Husband having open heart surgery tomorrow

[Myotis]

That’s it really- anyone been through something similar? Worried and anxious obviously- he’s second on the list so just hope it goes ahead and is not postponed for any reason. No idea how long he will be in as it is complicated and depends how it goes. Advice and hand holding appreciated x

This is such great news and so reassuring. Hopefully this time next week we will be in the same position and your DH will be home recuperating

@FlamingoFloss it is just amazing what can be done, we are so very lucky to be able to access what we can. I did Google private heart surgery op when I was feeling despondent earlier today and it was £20k plus for the operation alone. If I tried to add up
what we would have had to pay taking into account his illness and hospitalisation last year it’s just mind blowing. On top of that the ability for a person to be able to focus and operate on a tiny baby is just incredible.

My DH had triple bypass 14 months ago. He went in for tests and they wouldn't let him come home, they operated the next morning. It was such a shock but at least no time to get anxious about the operation.

The day before our first grandchild was born in a different city. We had been planning to go and see her when he came back from the tests. I felt literally pulled in half, wanting to be at his bedside but desperate to meet DGC. In the end I sent to see DGC as he was completely out of it anyway. The most amazing distraction I could ever wish for!

DH recovered amazingly well. The bones in the chest knitting back together was the hardest part, but by six weeks he was fitter than he had been for years.

He and DGC are the best of friends. He's down on the floor with her making up the silliest games, chasing her round room because she finds it hilarious, dancing to crazy pop videos. Their love for each other is wonderful and I'm so grateful he's here to experience it.

Just one small tip to add to all the good advice here - I added several large cushions to his favourite armchair to raise him up. It made getting up and sitting down less painful and less stressful on the breastbone.

Wishing you the best of everything for Monday.

@Myotis just wanted to say that I've got my fingers crossed that it goes ahead tomorrow

Really hope the op goes ahead tomorrow @Myotis will be thinking of you.

Its been a tough weekend here but things heading in the right direction. Sending lots of good wishes and strength

I hope the op goes ahead tomorrow, and that all goes well xx

Still waiting
Second on list again so not holding out much hope 😢
To top it off, he was told to arrive yesterday at 4 so we did- only then to be told no bed and to go home and come back at 730am. We live 44 mins away so had to leave this morning at 630 with two of the kids so I could drop them at school after (teenager sorted herself out). So tired and fed up.

@cudbywestrangers hope things are on the up- did he have a set back over the weekend? Sending some support your way

@Myotis It all sounds horrendous stressful. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you finally get sorted and that all goes well.

So he’s now in thankfully. Relieved but also a different type of stress.

He will probably remain in for most of the next week. Make sure he is discharged with morphine; he will need it for the first few days at home.
Be prepared for a lot of sleeping and resting, and loss of appetite. DH was/ is quite depressed. We are one month on from surgery.

Thanks @Hedjwitch - your advice is much appreciated. Have bought a v pillow for support and I will be in the spare bed for the foreseeable! I hope your husband has started to feel a bit more himself?
The surgeon has just called to say it went really well and they got everything out that they wanted to get out so hopefully I can go over tomorrow. What a relief. Thank you all for the hand hold through this ❤️

That's really good news OP. Hope you get a good night's sleep.

Glad it's finally gone through OP and fingers crossed for as smooth a recovery as possible.

Glad to hear it's gone ahead and hope you won't have to wait too long for news

V pillow is Good idea. DH back.in our bed now but sleeping upright still on a load of pillows.

@Myotis so glad it's happened and gone well, that's great news. Hope he has a settled night.

DH went into AF on Saturday. Was all quiet one moment and all the alarms the next. But staff were really quick and efficient and got treatment started really quickly. It's really common and they can treat it, but was quite frightening being there. Things settled then another episode last night. He's also been a bit delirious at times (all the morphine and stress maybe!)

But today has been much better. All the tubes are out except the iv and pacing lines. He suddenly went back to normal heat rate and rhythm and seems much more like himself. They're saying a few more days in HDU which is fine by me. It's been quite the roller coaster but I'm feeling much less edgy today and hopefully tomorrow will be a more peaceful one...

@cudbywestrangers that sounds very upsetting for you, but at least he’s in the right place. I know that is twee and gets said all the time but HDU/ICU is amazing. My husband was really ill prior to this and spent three weeks there last summer due to an autoimmune condition after literally months on a ward (I kid you not, this operation is literally the shit icing on the shit cake that was 2023)- and the care that he got there was so amazing, they turned him round in days. I really hope that he has the right meds now and that is him on the right track. I am sorry if I asked before, but what was his op for?
I know my OH will need a bit of time to be the right meds to stabilise his heart now his pericardium has gone, they said that could be the bit that took time.
I am hoping to go in tomorrow, hope you get some rest too ❤️

@Myotis he's had a pericardectomy for constrictive pericarditis. They haven't found a cause for the pericarditis, but he's been gradually getting worse over at least a year having previously been very fit.

Sounds like you've had an awful time though- being in hospital for months must have been really difficult, especially with the distance and children to juggle. I hope today is the start of life getting better and that 2024 is a better year...

@cudbywestrangers thats the same operation my OH has had! It would be good to keep in touch if that’s ok? His is related to the chemo he had as a teen which likely caused slow thickening of the lining then triggered by infections from his illness last year. But they can only suspect that and not confirm it. Does mean insurance doesn’t cover it though as it’s related to a previous condition ☹️
It hasn’t bothered him either until last year, he has a very physical job. Hopefully they can both recover well and move on soon ❤️

@Myotis yes definitely. I hope things are going OK for you and your dh... sorry this isn't covered by insurance, I hope that isn't causing too much worry.

We've had a good 24 hours. Stable heart rate and all the lines removed except pacing wires and a peripheral cannula. Which means he's able to walk around a bit on the ward and may be able to step down from hdu tomorrow. He's much more like his normal self too. It's quite a turn around from Saturday when we were both feeling totally wrung out by it all.

Would any of you be able to update this thread please- just found out that dh has to have it soon and your accounts of and tips for recovery are really helpful.

My DF had a triple heart bypass 26 years ago following a heart attack when I was in my early teens. Since then he’s seen me attend university, get married, have kids and buy my first home, all things we never thought he would see. Just wanted to say this to provide reassurance - I’m sure your DH will recover well and be in good health for years to come. Best wishes to you both xx

We're just over 3 months down the line now and I would say dh has made a good recovery- he's definitely better than he was before the op. He was in hospital for 2 weeks in total and needed 4 weeks of iv antibiotics as there were bacteria in the samples taken during the op.

Looking back, the hospital stay and the first couple of weeks at home were really stressful but since then life has gradually become more normal. Dh has gone back to work (desk job) and is building up the exercise. I would say he's had a good outcome overall and happy to try and answer any questions...

In terms of tips, one of those v shaped pillows had been great. Tops that open at the front (shirts/ hoodies) for the first few weeks as getting t-shirts and jumpers over the head isn't possible for a while! Get a phone charger with a long wire for hospital. Stock the freezer with some meals. Say yes to offers of help and company! I found it quite lonely at times and was very grateful for friends that came round or met up for coffee when I wasn't at the hospital or looked after the kids so I could do hospital visits. I'm sure there are other things and I'll come back if I think of anything!

Thank you for these tips - we too found out that my DH is due to have this done . The consultant said last week "in the next few months". I think I'll feel better about it all when we have a date

Thank you all, he has an angiogram on tuesday and we're really hoping to get a date then (we're very fortunate to have private healthcare through work).

All advice and info is so gratefully received, I like to know as much as possible about things even the bad stuff.

DH is feeling relatively positive and focussing on getting fit and strong before the op (he's never had a general anaesthetic )

How did your loved ones manage to sit up in bed once home or were they able? I'm wondering if we need a handle of some sort. Also any pyjamas advice? he wears jersey ones when he wears them at all but they dont tend to have button fronts.