7 Weeks post op

[Redfloyd]

Hi everybody, I'm 7 weeks post op AVR and CABG, had pneumonia and 8 heart day heart block so my recovery had a slow start. Caught a cold at 5 weeks which knocked me back a bit and spent a few days "hugging a cushion". Anyway, all that behind me at 7 weeks I'm feeling good, not taking painkillers, chest feels a bit numb and I get the odd stinging now and again but able to walk distance and climb hills with no problem.

My concern is that I'm feeling so good I have to be aware of what I'm lifting. At 7 weeks what should I be able to do and lift safely? I've had so many setbacks I don't want to go backwards again. Apparently I've been referred for cardio rehab but haven't heard anything from them yet. My next scheduled appointment is a phone call with Bristol BRI in December (3 months post op)

[Lowerfield_no_more]

I suggest you chase up your cardio rehab from the hospital. At about 7 weeks on you should be nearly there , but it obviously depends where you are. In the meantime if you want any advice talk to the BHF Heart Helpline nurse.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[PadThaiNoodles]

As long as you ramp up slowly your body will let you know. My discharge notes did say no pushing a lawn mower or digging in the garden for 3 months, and no golf or swimming until cleared by consultant.

I haven't been to rehab yet either, but the rehab nurse has called twice. At the last call (7-1/2 weeks) she wanted to make sure I was up to at least 30mins walking a day, and to let me know they were trying to get me in to classes starting in January.

FWIW, this is Ireland/HSE, not UK/NHS.

[Poppy-Pops]

Hi, had my op 14 weeks ago ended up with pneumonia and scar infection, so slow going for me too.

The BRI gave me a booklet which I didn’t find particularly useful, I checked out the info on the internet written by hospitals mainly the Oxford Heart Centre, cardiac surgery booklet that was helpful, sure other hospitals do the same, or look at the BHI website for info, there’s rehab videos.

At week 10 post op I started cardiac rehab, it’s worth going to, but quite far away from where I live.

Hope this helps!

[Redfloyd in reply to Poppy-Pops]

Thanks Poppy-Pops for your reply. I've just read your other post, sounds similar to my recovery to start with, very slow and going backwards at times. Overall I am pleased where I am now, I just wonder what I would be like if I hadn't had the setbacks, or maybe everybody gets setbacks of one form or another. Emotional, I cried an awful lot in the 2 weeks in hospital, all somebody had to do was say hello or send me a nice text and I was crying, all the staff said that was a good thing, better now than later. Obviously overcome with emotion when I got home and saw my pets but I've been ok since. Also like you I am considering going part time, semi retirement or may even find a different job ( I've been a postman 35yrs). The BRI is too far for me to go for rehab, nearly 2hrs away, but hopefully there may be something nearer. Also like you I've got a large dog, 40kg Golden but he is easy to walk either on or of the lead. Hope your recovery continues in the right direction

[Poppy-Pops]

Hi, the emotional side i’m still battling with, have days where I get upset and cry over silly things, all part of the adjusting process I guess.

Can’t even take the dog for a walk yet in case she sees a cat or squirrel, she’d lurch and hurt my chest.

There’s bound to be rehab nearer home, it’s worth doing, and I’m not one to join these sort of things, but it’s been ok!

Retirement - definitely partial from next year, I’ve been part time for 24 years out of 42, I’ve made my mind up on that.

In another few weeks you’ll be further along, everyone’s different as I learnt at rehab.

Hope everything ticks along smoothly.

My next hurdle is returning to work soon.

[Redfloyd in reply to Poppy-Pops]

I'm hoping that my rehab will be at Taunton or Minehead, still 40 mins away but that's the downside of living rural. So lucky with our golden, he's so gentle, he likes to carry his own lead if we walk around our local town. I've been working 6 sometimes 7 days a week for the last few years with the intention of retiring completely at 64, only problem with that plan is I have to make it to 64 which I very nearly didn't. I'm actually signed off to March so I've got plenty of time to think about it or find something else.

My golden retriever

[Poppy-Pops]

gorgeous woofer

I’ve had 3 months off, due back early December , so will see how that goes.

Well the future may be looking good for us both, now we’ve been cabbaged!