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

[oenophilia]

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...

[BigBirdFlies]

That's excellent news.

I hope that work goes well for him today. If he's completely knackered, then he could think about doing half days for a few weeks. It really is just taking it at your own pace.

[oenophilia]

Just realised I hadn't been back to update people - sorry! Well he's gone back to work today. Just gently, mind. He'll do as much as possible from home and he went on the train rather than driving today, so that's sensible. Mainly he just looks and sounds so much better than he's been for years - he's lost a stone and a half (plenty left to go though) and is wearing a pedometer and trying to do 14000 paces a day. He's off the amiodorone - the really strong heart drug - and the paracetamol. A lovely elderly Jamaican lady at church last weekend who's not known for tact said to me that she'd never realised before that he was a handsome man. Made me think that I'd probably forgotten too. DS1 has finished his GCSEs and has decided that he will use these weeks to learn to cook, so we may need a it of finger crossing for that too, but not on quite the same scale. Thank you everyone for your support, it made a real difference x

[hollyisalovelyname]

How are you doing OP?

[hollyisalovelyname]

Oen How are you both doing?

[HawnieGold]

I am so glad he is doing well

[Sparklingbrook]

Sounds all very good oenophilia, that week went very quickly.

[oenophilia]

Quick update: he's currently dozing on a chair in the garden (in the shade) having been discharged yesterday afternoon. Doing really well. We had a couple of nasty days (3 & 4) post op, but today we've managed our two five minute walks OK. Didn't sleep much last night - he was either groaning quietly (there's obviously still pain from the wound), or back to snoring (bugger). Or the worse times when my brain realised it couldn't hear anything and went into full panic mode - completely unnecessarily. Hopefully will be able to relax a bit more tonight. Otherwise my temporary considerate, helpful and supportive (very out of character) manner might start to fray!

[IamtheZombie]

Mains I think, Sparkling. They go around your ankle and calf and secured with velcro. They are then plugged in. I suppose it could be a battery pack they're connected to. You can't really see as it's all over the foot of the bed.

[oenophilia]

I'm feeling comparatively up now thank you. Just had nice phone call from longstanding client of DHs which almost covered the distaste from an email from someone I don't get on with at work saying he's thinking of me (please don't!). DH managed to speak to the DCs on the phone and they want to know if he can be on those drugs when gets home as he sounded so funny. And the DCs have all eaten the lamb curry that I made for tea. Five people and one meal choice is a pretty rare event. I've got a little bit of work that needs doing now, then it'll be story time and hopefully I can grab a bath before watching mumbling Jamaica Inn propped up in bed with a glass. Massaging bandages would be the icing on the cake, though...

[Sparklingbrook]

How do they work Zombie? Are they mains or battery?

[IamtheZombie]

Those massaging bandages are fabulous!! They're to help prevent deep vein thrombosis until you are able to be up and about following surgery.

[Sparklingbrook]

What what what? 'Massaging ankle bandages?' they sound fab. Perhaps he can sneak them home with him....

Good he's chatty and even thinking about eating. How are you feeling?

[oenophilia]

Went in to see him this morning and he was quite chatty - for the little time he was awake! Very woozey but managing a tiny bit to eat. He's recorded a message to play to the children which I'll do when they're all home. He's got these brilliant automatic massaging ankle bandages. Really fancy some of those (or maybe it's just the with the feet up that I fancy...)

[bypass]

Splendid news, oenophilia. All the best with your DH's recovery.

I wouldn't worry too much about not being a nursey-wursey type - I'm not. It's about getting the practical stuff done, though there's a lot of it at first.

[ajandjjmum]

Have a good night - all of you!

[oenophilia]

just spoken to the unit again and he's off the ventilator and breathing for himself. I think I might - just might -sleep a bit better tonight. Dd's asleep, Ds's are doing that teenage boy go away mum I'll go to bed when I feel it's the right time crap. thanks all

[Musicaltheatremum]

Glad all gone well and much better the valve was done now rather than the risk of a second anaesthetic.
Expect recovery to be slow, expect him to be tired but keep looking back to how much more he can do each week. You will get there. Don't try to rush it and remember having the bypass has given him a much better chance as he is now much less likely to have a heart attack.

Good luck to you both.

[heronsfly]

Im glad his doing well :) I had a bypass five years ago, I stayed in 5 days and had to climb a flight of stairs before I could be discharged they seemed to go on for ever when I came home I was able to navigate the minefield that is my house.:)

[Bearandcub]

Just checking in and thrilled to see he's doing well. Well done oeno, you've been very brave.

[oenophilia]

Just spoken to the ITU nurse who said he was beeping along nicely. They're gradually warming him up and will try to wake him later on. Will ring again before bed time.

[grimbletart]

So glad to hear oenophiia. You deserve a whole packet of bourbons. Waiting is so horrid isn't it? Hope all goes well and your DH is soon fighting fit.

[oenophilia]

Got sidetracked by a chocolate Bourbon. Boy, am I glad Lent is over. He's likely to stay in for about a week, so I'm hoping he'll be reasonably mobile by the time he comes home. Then it's the long, rehab slog. I'm lucky that I can do a lot of work from home and work are very understanding, but I am known for having the patience of a gnat so we'll see how that goes.

[Sparklingbrook]

Butter crunch. you must be exhausted. So, what happens now regarding recovery?

[oenophilia]

Thank you all for the handholding/distraction. Think my hair may now be entirely white. Children now all home from school and immersed in TV, homework and Lego. Will keep you updated. Now, fig roll or butter crunch?