Update: DH has to have open heart surgery :(

{{{hugs}}}

My DH had double bypass surgery 1.5 years ago. He was in the hospital for 3 days and then there was a Covid outbreak on the cardiac floor so they sent him home to avoid infection. I was a nervous wreck when I picked him up from the hospital because I hadn’t seen him since the surgery. The floor was closed due to Covid so there were no visitors allowed. My fears were unwarranted and I was so relieved when I saw him walk to the car.

The first two weeks were hard but DH was very independent and had a hard time asking for help. His chest wasn’t sore at all and he had very little pain. He stood in the shower but made sure to use a bath mat so he didn’t slip. His appetite was normal and he slept well in bed. He walked every day and gained strength daily. After the first couple of weeks, it was almost like he never had surgery.

He feels fantastic now; has a lot more energy and doesn’t struggle to breathe.

I know everyone has a different health journey but thankfully ours was a positive one. Good luck with yours.

Hugs to you and your DH!! I know it’s hard to go through this. My DH had open heart surgery and mitral valve replacement 4 years ago. He had a few complications and ended up staying in the hospital longer than they expected. In talking with DH’s doctors the reason was because my DH’s heart was a lot sicker than anyone knew. My DH’s surgery was the result of him having Hodgkin’s when he was in his early 20’s.

What we found my DH needed was the following:
-Shower chair
-Button down shirts (he won’t be able to raise his hands above his head for about 6 weeks)
-Wedge pillow unless your bed has a power base and can be lifted up at an angle.

May need the following:
-Socks with anti-slide rubber on the bottom if you have slippery floors
-Compression socks (may want to ask the doctor where they’re taking the new donator vein from)
-Disabled parking permit
-Recliner chair? Possibly can rent?
-Wheelchair? Possibly can rent?

I believe you said your DH is having a valve replaced. Do you know if he’s going to get a pig/cow valve or a mechanical one? If it is a mechanical valve, you may want to discuss with your DH’s doctor where or how is your DH is going to get his INR monitored. Will he go somewhere to get it monitored or will he have his own unit at home? In case you don’t know, INR is the thickness or thickness of the blood. A mechanical valve requires a thinner blood level. For example, people without a mechanical valve are at a 1.0. People with a mechanical valve need to be say at a 2.5-3.5. The numbers are opposite of what you’d think. So a 3.5 level is thinner than a 2.5 or a 1.0. Your DH’s doctors will let him know where he should be.

Good luck. I will be praying for both of you. Please feel free to DM me if you have any questions.

Sending up good thoughts for you and your husband! I hope his recovery goes well!

I had a heart attack in March and did cardiac rehab with several people who had bypass surgery. They were all doing amazing considering what they went through!

Sending you fervent best wishes for a very successful surgery and recovery for you husband!
((( hugs )))

I am so sorry he is going through this. You are in my prayers for a wonderful outcome. Hugs!

Positive thoughts for you.

oh wow, that's a lot on your plate girl. This sucks, I pray you get everything in line and you guys sail through this as best you can.

DH has me fill out all the work HR paperwork and I always make sure to get short term disability because yeah, I don't think if he were doing it he would make sure to sign up for that either.

Gosh, it sucks getting old, doesn't it? Keep us posted, sending you prayers love, I know it must be scary.

workingclassdog

We await a report...

Great update! Continuing to pray through his recovery and for you as you balance and navigate all the things.

Super update. Glad the surgery went well. May his recovery be speedy and you keep your sanity. 

Great update! Hope you are able to sleep at the hospital tonight..

Consider filing for FMLA if you need time off to help DH.

.........…...HUGS!!...........

Thank you for the good update.

When my DH had surgery, he was reluctant to take enough pain meds. I always knew when he was hurting, since he'd get really crabby. I learned to hand the pain meds to him on a rigid schedule. We were both much happier!

Best wishes for continued recovery. Get some rest.