Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  CABGx2

    Posted 05-14-2018 16:57
    Cardiac bypass 3/21/18. Aspiration pneumonia and reintubated 3/24. Heavy sedation (propofol, fentanyl, and morphine) while on a ventilator for 4 days. Extubated then severe confusion for 2-3 days. Flunked swallow function test and tube feeding, but pulled 4 <g class="gr_ gr_9 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="9" data-gr-id="9">duotubes</g> during the confusion. FINALLY off everything and in a skilled nursing center for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Making wonderful progress<g class="gr_ gr_18 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation multiReplace" id="18" data-gr-id="18">..</g>

    The nurses had me up and walking the same day in which I do not remember, I also was feed that night.  The next day I had pneumonia and my wife said I died for a for minutes.  Was in ICU then transferred to a step-down unit, was hospitalized for 3 weeks the to a Life Care Center (formerly nursing home) for a week.  

    Now 7 weeks post surgery and doing quite well, getting back to the usual routine, driving, shopping and transporting our down syndrome daughter to Civitan Community Center. My wife is retiring at the end of this week and I am looking forward to doing some volunteering at the Life Care Center in North Scottsdale. Hopefully, it will lead to a paid position. My wife has been in the medical field for over 45 years and she made sure I got the best medical care possible.  


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    William Lansche
    Retired
    Phoenix AZ
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  • 2.  RE: CABGx2

    Posted 05-14-2018 18:41
    Well that was quite a ride, but look at it this way, you got a heart overhaul and should be good for another 100,000 miles or so. A lot of your story rings with my adventure 11 years ago, the pneumonia and intubation tubes were just some highlights of my adventure. I especially enjoyed being stuck in the ER for a week, you know food service doesn't even know where that is? Now you just have to worry about surviving our mild summers what with the dry heat and all. Congratulations on your recovery. Still a way to go but you should do well.

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    R. Warren
    Tucson, AZ
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  • 3.  RE: CABGx2

    Posted 05-15-2018 11:29
    We are glad to hear you are doing well. I live in the winter paradise known as Barstow, in the cool and mild Mojave desert. �� Getting tired easily is something many of us have to watch. It does get better as you heal. Cardiac rehabilitation really helps the recovery process move faster. Volunteering help me get back on my feet faster as well. Take the time to heal right and be with the family. They need to recover from the process as well. Take care.

    Richard Short 
    M H Chapter 395
    Certified Visitor




    Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.





  • 4.  RE: CABGx2

    Posted 05-15-2018 15:25
    I'm currently looking into cardiac rehab and a support group.

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    William Lansche
    Retired
    Phoenix AZ
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  • 5.  RE: CABGx2

    Posted 05-16-2018 07:35
    I found that my fellow rehab participants became my support group.  I was relatively young, 57 when I had 5Xcabg.  I did know anyone my age to talk with.  The rehab group was a friendly group of men and women I could relate to.  I'm sure you can find a local rehab program.  You will enjoy it.  

    Ralph
    Tampa, FL

    Ralph W. Fortson, DDS


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    Ralph Fortson
    Tampa FL
    (813) 968-1170
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  • 6.  RE: CABGx2

    Posted 05-16-2018 11:07
    Mended hearts chapter 068 is located in Phoenix. They will be able to assist you with your recovery. They will also know where the local rehab locations are as well.

    Richard Short 
    Chapter 395
    Apple Valley CA



    Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.





  • 7.  RE: CABGx2

    Posted 05-17-2018 13:04
    Mended Hearts provides an excellent source for rehabilitating-to-recovery. My research and experience is that after physical needs comes safety/security followed by social needs (www.OneheartTwoLivescom.wordpress.com). Mended Hearts can assist physicians with the physical as well as the social. 

    Brent Zepke

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    Brent Zepke
    Santa Barbara CA
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  • 8.  RE: CABGx2

    Posted 05-17-2018 21:33
    Ralph:
    How long ago did you have it done?

    Sent from my iPhone