Jump to content
SASS Wire Forum

Can’t believe they won’t let me go home


Trigger Mike

Recommended Posts

My heart cath was scheduled Friday but after opening my artery the machine fried due to the storm the night before so they sent me home and said come back Monday.  
 

I came back today and they decided every artery is clogged 90 percent so they won’t let me go home and report to the hospital an hour and half away tomorrow when they are ready.  They put me in a room with a heart monitor.  
 

thing is, I feel great.  I only have minor level 1 chest pain.   I just this weekend went to my barn and walked downstairs with no problems.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They found a problem. They aren’t about to release you. If they did and something medically happened to you they could be held liable should you or your family sue. 
 

I am sure if you really wanted to leave they couldn’t stop you, but good luck ever getting care there again. 
 

90% is a lot of obstruction and you have chest pain. Let them fix you up. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, Trigger Mike said:

I won’t leave, my wife and son and 11 year old daughter all say no and I need to stay.  I’m just trying to comprehend how I feel so good yet am told I am really sick and need bypass 

It often goes that way. I’ve known several that dropped dead without apparent symptoms. You’re fortunate they caught it. Glad to hear you have the opportunity to get it fixed!
 

I bet that once you’re recovered, you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel than what you’ve been accustomed to. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Get that taken care of! We are praying for you here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HOwdy,

Listen up.

A good friend of mine was at work. Working on failed air conditioner.

He dropped dead.

A few weeks before retirement.

I didnt get his 25 20.....

Stay put and watch Top Gun Mav.

Best

CR

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It went fine except she asked if her birth parents were bipolar as a dr diagnosed her schizophrenic and is testing for bipolar.  Told her not that we knew.  
 

came with blue hair with green ends and more than the 13 piercings she had last time I saw her.  
 

my oldest son brought me some meds I needed when she was here wearing his Cody Johnson 6x black cowboy hat by resistol 

 

i thought it was funny.  The contrast 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said:

They found a problem. They aren’t about to release you. If they did and something medically happened to you they could be held liable should you or your family sue. 
 

I am sure if you really wanted to leave they couldn’t stop you, but good luck ever getting care there again. 
 

 

 

You'd best believe they are covering their tracks.  Seven years ago I was getting a heart catheterization at a supposed major hospital when they dissected my coronary artery.  They wouldn't let me leave the hospital for three days.  With them holding my clothes and wallet on a below freezing day I was kind of stuck.  The hospital caught heck from the insurance company for keeping me in the hospital for 3 days on what was supposedly an in and out procedure.  I was overjoyed when my cardiologist determined that since I never had any symptoms I didn't need to undergo that procedure again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We've only got one of you.
Heal up, pard, you're one of a kind!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I believe the effort it takes to get out of bed at a hospital to go to the bathroom is more stressful and takes more effort than if I was at home but that’s just me.  Especially wired and wearing an open backed gown and dragging an IV pole.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wishing you a successful surgery and quick, complete recovery Trigger Mike. Prayers up.

Eyesa & Ellie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had three blocked at 90% (including LAD) and two more at 70%.
If you have 90% blockages, it is only a question of time before the Big One.


My atherosclerosis is diffuse, meaning it is all over everywhere... not just a local lesion or spot.
The root cause is (high blood pressure + cholesterol) * time = heart disease
Stents failed for me after 6 months, and I would up with a 4x CABG.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My strong recommendation is to not overdue any exercise in the 6 months following the surgery.  I used a rowing machine until I pushed through some minor pain.   Big mistake!  I had to stop for several months.  Stuck with 1 1/2 hr walks with my dogs.  I am glad I chose to get the surgery since no more angina pain with vigorous psychical activity. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hang in there.I had a tripple about 8 yrs ago.I was scheduled to go in on a friday.I was all hyped up to go & on thursday they called & cancelled.The dr had to be out of town the weekend.rescheduled a few weeks later.Went in on a friday & had it done.They let me go home on monday.

Just do what they say to do & take care of yourself.

                                                                                                                                  Largo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Trigger Mike...
Your sternum will be very vulnerable for the first 90 days after surgery.
My doc told me a ruptured sternum would be "catastrophic" at best... if I survived it at all.
You go back in surgery, back into intubation (a nightmare), another 7+ days in ICU, and start the recovery clock all over again.

 

[ edit ]

Intubation:  make sure to confirm they are going to restrain you, body and arms while in recovery.
They will leave you with the tube down your throat for four hours after you wake up, to make certain you breathe on your own.
This is terrifying, at best.
You are stoned from the drugs, and hysterical with something down your throat.
In my mental state, I swore and had three (3) rowboats tied up in my throat.
If your hand is free, and you rip out the intubation, your life will be SHOT from there forward.
The damage from doing this is also catastrophic (two of my daughters are RNs, and seen this first hand).

 

[ /edit ]

They give you a chest pillow to hug if you have to cough.
Use it.
Sit in the back seat away from any air bags for 90 days.

Rent a bed that can lift you up without using your arms.
Or practice getting out of bed with your arms crossed over your chest.
You CANNOT use your arms until your sternum can stand the load.
This was a full month for me, but I'm small and have strong legs to hook under the bed side, and lever myself up.

You will live in the House of Pain for the first month.
The second month is the House of Annoyance and PITA.
You will feel pretty good around 90 days out.

Walking is ideal, even right after surgery.
You won't be able to walk worth a crap... maybe 10 steps before you have to lean on the wall and rest.
It DOES get better.  I'm up to 3 miles per day now, from the 90 day point and later.

 

Your sleep schedule will be all screwed up, and difficult to stay in bed at night.
Arrange a nest on the couch and hang your legs over the couch arm to keep them at or above heart level.
Use pillows to elevate your back a bit.  Comfort is a must... as you will be spending a whole lot of time on the couch.
Getting up, hands-free, is a skill you have to learn.

You will be told to only sleep on your back.  No exceptions, due to sternum strain on either side.
CPAP is mandatory for me to sleep on my back.
It is damn annoying if you are a side sleeper.

My doc is Expert Marksman in M9 and M16s.
He said handguns OK at 90 days, but no rifles or shotguns until 6 months minimum.
5x bypass is 10 sutures... if recoil rips one loose, you will drop dead.  No joke.

I am 120 days out as of this writing, and fully functional.
 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

bgavin has said it more clearly, more accurately and more understandably than I possibly could -- and me an old veteran nurse.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just went through a heart catheterization myself after an echo cardiogram showed I was in congestive heart failure.  Luckily, in my case, they found no blockages.  The cardiologist feels my heart issues are due to problems caused by long Covid.  I'm on the road to recovery with a handful of daily meds. But this "adventure" has me reevaluating my priorities.  

 

Get well, we've lost too many good cowboys these last few years. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

37 minutes ago, bgavin said:

Trigger Mike...
Your sternum will be very vulnerable for the first 90 days after surgery.
My doc told me a ruptured sternum would be "catastrophic" at best... if I survived it at all.
You go back in surgery, back into intubation (a nightmare), another 7+ days in ICU, and start the recovery clock all over again.

 

[ edit ]

Intubation:  make sure to confirm they are going to restrain you, body and arms while in recovery.
They will leave you with the tube down your throat for four hours after you wake up, to make certain you breathe on your own.
This is terrifying, at best.
You are stoned from the drugs, and hysterical with something down your throat.
In my mental state, I swore and had three (3) rowboats tied up in my throat.
If your hand is free, and you rip out the intubation, your life will be SHOT from there forward.
The damage from doing this is also catastrophic (two of my daughters are RNs, and seen this first hand).

 

[ /edit ]

They give you a chest pillow to hug if you have to cough.
Use it.
Sit in the back seat away from any air bags for 90 days.

Rent a bed that can lift you up without using your arms.
Or practice getting out of bed with your arms crossed over your chest.
You CANNOT use your arms until your sternum can stand the load.
This was a full month for me, but I'm small and have strong legs to hook under the bed side, and lever myself up.

You will live in the House of Pain for the first month.
The second month is the House of Annoyance and PITA.
You will feel pretty good around 90 days out.

Walking is ideal, even right after surgery.
You won't be able to walk worth a crap... maybe 10 steps before you have to lean on the wall and rest.
It DOES get better.  I'm up to 3 miles per day now, from the 90 day point and later.

 

Your sleep schedule will be all screwed up, and difficult to stay in bed at night.
Arrange a nest on the couch and hang your legs over the couch arm to keep them at or above heart level.
Use pillows to elevate your back a bit.  Comfort is a must... as you will be spending a whole lot of time on the couch.
Getting up, hands-free, is a skill you have to learn.

You will be told to only sleep on your back.  No exceptions, due to sternum strain on either side.
CPAP is mandatory for me to sleep on my back.
It is damn annoying if you are a side sleeper.

My doc is Expert Marksman in M9 and M16s.
He said handguns OK at 90 days, but no rifles or shotguns until 6 months minimum.
5x bypass is 10 sutures... if recoil rips one loose, you will drop dead.  No joke.

I am 120 days out as of this writing, and fully functional.
 

 

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this.  It is indeed helpful.  Any chance I could shoot a 22 pistol before the 90 days?  Goodness.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My doc said big bore handguns OK after 90 days.  No long guns or shot for at least 6 months.
The first month, you are gonna feel like FedEx used your package for bombing practice.
The second month, you will be ailing but not acute, mostly annoying.

You will be very aware of your chest, probably forever.
They will most likely rip out your IMA (intra mammery artery) for the LAD bypass, because the IMA is the gold standard for LAD.
It is an exact match for LAD.
My left chest, pectoral is 100% numb, like when you arm goes to sleep.
I'm 120 days out, and no change, so I figure it will be forever.

Walking is your best friend.
It will be everything you can muster to go 10 steps when they get you up to walk in the ICU.
It does indeed get better...

Take photos, or have wife do so during the whole process... as you will forget.
Wife will need to give doctor permission for photos before you get cut, so she can shoot you when she first gets to see you out of surgery.
You will be out of it, and unable to give permission for photos.

Remember... you are essentially dead on the operating table for about 5 hours.
They stop your heart, hook you to the heart/lung machine and drop your body temp down to around 82 degrees.
When they open your chest, they spread your breast bone, which ribs are attached at the spine, so prepare for a back ache.

Tylenol only, as Ibuprofen is off your regimen forever.
This sucks for me, as Ibuprofen works far better for me than tylenol.

The cardiac drugs will trash your erector set in the short term.
You will be on these drugs a long time, but the erector set complications are short term.
The improved blood flow in the heart makes a huge difference.

Remember that Sildenafil (viagra) with a Nitro tab will KILL YOU.
Absolute minimum of 24 hours between sildenafil and nitro tabs (won't need nitro anyway).

They will put you on Plavix or similar blood thinners for at least a year.
Fart too loud and you will bruise.
My cardiologist upped me to a 325mg aspirin for the rest of my life.

Carvedilol is the Rx for reducing heart stroke (volume) and pressure... works great for me.
116/64 for me now.

 

I have diffuse atherosclerosis (read: plaque is everywhere) so I'm on 80mg Lipitor daily to radically drop cholesterol and triglycerides.
I have no negative reaction with Lipitor, and my numbers are by far the lowest they have ever been.
This does not reverse plaque, just slows down further accumulation.

You will probably lose a lot of weight post surgery.
Not feeling like eating, plus ferocious amount of body healing energy.
I was losing almost 2lb per day until I balanced out.
Halloween came along (with the Good Stuff), and I gained back 12 lbs post surgery in 9/22 until today.

 

One last thing... she may not let on, but your wife is going to be TERRIFIED through this ordeal.
The best thing we can do, is Man Up for her during this difficult time in her life, as well as in yours.
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

She is indeed terrified and I catch her weeping sometimes but try to assure her I’m not worried about the surgery at all just getting through the recovery and I apologize often for disrupting everyone else’s life, her and the kids.  My 11 year old daughter was looking forward to me taking her to the daddy daughter dance that is the Saturday I get out but that is now off as is my 13 year old son school trip to Washington d c as it’s within 60 days from my surgery and his mom has to go if he goes.  
 

 

she reminds me how I was there for her through her various times she has been down due to cancer.  Even since then and recently she had episodes where she passed out from low blood pressure and I helped her and cleaned up the mess that happened.  
 

I tell me children to keep their spouse and create love history for times like these.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My dad is going through this now.  Surgery (hopefully) will be in a few days for the bypass and he also has a tear in his heart from a heart attack he had in the last few weeks and didn't know about.  Doc said he's shocked he's still alive.  They have a pump in now to keep blood flowing to his organs.  I'm sitting here on pins and needles waiting for updates. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, Trigger Mike said:

She is indeed terrified and I catch her weeping sometimes but try to assure her I’m not worried about the surgery at all just getting through the recovery and I apologize often for disrupting everyone else’s life, her and the kids.  My 11 year old daughter was looking forward to me taking her to the daddy daughter dance that is the Saturday I get out but that is now off as is my 13 year old son school trip to Washington d c as it’s within 60 days from my surgery and his mom has to go if he goes.  
 

 

she reminds me how I was there for her through her various times she has been down due to cancer.  Even since then and recently she had episodes where she passed out from low blood pressure and I helped her and cleaned up the mess that happened.  
 

I tell me children to keep their spouse and create love history for times like these.  

Onward thru the fog pard. I used to work in a relatively small hospital that was primarily cardiac. They would do 3-4-5 CABG's every day. Trust your docs and nurses. They are experienced professionals. CABG's were routine stuff when I worked there, and that was some 30 years ago! I don't mean to belittle your circumstance. I'd be scared too. I blew an L4-5 disc about 15 years ago and required some extensive surgery, I was scared sh*tless. I'm a pharmacist and have had lots of patients who had to have their back cut on who were never the same. I recovered 100%, and I'm confident you will too. My dad had a CABG at a VA hospital back in 1975 when it was a new procedure, and he did fine. We'll all be pulling and praying for you.

Su amigo,

JHC

Link to comment
Share on other sites

27 minutes ago, Doc Shapiro said:

My dad is going through this now.  Surgery (hopefully) will be in a few days for the bypass and he also has a tear in his heart from a heart attack he had in the last few weeks and didn't know about.  Doc said he's shocked he's still alive.  They have a pump in now to keep blood flowing to his organs.  I'm sitting here on pins and needles waiting for updates. 

Prayers heading up Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

34 minutes ago, Doc Shapiro said:

My dad is going through this now.  Surgery (hopefully) will be in a few days for the bypass and he also has a tear in his heart from a heart attack he had in the last few weeks and didn't know about.  Doc said he's shocked he's still alive.  They have a pump in now to keep blood flowing to his organs.  I'm sitting here on pins and needles waiting for updates. 

Very sorry.  Praying for him and you too.  A tear is serious .  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My doc told me that CABG is now the run-of-the-mill bread and butter work, and not the heavy lifting of the past.
If you are awake when they wheel you into the operating room, take a look-see...
This is the closest you will ever get to actually being onboard the Starship Enterprise.
The high tech toys in the OR is wall to wall, and simply mind boggling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.