Hi there,
My mother has been told that she needs to have a triple bypass and she just keeps saying how scared she is. She is putting it off and putting it off due to fear of the heart-lung machine - she heard stories that her mind won't be the same - she will be fuzzy - and she says it is not worth it. Any thoughts? I am very worried about her because she just doesn't want to go.
I had quadruple bypass in 2005 at the age of 46. I was scared out of my mind, but I basically did not have a choice because of the extent and location of the blockages. Looking back on it now I am so glad that I had it done. The pain of surgery is manageable and I did not seem to to suffer much from the heart-lung machine. It is a tough operation, but it can do so much good for you. If your mom would like to talk to someone who has been through it I would be more than happy to talk with her.
I also had a 4x bypass surgery last December, so 11 months ago now. The first few months after surgery are a little difficult with pain and fear mixed together, but rest assured, time does heal, and now I'm ALMOST back to normal, feeling great, and doing just about whatever I want to do. I'm 51 years old, and I don't know how old your mother is, but the alternative to having the surgery is not that great, you know.
I was "fortunate" in that I had a heart attack and then a cath, and then surgery, so I didn't have much time to think about the fear part of the surgery. I can understand how she would be fearful. But I didn't have any of the fuzziness or other side effects of having the heart surgery. It has been a very positive experience -- I mean, if you have to have heart surgery, that is.
Like I said, the first few months she will be in some pain, but not unbearable, and she will be tired and somewhat fearful that she is having complications. That is all normal. It takes a good 6-8 months to start feeling some stamina again, and then a good year to start feeling almost normal again. I'm looking forward to that year anniversary, myself!!
If she needs to talk to someone, there are a few of us here, it looks like. Not many, though, but at least a few!!
Let us know how she does.
Dana
It has been 4 weeks today that I had triple bypass surgery. I had no choice because, although I did not have a heart attack, it was strongly advised that if I did have a heart attack I would not be writing this today. Today I walked about 2 miles without any side effects and I feel great. I am still sore from the surgery it gets better with time. My legs where the veins were taken are not sore. The hospital employees were nothing short of amazing. I am dealing with the normal depression that follows this surgery but with the help of networks like this and a devoted family I am taking each day as a blessing.
I had a single vessel bypass on Nov. 17th. My journey started 3 years ago with chest pain a heart cath. and a stent place to "fix" the problem. That was in December. The next October I found out that the same artery was blocked on either end of the stent. They placed two more stents. Then, in November of this year I got hit with the big "elephant" sitting on my chest and after another heart cath, i found out that the same artery was blocked again!! Talk about bad luck! Anyway, I was afraid of surgery too but didn't see any other option. Just like everyone else, I have the pain which is bearable and some emotional lows. I have found this sight to be very helpful. I look foreward to reading posts from the people how have gone through this surgery. they answer a lot of my questions and make me feel better knowing that some things that i'm going through are "normal". Keep talking to your mother. Maybe she would feel better if she visited this sight.
Good luck to you and your mother and if I can help in some way, I would be glad to.
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