to that. Walking about 2 miles at a time for my exercise, pre-op I was lucky to make a quarter mile without issues.

Not had any bad days, only a couple of days feeling slightly ‘down’ so I’ve been lucky so far. I was warned of possible PTSD as a result of the op.

The staff in both hospitals I was in were brilliant. I feel I was lucky both on diagnosis and timing of treatment but also by being in Royal Papworth for my procedures.

[Stevie335 in reply to Survivor1952]

Another inspiring comment, thank you 😊. I think my head has finally come round to the idea so its time to get everything prepared now. Ill update on here how my appointment goes.

[Jako999]

I’m 14 months post quad cabg it was a massive shock as I had no lead up with no cardiac history, I had a ht then straight into the cabg. The op is much better then you think, but you must take it easy as they say don’t run before you can walk it’s easy to set your self back. Your best friend is a cushion for when you cough or sneeze, otherwise it feels like an alien is trying to escape from your chest😵‍💫😵‍💫. Finally your mind will be a wreck, it’s important to talk and accept as much help as you can especially cardiac rehab.

Remember your not alone and everyone on here is willing to help. PM if you want a direct chat but on holiday the 20th👍

[Stevie335 in reply to Jako999]

Thank you, im getting more ready for it by the day now, and actually having a date for my first meet with surgeon has helped massively rather than not knowing 😊

[PurpleEdge]

Hi Stevie, we are so close in time for our path. I had my F2F with the surgeon in Liverpool 26.7 then he gave me a date of 4th Sept for the op (Triple CABG). Like you it's the waiting, the mind doing somersalts, I'd heard nothing to confirm, but gave them a call yesterday, he's on his hols now for 3 weeks. The team will have a meeting between 10-7 days prior to the op then will phone me to confirm the date. I've got my special soap to wash with for 7 days before, then go there day before op to go straight in on the 4th.

I like Rosies comment. The surgeon was so relaxed, but as she says, its his day job. I was told that as soon as I went through his door he had me sussed and knew the score. I had the stats on risks discussed, but I said I prefer to view it as a 99+ % success rate.

Rosie, you have a great view on the whole procedure keep telling it, it is very helpful to us junior zippers 😆.

One Thing I am doing is aiming for after the op and recovery, is a small bucket list, a walk up to the summit of Eryri (Snowdon), then over to Norway to the "Pulpit Rock" and the "Torhatten" Oh and also prior to that managing to walk up a non existent incline. It may look flat, but my heart knows differently. Best of luck .

Richard

[Stevie335 in reply to PurpleEdge]

Thanks Richard, good luck with your bucket list, mine isnt so adventurous, first one is mow the lawn all in one go 🤣🤣 in all seriousness I used to be at the gym 5x per week but the cardiologists have limited me to brisk walks which has been a nightmare. Feeling bone where there was once muscle isnt nice 😬 but needs must i suppose. Im definitely more ready now than I have been in months 👍

[PurpleEdge in reply to Stevie335]

Yes, at the mo, walks are on the flat, really flat ! and ensure there are lots of seats to just sit and check my phone, as ya do, or plenty of "View Breaks" then walk another few more hundred yards.

"This Time Next Year Rodney" we'll have new plumbing !

Richard

[MarmiteB in reply to PurpleEdge]

That’s a great idea to have a bucket list! I did the Yorkshire 3 peaks in May - 26 miles and a climb more than Ben Nevis! It was a really tough challenge but totally worth it. It made me feel that I had really accomplished something and I could say with confidence “Yes, I am better. Yes, I am fit” with real confidence if asked at work (I know that probably sounds silly) - and just generally.

Please do get in touch Richard (and Stevie) I’d be more than happy to chat through anything xx

[momander]

Hi Stevie335,First of all that's great news!!! I didn't ever see my surgeon again after my operation and got a very short " are you feeling ok" telephone call from a member if the surgical team!! Who then proceeded to tell my I was officially discharged from the hospital back to my local hospital and GP. So here you have this wonderful opportunity of being able to see someone in the flesh!! Get all the questions no matter how big or small, written down ready to ask. Any worries or concerns too. This is your chance to not inly be given u formation but to ask quesions too!! I wish you luck and hope everything goes well. Take care.

[momander]

Hi again Stevie335 I've just realised I misunderstood your post!!! I thought you meant seeing your surgeon post op!! but after reading other replies I realise youbmean pre op!! Gosh I am so sorry. What I said still applies though!! Just have all your questions ready. It is daunting there is no doubt but these people are absolute experts in their field and dothis procedure every day. You will be fine I promise you. The emotional healing is the worst but we arecall different and you might escape it!? If not just remember it's all part if the healing prioress. Baby steps all thevway and you will be fine. If you like, I would be more than happy to talk with you? There are quite a few of us hearties on here as I've found out and everyone is so very helpful. You take care ok. The wheels are in motion and things are happening. I'm lucky in a way because I was kept in hospital because of the awful angina I was having so I never experience " the wait" try not to Google or listen to horror stories!! Listen to.the health care professionals who know best. You'll get through this Stevie. Take good care for now. Xx