Waiting for CABG

[Rosieapple72]

I am a 63 year old female waiting for CABG x 2. Have been following posts for a few weeks now but have never been brave enough to introduce myself.

I had a heart attack in 2018 followed by one stent. Family history of heart attacks. Attended cardiac rehab and have continued to follow advice to the letter. Lost weight, eat healthily, walk 2-3 miles per day, take medication, retired to reduce stress. My GP said at the time that I should look forward to long healthy life - and I truly believed her!

In Oct 2022 started to have chest pains. GP sent me to A&E where I was immediately admitted and underwent lots of tests, which continued after my discharge for several months. Culminated in angiogram in May when I was told I needed CABG x 2. I initially completely fell apart but have managed to pick myself up by focussing on preparation for admission and for recovery. It is now 21 weeks later and still no date. Was told it should be 2-3 months wait, but that has now passed. I have been chasing every week for last 4 weeks, just to make sure they don't forget me. Had pre-assessment two weeks ago so hopefully will hear something soon ... not that I desperately want this surgery but I know that I desperately need it.

I must say I have found posts on here very helpful and reassuring, I just wish I knew how to ease this constant state of panic and anxiety which dominates my life every second of every day and night! I am sure many of you will know exactly what I mean.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Can I say well done for doing your first post it is never easy for some to start talking on here but making that move we know you are here now and we will try and help the best we can even if we can just let you know someone is listening to you

Heart attacks run in my family as close as my Dad it seemed to be the male side though so stupidly been female I thought I would be ok yet 3 years this month actually I had my first heart attack

They sent me out on a massive cocktail of medication telling me I would be ok yet 4 months later I was back in again another heart attack again they sent me home saying I would be ok even though my now an angiogram had been planned before I had the angiogram I had another small heart attack and then when they did the angiogram I got told I needed a triple Bypass

In a way I was relieved at the same time feeling full of fear at least I knew having Bypass surgery they would be taking a good look at my heart and doing everything that needed doing

The waiting though is dreadful and the anxiety feels worse than actually when you go in to Hospital at that stage for most it seems to melt away as you straight away sense you are in the safest hands possible with specialist Nurses around you which does really make you feel so much better

If you have had your pre assessment I would say it is not going to be to much longer as they as we say have a short sell by date on them so fingers crossed it will be sooner now rather than later

You are doing the right thing letting them know you are still here and calling them and not sure if you have already let them know you would be available at short notice if they get an unexpected cancellation as sometimes they do

It is not uncommon to have a stent , live a healthy life to find out you need something like a Bypass it is nothing you have done wrong as we say one of those things even though we do think why me but thank goodness they know what needs to be done and you will soon be on the road to recovery

It is normal to feel anxious and in a state of panic try and distract yourself as much as you can , maybe do some meditation , relaxation tapes are good and keep talking about how you feel

I hope you will feel you can come and talk to us more now you have posted and let us know how you get on x

[Chappychap in reply to BeKind28-]

There's nothing I can add to BeKind's excellent answer...so the only advice I can offer is to read her reply twice!

[Rosieapple72 in reply to Chappychap]

Thankyou Chappyvhap. I have done exactly as you said.

[Rosieapple72 in reply to BeKind28-]

Thankyou so much for your lovely response. It’s so helpful to know that others understand how I feel, although I wouldn’t wish it on anyone!@

[BeKind28- in reply to Rosieapple72]

x

[Seal59]

I don’t think there’s anything I can add to BeKind28’s reply other than to wish you luck and hope you get the surgery done soon x

[Rosieapple72 in reply to Seal59]

Thank you ever so much.

[Blackcatsooty]

I can assure you that the worst bit of your medical journey is the waiting. I became frightened and demoralised. Then I got the go to hospital and the minute I set foot inside cardiac ward the fear melted away. Staff were so professional and kind.

I planned to get an iPad plus a” how to use iPad“ book and a modern language bible for me to read Revelations. Well I just about got to use the iPad and I read the whole of revelations without understanding a word of it. But they were good goals. Sooty

[Rosieapple72 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

I sincerely hope that the waiting is the worst bit. Thankyou for your reassurance.

[Billyjean123]

Bless you. I know exactly how this feels. It sounds like you have done really well. Just hang in there, sounds like you might be other side of this soon 😉

[Rosieapple72 in reply to Billyjean123]

I do hope so and thank you so much for your response.

[Max1019]

Yes Rosie, it’s a very challenging time but it sounds like you’re taking your care of yourself as best you can. The more relaxed you are beforehand the better it is. Try not to think about the ‘what ifs’ but be thankful that you will have the op to a chance for your life to be prolonged without the fear of another attack.

Mine was 4 years ago and I’m so grateful I get a chance to get on with my life.

Will be praying for you.

[Rosieapple72 in reply to Max1019]

I am trying my best Max. I really am trying to look at this as though someone has thrown me a lifeline. Many people don’t get this chance unfortunately, so I am grabbing it with both hands and intend to hold on tight!

[gorillaqueen]

Good morning Rosieapple I had CABGX3 last November and was terrified but with the support of my family and the amazing people on this forum I got through it. I do hope you get your date for surgery very soon as waiting can be so stressful and it sounds like you are having a really hard time.

Have you tried talking to your GP about your anxiety ? They may be able to help as yours does seem to be affecting you quite badly,of course it’s normal to feel anxious when we are told we need surgery but if you are feeling as bad as you say then hopefully they can help you. Also I agree with what BeKind has suggested meditation, I find this really helpful. Try to keep busy and your mind distracted and focus on your new life after surgery, I feel so much better since my surgery than I did before. Good luck take care and please keep us updated on your journey 😊X

[Rosieapple72 in reply to gorillaqueen]

Thankyou so much for your kind words and reassurance.

[PurpleEdge]

Hi Rosieapple,

Once they figured out I had angina and not heartburn my journey started in January. lots of tests and an abandoned Stent procedure I have had 4 appointments 3 cancelled and now doing the countdown for next Monday. (The strikes was the issue for the cancellations. Note to Sunak, pay what these diamonds are worth, the country NEEDS them.) I've had 2 preop meetings.

Nerves, anxiety, yes. I am trying to box it off but like you, when waiting and wondering, your mind does go into overdrive. I am trying to focus on what I'm going to do after the op a small bucket list involving mountains.

Yesterday when out on my walking exercise, a woman strode past me at an enviable rate. About my age I would say. Me, well I was sitting on the bench taking one of many a "View Break". I thought, yep thats gonna be me in a couple of months. I cant remember what its like to just stride out without angina breathlessness etc. But its that focus which brings me back from the what ifs. I wobble but that's only natural.

Keep phoning I did and kept them updated with my slowly progressing symptoms. Cant do no harm!

Keep strong Rosie, Just think, this time next year Rosie we'll both have new plumbing !

[Rosieapple72 in reply to PurpleEdge]

Next Monday! I will be thinking of you and sending you my very best wishes. Keep us all up to date please. I really look forward to hearing that are on the road to recovery.

[PurpleEdge in reply to Rosieapple72]

Hi Rosie,

I'll have my laptop with me, so hopefully I'll be out of my delirium🤪and making sense. 😎.

Chat next week.

[thisoldheartofmine]

Hi and good afternoon rosie.

63 years old, you're a mere youth (I had my CABGX3 last year at the time I was 76). you really don't have a lot to worry about. As I'm sure that you've seen on here those consultants and surgeons do these operations day in day out. The risk factor is very, very low.

If you've had your pre-op appointment it shouldn't be long before you'll be called in. Then you'll be surprised how quick and easy the whole procedure will be.

Just let me relate my own experience. Chatting away to the anaesthetist one moment next thing groggily coming round.....all over! No tubes, little pain (probably because of pain killers). Night in ICU, next day into the general ward. Shown how to move, taken for a walk round the ward and a climb up a short set of stairs, non of which were a problem. And back home five days post op.

The pain was never really unbearable and was controlled with paracetamol for around two weeks. After that time it just faded away and by a month there was no pain at all. In fact my biggest problem was remembering to take it easy and not do anything too stupid like lifting a 20k bag of potatoes (I think I could have done).

So, just to sum up; You really are in good experienced hands and your recovery will all most certainly be easier than you thought.

Good luck (not that you'll need it).

Ps whilst typing this I just looked out into my garden and what did I see....two magpies!

[Rosieapple72 in reply to thisoldheartofmine]

You are an inspiration and your kind words are really helpful. Thank you so much.

[PurpleEdge in reply to thisoldheartofmine]

Hi, you know, that's just what I needed to hear. I hope I can come on in a few weeks time and be able to describe the same path .

Thanks

Rich