Triple bypass in 2 days
Discussion
2 weeks ago I had a heart attack.
Seems I was having it for a few days before the blue light run to A and E. Cut to a couple of days ago and the angiography showed that rather than some stents it's the full replumb for me. My heart didn't stop, it's actually quite healthy, it just couldn't shift enough to let me breathe.
Feels like a real big thing is happening and I'm almost looking on from the side. I don't feel nervous or worried although part of me thinks I should.
There are some lifestyle changes to follow but I'm kinda looking forward to those.
All a very strange sense of anticipation.
As a reasonably active 62 year old there must be others here who've travelled this path on here........so whats the best advice.
Seems I was having it for a few days before the blue light run to A and E. Cut to a couple of days ago and the angiography showed that rather than some stents it's the full replumb for me. My heart didn't stop, it's actually quite healthy, it just couldn't shift enough to let me breathe.
Feels like a real big thing is happening and I'm almost looking on from the side. I don't feel nervous or worried although part of me thinks I should.
There are some lifestyle changes to follow but I'm kinda looking forward to those.
All a very strange sense of anticipation.
As a reasonably active 62 year old there must be others here who've travelled this path on here........so whats the best advice.
Wacky Racer said:
Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine.
Bloke across the road had one at 70, ten years later he is still active,
It's a fairly common operation carried out by extremely talented people.
I think you're right. I've met a lot of heart surgeons over the last 2 weeks and they all exude calm confident knowledge. Impressive people.Bloke across the road had one at 70, ten years later he is still active,
It's a fairly common operation carried out by extremely talented people.
Thanks all and I'm approaching it all with a positive mindset. Pain is something I can deal with having had a replacement knee and toe amputated but hiccups! Lol
I'm not good on morphine so hope big drugs are short lived but I'm just going to go with the flow and do what I'm told. As you've all said, they do this every day. I'm actually in Barts in the City which is a main centre for this stuff so all ducks are as lined up as can be I suppose.
I've been in hospital now for just over 2 weeks now and I'm well set up with phone and a good tablet with access to everything I want. I've avoided too much Google g about this though, just concentrated on listening to what I'm told.
However scary it might be, however painful it might be there'll be someone in here having a worse day than I am so ill be counting my blessings and looking forward to my grandkids, kids, dogs my own bed and my wife.
The most important thing for anyone to have in hospital is, without doubt, noise cancelling headphones! The best you can get!
I'm not good on morphine so hope big drugs are short lived but I'm just going to go with the flow and do what I'm told. As you've all said, they do this every day. I'm actually in Barts in the City which is a main centre for this stuff so all ducks are as lined up as can be I suppose.
I've been in hospital now for just over 2 weeks now and I'm well set up with phone and a good tablet with access to everything I want. I've avoided too much Google g about this though, just concentrated on listening to what I'm told.
However scary it might be, however painful it might be there'll be someone in here having a worse day than I am so ill be counting my blessings and looking forward to my grandkids, kids, dogs my own bed and my wife.
The most important thing for anyone to have in hospital is, without doubt, noise cancelling headphones! The best you can get!
I'm lucky with good regular visitors and they keep me well stocked with stuff. I've not got much of an appetite but the odd treat is lovely.
We've thought about the home trip. Lucky that our youngest lives in the City and can drive here in 15 mins and we know the area well. It's either that or an Uber exec back to NE London.
Travelling further, as some must do must be a massive challenge post any surgery.
We've thought about the home trip. Lucky that our youngest lives in the City and can drive here in 15 mins and we know the area well. It's either that or an Uber exec back to NE London.
Travelling further, as some must do must be a massive challenge post any surgery.
glenrobbo said:
Blimey! From heart attack to triple bypass in 2 weeks and 2 days?
You lucky lucky Pistonheader!!!
Good luck, OP.
That's a torrid tale of frustration. I do feel fortunate getting sorted pretty swiftly. The doctors keep reminding me I'm not as well as I feel so now I'm bored and just want it done.You lucky lucky Pistonheader!!!
Good luck, OP.
Today is a mix of nerves and anticipation!
Thanks all for your good wishes. I've had such a lot of good wishes I feel a lucky chap.
I'm shaved (all over), showered, polished, tested and ready to get a gown on later as I'm #2 on the list.
Seen so many doctors over the last 24 hours it's all becoming a blur of strange words and terms.
Now getting into a calm chilled state of mind and putting faith in some very clever people.
Seen so many doctors over the last 24 hours it's all becoming a blur of strange words and terms.
Now getting into a calm chilled state of mind and putting faith in some very clever people.
I am so sorry not to have updated things.
Being discharged today and feel great. Things improve almost by the hour. Going home was delayed by a UTI, bowel blockage and checks for a stroke!.
I'll review what details I've already posted and put some immediate post op thoughts together.
Tomorrow is a sunny day!
Being discharged today and feel great. Things improve almost by the hour. Going home was delayed by a UTI, bowel blockage and checks for a stroke!.
I'll review what details I've already posted and put some immediate post op thoughts together.
Tomorrow is a sunny day!
Some time has passed and I officially discharged back to local care from the surgical team at Barts this week thought an update would be appropriate.
To be honest, it's all gone pretty well.
The physical stuff healed really well. The wound on the side of my knee where they harvested the artery took the longest to heal but no issues or infections. Always a concern being t2 diabetic.
I was religious about following advice concerning not lifting anything heavy, no arms above shoulders and the like and I gradually increased my walking. I hit my target of 5000 steps a day at 6 weeks post op and I'm still building on that.
It took some time to be able to sleep on my side but once my chest stopped clunking when I moved awkwardly it became easier.
Stairs are still a challenge but getting easier each week. My surgeon told me that will increase over time.
The local Cardiac team run an 8 week circuit training session once a week. It's based on the British Heart Foundation programme and is run in a local gym with Cardiac nurses and Cardiac physiologists in attendance. That's been fantastic and has answered a number of questions. For instance, I've lost strength in my shoulders to the extent a 2kg weight brought up to shoulder hight with straight arms is almost impossible. I questioned this and was told its quite common because of tge way you are spread open on the operating table. It can take 12 months to recover.
All in all I feel brilliant. I'm told I look better than people expected when I meet them. I get tired pretty easily but again that's quite normal I'm told.
What's also clear is the whole thing took a massive toll on my wife. Seems she feared I would die in the ambulance and it seems in the first few days I was more poorly than I thought. At no point did I think my time was up.
Onwards and upwards. Taking the grandkids to Disney land Paris in April and aim to be fit enough for 3 days in the park and we'll enough for some roller coasters!
To be honest, it's all gone pretty well.
The physical stuff healed really well. The wound on the side of my knee where they harvested the artery took the longest to heal but no issues or infections. Always a concern being t2 diabetic.
I was religious about following advice concerning not lifting anything heavy, no arms above shoulders and the like and I gradually increased my walking. I hit my target of 5000 steps a day at 6 weeks post op and I'm still building on that.
It took some time to be able to sleep on my side but once my chest stopped clunking when I moved awkwardly it became easier.
Stairs are still a challenge but getting easier each week. My surgeon told me that will increase over time.
The local Cardiac team run an 8 week circuit training session once a week. It's based on the British Heart Foundation programme and is run in a local gym with Cardiac nurses and Cardiac physiologists in attendance. That's been fantastic and has answered a number of questions. For instance, I've lost strength in my shoulders to the extent a 2kg weight brought up to shoulder hight with straight arms is almost impossible. I questioned this and was told its quite common because of tge way you are spread open on the operating table. It can take 12 months to recover.
All in all I feel brilliant. I'm told I look better than people expected when I meet them. I get tired pretty easily but again that's quite normal I'm told.
What's also clear is the whole thing took a massive toll on my wife. Seems she feared I would die in the ambulance and it seems in the first few days I was more poorly than I thought. At no point did I think my time was up.
Onwards and upwards. Taking the grandkids to Disney land Paris in April and aim to be fit enough for 3 days in the park and we'll enough for some roller coasters!
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