Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  Breast pain 5week post cabgx3

    Posted 03-27-2020 08:39

    A vein was harvested from my leg an still have swelling, but told will resolve in months 

    however my big concern an issue is left breast where artery was harvested. 

    mildly painful all the time, but cough sneeze OMG!  And will hurt all day!

    only thing that seems to help is heart pillow, very Tight w/ slight downward pressure. 

    feel like cutlet off the rib bone , has eased up but don't dare not have pillow close. 


    normal? How long can I expect it to resolve? 

    thanks Tom



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    Thomas Devlin
    Retired
    Boynton Beach FL
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  • 2.  RE: Breast pain 5week post cabgx3

    Posted 03-27-2020 12:10
    Hello Tom,
    Yes the pain will go away. Yes, it hurts without the pillow. I love my pillow. The pillow was the only relief I had from the pain as I was easing off the pain meds. ☺ The swelling in my leg went away fairly quickly but the ache stayed for several months. 
    What you are feeling is normal for the healing process. I also had a backache that lasted for about three months. 
    We are all different and we all heal at different rates of speed. Don't be discouraged at not healing as fast as some because you will heal faster than others. �� The good news is you going to feel much better for the long haul. Just listen to your body and sleep when you need to. My naps in the afternoon were very helpful.
    Exercise, when you can, short, walks at first then longer one as you progress. As soon as this lockdown lifts get enrolled in a cardiac rehab program. That will really help you heal quicker. Good luck and keep the pillow close.

    Richard Short
    Chapter 395





  • 3.  RE: Breast pain 5week post cabgx3

    Posted 03-30-2020 02:40

    Richard, 
    thanks for the reply, as you can see from my reply to Ira, much better and I keep the pillow close. 

    I do have odd back ache too. 

    my blood tests show I'm almost anemic from the blood loss.  Could be slowing the healing. 

    now on Iron blood building supplement but that takes time too. 


    sleep is sporadic so like you say for now I just sleep when body says so.

    been walking, my circle is 2 tenths of mile. I'm up to 1 .6 mile and 1 or 2 . 2 walks 

    as for rehab, see my reply to Marvin. W/ virus 
    lockdown need to find rehab at  home links, videos  no substitute for real thing but need to keep going 
    thanks 
    Tom



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    Thomas Devlin
    Retired
    Boynton Beach FL
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  • 4.  RE: Breast pain 5week post cabgx3

    Posted 03-28-2020 14:10
    Hello Tom, 
    First of all, I wish you the best and glad that you are healing. 
    We haven't spoken in a few years but your leg will heal.
    It does take time but the swelling will go down. Speak to your doctor about the swelling.
    Everything that you are going through is totally normal. 
    Give it some time. Everyone heals differently. 
    Give it time. Eat healthy, exercise and get rest. Naps are great!!
    You have my number so call me when you wish. 

    Marvin Keyser
    The Mended Hearts, Inc.
    NationalVice President


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    [Marvin Keyser
    National Vice President
    The Mended Hearts, Inc
    860-796-8469
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Breast pain 5week post cabgx3

    Posted 03-29-2020 15:22
    Tom,

    I never had left breast pain like yours, but I also had my left mammary artery harvested to act as a bypass for my left anterior descending coronary artery, and instead if pain I had a feeling of left pec swelling, similar to how a pec strain feels.  Once I got back to my regular gym workouts, I would feel it more after doing an exercise like dips or pushups, but I knew from experience that it had nothing to do with a muscle strain and that it must be part of the healing process that my underlying breast tissues were undergoing.  

    It took quite a few months before the swollen feeling went away entirely, but it did eventually go away and never came back.  I am now almost 26 months post surgery.

    By all means talk to your doctors, including your surgeon, but I have a feeling that yours will go away eventually as well.

    Best of luck,

    Ira

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    Ira Reid
    Hoboken NJ
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  • 6.  RE: Breast pain 5week post cabgx3

    Posted 03-30-2020 02:13

    Thanks for the reply, 
    it wasn't bad initially, then I had a bad cough spell. Mann, it hurt, had to go back to pain pills for couple days, much better again. 

    I can feel it most of the day and as they would ask the pain is a 1-2.  Mildly hurts with cough, 
    hurt pretty good with a sneeze, but this time reasonably quickly calmed down. 


    I will try & check w cardiologist this week but they are having strange hours in SFL with Covid. 

    again 
    thanks 
    Tom



    ------------------------------
    Thomas Devlin
    Retired
    Boynton Beach FL
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  • 7.  RE: Breast pain 5week post cabgx3

    Posted 03-30-2020 02:26

    Hey Marvin, 
    Thanks for Responding, as you can see from the reply to Ira, getting better. 

    I thought of the forum because I get posts.
    its a great resource, as I recall we got most new visits at chapter meetings after 4-6 weeks and many interim experiences resolved in some way.

    visit exits should emphasize the point .

    Will call this week, question,
    with virus shutdown I won't be able to start cardiac rehab in next 2weeks . 

    Are there any links to suggestions for a
    Rehab at Home?

    Will be nice to catch up!
    regards 
    Tom



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    Thomas Devlin
    Retired
    Boynton Beach FL
    ------------------------------