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It has been 5 weeks since my husban's 3xby pass surgery, he also had a heart attack hours before.
Every time he coughs it brings tears to his eyes.
It hurts so much. He is 58.
How long will it hurt like this and how long will it take him to feel normal again?
Well....that last question is hard to answer. He will feel normal again but it will be a different normal. With any luck most zipper members only have small differences from their former 'normal' .
Now coughing and sneezing are another story, they are very violent actions in your chest and they can do damage even in a healthy person. That is why it hurts so much and you really have to hug your pillow or just hug your chest as tight as possible. It will get better after about 6 to 10 weeks when your sternum heals.
Good Luck with your recovery
Reinhard
Reinhard, Thank you. We just don't know what to expect.
He has always had to do physical work, so not being able to work is very hard for him.
Nonie
Nonie, he has to remember that this was a huge operation. They stopped his heart, cut it and sowed it up again. Its about as major as you can get because that is the one and only muscle that keeps you alive. Even if he feels really great some days tell him to remember the down days, and there will be those. My suggestion is, take your time, appreciate each gain and learn from each pain. You will probably get a lot more advice so pay attention and good luck with his recovery.
Reinhard
Hi Nonie,
I am at day 71 of my recovery and the days have been hard up to this point.
I will say I am feeling much better and am able to drive again, it is still painful but tolerable.
Since the day I left the hospital the only meds I take for pain is Extra Strength Tylenol. I had to put up with more pain than most because my body does not tolerate pain meds and I feel worse for having taken them.
The first 45 days were the hardest in my opinion.
Good luck to him on his recovery we wish you both the very best.
God bless
Jim
Hi Nonie,
I remember the coughing very well. I practically tore apart my Cough Pillow; which I still have it to remind me to stay on track. For me, it was probably the worst of it. That was over 2 years ago. In a few more weeks coughing or sneezing will become more tolerable. I personally had a pretty quick recovery, but it's one step at a time.
Wish a speedy recovery,
Tach (Ted)
Hi Nonie,
It has been less than six months and I feel stronger every day. The coughing is normal and is required to help the healing process. Every one of us goes through it, it's a right of passage. Keep your arms around the pillow. I have found a whole new outlook on life and it is a blessing. Every cough is just one step closer to a new life. My wife shares your experience. She tells of how she felt when she saw me with all of the tubes coming out of me as they wheeled me into the operating room. She has been right beside me every step/cough of the way...another blessing. We are the same age as you and we are planning for our retirement in a few years.
Bless you both.
Jim
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