Good morning everyone, Happy Boxing Day!Today marks the one year anniversary of my hubby's HA,it's unbelievable really as it seems like forever ago and yesterday all at once.So much has changed for him and for us,we are certainly alot more aware of our health and our diets!Not that we were overweight in the first place or unfit for that matter and that's why his heart attack was such a shock.There has been some dark days this past year,but with lots of help and support from family and friends we finally feel like we've come out the other side.My hubby had 5 months off work recuperating and then returned and after another 5 months was back to full-time hours!Sadly that wasn't good enough for his employer and he was forced to take early retirement but the good news now is that he has a new job, ironically working for the NHS and based only a stone's throw from the cardiology unit that saved his life😊 so I at least feel if anything nasty should happen again he's already in the right place!
Personally for me,I no longer feel the need to watch him like a hawk and I am sleeping much better,but I do still worry and I think I always will.
Today we are trying to not dwell on the past and so are starting a new Boxing Day tradition,we are driving to the coast to walk in the rain and get some sea air in our lungs and celebrate how far he (& we!) have come!😊
Thankyou to everyone of you wonderful people on this forum who have taken the time to read and reply to my questions and ramblings,you really don't know how much you have helped!
Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!
Love Alison and Shaun xx
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Airlie37
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hello Airlie. My husband had a severe angina attack 22 years ago, was hospitalised for ten days (mainly because of inefficiency in the NHS) and back at work after three months, then early retired at his request aged 60.
And we’ve had a great life since. Yes I’m aware almost constantly of the possibility of something similar happening but life is great!
We have a plan for retirement,which will be hopefully around 60 but will be his choice not his employers and we are looking forward to that when the time is right😊but for now we are just going to enjoy life, we've been so focused on getting to this one-year anniversary it's ridiculous really I'm not sure what we both thought would happen!Thank you for replying and best wishes to you both for 2024 and beyond xx
Thank you for troubling to write an update. It’s lovely to hear about all the plus points that arise.
I am almost three years on, (from a new valve) and Christmas does bring up deep feelings, so goodness knows what it’s like to be the anniversary as well.
I am grateful that I had retired a little early so that was a massive thing to not worry over. I had been doing voluntary work but it took about two years post op to accept that I wasn’t doing the job very well at all. Your hubby taking on different employment reminds me that I could find something voluntary that is less taxing.
Thank you for replying,I honestly don't know what I would have done without this forum especially in the first few weeks and months when as a wife looking in and being so terrified of everything, every time he moved,winced or rubbed his chest I was jumping up and asking what was wrong! It's a wonder we didn't end up in divorce.Sometimes it was just a relief to come on here and read other people's stories just to know it wasn't just me and I wasn't going mad 😊
That’s a very good point…….forum for wives and nearest dearests.
Ten years ago I had a stroke and the forums etc were very very important. There were stroke forums for wives. They even had annual holidays ! Now stroke is much more drawn out and more disabling, but heart issues are hard on the wives.
My heart op was during covid so no one was allowed in the hospital. I could see the advantage of that. For wives being given zero access it did reduce the stress. But heart issues are much quicker and recovery is more certain. Also the staff were different for unaccompanied patients. They never left me alone for more than an hour. I didn’t grasp that until I was home.
I had my HA Oct’22 and have had one or two daily chest zaps/twinges and a long awaited doctor’s appointment who found nothing untoward but has arranged a cardiology consultation to see what is going on.My wife is like yourself as she gets worried if I’m seen rubbing my chest or jump when I get a chest sharp twinge.So you are obviously in a marriage like mine where we care for each other through good and bad.
Hi Airlie37, you sound so much like my wife...I don't think she slept for a whole year after my HA, apparently I slept so quietly after, she couldn't be sure I was even breathing , & I've only snored once since...I'll take her word for that!
Doing something different really helps and different really can be good, most of the time 🤪
Really pleased your hubby has found something else...sounds better... and you two are moving forward, all the best.
my husband used to snore - loudly. Since his HA he doesn’t. I was the same I would have to check to make sure he was breathing. He is 3.5 years now post HA and the snoring hasn’t returned
In the beginning I'd spend most of the night just staring at him I used to think crikey if he suddenly wakes up and sees my face hovering above his I'm going to give him another heart attack 😂 but in all seriousness I felt I needed to be on guard just in case....I still do this occasionally but I am getting better 😊
And it's funny you say about your husband's snoring because the same thing has happened with mine!
What an encouraging post for those that are struggling and I love how he got a new job for the NHS as well
It seems a bad situation has turned into something really positive and long may it continue for you both and thank you so much for sharing this with us x
Well done to both of you. It was 2 years yesterday for my husband (and me) so I know exactly where you are coming from. I watched mine like a hawk too and to be honest, yesterday was still a challenge for me, waiting for something to happen! Anyway it didn't and we had the best Xmas present ever.... a very boring Christmas. All the best to you both annd have a veery Happy New Year.
Thankyou for your reply!I still worry infact yesterday my husband was in another room and I shouted for him three times and got no answer not even a grunt and I panicked and went flying into the room shouting "are you ok" and when he replied "yep" I got abit sharp and said well answer then!😂I really don't think I'll ever stop panicking 😊Best wishes to you both for a happy and healthy 2024 xx
You story is so similar to mine, I had my HA and CABG in May this year, the only exception is have been back at work full time for 2 months now and my employer has been great. There's been a few small changes in my life to but the whole episode feels like a distant memory now.All the best
Snap! I had exactly the same in 2019 what’s shock particularly after daily fitness and a marathon runner. But you can’t choose your parents bless them. But the lesson for me was live every day don’t put things off and enjoy the moment. The only commodity you can’t control is time so make the most Good luck 👍🍀
Exactly what my cardiologist said! You can’t change your parents, well my Dad and Grandad. Grandad died of heart attack at 57 and Dad died aged 30, not heart related but autopsy said arteries were furred up and he was a pro footballer!
I do feel the NHS could look at family history more and be more proactive to help prevent issues. Probably too much to ask from the NHS I know. So I’m on at my brother, son and daughter to get tested regularly.
My hubby played football upto turning 50 and then his knee went and he had to retire and so because he'd always been so active and wasn't overweight we naively thought he'd be ok and that it would probably pass to his sister and brother who are overweight and smokers but that wasn't the case.Even after his HA their attitudes haven't changed and neither have had any checks done.😔
Now he's had his first anniversary my hubby is eligible for his knee replacement surgery and he's having that in February,I'm not sure how I feel about him going under general anesthetic but that's another story!
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