getting discouraged

[danilynn]

My husband is 13 days post op and we are finally home
from the hospital. We were delayed with the emergency
tooth situation and afib. He is getting very discouraged with
his breathing difficulties and not being able to get confortable.
Also, still can't get any sleep. Any suggestions?

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey danilynn,
Glad to hear that your husband is home from the hospital. That alone is a big help. As far as sleep goes, it is going to take some time. The first two weeks at home I slept in the recliner. I still have a hard time with sleeping and it has been since April that I had my surgery. I sleep for about 2 hrs and than I am wide awake for about 2 hrs. and than back to sleep for about 2 hrs.
I hope your husband is using his breathing machine that they sent home with him. It is a pain but it does help. I should use it at least 3 times a day. I noticed a big difference. Tell him it is just going to take time before he starts to get back to normal.
Remember to breath, walk and nap!
I hope you are doing OK also.
Take Care

Dave
____________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical

 

[Nancy]

Hi Danilynn-

Most people who have this surgery will find discouragement setting in after getting home. Everyone is so programmed to how recovery goes for normal surgeries. But this surgery is quite different in the recovery. It's major, major surgery, and it affects every body system. There is a lot of healing that has to be done. It all takes much longer than moct people expect. But it does happen, little bit by little bit. Your husband is still very new after surgery.

The emotional aspect of the surgery is a real thing, and crankiness and depression are the norm. It's hard for the patient and hard for their families. This improves usually in a couple of weeks, so that takes time also. If it doesn't improve after a reasonable amount of time, your husband should bring it up with the doctor. There are wonderful meds that can help.

My husband slept sitting up on the sofa for at least a month, and he was restless all night long. This too will all improve. Getting comfortable can be very hard at first.

The spirometer is something that should be used often.

Just keep reminding your husband of what he's been through and that recovery will happen, and he'll be much, much better in a couple of weeks.

Take care.

 

[Ross]

danilynn everything is quite normal for where he's at in recovery. The breathing will get better, but not right away. He's got to do the walking and breathing thing. Slowly but surely, as his system gets reprimed, he'll get the stamina back. It takes time and lots of it. Tell him not to rush or he could backslide and no one wants that to happen.

 

[hensylee]

Dear danilynn - sounds like he's right on schedule. I kept a diary for awhile after my surgery and in reading it, I was short of breath, too, so guess it's natural to be that way. It's going to take some time for the healing process, but it comes - it really does. As for sleeping, tell him to sleep when he can and not to worry, that will come back, too. As we say, he has had MAJOR surgery and that's much more than just having appendix out, give it plenty of time to get better. It will.

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Danilynn,

Sorry to hear that your husband is still having trouble sleeping. That is probably one of the hardest parts - getting comfortable enough to sleep. As others have said, the surgery is not only a physical but a mental drain as well, especially when there have been some unexpected complications.

Keep using the spirometer - regular use really, really helps to open up the lungs again, and ask the universe for a healthy dose of patience.

Melissa

 

[Georgia]

Sorry your hubby's having a little trouble.

I think he really needs to just try to find a position that'll suit him wherever it is. An awful lot of folks found the bed to be the least comfortable.

He's approaching the time when the worst is over. I think the first two weeks seem to be the diciest.

He should use the spirometer every hour - that's not what I was told by the doc or hospital - that was advice from this forum. And my volume SHOT up when I did that.

Good luck - it's hard to be the caregiver when you don't seem to be able to do much for him. Give him some space and read a book or watch a movie you want to watch and just be within hollerin' range.

My best wishes to you guys.

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi danilynn!
i don't really have much to add, other than to remind you and your husband to try and be patient with this recovery.
i remember my husband, joey, getting so frustrated because he felt he wasn't improving fast enough.
in time, though, with some good breathing exercises (spirometer), some walking around a bit, and lots of rest when tired, it gets better with each day.
please try and give it time. this truly was very major surgery and the body needs time to recupe.
wishing you all the best, sylvia

 

[danilynn]

thanks to you all

thanks to you all

Thanks to everyone for encouragement and advice. Today is looking better. Just got back from the hospital for blood work.
Another sleepless night for him, but I will advise him on the more
frequent breathing exercises. The most comfortable position he has
found is leaning forward in his recliner. Think it adds to some swelling in his feet, but I feel better about his progress today.
Thanks again

 

[medtronic of borg]

mental depression and irritableness

mental depression and irritableness

I would only add...one day at a time! One of the things I did to excape while my body healled was to paint a landscape. A s I did I mentally went there in my head since it was a place from my child hood. I loved that lake. To bad they tile it. It hangs in my house to this day. I hand it in a showing but couldn't part with it.

Med

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Danilynn wrote:

"The most comfortable position he has found is leaning forward in his recliner. Think it adds to some swelling in his feet..."

Hello Danilynn,

Swelling in the feet is a sign of fluid retention. This can make breathing MUCH more difficult. Did his doctor prescribe a diuretic such as Lasix (+ Potassium to replace the lost electrolytes)?
Did anyone check his feet / ankles for swelling since his release? If not, call the Doc's office and ask what they want him to do about swelling in his feet.

I'm a little surprised to hear that leaning "forward" is more comfortable than sitting back in the recliner. Does he elevate his feet while in the recliner?

BTW, after I developed breathing difficulties, my surgeon's assistant told me to use the Breathing Spirometer for 10 minutes every 2 hours. I pushed as hard as I could, until I could actually feel the fluid being squeezed out of my chest. As I recall, I did this for 2 or 3 weeks. BIG IMPROVEMENT in my breathing.

Generally, the first 2 weeks are the hardest. After that, slow but steady improvement can be seen.

Best wishes for his continued improvement.

'AL'

 

[danilynn]

Thanks, Med and Al. No, he hasn't had his feet checked since
getting out of the hospital. They prescribed lasix and potassium
prn as we closely monitor his weight. He has lost about 1/2 pound both days we have been home. I'm encouraging him to use the spirometer even more.
Dani