CABG update : I’ve been home since... - British Heart Fou...

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CABG update

KaduFlyer profile image
13 Replies

I’ve been home since Wednesday evening, so 4 full days and things are ok. I’ve been walking in the garden and slowly building up stamina but it’s taking a lot out of me at the moment.

To date, I’ve planned my days (moving stuff about) so that I use the stairs once in the morning to go down and once in the evening to go up.

This is the week where anything goes (albeit sensibly) and if I need to use the stairs at any time during the day then I’ll do so (luckily I’ve got a downstairs bog).

Saturday night I had the worst nights sleep ever - couldn’t get comfortable, everything ached, my back was killing me and I was very fretful and annoyed. My wife kept offering suggestions which I shut down and every opportunity.

Sunday night, with a bit of spousal pillow intervention I was able to sleep on either of my sides for a few hours and on my back and had pretty a full nights sleep, waking up fresh on Monday.

The moral of the story: if your wife, partner or anyone offers a suggestion, don’t poo poo it before you try it!

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KaduFlyer profile image
KaduFlyer
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13 Replies
gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1

the only advice I can offer is to help you fall asleep. No tv for a couple of hours. Read a book or similar. Keep the room cool. Even then it took me three weeks to get a full night sleep. (I think i was exhausted ) keep positive it gets better slowly

KaduFlyer profile image
KaduFlyer in reply togilreid1

Thank you - there’s nothing of interest on tv these days for me anyway so avoiding that is a good tip - reading? Yes, I’ve got a book I’m half way through about a guy cycling around the uk that I took into hospital but couldn’t read it as my mind was racing - I should pick that up again otherwise the guy will end up going backwards 😂

Thanks again.

gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1 in reply toKaduFlyer

If your wife suggests four pillows she’s right. Two at your back one either side. Give it another week before you try sleeping on your side. You may fall asleep on your side but the pain when you move is well a never forgotten moment 🤬

KaduFlyer profile image
KaduFlyer

👍

MountainGoat52 profile image
MountainGoat52

Hi there,

Good to see you're home and on the road to recovery. The op does take it out of you... I was walking in the Cheviots a few days before my op; the week after I couldn't walk up the slope on our road. 😯 Thankfully it does get better and fairly quickly if you listen to your body and don't overdo it.

As for sleeping, well it took me 6 weeks to get to sleep on my side. Some nights were better than others... some spent in bed, some on the reclining sofa downstairs. Where needs must. Anywhere I was comfortable. It does get better, bit by bit.

All the best,

Gerald

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17

How are you doing now KaduFlyer please???? Sorry wasn't around much lately! Hope your scar is healing well and that you have less discomfort sleeping 💤 at night 👌🙏 I really hope that you feel physically better now! Take the time you need to recover please 👍🥰

KaduFlyer profile image
KaduFlyer in reply toSnowdrops_17

Hi there - thanks for asking - I’m doing great bearing in mind this is my 5th week post op - I’m walking 2 to 3 miles a day in an hour or so and cycling lightly on a stationary bike but I’ve not (for the right reason) dealt with any confidence issues yet and not pushing too hard - I’m generally good but don’t have the confidence yet to push any harder which is fine - I’ve suspended my gym membership until January to take away any temptation to overdo it and I’ve got written on ‘Post It’ notes that there’s NO upper body exercises until the cardiac rehab say so - I’ve read too many stories of people going backwards with their recovery - I’m able to sleep on either side (about 70% side / 30% back) without discomfort and getting 6/7 hours a night - so all in all I’m doing well - I’ve got a friend who’s just had a hip replacement and one who’s had his bladder & prostrate removed (cancer) so we have daily zoom calls to compare / contrast / motivate each other. I’m just waiting for my 6 week check up with the surgeon - hopefully I’ll get a gold star and not get stuck in the corner with the dunces hat on 😂 - how’s life with you?

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17 in reply toKaduFlyer

Well I am doing okay KaduFlyer! Bit bored as a pensioner and wonder at times how I will cope over the colder winter months! I haven't applied for Pension Credit yet which would give me some money to pay for utilities! There is another German Pension I might could apply for but you need 5 qualifying years and I only counted possible 4½ years! The other thing is how much tax I would have to pay on £50 per month! Well car's gearbox is playing up a bit so very long journeys to the Midlands is a "No, No" now! My car is 2004 Fiat Punto 1.2 , and I do need the car as where I live supermarkets are spread out! And our city is small, not many decent shoe or clothe shops here really! But life could be worse Kadu!

A month ago, I worked in my garden, painted my shed and after that all sorts here and there!

But I am so glad you are physically much better Kadu, it's great to hear that 👍🥰

Lots of love to your wife, you are lucky to have her 😁👌🥰

Hope you are able to do exercises above your waste line soon!

And I wish your friend speedy recovery from his cancer 👍🥰

KaduFlyer profile image
KaduFlyer in reply toSnowdrops_17

Thank you - you’re right, life could be a lot worse so I guess we need to focus on the positives and look ahead.

My Mum is 90 tomorrow so we’re taking in her out for lunch with my Mother-In-Law who was 90 in August so that’ll be nice.

Take care and do your best to pick out the positives 😍

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17 in reply toKaduFlyer

Hope weather stays good for your Mum's Birthday tomorrow Kadu 👌🥰🌅 Have a wonderful time together 👍🎉Wish her Happy Birthday from me please 🥰 My dad will be 92 in November, pity he lives in Germany near Wuppertal! So a long phone call or if I manage to sort my Skype out, I can spend a little time with him! I wanted to fly over there but it is proving so difficult now with all the connections, 2 busses 🚌 , flight ✈️ from Manchester, travel to Remscheid where my brother lives...

And then same back again! Scared to spend money now! We shall see 👌

God bless 🥰🎉

KaduFlyer profile image
KaduFlyer in reply toSnowdrops_17

Take care Snowdrops x

Rosieapple72 profile image
Rosieapple72

Hi KaduFlyer, We haven’t heard from you for quite some time. How are you getting on?

KaduFlyer profile image
KaduFlyer

Hi Rosie - I’m good thank you - took a bit of time off this forum during my recuperation - I’ve done 7 out of 8 cardiac rehab sessions and I’m back down the gym building my fitness again - I’m currently sitting on a plane at Gatwick awaiting take off to Alicante to see friends over the NY - one of whom has just had his bladder removed due to cancer to we’re going to compare our respective recuperations - hope all good with you and that you had a good Christmas etc - Happy New Year to you x

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