By pass surgery in your 30's
I did not know that I had heart problems, but I am a diabetic and I have high blood pressure, and I was a smoker for 20 years. I had a double bypass on Sept. 9, 2002 and my whole life has changed, I thought that I was the only 36 year old woman to have this surgery, I went in for a heart catherazation on a friday and had surgery on monday morning, I cried that whole weekend and three weeks after I had my surgery. I had a lot of support from my husband and my family and friends and my whole community, I was really overwhelmed. It seems to me that I will never be the same again, and this pain in my chest will never go away. I can't go back to work because I had a very physical job working in a factory.
Showty,unlike yourself, I have a desk job and when I was 43 I had a heart attack and had to have a stint in the right coronory and 4.5 years later this past May just almost 9 months ago I had quadruple bypass surgery, but my point is that I am back to work full time and that there is life after heart attack and heart surgery. Young or old, male or female. I cried and cried after the heart attack. Not so after the surgery as it was more like an operation. Both however changed my life in many ways forever... Hang in there and "cry if you want to" but life goes on and you will find your place and a peace of mind in time. I am thankful that you have family and support as you will need them and they need you! Barb --- In BypassSurgeryRecoverySupport@y..., "showty40" <showty40@y...
In a message dated 11/30/2002 8:50:07 AM Eastern Standard Time, art.smock@... writes: "It seems to me that I will never be the same again" As Al just said welcome to the group. I had 2nd CABGx5 in 89 at age 52. I was never the same. Just 11 months after CABG I did my first "century ( 100 miles) on my bicycle. At age 60 I cycled cross country, LA - Boston in 47 days average of 80 miles a day. In 1999 did a cycling tour Seattle - San Diego (lots of tough hills). Immediately after 2nd CABG and for a while I suffered from "why me", but finally gave myself a kick in the ass (not easy to do) and diligently got started on an exercise and lo fat diet program. Eventually got in the best physical shape of my life. While cycling cross country on a tough day through the heartland, came upon a sign by the side of the road which read "Happy are those that dream, and are willing to pay the price to make them come true." You can do it too Showty, Harry K "The Bypassed Bicyclist"
I was 30 yrs old when I had my bypass (x4), I never had any health problems at all. No Diabetes or blood pressure problems. Only thing, I was a smoker for 10 yrs. Had my cath on a Thurs. and Mon morning had my bypass. There is life after heart surgery, At the age of 36 I had a baby and a pacemaker installed!!
In a message dated 11/30/2002 12:27:43 PM US Eastern Standard Time, HKopcf@... writes: I had 2nd CABGx5 in 89 at age 52. I was never the same. why did u need another one ? just curious since i was told i will not live through another one Rose
In a message dated 11/30/2002 3:30:29 PM Eastern Standard Time, starlyin@... writes: why did u need another one ? just curious since i was told i will not live through another one Rose, Not sure how old you are and hope this CABG will last yo a long time but it is not a permanent fix especially for the younger people. The good news is I had my first CABGx5 in 1981 and they have improved the procedure and the after care. Also hopefully if problems arise angioplasty is more effective now than 15 years ago. I have had angioplasty also and it is a walk in the park compared to CABG. I will repeat once more for the newcomers words of my 2nd surgeon "We have only bypassed your heart disease, not removed. Now it is up to you to prevent recurrence." Brian The reply you gave to Joe was a great piece of advice and I hope Joe takes it seriously. Harry K
In a message dated 12/1/2002 7:09:04 AM US Eastern Standard Time, HKopcf@... writes: I will repeat once more for the newcomers words of my 2nd surgeon "We have only bypassed your heart disease, not removed. Now it is up to you to prevent recurrence." Brian im 52 i was 51 had a massive heart attack march 20th they did a angi that day put a pump in my artery and left it like that til morning and then did the quad bypass i spent 11 days on a vent woke up after about 9 days had my lungs tapped 4 times came out of the hospital after a month with COPD ... Rose