Cardiac bypass is hard!

[nolabear]

Not even me, but Mr. Bear, who just got turned loose after a two week stint in hospital, one week before the surgery due to some chest pain and a need to let the anticoagulants wear off, and one week after.

He's actually doing great in spite of a couple of scares I won't go into, is a fit guy and will eventually be better than ever.

That said...damn. Trying to interrupt and wrap around a pretty full life while worrying and taking care is surprisingly tiring. But it's been heartening to have people show how much they care in myriad ways.

Makes you realize what's important.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Sending good thoughst, nolabear and Mr. Bear.

And you are right, about what matters in life.

[kwassa]

2. Did he know he had a heart problem?

I don't know the back story.

I had a heart attack myself five years ago, but I was fortunate and only needed a stent. It is a shocking experience, especially if one has no known prior problems.

Does the hospital have a cardiac rehab center? Those a very worthwhile.

[nolabear]

5. Oh yeah. Attack 18 years ago. Up to 8 stents.

It's been a long road. They put off bypass as long as possible because he was young. But they were running out of room. He actually has very little damage and we've been lucky. He's an active guy with great habits, just didn't win the genetic lottery. They say this ought to solve some problems for a long time.

[kwassa]

9. Good luck to him.

I think my problem is also genetic, though not as difficult as his. I have no risk factors, including family history. It is a mystery. I have low blood pressure. Always have.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear nolabear...

I'm so glad he's doing well now...

These acute events sure bring into sharp focus exactly what truly matters.

[nolabear]

6. Amen to that, Peggy! I'm working on a poetry ms about it.

Ya works with what ya got. 😃

[rurallib]

4. my heart goes out to you......

just had to.
Hoping for a great recovery

[nolabear]

7. Ba-dump-Ching!

[panader0]

8. Get well fast Mr Bear

He's lucky to have you.

[femmocrat]

10. Sending healing vibes to Mr. Bear!

Best wishes for his quick recovery.

Yes, we have to cherish every day......

[HereSince1628]

11. Triple by-pass survivor here...

a couple of things I'd mention...

The pain at the graft sites (mine were taken from arteries above the inside of my right knee) can be surprisingly painful...rolling out of bed depends a lot on counter balance of leg weight and that puts pressure on the wounds. The worst post op pain I had was in my leg.

The wires that hold together the sternum can hurt like needles under the skin if the surgical team didn't get the points turned to prevent irritation.

There can be tremendous depression. The physical therapy will keep the patient distracted for a few weeks...after that all the close attention falls away and you are left with people thinking you are not what you were...

Hair growing back onto the chest is surprisingly irritating. TIGHT undershirts really help...without that the jiggling involved with going down the street can really be annoying.

Cheloid scars can be painful, cortisone shots helped me with that.

Numbness and weird remappings of sensation are the cost of messing with nerves that move along vessels on the chest wall which are often tapped to hook up bypass grafts...this may not go away quickly (mine haven't after 5 years) but it's something that can be accommodated over time. I still find it weird to touch cheloids on my suture line and feel the touch near my right nipple. But it's just weird, not painful...

[nolabear]

13. Thanks. Happily no leg involvement.

They used a pectoral artery and one from his left arm. So far we're figuring out the rest. Hope you continue to be well.

[HereSince1628]

15. Thanks. Best wishes...it's a big event, yet overtime

I suspect it will seem less big.

A week before the surgery I was cutting up windfallen trees at the farm.. 3 weeks afterward I was desperate to drive and upset that the SO wouldn't let me use the snowblower.

All these years later she STILL doesn't want me to shovel snow. In retrospect, it was an expensive hiccup in my life, but it was a hiccup.

There are at least a dozen DUers who post regularly who've had this surgery. If you have a question about things, a post in GD or here will bring them out.

[Generic Brad]

12. My best to you and Mr. Bear

The stress of the situation must be unimaginable.

[nolabear]

14. Thanks. Bad, but getting better. He's a trooper.

I have outstanding respect for him, medicine and the resilience of the human body and spirit. 💖

[shenmue]

16. Hugs

[Archae]

17. 5 bypass survivor here, back in 2008.

Was not fun, but I sure felt better afterwards.

[nolabear]

18. YOWTCH! This was a double.

Things are moving along. I look forward to the day when we're both bored and want to go do stuff. I expect that to be soon.

Happy to hear you're feeling well.