I am asking for people's experiences following this operation. A close member of my daughter-in-law's family had a heart attack and was taken straight in for a triple by-pass operation over a week ago. He is in his mid to late 60's - we think around 67. He is now out of hospital and refusing any help at home. Before this he was working and helping my son and daughter-in-law with refurbishing her Mum's old house and garden and also working full time. He is also type 1 diabetic - don't know if this will make any difference to out comes. They live in Florida so now is the hottest time of year - so hot that the children have play time as soon as they arrive in school at 08.30 and then don't go out for the rest of the day it is so unbearably hot.
Any advice on recovery would be gratefully received.
Thank you in advance,
Des.
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Desanthony
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Everyone's recovery is different and can go at a different pace however if it is just one week since he had his Bypasses usually most need some kind of support so I am not sure how he is managing without
You should not be reaching up to things or stretching , no lifing even a kettle the most you should have in to lift is just enough for one cup of tea or lifting pans with food in if he is cooking especially if they are heavy as the sternum needs to heal
As it is so hot he should be keeping cool the best he can
But if he does not want any help I am not sure what you can do and if he is coping with everything then he is doing really well at this stage
Others may come along with some more advice and I hope his recovery keeps going well
I'm almost 3 weeks out from my triple bypass and would really struggle without the help of my husband. My recovery has not been straightforward as now on 2nd lot of antibiotics for chest and wound infection. But everyone is different and my brother was alone when he had his bypass 2 years age during covid. He did have the nurse in once a day to check on him . You can't force someone to have help if they don't want all you can do is ensure he know that there is help if he needs it 😁
Yes I sensed that you had sent me the reply by mistake
That was awful for your Brother I had my op during the worse of covid but did have my Husband otherwise I do not think I would have coped not even with a nurse coming in once a day
Try not to worry about the infection you have where your scar is I had one to right at the bottom of mine and it would not clear up the Nurse came every day and put something on it and dressed it which went on a few months it was very stubborn in clearing up
As well as the antibiotics are you getting yours treated with anything ?
Today some fancy silver dressing that's meant to help . I have to go to the Dr's every few days which is hard work no house calls here .it difficult as they gave me different antibiotics as the right lung that was bad last week has cleared but now a problem with the left lung. And they give me a stomach upset it's hard not to feel a little sorry for myself but trying to pull myself out of a hole. Hubby had to go back to work this week but managed to make a snack for myself. I know I will get there just not as quick as I was hoping 😁
Yes that is the one I do not know the name of it but remember it was silver and I had something else as well at one stage they used it did take ages though and I did panic
Getting a lung infection is quite common after these ops I had one but they caught it while I was in the Hospital and banged me on antibiotics straight away which I think stopped matters getting any worse and I know I do not suite antibiotics either they make me feel so ill but with everyone you take know it is going to clear this up and it is short term
That must have unsettled you that your Husband has had to go back to work I hope you have family and friends that might be able to pop in and see you while he is at work
Maybe plan what you are going to have to eat while he is at work the night before and prepare it and put it in the fridge but you took care of yourself today and a big step so well done x
Thank you .I'm finding having to do a little more for myself is giving me a little push to get out of the chair.I had pneumonia in hospital that we thought had cleared but must of been hiding in a corner somewhere lol. I also lost my dad on Saturday evening which certainly hasn't helped the mood but I will fight though it all I'm sure xx
The year before I had my first heart attack I had double pneumonia and it got missed which resulted in me been rushed into resuscitation and then in ICU and I always think I wished they had picked it up before it got to that stage because it was the most frightening experience even more so than the heart Bypass op so I know the medication makes you feel awful but take it and get it cleared up which it will
I totally understand how your Husband been at work has given you that little push which is a good thing but pace yourself to
Goodness you are going through it I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad you are having so many emotions here all at once to deal with and getting over your op , infections and now you are grieving please reach out if you need support be it on here or talking with friends family or your Doctor
You are doing so well coping with all this and my condolences to you and your family x
Yes you are right. He has asked my son to do some shopping for him. So hopefully my son or someone will also help him when they take the shopping round.
My husband had a double bypass right before the first covid lock down and was super independent. I was working from home but I just left him to it unless he asked me for help - less arguments that way. He would have struggled to get shopping in because he couldn't drive or lift much but I am guessing home deliveries sort that out. Some people heal better if they are left alone to 'lick their wounds' whilst others need more help. I guess everyone is individual.
Very true our recoveries are all different and how we cope are two just a few things like lifting and stretching though that we have to all be careful of while our sterums are healing
He is thank you heart wise anyway. He has had bowel surgery since but that is another story. There were a few blips along the way caused by medication but his recovery from his open heart surgery was easy compared to the bowel stuff.
Sorry to hear he then needed bowel surgery after doing so well with the heart surgery and recovery I hope he is recovering well now after the bowel surgery sounds like he has been through it and some which if course must have been difficult for you to but hope things are back on track x
Not quite there yet - he should be able to have a stoma reversal later this year and then we will hopefully back on course. It is difficult because we are struggling to get any PIP so are relying on my income and as I am self employed can’t stop if I am ill. Just taking one day at a time with lots of laughter. Thanks for messaging
I really hope he manages to get it reversed and I can imagine the pressure you are under and claiming PIP is another trauma but I hope you get awarded it as you should do x
Try and see that as a positive at least he asked someone to get some shopping for him and did not try and go himself and he did ask when he needed something
All you can do is keep reminding him that everyone is there if he needs something and calling or going round to say hello so at the same time you can check on him
Thanks for this. Yes we can't make him get help but just be there when needed. Just hope he doesn't try to do something he can't and over does things and puts himself back in hospital.
Sorry, but this is crazy. A triple bypass is a very serious operation and the person concerned will likely do themselves substantial damage by trying to do things for themselves.
I had a neighbour whose friend had the same operation, refused any help and had to go back into hospital when the bypass failed and the sternum refused to heal.
For my quadruple I needed help for 6 weeks-at a pinch I could have coped after 4 weeks.
This is very unwise and exacerbated by the high temperatures
Yes exactly. so far so good though and he seems to be managing he has asked my son to go shopping for him so am thinking that when they take the shopping round they will sort a few other things out for him as well.
Hi, I had quadruple bypass july 2023 aged 61. I don’t know how he can refuse help. I was very fit and strong prior to my Nstemi and surgery. I had residual fitness but I really needed the support of my family and friends physically and mentally . He may be made of stronger stuff than me but it reminded me of a picture poking fun at mens stubbornness. I hope he comes to terms with his situation and he and his family are all able to cope on this new journey. I’m certainly loving my rebirth.
Hi Des,I certainly needed help after my triple. Couldn't even get showered. I used a chair at the sink! No way could I cook or shop. I struggled to walk far, and this went on for quite a few weeks. Perhaps he has boxed himself into a corner and doesn't like to admit to struggling? Will he accept a few meals donated? Best regards
Really important he accepts some help at home otherwise he will push himself to hard by lifting heavy things which you shouldn't do in first 6 weeks as you can make the securing wires come loose.Also you are tired and a bit fuzzy minded due to the pills, there are a lot initially it's very easy to forget to take them all. First 4 weeks my wife kept me in order.
Loads of other small help things needed as well as you don't even get a visit from a nurse at all once your discharged.
hi I am in the uk had a quadruple 9 years ago . Been quite well back to doing everything . It was hard not to overdo it. I didn’t need help at home as I had my husband but we were in the middle of renovations on our bungalow. Do what your body says . BUT NO HEAVY LIFTING . Good luck
Glad to be able to give advice. Went through this with reversed gender, it was my wife who had the triple bypass! This the most serious it can get as far as operations go!
As for the operating teams, it is like a "major tyre change/service"! Usually with highly successful outcomes. Then came covid and the physio (one hour/month) came to stand still. She was also diabetic and had several medications, more than a dozen meds. There was much dependancy on me being primary care giver, she always worried about the scars (to her chest and leg) and had to take the painkillers for several weeks. Sounds like your man is typically showing "male ego characteristics, or is still in shock and is at a loss". Sometimes it's hard to be humble. Anyways, after I year my mrs, she developed kidney failure and hated going for dialysis! after suffering this for a whole year, she had several health issues and passed away. Her demise came very suddenly and unexpectedly. Remember this all happened with the best care from home and the health professionals.
So sorry for your loss. I am hoping that people are popping in to help him as my son's family do live near and have two older teenage boys nearly 17 and nearly 20 now so one is no longer a teenager come his birthday. I am hoping he is taking some help from them.
Thank you for all your answers. I believe he is doing OK - we haven't heard of any problems anyway. I guess it could be that he decided he didn't want any help to start with. He has asked my son to do his shopping and I am hoping that when the shopping is delivered my son and grandsons go around and help him with other things as well. I relised that it was a major operation as an old friend had this done years ago and I know she couldn't have managed on her own so wondered how he was going to. Anyway so far so good and let's hope he makes a good recovery.
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