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my sister had triple bypass 6 days ago and has not woken up. All tests are good. Her eyelids open and close, she moves her hands and legs around, but does not respond to commands. And she does not blink when something is infront of her eyes.
Any help or suggestions will be welcome. Has anybody experienced similar situations and what were the results?
Heart disease Surgery Pain Heart attack Sedatives Bypass surgery Stroke Stress
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. What have her doctors said? Is she off the ventilator and breathing on her own? Have they checked for signs of a stroke, etc? The body goes through so much during open heart surgery. It is considered the most traumatic surgery the human body can endure. I had my triple bypass at age 41 and had no major complications.
I am glad that you found our community. It is a wonderful group of caring, supportive heartsisters. I know that the prayers for your sister will be increasing with each sister who reads your post.
Know that in this group we really, truly care. Please keep us updated on how your sister is doing and what you find out.
Hugs and remember to take care of yourself -
Dianna
Hi,
Have you posted this to the Ispire.com Stroke or Brain Injury groups? Possible short term coma? They should be able to help you with this.
My very best wishes to your sister and to you,
Jaynie
I am happy to report that when I visited her this afternoon, she was able to see me and follow commands. She is waking up. The nurses have told me that she is in for a rough road, but she has taken the hardest step, by waking up.
I am sure that your prayers and thoughts have helped. I will try to keep up with updates, if only to help someone else.
Thank you all
Wonderful news!!! In a way, she may have gotten to sleep through the most difficult part of bypass recovery.
Hooray! Looking back, the last time I really, really rested seems like when I was in the hospital after my surgery - LOL! The ICU nurses confiscated my cell phone because my kids wouldn't quit calling (at 19 and 15 they were old enough to know better!) Please send your sister to this site when she is up to it. It will really help her through her recovery to connect with others who have gone through it.
This would be a good site for her to have. Talking to people that have experienced what she is and has gone through, would be very helpful. Good Suggestion. It may be a while until she is ready for the computer. But, she did take the hardest step. And you are right, she slept through the first week after the surgery. Thank you
Dear sistermarcia,
i just had a friend that had open heart surgery, and he did the same thing your sister did for several days. He is fine and doing well. I surely hope she is doing better now. i know it must have been scary for you. His wife said she was really upset at the time.
heart prayers and hugs for her and your family
live life love life
god bless
surviving heart disease one day at a time
with trigger 04/08
for 10 years
nanamo
Thank goodness...
kardia
www.kardia.blogspot.com
Marcia is doing very well. It is amazing, we were all so worried about her. She is weak, but all tubes and the ventilator is out. She is on the road to recovery. I want to thank everyone for their good wishes and support. This website is great. Marcia will have to use it as she recovers. I am sure that she will have questions that only people that have been in her shoes can answer.
Good luck to all.
Hi,
My heart goes out to you. My sister had triple by pass in May and had a terrible time. She was in ICU for 11 days some of which they had her in a drug coma so her heart didn't have to work to hard. She is doing great right now. I hope your sister has a good recovery and I am glad she is awake.
Warm Regards,
Rose
My sister Marcia is doing very well medically. But, she seems to be in slow motion when it comes to thinking. It takes time for her to absorb information or questions. Then, she gives wrong answers. She also seems to twist activities in her mind. Did your sister experience anything like this? And if yes, how long did it take for her to become more herself in her thinking?
Oh, my goodness, that is so normal! You have to realize that your sister was most likely on a heart lung machine for part of her procedure and that deprives the brain of at least some oxygen. My surgery report states that I was on the pump for 77 minutes during my surgery. It took several weeks for my head to begin to clear some. There is a term called "pump head" that refers to what can occur after bypass surgery. Some people experience no difficulties, while others struggle for weeks, months, even years with little things.
I have a journal entry titled "How 38 Cents Can Ruin A Day" with an early experience I had. I am almost 2 year post surgery and still struggle with little things. I will say one word while thinking another - like saying line instead of like. I call my daughters' by each others' names and even by the names of pets we no longer own. Sometimes I will be speaking and not be able to think of a word I want to say - simple, little things like that. Typing? My fingers often type words on their own instead of what I am thinking. These little annoyances used to bring me to tears in the early days and then I realized the alternative of not being here at all. People around me now understand and we all laugh at me now and now then. It kind of comes in handy when you can blame forgetting something important on "Oh, sorry, pump head strikes again, you know!"
You sister will be frustrated easily as she goes through this. Even knowing it is normal does not make it easier to accept. Let her know that you understand and that it will get easier and better each day.
Thinking of you both -
Dianna
" But, she seems to be in slow motion when it comes to thinking. It takes time for her to absorb information or questions. Then, she gives wrong answers. She also seems to twist activities in her mind."
This is both normal in heart attack recovery and bypass surgery......situations where the brain is deprived or somewhat starved for oxygen for a period of time. Your sister's surgery was major trauma and if the heart-lung pump was used, then it is extremely common for patients to remain very disoriented for weeks after this surgery. Adding to the mental fuzziness are massive doses of all sorts of medications, pain killers. It was 2 weeks before my mother was able to even begin thinking clearly. That all cleared up as she healed and was able to go off many of the medications. Certain medications that were sleep-sedatives caused major 'pumphead' confusion....which made her say and do harmlessly goofy things we were able to laugh about.
These suggestions may help;
Don't expect your sister to make ANY decisions.... Don't try to chat...she can't do anything beyond extreme basic survival mode right now. This will pass soon, but for now it is unlikely she's able to think normally for the time being.
Watch for erratic behavior when she gets home and take charge of her medication allottments, sorting and dispensing at the proper hour of day or night. She may be too confused to manage and sort meds for weeks. Again, this is all temporary and part of bypass healing process which isn't like any other kind of surgery.
Don't allow other people near her during the first few weeks...especially during cold and flu season. Her system is very vulnerable right now.
Watch medical staff carefully to make sure they put on fresh gloves every time they come into her room to adjust and check on her.
Take it slow and easy and before you know it she will have turned that corner and be ready to get up and be independent again.
Take good care of yourself too....deep breaths...this is a time of prolongued stress for family members.
Best wishes,
Jaynie
Hi,
What Jaynie and Gracie said is so true. They are very confused. She would tell people I had been in her room when it was another sister, not me. For the first few weeks at home she was in a trance like state. She answered questions with yes or no answers but was not capable of having a conversation. She also did not like food and it was difficult to get her to eat. After about 2 1/2 months she turned the corner and is doing well right now. I still worry about her because she does not have insurance and I am afraid she will not get the treatment she needs. We don't live close enough for me to keep checking up on her except by phone. That is never as good as in person visits.
Your sister is lucky to have you. It is evident that you love her very much. Not many relatives take the time and effort to try to understand heart disease and it's effect. You must be a really special person trying to find out all you can to help your sister.
Good luck and let us know how she makes out.
Warm Regards.
Rose
Hello sistermarcia....Your sister is in my thoughts and prayers...I have lit a candle for her...she will be
improving on a daily basis..."Keep the Faith"
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