Hi, Kevin.
I agree with Kat. The heart pillow is really important to healing your sternum. If you feel a cough or sneeze coming, clutch it to your chest firmly to minimize the movement between the 2 halves of your sternum. If you're riding in a car, put it between you and the seat belt so it can distribute the pressure of the seatbelt on your sternum in the event of a collision. Also, if your car has passenger side seat belts, sit in the back seat while your bones knit. You've gone through enough already and you don't need an airbag cracking your chest again.
The nurses told me horror stories about people who didn't use their heart (splint) pillow and continued to smoke after OHS. (Can you imagine?) The constant coughing prevented their sternum from healing, which caused infection and additional surgeries. Clearly, the pillow is important, and it alleviates some pain when you cough, too. So, keep it handy.
I had everyone at the hospital (docs, nurses, visitors, custodians) sign my splint pillow as a keepsake.
Bed was challenging for me, too. Getting into bed and trying to position myself without using my arms or twisting my torso was as frustrating as it was comical. Sit, wiggle, twist, lie down, wiggle some more -- it's a process. My whole life, I could never sleep on my back, and now that was the only option. 12 days flat on my back in the hospital was a good training ground, I guess, and I adapted, though I never got really good sleep for both physical and psychological reasons (the constant monitoring by nurses and security of already being in the hospital being suddenly absent was disconcerting for me). Getting out of bed was a bizarre, slow-motion combination of physics and yoga as I used my legs as counterweights to pivot myself off the mattress while clutching my splint pillow. When I could finally lie on my stomach, I flanked myself with pillows so as I slept facing right, I supported my right shoulder & chest on the pillow, which took the pressure off my sternum, and vice-versa for facing left.
The Cardiac Rehab was terrific. My insurance paid for all 36 sessions, so I took advantage of them. I wish I had the discipline to keep doing all of the exercises I learned at rehab, but I do try to walk often. I ride my bicycle almost daily at a brisk 10-15mph for 30-35 minutes, which is good cardio, but my weights are feeling a little neglected.
I'm 15 months out from my OHS and finally feeling basically back to pre-op normal. I had a 2nd MI 6 weeks after surgery and got a stent, and that made me gunshy about all the twinges of pain I felt in my chest during the healing process. Now, when we travel out of town, I don't think about where the nearest ER is or fixate on what my body is telling me -- it's not too talkative anymore anyway. I'm mostly just enjoy my family, my work, and life in general. I take my meds, see my doctors, carry my nitro, exercise, and eat better, but I'm no longer daunted by long walks, stairs, lifting objects, etc. I have awesome support from my family, my faith, my friends, and my employer, and with 2 daughters that still need their daddy, I have I strong will to live.
You'll get there, too. It's a long journey, and there will be successes and setbacks. My first walks at home were maybe 100yds. I slowly worked up to 1/4 mile, then 1/2, then 3/4, a mile, then 2 miles, then cycling. On the other hand, I made a half a dozen runs to the ER thinking I was having another MI, only to find out everything was normal. Maybe panic attacks, maybe internal spasms as my heart tissue healed, but no heart attacks.
So, cut yourself some slack and do the best you can with what you've got right now. It gets better and easier. LOTS better and LOTS easier. You just have to be patient during this sucky time.
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Russell Richter
CABG5 Apr23
Houston TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-02-2024 14:52
From: Kat Edwards
Subject: Recovery After CABG3
Hi Kevin,
Congratulations on your surgery. You are well on your way to healing.
With regard to the heart pillow....After OHS I was instructed to ride in vehicle back seat for 10-12 weeks with my pillow between my chest and the seat belt. I slept on my back for that same period of time with large pillows on either side of me. To get out of bed in the morning I shimmied slightly on my right side with my feet; dropped my feet to the floor and simultaneously sat up on the bed...requires some stomach muscle. I was also instructed upon leaving the hospital that arms should remain at my sides. I gave them a funny look and she explained that a good rule of thumb was to remember to keep my elbows at my sides and it would feel automatic after awhile. I could use my hands but only with elbows at my side For those 3+ weeks I did require assistance due to arm immobility but it paid off in the end with my sternum healing seamlessly and quickly. At the end of 2-3 weeks post op my cardiologist enrolled me into 6-9 month rehab program depending on how often ones attends the clinic. That program propelled me into incredible shape after 6 months as I felt secure in pushing measured limits in a safe environment. Wish you continued progress in your post op recovery....
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Kat Edwards
CA
Original Message:
Sent: 06-28-2024 21:34
From: Kevin English
Subject: Recovery After CABG3
I have a few questions, after open heart surgery CABG3 they gave me a heart pillow to hold constantly, anyone had sleeping issues, walking and holding this pillow? Anyone had issues with not using their hands? How did you overcome the limitations? How did you handle getting in and out of bed? Any improvement or suggestions for a quicker recovery? Let me know.
Thanks
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Kevin English
Plantation FL
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