Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  husband's bypass surgery postponed due to low platelets

    Posted 09-25-2020 20:48
    Hello all.  To make a long story short my husband has CAD and had 9 stents placed in his heart 15 years ago.  Now it is time to have triple bypass surgery and he is in the hospital near his work (30 miles away),  I am all alone (due to covid) and scared to death.  He was supposed to have his surgery today, but his platelets were too low and it was postponed.  He has been in the hospital for 9 days so far, and I am starting to think that I am going to go out of my mind.  I have support from my family but my two adult sons live far away and can't come to visit (due to covid).  I have never felt so alone.  Has anyone out there heard of bypass surgery being postponed due to low platelets?  If you had this experience, how long did you have to wait before the surgery could happen?

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    Cathy Senne
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  • 2.  RE: husband's bypass surgery postponed due to low platelets

    Posted 09-25-2020 23:42
    I went through that too. A low platelet count can result in internal bleeding. I don't remember the duration but they gave me a transfusion and surgery went forward soon after my count was back up. Many things can cause low count including heart meds so this is somewhat common.gOod luck

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    Warren
    TucsonAZ
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  • 3.  RE: husband's bypass surgery postponed due to low platelets

    Posted 09-28-2020 18:43
    dear Kathy
    you must be so frustrated . do you have friends nearby  who can at least make sure you rest and eat?  you are welcome to virtual hugs from me.

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    Marilyn Rosenhouse
    Dallas TX
    (214) 850-0219
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  • 4.  RE: husband's bypass surgery postponed due to low platelets

    Posted 09-30-2020 10:44
    I had quad bypass 6 years ago.  When I had my annual physical in 2017, my platelet count was slightly low.  Four months later, I was scheduled for gall bladder surgery.  When I had my pre-op, my platelet count was 65.  The gall bladder surgery was canceled, and I was referred to a hematologist.  He ordered an additional scan, and it showed that my gall bladder was OK. 

    I had never had a low platelet count until after the heart surgery.  The hematologist says I have some sort of autoimmune disorder.  He prescribed a 6-day steroid pack.  The steroid pack boosted my platelet count.  I'm now seeing the hematologist every 6 months.  He says if I need surgery in the future, he will prescribe a steroid pack to boost my platelet count again.

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    Gilbert Anderson
    Retired
    Fort Mill SC
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