Heart Bypass Surgery

Hello, I am brand new to this group and to this medical miracle of bypass. In a miraculous irony of events, my lifemate and partner, had suddenly began (what we now know as) having angina attacks, shortly after the WTC attacks, her cousin, we found out was tragically in tower 2 above where the second plane hit. In the stress of that event and the grief of not ever recovering him, the angina attacks persisted and began to last longer. We were sent last week (thursday) for her to take a stress test, of which she did not fair well on. We came home, two hours later, a phone call from the hospital, we should get back there immediately, it can't wait. And so I got her in the car and we raced over to emergency, amidst the news trucks and reporters (JFK Medical Center, the anthrax case). The bottom line, after they did angiogram, was that she needed emergency quintuple bypass like right then and there. This was now friday, and the balloon was still inside from the angiogram. The bypass surgery was successful and completed this past saturday (a week from today) and I am in a bitter sweet moment, along with my partner, for today at noon was the memorial service for her cousin Charles, in NY, of which we were heading up to be there with the family before we knew how dangerously close to a heart attack she had come. But luckily she did not sustain a heart attack and her heart was not damaged at all. However, they did use arteries on her from her arm, as well as the mammary artery, and needed only one vein from her left thigh. We were told that this was done, because of her age and to give her a long life, with the changes of lifestyle, diet, smoking. Although, the biggest part of her blockage was genetics. However, not only did she immediately quit smoking, but I as of this past Monday, threw my cigarettes to the wind as well, not only to help her, but to help myself and keep us both as healthy as we can be. Now as to her recovery, my father had quadruple bypass 5 years ago at the age of 76, at the same hospital, but I realize every case is different. She has the algraes dressing that will be coming off on monday. And we will be seeing her cardiologist on tuesday for her follow up, as well as the cardiac surgeon on friday. My main concern is her weight loss. She is eating but in small quantities. I bought her ensure, and she is drinking one of those during the day, between eating as well. However, she was very thin and small boned woman to begin with, but now, as to be expected she is losing more weight. She is up and walking, and has been able to shower two days after I brought her home from the hospital. I am just wondering if I am just over protective and paranoid, that she should be eating more, or is she right on track in general. I believe I could be paranoid, but this is a first for me as well, and I am reading and doing everything the cardiac coordinator, nurses, and doctors have told me to do upon her discharge from the hospital the middle of this past week. I appreciate any advice, and I thank you for having a group such as this for me to turn to in these trying days. Sincerely, MaryAnn Palm Beach County