New bypass patient
I've never been in a group like this so bear with me if I ask stupid questions or say dumb things. I'll learn. My 47 yr. old husband had emergency triple bypass surgery on Feb. 1. He has been home 5 days and is spending his entire day laying on the couch and sleeping. He had an episode at work which caused him to fall and crack his skull. They had to wait 6 days to do a heart cath because of the brain swelling and then came the bypass news. He really doesn't remember much of the hospital stay and didn't even realize it was a triple bypass until yesterday. He just doesn't seem to want to do much and I think I am becoming a nag. We don't know anyone who has had bypass and I don't know if what he is doing is normal. We go for an orientation to a Heartstrides program next week but he can't begin for a month after that. Any words of advice for a relatively young bypass patient and his stressed out wife? Thanks so much! Jean
Jean, First of all welcome....so sorry that you and your husband had to experience the trauma that we all have had before seeking out this support group. But now that it's happened.....we are glad you have found us. You will find a lot of support here, as will your husband when he is more up to taking an active part in a support group. Never fear asking any question or venting......we DO vent, and blow up at each other some times here, but just as happens in any family...it blows over pretty quickly. Everyone here faces very emotional issues, especially the depression and "pump head" that comes with our medical conditions, as well as the financial strains our medical problems have presented. We make up usually as easily as we blow up...LOL! 10 days is early, but he should be up and around more than what you have described had this been just a bypass issue. My thinking is that he's still suffering lethargy from the brain injury, as well as the trauma and pain of the bypass. The brain injury must have really compounded everything for him. Even though he may should have been moving more, perhaps he's unable to focus on "following orders" because his thoughts aren't as clear as they should be because of the accident. Believe me....it's hard to force yourself to get up and around when you are hurting this bad! If you are unable to logically understand the reasoning behind the need to move around, you are gonna lie as still as possible to avoid movement that causes pain. But....that's not the best thing for him. But in his state of mind, he may not be able to comprehend that. So, it's up to you to monitor him and report anything that worries you to his doctor. Is he lying completely flat on the sofa, or is he propped up? Does he understand how to protect himself with his pillow when sitting, standing, coughing...etc. Is he keeping his legs up above his head even when lying to keep good circulation to his heart? Is he still wearing those fashionable white knee stockings that help with that? It's important that he not be lying flat all the time and that he do his little breathing machine in order to prevent fluids collecting and chancing pneumonia. Watch for any swelling of limbs, or fluid weight gain. Don't want him going into congestive heart failure. They sent booklets home with me to advise me of things to watch for after bypass; they may have sent home head injury material as well. But, you've probably not had time to even read them if they did that . You are so busy caring for him, and running on zillch sleep for yourself. I would keep track of his schedule. How much he's sleeping/waking times/times up and distance walked...etc. So that you can answer his doctor's questions....and I wouldn't hesitate to call his doctor. Because of his head injury, he's had a double whammy unlike none of us have faced....I would keep a very close watch. I would even call his doctor to ask what signs I should be watching that would indicate a problem. His situation is a little different because of the head injury. I'm sure you have so much on your mind....or what's LEFT of your mind after going through all this the last couple of weeks. You both remain in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us advised of his progress. Connie groomejm <groomejm@... I've never been in a group like this so bear with me if I ask stupid questions or say dumb things. I'll learn. My 47 yr. old husband had emergency triple bypass surgery on Feb. 1. He has been home 5 days and is spending his entire day laying on the couch and sleeping. He had an episode at work which caused him to fall and crack his skull. They had to wait 6 days to do a heart cath because of the brain swelling and then came the bypass news. He really doesn't remember much of the hospital stay and didn't even realize it was a triple bypass until yesterday. He just doesn't seem to want to do much and I think I am becoming a nag. We don't know anyone who has had bypass and I don't know if what he is doing is normal. We go for an orientation to a Heartstrides program next week but he can't begin for a month after that. Any words of advice for a relatively young bypass patient and his stressed out wife? Thanks so much! Jean Connie Turner
WELCOME...Jean Not 1 ?? is stupid to ask us... Your husband have two things to heal...his head injury and now bypass... He needs all the rest he can mustre... it took me months to heal and get with it...some of us..get up the next day and walk a little...then som of us it takes weeks before we can walk around the bed.. You need all the rest you can get too.. it is hard work getting better from bypass... Rita...l had 2 bypasses...first 1..sept..1998...no.2 bypass..Jan..2000 I've never been in a group like this so bear with me if I ask stupid questions or say dumb things. I'll learn. My 47 yr. old husband had emergency triple bypass surgery on Feb. 1. He has been home 5 days and is spending his entire day laying on the couch and sleeping. He had an episode at work which caused him to fall and crack his skull. They had to wait 6 days to do a heart cath because of the brain swelling and then came the bypass news. He really doesn't remember much of the hospital stay and didn't even realize it was a triple bypass until yesterday. He just doesn't seem to want to do much and I think I am becoming a nag. We don't know anyone who has had bypass and I don't know if what he is doing is normal. We go for an orientation to a Heartstrides program next week but he can't begin for a month after that. Any words of advice for a relatively young bypass patient and his stressed out wife? Thanks so much! Jean
Tom Are you from Tomball, Texas? And if so did you know a man by the name of Robert Randolph? He was a police officer there in the late 60 early 70. Hershell
Fortunatly, he was out or at least unaware of his surroundings for the first 2 weeks and so he should be over the worst of the withdrawals. Sounds good doesn't it?? Wasn't the case with me!! The doctor is going to start me on the wellbutrun stuff after my surgery on the 23^rd I guess. They don't want me under any stress right now. I need to be off the hormones too but they decided they don't even want me to stop taking them till after then either. I sure wish him better luck with the smoking cravings than I had. Its defiantly a b*tch after so many yrs of the addiction Deb