Terrified waiting room 20 month / almost go time.

[harrietW]

HarrietW,

You will definitely need your CPAP machine after the surgery. MAKE SURE THEY CONNECT THE OXYGEN TUBES TO IT if you'll use it soon after surgery. No one told me other than that I needed to use it. Unfortunately, my oxygen level dropped very low that night and the 'uncaring' nurse told me this in the morning instead of waking me up and do something about it when he noticed that!!

So, remember to demand this! Good luck.

Thank you Eva ! I will and great to know. Thx u

 

[harrietW]

Re. driving, typically you have to wait at least 6 weeks after surgery to get clearance to drive. They want to give the sternum a chance to heal before putting it at risk behind the wheel.

AZ Don Great to know and make good sense. Thank you !

 

[harrietW]

That makes sense but they say if all goes well I'll only be in the hospital for 5 days then a 25 mile drive home My wife will be driving but I imagine the risk to the sternum would be the same. I guess that also means no riding in a car even as a passenger for 6 weeks?

Hmm .. cldlhd.
Driving is different than being a passenger. Either way the ride can't be to comfortable. Pulling and turning on a wheel has got a o hurt, turning the chance of having to sway... either way l have at least a 300 mile journey at some point from the hospital to home . l can't imagine even wanting to o drive.

 

[AZ Don]

I was advised to ride in the backseat at first, but can't remember if that was for the full 6 weeks. I was given no other restriction on riding in a car. I don't fully understand the driving restriction and I believe I've heard of someone getting the ok much sooner, but 6 weeks is typical. There are some contradictions among the restrictions advised after heart surgery. Here is an excellent article/study that discusses the sometimes vague and subjective restrictions that are advised following heart surgery. In it they measured the force required to perform a variety of daily activities, and provide some specific exercise guidelines: http://www.sportsnutritionworkshop.com/Files/1.SPNT.pdf

... we found that the activity advice physicians gave patients after surgery involving sternotomy was vague and/or overly
restrictive, not taking into account which muscle groups patients could safely use without risking damage to the
surgical site. Furthermore, following the common physician recommendation of not lifting 5 pounds would
preclude patients from all but 4 of the 32 common daily activities we investigated. Following the AACVPR or
ACSM guidelines (lifting only 1 to 3 pounds) is even more restrictive. Particularly ironic is that following
these guidelines in daily activities would preclude patients from pushing or pulling open a standard doctor’s
office door, and, specific to our study, the door of the cardiac rehabilitation building

 

[harrietW]

I was advised to ride in the backseat at first, but can't remember if that was for the full 6 weeks. I was given no other restriction on riding in a car. I don't fully understand the driving restriction and I believe I've heard of someone getting the ok much sooner, but 6 weeks is typical. There are some contradictions among the restrictions advised after heart surgery. Here is an excellent article/study that discusses the sometimes vague and subjective restrictions that are advised following heart surgery. In it they measured the force required to perform a variety of daily activities, and provide some specific exercise guidelines: http://www.sportsnutritionworkshop.com/Files/1.SPNT.pdf

Thank you AZ Don
That is quite the guide and l am sure it will be most useful in the months to come. Thank you for thst .

 

[pellicle]

My wife will be driving but I imagine the risk to the sternum would be the same. I guess that also means no riding in a car even as a passenger for 6 weeks?

Not as far as I know. Driving is a no no for the same reason lifting is a no no. Passengering is rather like sitting and gettingup ... my hhospital even helped my to my car and my wife drove.

No driving means no driving, not no transport in cars.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

r. Either way the ride can't be to comfortable. Pulling and turning on a wheel has got a o hurt, turning the chance of having to sway... either way l have at least a 300 mile journey at some point from the hospital to home . l can't imagine even wanting to o drive.

My ride home was quite uncomfortable. I was exhausted when we got home.

Also do not under estimate the importance of having someone there. This is seriously taxing stuff. I couldn't imagine coming home alone. I did that in my late 20's and it was effing tough.

Coming home alone after my debridement operations was tough. I understoodwhy many elderly are re admitted soon

 

[cldlhd]

Not as far as I know. Driving is a no no for the same reason lifting is a no no. Passengering is rather like sitting and gettingup ... my hhospital even helped my to my car and my wife drove.

No driving means no driving, not no transport in cars.

Well thats good to know as I can get stir crazy. I thought maybe being a passenger was frowned upon also because of the seat belt across the chest and if an accident happens I imagine that could be an issue.

 

[harrietW]

Hi


My ride home was quite uncomfortable. I was exhausted when we got home.

Also do not under estimate the importance of having someone there. This is seriously taxing stuff. I couldn't imagine coming home alone. I did that in my late 20's and it was effing tough.

Coming home alone after my debridement operations was tough. I understoodwhy many elderly are re admitted soon

Thank you Pellicle. Point taken. So much to reevaluate .. ... gooshh !! Who knew that after wait this long someone could be so unprepared. But l guess when you try and live your life everyday like its a bonus .. You kind of try and forget that day is coming. Lots to think about. X. Thx u

 

[pellicle]

Thank you Pellicle.

You're welcome ... really hard to be prepared for what you have never done before.

That's what we're here for

Don't forget to read the thread on stool softners ... "congestion" post surgery is an issue. I prefer kimchi myself

 

[harrietW]

You're welcome ... really hard to be prepared for what you have never done before.

That's what we're here for

Don't forget to read the thread on stool softners ... "congestion" post surgery is an issue. I prefer kimchi myself

I will be sure to read it .. Thx u !!

 

[carolinemc]

HarriettW. Just hang in there, honey. The waiting is almost over. Please do not worry about how everything has to play out, because it will. Just try to concentrate on yourself and to work on calming down. I was in a strange place when I was waiting for my bypass, but stayed calm and tried not to worry. I leaned on the Lord to guide me to where I needed to be and when and I am still here today. Just calm done a bit and relax. It will all work itself out. I will be praying for you. Hugs for today.

 

[harrietW]

Carolinemc, so sweet thank you.
Its really kind of crazy l spent the last 20 mths turning it over and letting go. ... And all of the sudden l am a mess. ! Thank you for your prayers . today is what would of been my dads 89 th birthday. He died at the age of 47 massive heart failure. He was 2 days away from a triple bypass .. They couldn't save him he never made it to operating room. That was 1973 a life time ago. I know things are different today they have come such a long way. I am taking this one for him. Sometimes l think a miracle will take place and l wouldn't need surgery , but other times l think the surgery is the miracle. Thank you for you kind words and the hug. Xx its all going to be exactly what its meant to be all along and that l trust in. ☺

 

[cldlhd]

Small world , my Dad died of heart failure on January 9,2014 at the age of 69 exactly 2 months before I received my diagnosis. He refused to get surgery and I've often wondered if he'd still be around if he had. That probably figures into why I'm getting mine done proactively as I want to be around for my son. I realize it's a little different though as I was 44 when my Dad died and my son is only 8.

 

[harrietW]

Cldlhd l am so sorry about your dad.
My 33 year old son was married in Sept 14 I am grateful l could be there for them to celebrate there union and want nothing more than to meet my grandchildren God willing.
My mom has dad a series of strokes over the past three yrs most recently probably 6 or 8 small ones. Latest 1 week before Christmas. After all of that they diagnosed her with non vascular AF she has refused all surgery's and is DNR she is 79. I have been mourning her since Christmas time. All so sad. When is your surgery ? And you sound young with a young son. My prayers are with you. Its all going to be ok. Xx hugs

 

[cldlhd]

Thanks for the good thoughts. My Dad had different heart issues than me , the fact that one of his main hobbies was smoking probably didn't help, but he refused surgery until it was too late. I am young ( relatively ) and that's why I'm choosing to have my surgery as I figure the recovery will be easier. Congrats on your son and sorry to hear about your Mom.

 

[kimcdougc]

Hi Harriet, I had my AVR in May 2013. I feel your anxiety. I wrote "just in case letters". We all have been where you are. This site was the best place to help me with all my feelings. I admire so many of the people here that are so faithful after surgery to help those that are going through it all. You worry and worry. Then the day arrives and you feel peace. You have done all your research, found the Dr. you like, prepared the best you can and finally peace before the surgery. The recovery is way easier than I ever thought it was. The before is way worse than the after. Have faith in God, your Drs. yourself and all here to help you along the way. You will get through it all.

 

[harrietW]

Kimcdougc,
Thank you for your words of wisdom. Peace hahahaha!! l thought l had found it and then January rolled around .. Sigh! I appreciate the experiences from everyone here. I think just talking about it and all the feelings and being able to voice them is very significant for me and l suppose anyone who lives alone. I am one of these people that needed to talk about things until l Dont have to anymore. I find myself literally walking around my apartment talking out loud rehursing conversations with my Dr's and calling my son and telling him what to do and where things are so he will know were to find them and what to do with my body. Crazy maken stuff .. Lol !
No God , No peace.
Know God , Know Peace
Again thank you so much. I thought l had done my research until l came on here. I also was sluffing off the post recovery until l starting listening to others story's.
I have to get back to living in the moment, trust in God and remember l am and l do believe in miracles.
Xx