Refurbished heart ready to go
Discussion
Just over two weeks ago i posted that i was waiting to go into James Cook hospital for a triple heart bypass.
I've been home now for about five days and never felt better.
The surgeon had a few problems with me, when he was inside he found that he had to replace three of my blocked arteries with clean ones from my legs.My heart that had only been working at 75% refused to fully operate and i spent two days in intensive care hooked up to an impressive magical box.
Eventually he got me up and about.
I have to take Edoxaban for ever,but thats a small thing.
Getting stronger each day, legs and chest ache and itch.
My original post was to encourage people to keep going in for routine surgery,not useing covid as an excuse.
James Cook were as busy as ever but the standard of care never dropped.
No driving for four weeks but at least i get out of housework and washing up.
I've been home now for about five days and never felt better.
The surgeon had a few problems with me, when he was inside he found that he had to replace three of my blocked arteries with clean ones from my legs.My heart that had only been working at 75% refused to fully operate and i spent two days in intensive care hooked up to an impressive magical box.
Eventually he got me up and about.
I have to take Edoxaban for ever,but thats a small thing.
Getting stronger each day, legs and chest ache and itch.
My original post was to encourage people to keep going in for routine surgery,not useing covid as an excuse.
James Cook were as busy as ever but the standard of care never dropped.
No driving for four weeks but at least i get out of housework and washing up.
all the best for the continued recovery! Thanks for all your best wishes.
I must admit that it was a shock when the surgeon told me about my heart not wanting to fully work.
Before the op i said i felt fine and didn't know how it would improve.How wrong i was and vowed that i would now get on with life,stop moaning and enjoy things.
With regard to the 'sunroof', not heard it called that but i was opened up from just under my neck down to the bottom of my ribs.A nice tidy line.(Private photos supplied on request!)
These sort of ops are still done where they need full access to the heart.
Some ops,heart valves etc are now done with keyhole surgery.
My breastbone was pulled back in place and secured with metal wire rings.It wil take around 16 weeks to fully heal.
Moral of the story, don't put off going to docs, even if you think its only indigestion.
I must admit that it was a shock when the surgeon told me about my heart not wanting to fully work.
Before the op i said i felt fine and didn't know how it would improve.How wrong i was and vowed that i would now get on with life,stop moaning and enjoy things.
With regard to the 'sunroof', not heard it called that but i was opened up from just under my neck down to the bottom of my ribs.A nice tidy line.(Private photos supplied on request!)
These sort of ops are still done where they need full access to the heart.
Some ops,heart valves etc are now done with keyhole surgery.
My breastbone was pulled back in place and secured with metal wire rings.It wil take around 16 weeks to fully heal.
Moral of the story, don't put off going to docs, even if you think its only indigestion.
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