2 weeks after Bypass surgery

[Stevie335]

Good morning everyone 😊 Sorry for the delayed update. On 15 Jan I underwent CABG x3. I was in ICU on the ventilator for 24 hours after op as there was a bleed on my chest that they needed to correct before waking me up. I was completely unaware of any of this, my first memory was a 3am phone call from my wife with me asking her if I had survided the Op 🤣. The whole process of being in hospital, I can only describe it as a wierd dream, kind of like an Alice in Wonderland deal. I was really anxious about the breathing tube coming out but I really cannot remember this. I had 4 drainage tubes and these for me were the worse part. Not patucularly painful just a real strange sensation. To.anyone waiting on this surgery, pat yourself on the back, the wait is by far the worse part. 2 weeks out and im walking everyday, appetite is getting better and my outlook is very positive. I was lucky enough that the surgeon used mammory arteries direct from my chest so no additional harvest sites were needed. Honestly the worry beforehand is in my opinion 100% unneccesary. Its not easy but it is very manageable and in some instances very funny when family members remind you of some of the things you said during the hospital stay (fuelled by medications) Much love x

[Mydog8it]

Glad to hear you are on the mend and gradually returning to normal ..... I'm still waiting my turn.

[Stevie335 in reply to Mydog8it]

Chase up the Cardiologists Secretary, I did after a long wait and was seen 4 days after my phone call. So glad its done now and you will be too

[Blackcatsooty]

isnt life wonderful ? Even in January. just think how extra wonderful it will be once warmer weather arrives.

My pet phrase is “the worst bit is the waiting”.

Sooty

[Stevie335 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

I sincerely thought people were just saying that to make me feel less anxious 😊 Iver never heard a more true statement 🙂

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Well done

It is not as bad is it as we wind ourselves up to believe it is

I never knew they had took the tube out either and what I was dreading before to

When I was in ICU I thought I was in a spaceship think it is the drugs

But you sound like you are doing really well and I am pleased it is done and you are now on the road to recovery

Take it easy and follow what they have told you and you will be fine x

[Heather1957]

Mine was 'only' a single bypass and they also used the mammary artery so no leg surgery.

I had the bypass on the Friday and was discharged directly from ITU on the Tuesday as they needed the bed.

I was surprised that I would be going home so soon but in many ways glad.

I don't remember them taking out the tube either and TBH I have no memory of pain either,

They had me out of bed on Saturday sat in a chair and bored out of my mind.

It was funny listening to others come to the ward still under the influence of anesthesia they would say the most incredible things!!

I was a little frightened as I felt so vulnerable when the man next to me became violent and was trying to get out of bed, he had to be sedated and restrained but had no idea when he became fully lucid.

I am going for a gall bladder op on Monday and I am more frightened about that!

Now take your time recuperating, my recovery was a mixed bag, sometimes 2 steps forward and 1 step back. Listen to your body when it says rest you rest.

Onwards and upwards!

[Heyjude31 in reply to Heather1957]

Hello, just to say will be thinking of you on Monday and wishing you a speedy recovery and do take care. x

[Heather1957 in reply to Heyjude31]

Thank you so much! x

[Weetabixie in reply to Heather1957]

All the best for your gall bladder op Monday and wishing you a speedy recovery too 🤞🙏

[Heather1957 in reply to Weetabixie]

Thanks for that, I had a call from the hospital this morning just checking I was still going!!

[Castleview]

So pleased you are doing well. Hubby is going for his quadruple bypass in a couple of hours, so hoping he will do as well. We've agreed I won't visit until Saturday and hope to talk on the phone before then

[DWizza]

Well done Stevie 👊🏻👍🏻. The waiting 🤦🏼. I thought I was on a spaceship when I came round in ICU 🤣.. off my face. My eldest daughter reminds me that I called her ( not my wife) and was talking like a mad man 🤣🤣🤣.. Get on the cardiac rehab list, you should hear after 2 weeks, I had to chase mine , heard nothing after 4 weeks and found out my name had been left off the list. I’d start following up now 👍🏻.

[Heather1957 in reply to DWizza]

The guy opposite me was talking to one of the nurses about the UFOs he could see when he was brought back to the ward. Apparently (for some reason) it is quite common.

I wonder what I was talking about when I came back.

[DWizza in reply to Heather1957]

🤣🤣🤣 Through my fentanyl haze I could vaguely see very small beings ( my wonderful nurses were very small 🤦🏼🤣) dressed in white , hovering/gliding around very slowly, all movements were slow. My bed was clicked into position , it began to ripple up and down the whole length of my body. I was raised slightly for comfort. I watched another bed being wheel in and thought I recognised the atient as a ward mate. His bird was clicked into position . I raised a hand very slowly to acknowledge the other astronaut , he responded very slowly . I faded , I was waiting to be prepared for the landing , I could hear the ambient whooshing noise of the crafts air conditioning, everything was stark white .. it was so mad 🤦🏼🤦🏼🤣🤣

[Heather1957 in reply to DWizza]

Ha ha ha.

Many many years ago I had minor surgery under general anesthetic all went well and I was on the day ward recovering when one of the nurses brought me some magazines about Australia, now I was going to Australia the following year so I asked her how she knew. Apparently I had quite a conversation in recovery about the trip which I have absolutely no recollection about.

When asked if I wanted a drink (also in recovery) I apparently asked for a Bacardi and coke, which sounds like me!! 😂

I bet there are some tales to be told from the staff, I wish someone would write a book, they don't have to name the patients and I bet it would be hysterical!!

[DWizza in reply to Heather1957]

🤣🤣🤣 I’d deffo read that book …. With a Bacardi and coke 🤦🏼🤣👍🏻👍🏻

[Heather1957 in reply to DWizza]

My tipple too so I obviously knew what I wanted!

[Dyllibobs]

Great to know that you're ok. It is very strange when you refect on the whole experience. I still sit sometimes, wonder did that really happen to me lol! 7 months on now & my scar is fading & life is good 😃

[Weetabixie]

Glad all went well, all the best on moving forward now