CABG recovery
My mother had a CABG x5 three weeks ago. I know these things vary, but how long do most people feel really tired after this procedure. She gets short of breath and has to sit down. She used to walk several miles a week at her gym. What can we do as caregivers to be understanding? We stay with her, clean the house, and run errands of course, but how can we help with the emotional effects? She goes from fine, to mean and critical, to depressed,weepy, and scared. Thanks for any input. Frances
What you describe sounds pretty common. Encourage her to WALK, WALK , WALK, every day, as much as she feels up to, then rest or NAP. That is the BEST way to restore muscle tone, energy, and does a lot for mood / minimizing depresssion. Pushing the Breathing Exercises (I did 10 minutes every 2 hours) really helps to reinflate the lungs, reduce the liklihood of pneumonia, and restore one's 'wind' and stamina. I know, breathing exercises are NOT fun, but they REALLY help speed recovery. The best book I've seen on recovery is The Heart Surgery Handbook, later republished as Coping With Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression by J. Jude, M.D., et.al. You can find a LOT of recovery stories and experiences on the Post Surgery Forum on www.ValveReplacement.com which has over 500 subscribed members. There are MANY members who reported coming in as a "basket case", scared out of their minds, who are now happy and healthy, advising and supporting others as they face surgery and recovery. There IS life after Heart Surgery ! It takes about 6 weeks for the sternum to become reasonably solid. If there are no complications, she will feel MUCH better at that stage. At 6 months, 'most' of the recovery has been realized, but recovery may continue on for a year or more. Remember the mantra: WALK, WALK, WALK, NAP, NAP, NAP, BREATHE, BREATHE, BREATHE. Progress is slow but steady. 'AL' In a message dated 11/21/02 9:59:34 PM Canada Central Standard Time, flcphd@... writes: << My mother had a CABG x5 three weeks ago. I know these things vary, but how long do most people feel really tired after this procedure. She gets short of breath and has to sit down. She used to walk several miles a week at her gym. What can we do as caregivers to be understanding? We stay with her, clean the house, and run errands of course, but how can we help with the emotional effects? She goes from fine, to mean and critical, to depressed,weepy, and scared. Thanks for any input. Frances
Frances: I'm 45 y.o. and now 1.5 yr post op. For me the shortness of breath lasted maybe a month or two. I would highly recommend getting back into an exercise regime as soon as permitted. As far as the mental aspect, perhaps buying some books on heart disease, bypass and moving forward after the operation. I believe you first have to accept that you have heart disease then move forward in little steps with a positive attitude. Work hard at reducing risk factors, have fun creating your new diet, attack a physical exercise program,etc Dave C.