Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  New to this recovrry process and this website

    Posted 11-08-2020 10:49
    Great Sunday morning!   I am postop triple bypass CABG/coronary artery aneurysm on October 13, 2020.   I previously had a heart attack 10 years ago status post 2 stent placements.   I've been doing great since those 10 years, very active, working, etc  I must admit though, the last 3 years, my eating habits took a downward spiral, which probably caused this current health issue.    My question to all who have had triple bypass surgery, how soon did you become "yourself " again?  How long will this pain last (from having your sternum/ribs broken) in order to have the surgery?  I'd appreciate any and all positive advice in recovering and getting back to normal.  - Marsha Johnson πŸ™‚β€

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    Marsha Johnson
    Lithonia GA
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  • 2.  RE: New to this recovrry process and this website

    Posted 11-08-2020 14:27
    Hello Martha,
    I had my Quad bypass in 2015. After my surgery, I returned to work part-time 8 weeks later. Full time 2 weeks after that. I was lucky enough to have an office job. 
    As far as feeling normal again after surgery, that is a relative question. Most professionals tell you it will be about a year. The key there is the word ABOUT. and what is NORMAL.
    To this day I still get aches and pains along the sternum and scar line. Some of the nerves that were cut have still not returned to normal. 
    As far as a normal lifestyle of being able to reach the upper shelves in the kitchen and doing routine yard work it was about 4 to 6 months for me. I suggest you complete rehab and continue arm exercises and walking to build up your endurance. The more you do the quicker you will be able to do more. 
    The thing to remember is to not compare your healing process to others. We all heal differently and at different speeds. Just check your process on a weekly basis. Were you able to walk further this week compared to last week? Can you reach further or lift 3 lbs 15 times this week compared to the 10 times last week. 
    If you see progress on a weekly basis you are doing what you need to do to heal.
    Good luck and take care.

    Richard Short 
    MH Chapter 395






  • 3.  RE: New to this recovrry process and this website

    Posted 11-08-2020 16:53
    Hello,
    My name is Harry Murphy.
    I asked twice before, perhaps the third time is a charm.
    Can anyone share their experiences with a "Descending Thoracic Aorta Aneurysm" 
    Thank you.





  • 4.  RE: New to this recovrry process and this website

    Posted 11-09-2020 12:37
    Hello Harry,
    I am sorry but the only knowledge aI have of that condition is that it caused my brother's death. He was a heavy smoker and drinker and never went to the doctor. I have read from others on this site that when an aneurysm is considered large enough then it is operable and can be repaired. 
    Sorry, I am not much help with this condition. Please don't give up on this site as not everyone reviews it daily. 
    You may also want to contact the Mended Hearts offices directly for more information. Their contact information can be found at the sign-in section of the forum.
    Take care
    Richard Short 
    MH Chapter 395






  • 5.  RE: New to this recovrry process and this website

    Posted 12-03-2020 13:20
    Hello Harry...... aortic aneurysm is bad....only way to know for sure is to go to the doctor and if you have some "enlargement" the doctor will inform you what are your options and how to proceed. There is no universal cure....i have had thoracic aortic dissection because i was the type of person "fuck it , im young (38 years at the time) healthy, if something happens it will happen when i am 60-65....WRONG....dissection (in my case my aorta did not break but it has become too big and layers separeted) is PAINFUL! I have had a big section dissected....2 cardio surgeons fixed and operated on me for 8 straight hours.....they changed my aortic valve with artificial one they installed artificial section of aorta and patched up existin one....i was lucky that other of my organs did not get any damage (but in the future they predict i may have problems with kidneys and bowels as time moves on and my aorta starts to deteriorate from simply old age....i have to take pills for the rest of my life and avoid activities that lift my blood pressure supstantialy. Have to watch my weight, my diet , my everything and i am not even 40.....and still there is no doctor who can guarantee that my aorta will not burst tomorrow from some sudden blood pressure increase......if you have doubts or someone in the family that died of aortic problems....check it out.....monitoring and prevention and if need be surgery.....but controlled surgery, not like mine "urgent one" to save my life.....aortic aneurysm if not treated can lead to aortic dissection and breaking of aorta, in that case you will need urgent opeartion and a lot of things can go bad....my fear when it happened was not to die (per say doctor informed me as i was there in operatin room that my chances are 60-40% in favor of survival) but survival with consequences like brain damage, kidney damage , liver and so on, i will not even tell you about psyhological effect on a person after the surgery.....it's hard.....so if you have it...monitor it...listen to your doctor....don't gamble....and if need adjust your lifestyle.....i am ok now almost 1 year after the surgery.....i don't know what the future brings but this experience has made me love life more and enjoy every moment of it.....

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    slobodan sokola
    technical supervisor
    Andritz
    vinkovci
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  • 6.  RE: New to this recovrry process and this website

    Posted 11-09-2020 08:45
    We are all individuals, not robots.

    Read your post-op materials which, I suspect, will itemize your concerns and provide "typical" timeframes, usually in ranges.





  • 7.  RE: New to this recovrry process and this website

    Posted 11-12-2020 23:43
    dear Marsha
    Everyone heals differently. Fortunately I didnt have much trouble with the sternun healing but in general they all say it takes at least a year to get used to β€œthe new you.”. You should talk with your surgeon if you have concerns: β€œ better safe than sorry β€œ

    Marilyn B. Rosenhouse
    Mobile: (214)850-0655




  • 8.  RE: New to this recovrry process and this website

    Posted 12-02-2020 18:23
    Good afternoon Marsha and our wonderful group,
     The question ,"when will I get back to normal?". The answer is what is YOUR NORMAL?   and than again what is NORMAL? I had a cabg x 4 way back in 1996 and a fix up  cabg x 2, 2004. Forget the NORMAL. We are all different, healing time, pain  thresh hold, attitude positive - negative. 
    Marsha, work on enjoying your life ahead. What was ,was.  Not knowing your age or family situation I can only suggest what has worked for me as well as many others.
    Think  positive thoughts about your daily life, yourself. You are a very lucky lady to have the gift of getting fixed. Have fun with people. Stay away from the complainers. Listen to  music.
    Don't spend much time on the news=== no political news-covid-19 ,all the food and financial local and world problems.
    FIND  ====YOU-TUBE on TV has great music shows and plenty of comedy bits--SNL - BBC Proms - Kennedy center Honors. Work at having fun with and without people.
    Are you a fun person? Than get going down that road. Don't wait for normal  you make it happen. Laugh/use you T V has all kinds of entertainment to atleast make you smile. Have some wine at 5 or at dinner. That's it . Take control and get yourself moving on enjoying your new life.. Your new normal is here and getting better all the time.
    Best regards,
    David Rosen   M H #206 JFK-Atlantis,Fla 





  • 9.  RE: New to this recovrry process and this website

    Posted 12-03-2020 18:42
    Amen Amen to everything David said.  
    the doctor told me one year, but somethings took 2 years. 

    Meanwhile my recovery seemed  to take firstly baby steps then bigger strides.  It was like a widening spring with sharp corners "Turning the corner" towards improvement

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    Marilyn Rosenhouse
    Dallas TX
    (214) 850-0219
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