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General health

DH under the knife this morning. Need distracting...

77 replies

oenophilia · 22/04/2014 09:16

He's having a triple bypass and I genuinely believe all the platitudes I'm repeating to myself - all the "It's far and away the best option", "what was the alternative - a heart attack?", "Just think how much better he'll be once he's recovered". Just at the moment I'm feeling very lonely, useless and nauseous. That's normal, right? Keep getting lovely texts, FB messages etc saying we' re in their thoughts, prayers etc so plenty of RL virtual support . Just need to keep going until I hear...

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Bearandcub · 22/04/2014 09:25

I won't go into the platitudes but just wish you both well.

Distractions then;

Yesterday pulling into the Supermarket DS1 saw a Sky van wrapped in The Simpsons characters. He asked what the cartoon was called and watched the van as we parked. Getting out the car and into the trolley he spotted the driver, waiting till he got near, he called out to the man "Excuse me, are you the simpleton driver?" I tried to explain but he wasn't having it... Ho hum.

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oenophilia · 22/04/2014 09:30

Thank you. I just laughed - felt good!

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Eastpoint · 22/04/2014 09:31

I'm racking my brain trying to think of something amusing to tell you but failing miserably. Have you sorted out your old winter jumpers? Are there any which are too bobbly to wear next winter?

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bypass · 22/04/2014 09:32

I've NCd for this in order not to out me in RL. My DH went in for a quadruple bypass two years ago, having gone from slight feeling of indigestion to the op in four days flat.
He's fighting fit now, and going on a 100k cycle ride on the second anniversary later this week.

Apart from the risk of any op, what matters is doing what the doc says after, usually losing weight and keeping on top of cholesterol.

Be prepared for your DH to look very white indeed (assuming he's white to begin with), slow walking, easily tired at first.

All the very best for your DH and you. Thanks

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Bearandcub · 22/04/2014 09:33

To make it worse he then called the man rude as he didn't answer his question. You can imagine how I felt.

Little maternal pride at this juncture.

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bypass · 22/04/2014 09:39

Distraction…..hmm.

The six week visit to the cardiac doctor and surgeon all went well. DH was stoked because it meant he was allowed to drive home. Jumped a red light in his enthusiasm. First one ever.

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oenophilia · 22/04/2014 09:43

That's a great result bypass. The DC and I are all lined up for the diet, exercise stuff after (although I think DD2's expectation that Daddy will have a six-pack after six months may be rather ambitious). DD1 and DD2 are off at school -they had an early swimming start this morning and I've promised to get a message to the school office when I hear anything. Ds1 and Ds2 are still lurching around the house as they have a late start. I made all the lunches at 5 this morning as I couldn't see the point in staying in bed staring at the ceiling. We went en masse to drop DH off yesterday afternoon, but it was a very long evening when we got home again.
I've arranged to work from home for at least a couple of weeks and have got a report to write, but I only seem to be able to write a sentence at a time. So I know what I ought to be doing. It just doesn't seem very important or interesting.
Bearandcub - your DS makes a fair point. Good manners cost nothing!

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oenophilia · 22/04/2014 09:46

Don't mean the jumping the red light btw! DH seems more put out by the not driving than anything else tbh. Car is parked up on the street outside the house and will stay put til June. I don't drive. I'm the one hareing about with children at my heels

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Jbck · 22/04/2014 09:47

Knock knock

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Jbck · 22/04/2014 09:49

Blatant sockpuppet
Who's there?

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Jbck · 22/04/2014 09:49

Bare

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Jbck · 22/04/2014 09:50

Should have been Bear oops Grin

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Jbck · 22/04/2014 09:50

Sockpuppet again
Bear who?

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Jbck · 22/04/2014 09:51

Bear bum!
Boom boom.

Hope all goes well.

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oenophilia · 22/04/2014 09:52

snigger

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MissPlumBroughtALadder · 22/04/2014 09:55

OP on a more serious note: my dad is a heart surgeon and has done literally thousands of bypass operations. Honestly, it is SO rare for something to go wrong. As much as this is the biggest thing for you and your family, for your DH'a surgeon it is all just a standard morning at work. I don't say that to belittle your feelings or experience but to try to reassure you that he is in safe hands and that all will be well. Thinking of you.

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goshdarnit · 22/04/2014 09:59

On the back of Jbck's 'joke' Wink I'll attempt to distract you with my tale of dh in an operating gown.
Whilst waiting for his hernia op, I learned that dh does not know how to sit like a laydee.
I took a photo of him, (as you do) and then later at home showed it to my mum.
It was then that I noticed the free swinging testicle I had snapped. Shock
Keep yourself busy today xxx

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oenophilia · 22/04/2014 10:13

Did she notice or did you change the subject rapidly? The DDs were a bit taken aback by the gown waiting on his bed yesterday as it said bear paws on it and had print of a bear paw, which they said was a bit babyish. Nothing to the hilarity though when they found the paper knickers.

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goshdarnit · 22/04/2014 10:19

I quickly scrolled to the next photo! I think hope she only noticed he didn't have his ever present glasses on! Grin

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ajandjjmum · 22/04/2014 10:24

I'm sure all will go well - but I really wouldn't worry about the report today! Eat the Easter eggs (if there are any remaining) to remove future temptation from your DH - see, now that's constructive! Smile

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bypass · 22/04/2014 10:25

A thought, OP. My DH was out of hospital five days after the op - you're not allowed out here until you're off the hillbilly heroin, or oxycontin.

We have a downstairs guest bedroom, so all OK there. I took a week's carer's leave, fondly imagining I'd get a bit of marking done. Not a scrap, and we have one child, 16 at the time. What I'm saying is your DH will need lots of attention, so time to call in all the friendly offers of help. Really.

I had no help, but with self-sufficient teen, I was still running round. I'm not complaining, we live thousands of miles from family, just that taking care of the convalescent is very time-consuming.

Thumbs up and best wishes.

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oenophilia · 22/04/2014 10:45

Tbh that's one of the things that's really bothering me. They'll probably keep him in for seven nights - we've told them that this house bears more than a passing resemblance to Piccadilly Circus, so hopefully he'll be able to make it up the stairs to the bedroom by the time they discharge. Otherwise it's the sofabed in the playroom surrounded by drumkits and PS3s. I am the world's least patient nurse - so not cut out for it, am in deepest admiration for the truly compassionate. When the children are ill (which isn't very often), I'm very much "Here's your Calpol/nurofen/ABs, go to bed until you're feeling better"-type. I'm always on the go with a part-time (ha!) job and the 4 DCs and get stir-crazy cabin fever within hours. I also feel very selfish that I'm worried about my inability to deal with things. Youngest DC is 10, so just big enough to take herself off to after school stuff, others pretty self sufficient. No family near by and we'll just have to play the calling in of favours from friends by ear, I think

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RichTeaAreCrap · 22/04/2014 11:35

I hope it goes well for him, I am sure it will.

My dad is waiting for one too, a triple bypass. Let us know how your DH gets on.

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oenophilia · 22/04/2014 11:38

Still waiting for the call...

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grimbletart · 22/04/2014 11:58

Hang in there oenophilia. I'v found that cleaning out the detergent drawer on the washing machine is a good distraction technique.

My good friend in Australia had his triple bypass 16 years ago. He is currently cycling round New Zealand!

Very best wishes.

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