A lot to process

[LindaLittleBear]

It's been 9 weeks since I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease and I'm schedule for surgery on the 25th September. My head hurts processing the information and and I'm hoping my surgeon has excellent knife skills 🙂

[Cee-Cee1]

Hi Linda - just wanted to send you a very warm welcome to the forum, I notice you've only joined today. It's always a massive shock when we're given news like this, but the good thing is that now you're on the radar for help! Can I ask what type of surgery you're going to have? I had a heart attack last January followed by a triple-bypass in February and 18 months later I now feel great. This is a lovely forum to be a part of with lots of very knowledgeable people who are only too happy to help with any queries and to make you feel welcome and supported. I'm sure others will be along very soon to post. Carol x

[LindaLittleBear in reply to Cee-Cee1]

Hi Carol,

Thank you for your kind words! It's good to hear you are recovering well from your surgery. Like you I'm having bypass surgery as yet I haven't asked how many grafts . I have my pre op assessment on Wednesday so that question is at the top of the list

I'm thankful I haven't had a heart attack and immensely grateful the heart team are on it.

The last 10 months have been challenging fist I had a stroke and now the CAD.

It's said that we only get what we can handle.

Linda 💞

[Cee-Cee1 in reply to LindaLittleBear]

I've heard that saying too, Linda - it's very true! The surgeons are absolutely amazing - once you're in the cardiac 'stream' (I can't think of a better word!), everything seems to run so well. The surgeon who looked after me told me it's all in a days work to them and is becoming a very routine operation. I actually think I was quite lucky having had the heart attack (I know that sounds ridiculous), but I'd very few symptoms prior to it so I don't think my CAD would have been picked up without the angiogram when I was taken to hospital! It was a mild HA , termed an NSTEMI, and I was left with very, very little damage ("A tiny wee mark" - to quote the surgeon! 😁). I remember his reply when I thanked him at my six-week assessment afterwards. He said "Awww, not at all, Carol - we just did the easy bit, the hard bit's up to you now!". I think he meant less of the sitting on the behind driving the car and more up and walking! Have to say, I feel 10 times better for it too. I always was a regular walker and had been putting my tiredness down to aging (I'm 63 now). 😁😊

[LindaLittleBear in reply to Cee-Cee1]

Thks for sharing Carol. I can hear your surgeons Scottish twang ringing in my ears! 💕

[Cee-Cee1 in reply to LindaLittleBear]

He's a Northern Ireland one, Linda - but we both tend to use the word "wee" a awful lot🤣 and a lot of our sayings are very similar too. 😄

[LindaLittleBear in reply to Cee-Cee1]

Northern Ireland / Scotland we're made of the same stuff!😃

[Cee-Cee1 in reply to LindaLittleBear]

I really do think so, Linda! My Mum's grandparents hailed from Scotland and the family moved here before her Dad was even born - but that was well over 100 years ago😊.

[Sootyismycat]

DearLittleBear

Of course you will be worrying for England.

Waiting is by far the worst bit.

Cardiac wards are so impressive, and the staff are top notch. The surgeons are super human.

Nothing like other parts of the NHS.

As soon as I walked in to the cardiac hospital my nerves and fears melted away.

My op was “observed” by students. They raved about the surgeons abilities.

My op was for a new aortic valve and, three years on, all is perfect.

So have faith and try to keep calm. Perhaps some daily walks to keep you fit.

Best wishes

Sooty

[LindaLittleBear in reply to Sootyismycat]

Hello SootyThks for those soothing words. I think I have more or less processed the information. Scary but heh what's the alternative.

I'm under a surgical team at St Barts in London a place that I know is a centre of excellence so I'm not so concerned ...

My issue is I am a hugely independent person and if I'm honest I'm struggling to acknowledge the help I will need on my road to recovery.

A lesson in there I'm sure!

Linda 💞

[Sootyismycat in reply to LindaLittleBear]

A very good friend had heart op at Bart’s . He has made a spectacular and fast recovery. He booked himself into a care home. Which worked very well for him.

You really will need assistance for a few weeks. I took two months before I could get by alone.

Sooty

[JennyRx in reply to Sootyismycat]

I’d just like to say that other parts of the NHS are equally amazing having spent plenty of time in oncology…..

[Sootyismycat in reply to JennyRx]

That’s good to hear. My local hospital, Colchester, has upgraded the outpatients cardiology sector and it is really good. I only go for annual check/scans but it is so nice to get superb treatment.

Sooty

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I had a triple Bypass 2 years ago after 3 heart attacks and it is so much to process when they tell you that you need surgery your head is all over the place but the positive is they know what needs doing and after you will have a happy heart working so much better like brand new

Maybe try not to over think take each day at a time come and talk with us when you need to and you will get through this x

[LindaLittleBear in reply to BeKind28-]

Wise words !

[BeKind28- in reply to LindaLittleBear]

x

[Yumz199725]

I can only imagine this is so much to process and you barely have time to 💔 Glad there doing your surgery so quickly, wish you all the best and take care xx

[LindaLittleBear in reply to Yumz199725]

Thank you! 💕

[MarmiteB]

Hey Linda!

It’s a crazy time but you are going to be fine! I had a CABG last year and I’d be happy to chat on the phone and talk through any/everything with you. I’ve chatted to a few people on here and I think (!!) they’ve found it useful. Just message me x

Lots of love x

[LindaLittleBear in reply to MarmiteB]

Thank you for reaching out. Your kind gesture to chat on the phone is much appreciated. I'll be in touch 💕

[MarmiteB in reply to LindaLittleBear]

Fab x

[Furryears]

Welcome Linda you are in good hands I had a HA last February I was 59 followed by a bypass same day a complete shock there is no other way for me to tell it, I didn’t have time to process this as it all happened within a few hours, the team I had from start to finish were brilliant from the nursing staff to the surgeon talk to them all, write down any questions and don’t be afraid to ask,

My doctors surgery has also been very good too since this happened.

I wish you all the best, keep us posted 😊

[LindaLittleBear in reply to Furryears]

Thank you. I hope you are well on your road to recovery 💕

[TAVIshock]

Very best of luck. It is futile to say "don't worry" but find such distractions as you can and remember that all will, most likely, go well.

warm good wishes

Tavistuck

[LindaLittleBear in reply to TAVIshock]

Thank you. My sentiments too 💕

[fatbarry]

Hi LindaLittleBear I had an atrial myxoma removed in June so not quite the same as a bypass but still full on open heart surgery. I was discharged on day 5, spent that night at my daughter's and then went home where I live in my own in a large Victorian semi. A combination of hello fresh (not ideal as recipes are rather high salt) and online grocery shopping got me through until I could walk to the shops to get the odd bits and bobs. That also gave me a purpose to the endless walking which was recommended as rehab. Try not to worry - it's a life defining event for us but the surgeons do these ops every day and are expert at it. All the best xx

[LindaLittleBear in reply to fatbarry]

Thank you for your inspiring post! Oh how nice to have the space of a Victorian semi. It sound lovely!Sending warm wishes for a continued good recovery 💕

[TAVIshock in reply to LindaLittleBear]

Hope things get better , if only as gradually as is typical, Sounds as though , apart from the inevitable anxiety, depression, and sheer tedium of it all, you are doing very well indeed.

warm regards

Tavistock