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| Name: | Rachael Freed |
| E-Mail: | heartmates@heartmates.com |
| Home Page: | www.heartmates.com |
| Date: | 07/04/00 12:00 |
| Comments: | Greetings to all HEARTMATES, newcomers, as well as those who have been here before. The interactive connections page is a dream fulfilled for Heartmates, because it helps to diminish the isolation that heartmates struggle with, believing that they are alone and/or crazy with their concerns. Keep writing, and do contact others via their email addresses as cited with their messages. If you don't find someone here that you would like to contact, read in our archives. Many heartmates have posted messages here since 1997, and all of them are preserved, easy for you to access just above this message... Our best to each of you on this Independence Day, 2000. May this be the beginning of growing INNER PEACE ... May you experience the COURAGE and COMPASSION you need to continue your healing, and ENERGY to support your family with LOVE. |
| Name: | Pat Flynn |
| E-Mail: | patsyf@webtv.net |
| Home Page: | none |
| Date: | 07/08/00 10:58 |
| Comments: | Hi: My husband who is 70 years old had a double bypass as he failed a isotope stress test and the cath showed 2 blocked ateries. This was done May 19,2000 and he was sent home 5 days later to recovery. Shortly after he developed EXTREME sensitivity from any clothing touching his chest to the degree that it is slowly driving him crazy. Drs. don't seem to be of much help--gave us a cream that only intensified his condition and told him that it would eventually go away. If anyone has had this experience, please let us know. Also have any other bypass patients experienced any form of angina like chest pain when walking or moving about too much? It seems like he'll never get o the cardiac rehab program if these symptoms don't go away. Thanks for any help you can give us. |
| Name: | A. J. SALHA |
| E-Mail: | salha@prodigy.net |
| Date: | 07/09/00 13:55 |
| Comments: | I JUST UNDERWENT A STRESS TEST AND A NUCLEAR TEST IN WHICH THEY DISCOVERED TAHT I HAVE A BLOCKAGE IN ONE OF MY ARTERIES. MY DOCTOR RECOMMENDED THAT I HAVE AN ANGIOPLASTI DONE. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THIS PROCEEDURE OR IF THERE ARE VARIATIONS, SUCH AS LASER TREATEMENT TO REMOVE THE CHOLESTEROLE FROM THE VEINS INSTEAD OF JUST PUCHING IT TO THE SIDES OF THE ARTERIE AND PLACING A MECHANISM TO KEEP IT OPEN. IF SOMEONE KNOWS OF SUCH NEW PROCEEDURES OR IF YOU HAVE HAD IT DONE, I WOULD APPRECIATE THE REFERAL. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE THAT HAS HAD AN ANGIOPLASTI BEFORE. I NEED TO KNOW HOW PAINFUL IS IT AFTER THE SURGERY, DURING RECOVERY. AS WELL AS HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR SOMEONE TO COMPLETELY RECOVER AND GET BACK TO NORMAL LIFE SUCH AS EXERCISE ETC... THANKS A.J.SALHA HOUSTON, TEXAS |
| Name: | Clint |
| E-Mail: | clintworks@home.com |
| Date: | 07/09/00 18:24 |
| Comments: | Just found this web page, and I have to say, that i can't believe all the people my age with heart problems! I was beginning to think that I was unusual. I don't know if anyone can offer any advise, but I will ask anyway. I am a 32 year old male. I don't smoke (and never have), and only drink socially (3 oz. a week) About a year or so ago, I started to notice that my heart felt like it was skipping beats every once in awhile. It seemed to skip a beat, and then beat really fast for a few beats, then skip some more, etc. I never experienced any chest pain, pain in my arm, light headedness, or any other symptoms usually associated with heart problems. I am not overweight, and hit the gym for an hour a day, 5 days a week. I typically should be the picture of health. I went to the doctor, and went through the usual tests, including an ecg, chest x-ray, and a holtor monitor(for 24 hours). According to them, all way normal. They suggested that maybe it was caffeine, but at that time, I had not touched caffeine in over ayear. So here I sit, and my heart still continues to skip beats, and speed up, etc. Has anyone had similar problems? Any help would be appreciated. Thanx |
| Name: | Liz Fiala |
| E-Mail: | jnl@dellnet .com |
| Home Page: | none |
| Date: | 07/13/00 06:58 |
| Comments: | My father-in-law is 72 yrs. old and he has been on kidney dialysis for the last year. He has had so many vein problems within the last 10 years. This morning he has gotten told that now he needs a quadruple bypass on his heart. He has been very weak because of the dialysis. I honestly think that he is just too weak to go through with this open heart surgery. Now I am wondering if he will even make it through this.Can someone talk to me? |
| Name: | lynn gledhill |
| E-Mail: | LINIWINS@AOL.COM |
| Date: | 07/17/00 20:09 |
| Comments: | I WAS DIAGNOSE IN FEBRUARY AFTER SUFFING SEVER HART FAILURE. I HAVE ONLY EMPROVED SLIGHTLY BUT FEEL THAT THEY COULD HAVE DIANOSED IT WRONG. GETTING HARD FOR ME TO GET MY HEAD AROUND THE CONDITION AS IT WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED AS ENLARGED AND NOW IS RESTRICTIVE. ANY ADVICE GIVEN WOULD BE APPRECIATE AS I AM 39 AND IT ALL ALL NEW TO ME |
| Name: | Stephanie richmond |
| E-Mail: | cowboychurch@nidlink.com |
| Date: | 07/18/00 10:10 |
| Comments: | Hi! I have a 70 year young motehr who has just had a bypass and replacement of her aortic valve. I would like some helpful pics or explanations of the easiest way to help her get out of bed, and to lay back down. I know that she isn't supposed to use her arms, but she complains of pain in her sternum, especially when laying her down. i don't want to hurt her and know that we are supposed to help from her back, not under her arms from the front. She is easy to help, but also easy to hurt. A cardiac nurse said that recliners are also good for heart patients because they can have their feet elevated. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Her surgery was eight days ago. Thanks |
| Name: | christina black |
| E-Mail: | chrissy_689@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 07/19/00 13:40 |
| Comments: | hi.my three year old son was diagnosed with an arithmia on his thrid birthday.he is going to see a heart specialist next month.i would just like to know what to do and what to expect.when i go in .i'm really scared becuase of his age.i saw this web sight and thaught it would be a good plae to start.thank you. |
| Name: | Mary Benjamin |
| E-Mail: | cbenj95044@aol.com |
| Date: | 07/22/00 12:45 |
| Comments: | My husband, age 77, had quad bypass 8 yrs ago. Was pretty much ok. Had some health setbacks but was functioning. In April,2000, he had bout of CHF and had to have defribillator put in. Came home and is only 105 lbs. (was 135 lbs.) Terrible trouble sleeping at night. Depressed. Got Zoloft from Cardiologist. Takes some days and not others. Has no interest in going out. My daughter thinks he should not be sleeping long periods during day. I should be pushing him to do a little more. Sitting in house day after day. I think I should not push him. What's the purpose. H e should rest as long as he wants to. Any advice?Am I adding to his depression? |
| Name: | Geraldine |
| E-Mail: | Gerrir13@aol.com |
| Home Page: | none |
| Date: | 07/25/00 22:32 |
| Comments: | Hi Just wanted to say that my husband who is 41 had to have a pacemaker when he was 39. He went for a yearly check up and they discovered that his heart was beating at 38 beats a min. He is in full heart block and pacer dependent. His ejection fraction was 12 so the doctor put him on coreg and now ef is 48. He is feeling well, but I am always a nervous reck. Is there anyone with is similar problem. I don't like to let my husband know that I am so concerned about him all the time. We have 4 kids 15, 16, 17, 18. It is very hard to stay sane. Thanks for letting me vent! |
| Name: | Christina |
| E-Mail: | chriswink@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 07/26/00 00:15 |
| Comments: | I am a female, 53 years old. I have always been very active in the past but have slowed down since I started Menopause and started experiencing very bad hot flashes or so I thought, but in the mean time it was my heart, but I did not know it. I went to see a homeopath this summer as I believe in alternative medicine and did not want to go on the regular hormone replacements that everyone else is on. She gave me some medicine that made me feel a lot better and it did wonders for my depression. Because I gained quite a bit of weight since I had not been feeling well and not exercising regularly, she also told me to go to my doctor to have bloodwork done and she also encouraged me to have this heart murmur checked out thoroughly before I started any weight training and heavy cardio. I grudgingly obeyed, because no one else had ever made a big deal out of this so I made the appointment. I dislike doctors and I hate going to hospitals. But to make a long story short, I have to have my Aortic Valve replaced within the next two weeks. It is stenotic and cannot be repaired. I don't understand why not one doctor has ever told me over the years how serious a heart murmur can be, and that if you have a murmur, to go and have it checked out by having a echocardiogram done, and also a Cardiac Catheterization. For the same token I could have just ignored it again as I had done previously, because NO ONE told me how serious it can be. I just want to warm anyone out there that if you have a murmur to go and have it checked out. You never know. I am thankful that something can be done, and feel lucky that my arteries are clean so I don't have to worry about that. But if there is anyone out there that has gone through the same thing please be so kind to e-mail be, and put my mind as ease.. I can't help but feel nervous about the surgery. Thanks! |
| Name: | tyrrel |
| E-Mail: | tmoody_2000@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 07/26/00 18:02 |
| Comments: | Enjoyed, well not really enjoyed, reading all the stories on heart problems. Like all of you we too are faced with a struggle and a new life style. Instead of taking life for granted we think everyday how to live it as if it were our last. In some ways we are lucky as many are not given the opportunity and are whisked away without a second to think or prepare. My friend who is 54 will be having the Dor procedure on Aug. 10,000.In addition he will have his mitral valve fixed with the Durrand ring. Any information on recovery time and quality of life after procedure would be appreciated.Also any suggestions on care and "getting through it" Now we have to hold on until 2002 when gene therapy will be approved. Somehow new genes will be implanted into the heart. The genes will produce new collateral circulation which provides new blood vessels and blood supply to the heart muscle. The day of the bionic person is definately here. Best to you all and looking forward to available information. Tyrrel |
| Name: | Karen |
| E-Mail: | hoelscherk@aol.com |
| Home Page: | none |
| Date: | 07/26/00 22:58 |
| Comments: | My husband of one yr (59) amd I am 43 was rushed to the ER thinking he was having a heart attack. He had been complaining for 2 yrs that he had pain in his back arms and recently his chest felt tight but would stop if he sat down. He had stress test after stress test that was normal even that day. They finally did an angioplasty and found 9 blockages. He had surgery. It has been a shock to him and me. I don't know how to help him -- I nag him about walking, he seems down. I travel on my job and afraid to leave him now. He hates my job anyway. How do you all deal with the shock of it all? I cant get the piscture in ICU out of my head and now worry it still could happen. I knoe deep down he is scared too. Will he be the same man I met 5 years ago that could stay up all night and keep going? Help........ |
| Name: | Karen |
| E-Mail: | hoelscherk@aol.com |
| Home Page: | none |
| Date: | 07/26/00 23:04 |
| Comments: | I said it wrong -- he didnt have angioplaty he had a quadruple bypass. |
| Name: | Jea Jones |
| E-Mail: | streetchv@aol.com |
| Date: | 07/29/00 17:25 |
| Comments: | Hi - I just found this web site through an article in a publication at work. My husband had 5 bypass surgery 18 months ago and life has been an emotional roler coaster ever since. He has recovered physically very well but his depression started almost immediately which I now realize - I did not know what depression was or had no idea it was an after effect to watch for. The hospital and Rehab group both just brush all emotional problems aside. I would like to hear from others who have experienced changed behavior after bypass surgery. My husband is 56 and I'm 50. We've gone through hell - I hope to hear from someone. |
| Name: | Ginger |
| E-Mail: | gingerbread928@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 07/30/00 22:30 |
| Comments: | My husband and I have been together for 20 years now as of 2 days ago. The last few years we drifted our own ways emotionally and early this year after nearly divorcing we seemed to find our way back to each other. It's been a tough road. I love him so much it hurts. He is 52 (now) and I'm 42. I've always know about heart disease in his family since his father died of a heart attack at age 65. His dad's first heart attack had been at 45 and at about 62 he had a triple bypass. My husband travels a lot with his job. Since we became more open with each other and I felt I'd nearly lost him, God reminded me again of how precious our time together may be. He had a heart attack on May 8 of this year. He was with co-workers fortunately. I always worried about him driving through the desert with nobody around. Anyway, he ended up with 2 angioplasties and 2 implanted stents, and a few days after he was sent home. He has been a 2 packs-a-day smoker (again) for the last 8 years. When he came home he was grateful to be "here". In the back of my mind, I wondered if he would reconsider his decision after the heart attack, to stay with me and our 14 and 17 year old kids or go back to "her". I immediately got the book HEARTMATES for myself. But he says everything is always about me. He doesn't realize the way his heart attack has affected the kids and especially me after we'd almost lost him before. He lasted (and we lasted his rages) about 2 weeks and he began smoking again. In no time he has gotten up to 2 packs-a-day again with a LitNup 90% filter. He said his doctor said it's OK. I guess his doctor knows he won't change. I know it too but it kills me to see him smoking. It's like even though he's been given this chance to be here, he really hasn't considered given up smoking. He has been very careful about food. He'll comment about what he isn't allowed to eat with a cigarette in his mouth! He won't go to a support group. He wouldn't go to marriage counseling either. He doesn't want to begin a walking program. Help! I love this man so dearly but I give up. |
| Name: | jan b. |
| E-Mail: | steveb@sierratel.com |
| Date: | 08/05/00 20:24 |
| Comments: | My husband had surgery for a aortic-thoracic aneurism oct/99, he's 48 and had quit smoking 17 years ago. And about 3 weeks ago he decided to start again. Who know's why. His prognosis is'nt so good because his aorta tore from the aortic arch down to his iliac arteries in both legs. So I can relate to those of you who worry so much about your loved ones. I've been a nurse for over 15 yrs so you can imagine how painful it is knowing the human anatomy and how the final outcome of my spouses condition will be. I truly am not prepared to be left alone after only 5yrs of marriage. I have come to terms with my husbands choices bad or good because i love him so very much, i live each day like it will be the last, and i don't harp on him about anything i just let him live. If i can be of any help to any of you with simular circumstances i surely will. Because (even though i have vented here)I have truly come to terms with my husbands outcome, I've learned to be a better wife and friend. Thanks for reading Janb |
| Name: | Diane Logiudice |
| E-Mail: | neverenoughu@hotmail.com |
| Date: | 08/10/00 10:30 |
| Comments: | Hello, I wrote an entry on February 14, 2000 about my mom who was diagnosed with CHF. Now I'd like to tell the rest of the story. In June of this year, my mom had to be rushed to the hospital once again for heart problems. An angiogram revealed that she had three blockages. Angioplasty was done immediately. My mom said she felt great!!!! Thankfully, my entire family went away on vacation the last week of July. However, mom started complaining of chest discomfort, and she had no appetite. She spent most of the week not wanting to do much of anything. We should have brought her home immediately, and that is something we have to live with now. We came home on a friday. That Sunday night, mom went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a "mild" heart attack. She had an angiogram on Tuesday. The doctor said that her one main artery was 100% occluded. They tried angioplasty. Unsucessful. At 3:30 a.m on Wednesday morning, my brother called me to say that my mom stopped breathing and was brought back by CPR. I rushed to the hospital to find her on life support. My family sat with her as we watched her breathe on a respirator. Her blood pressure struggled to stabilize. The doctor said she had a 50/50 chance. That same night her eyes fluttered open and she was surprised to see everyone around her bed. By the next day she was doing so well that the doctors called her a miracle. We knew mom was really sick though. The doctor said that she had suffered a miocardialinfarction and that a large amount of her heart was damaged. We knew life would be different for mom. Mom did so well that the next day they moved her out of Cardiac Care into a regular hospital unit. We spent the day with mom, talking, laughing, and sharing. Mom made us leave early because she was tired. No doubt. The next morning, my brother and I miraculously arrived at her room at the same second. The nurse asked us our relationship and then proceeded to tell us that mom had passed a way a few minutes ago. My mom was my best friend. She was 69 years old. I was not prepared to lose my mom, but I know that I would never have been. I am lost in pain that is so deep that I don't know how to begin to get out. My prayers are with all of you who are dealing with heart disease in your loved ones. I am a mental health professional who has helped many people deal with pain, but nothing could have prepared me for this. I need all of the friends and support that I can get. If you would like to support me, I will be happy to give the much needed support back to you. May God bless you all. |
| Name: | Camille Ward |
| E-Mail: | wardc@mail.rockefeller.edu |
| Date: | 08/10/00 14:25 |
| Comments: | Hi. I'm 22 and I just had my fifth ablation procedure three weeks ago that failed and now I have a pacemaker. I was promised by my doctors that everything would finally return back to normal, but so far, I don't feel any different than before the procedure. In fact, now I have more abnormal heart rhythms than before. Is there anyone else in the world my age with a pacemaker? Is this really normal? I'm beginning to think I ruined my life by agreeing to have the last procedure done. |
| Name: | Susan |
| E-Mail: | sueott@wfubmc.edu |
| Date: | 08/11/00 18:59 |
| Comments: | My husband had triple bypass in January 1999. He lost weight, exercised, and went back to work on a 75% schedule. Our relationship improved. I thought we handled everything GREAT at the time. . Of course, we're both worried about his medical future; our son is grown and he's basically all I have. In the past year I find that I am anxious and worried about my own health all the time, imagining that every twitch or scratch is a fatal disease. My doctor says that this could be a delayed reaction to the shock of my husband.s surgery. Has anyone else had this experience? |
| Name: | Connie Reineke |
| E-Mail: | Creineke1@aol.com |
| Home Page: | n/a |
| Date: | 08/13/00 22:35 |
| Comments: | My husband had congestion for weeks and wouldn't see the Doctor. Finally while out of town he couldn't breath and I talked him into going to the emergency room. Since it was Sunday there was no were else to go so he finally agreed. They found out he had congestive heart failure and aorta senosis caused by his aortic valve having only 2 leaflets instead of the usual 3 and calcium build up (caused by getting older). He is 56. He had pneumonia also. He had mechancial heart valve replacement surgery on July 11th. He spent 2 weeks in the hospital though he went home on the 5th day after surgery. Too soon, we went back to the ER that night because his bladder wouldn't function. They put a catheter (his 3rd) in him for a week. We then started visiting a Urologist also. A few days later he had film cover his eye (a sign of a valve problem) and we went back in again. His surgeon was there and ordered test but didn't find anything wrong. He is in his 5th week now and doing good. He is ready to get this behind him. All my reading material has to do with heart attacks and or bypass surgery. I have found information on valve replacement itself but nothing on recovery and prognosis. I would love to be able to find some real information or talk to someone who has had this done. I can't seem to concentrate on my job yet. Two other people and I started our owm business a year ago and I am the President. I am working from home right now after being off for weeks. I can't seem to concentrate or gather my thougths enough to be organized. I am also the secretay of an Investment Club I used to enjoy that but right now I could care less. I want to quit this but I know they don't have anyone else to do it. I feel like if I am going to invest my time, thoughts and efforts it needs to be to my business. I don't feel like I can handle anything else right now. Maybe when my husband goes back to work. I have only been working a few days but my desk is a mess. Usually I would organize my day the night before and I would know exactly want I am doing the next day. I have no idea now what I am to do tomorrow and I am having a hard time caring. I hope this is a temporary. There were fires to put out while in the hospital and I handled them. Now I wonder how I did that from my hotel room in the hospital with a lap top and phone. I forgot my sister's birthday's. They are twins and I have always known their birthdate for 41 years. I remembered it was in August but not what day. When I looked it up it didnt sound familiar. It seemed odd. The only dates I seem to know are - we went into the hospital on the 2nd, operated on the 11th, went home on the 16th. Have any other spouces done this? If so how long does it last? I have a business trip in Oct and I am thinking of canceling it as I am afraid to leave him alone. However it is an important trip. Well enough! Thanks, Connie |
| Name: | Jeannie |
| E-Mail: | labuz@erols.com |
| Home Page: | none |
| Date: | 08/14/00 08:05 |
| Comments: | Our uncle who is in his seventies had double bypass surgery and valve replacement seven days ago.He is due to be released from the hospital real soon. We are well aware that no two cases are identical, but we would appreciate sharings from anyone in his/her seventies who has had a similiar operation as to what to expect as far as recuperation. How did you feel physically and emotionally? How long was the process? What were you ups and downs? Please offer some tips on what really helped you healing process. Thanks so much and God Bless. |
| Name: | Rita |
| E-Mail: | tmturner@aol.com |
| Date: | 08/16/00 14:18 |
| Comments: | my husband had bypass at 47 yrs old. At 52 yrs. all 4 bypasses were blocked and had bypass again. He is now 57 yrs. old and working 12 hours a day and thriving. He must travel in his job. My question is: I would like to see defribullators on planes (especially on oversears flights) and wondered if there was a group lobbying to make this a reality. If I can join in this most important cause please let me know what I can do to help. |
| Name: | Idell |
| E-Mail: | ikl@zianet.com |
| Home Page: | 0 |
| Date: | 08/17/00 02:06 |
| Comments: | Hi, my husband had a major heart attack on march 09,0000. Which is a very scary thing to think about the scariest thing is that he is only 28 years old. He had 2 stents put in his heart and is on about eitht different medications for the rest of his life probably. It runs in his family history on this fathers side. His father passed away at age 43. We have a three-year old son and it scares me so much to think of ever going threw it again. I pray that my husband never goes threw that again and I am so afraid sometimes I don't like to show it in front of him because I do not want to worry him. But he is a fighter and a very strong person. |
| Name: | NANCY |
| E-Mail: | primal88@hotmail.com |
| Home Page: | netscape |
| Date: | 08/17/00 05:17 |
| Comments: | MY HUSBAND HAD A HEART ATTACK IN OCT 1999.HE IS DOING WELL.HE HAD ONE BLOCKED ARTERY AND HAD A STENT PUT IN, HE IS ON LESCOL.HE HAS TROUBLE TAKING ANY MEDICINE.SO I HOPE HE CAN TAKE THIS.HE WAS 50 AT THE TIME OF HIS HEART ATTACK.OUR LIFE IS SO DIFFERENT NOW.I SILENTLY WORRY THAT HE WILL HAVE ANOTHER HEART ATTACK.HOW DOES A PERSON EVER OVER GET OVER THAT HUMP? |
| Name: | Jo Linville |
| E-Mail: | linville@ptsi.net |
| Date: | 08/19/00 21:28 |
| Comments: | In April of this year I recieved a pacemaker for sick sinus syndrome then in may after flunking the stress test an angioplaty and stent. Some times I feel so tired all I want to do is sleep, I have given up cigarettes changed to low fat low sugar diet started walking every day so sometimes I wonder if it is all the changes in my life at once. I know I am very scared and I worry a lot about more health problems. My mothers side of the family all had heart problems and died before they were 60 years old. I never had chest pains but now I have pains in my chest but they seem to be in the muscles. It hurts to touch my chest some times. I was really told nothing on what to expect or what to look for. It is so good to have some place to go to talk to people that understand what you are going through. I just wish I could get over my fears I thought at first that timne would take care of them but they seem to be getting worse. I have anxiety attacks and can't take antdepressents so at times it scare me more because the symptoms of anxiety attacks are close to heart (dizziness shortness of breath chest pain). Thanks for listening . |
| Name: | Mary |
| E-Mail: | mma049@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 08/22/00 15:58 |
| Comments: | To Clint, clintworks@home.com: I have had similar symptoms for many years, have gone through all the tests you named with no answers. You tell yourself that if the doctor isn't worried, you shouldn't be, either. But it's hard to stop paying attention to those skips! Has anyone ever mentioned to you mitral valve prolapse? I finally had an echochardiagram a couple of years ago, and they saw a floppy valve. Still the dr. said it was nothing to worry about, and it helped to have that answer. My current problem is my husband. He's 52, and last week had myocardial infarction. They did the cath procedure, baloon angioplasty, and put a stint in the artery which was 100% blocked. What I'm wondering about are the long-term implications of this treatment. The cardiologist says that 80% of people never have any more trouble. What happens to the other 20%? Anyone with experience in this procedure? |
| Name: | Jill Enfield |
| E-Mail: | jenfieldny@aol.com |
| Date: | 08/31/00 16:14 |
| Comments: | My husband, who never notices any kind of illness, had a horrible sore throat in November, 1999 so we went to the emergency room. They were of no help. The next day we went to an ENT who sent a camera down his throat and saw nothing. We went for a physical. I passesd fine, he failed his stress test. We started on a rollercoaster and ended up in the hospital on May 10, 2000 for what we thought would be a double by-pass for 2 totally clogged artieries. Turns out 1 was totally clogged, 1 partically and another somewhat. They gave him a triple and we were home in 5 days. We kept asking about after care and exercise and they pretty much blew us off. He could not wear a shirt due to nerve probelms for 2 months, but that is now a little better. We have switched doctors, he is now in an exercise program and back to work. Sounds great! But... he is now going through a terrible depression, wants to quite work and move (we have 2 small children in school). he can not concentrate. He also has diabetes and is worried that he may lose his feet becuase they took his veins and one leg still hurts. He is mad that we rished into the surgery and feels that with only 1 artery totally clogged, maybe he did not really need it in the first place. He takes pills to sleep. He hsa finally said that he will go to see a therapist and has asked his doctor for a name, which we will hopefully get next week. I cancelled all of my business trips over the summer and I am behind in my work. I am getting very depressed, too. Has anyone else experienced this delayed depression?? What did you do? Thanks. |
| Name: | Julie |
| E-Mail: | hwilting.pei.sympatico.ca |
| Date: | 09/02/00 13:01 |
| Comments: | My father has has 2 quadruple bypasses, 1major heart attack, 2 minor ones, 3 TIA's and 2 angioplasty procedures and last november '99 had a stent put in and a ballon treatment done in another vain. He has always been brave and optimistic. Now he is experiencing pain again and is waiting for a angiogram on Tuesday? What could have gone wrong with the stints? Is it fixable? Please reply. I'm trying to be encouraging but I don't have any logic to go on. I can't seem to find the info on the net that I'm looking for. So I'm hoping you can help. Thanks!! |
| Name: | Holly Schride |
| E-Mail: | hollyschride@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 09/03/00 05:37 |
| Comments: | I am a 29 year old woman and I was diagnosed as having Famillial Hypercholestreamia, Hypertension and Coronory artery Disease 2 months ago. I was at work and having a bad week, things just kept going wrong. I was getting very stressed out. I started yo yell at my PA then it started. At first it was like indigestion then I became nausious. When the chest pain started it was the most intense pain I have ever had. It felt like someone had parked a truck on my chest. The next thing I remember was waking up in CCU surrounded with machines and tubes with a huge scar down my chest. I had to have 2 arteries bypassed in 8 places. Having a massive heart attack really scared and surprized me, I mean I'm only 27 women dont have heart attacks untill their 60's. Bull I nearly died at 27, partly because of stupidity (my diet was terrible and I smoked 40-60 a day)and partly because of of ignorance I had no idea that the chest pain I suffered for over a year was Unsable Angina and not Acid Reflux like my Doctor told me it was. |
| Name: | Wanda Wright |
| E-Mail: | fuzzecat@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 09/03/00 17:41 |
| Comments: | I have just found your site and was amazed at some of the stories. I have been overweight most of my life. My father died 20 years ago of a heart attack. I was diagnosed as being diabetic (type2) about a year and a half ago. I was diagnoised this past year as having high cholesterol I had a D& C done on June 3 of this year and my doctor removed a large polyp from my uterus. He had to tell me two weeks later that it contained cancer cells. He recommened I have a hysterecotmy. I am 50 so decided thatwould be "okay" . This was done on July 6, as well as a bladder suspension and two days later I suffered chest pain. I was put under the service of a cardiologist who had me put on a moniter and a profusion test was performed, this is a stress test except since I was unable physically do walk on the tread mill, it was done with chemicals. My Dr said that he felt there was more going on but that we could probably wait until I was healed from my other surgery before we did an arterigram. I was scheduled to go home on the Tuesday following my hysterectomy on Thursday and as I ate my breakfast, I experenced some chest discomfort. I kept waiting for it to go away but it just seemed to stay there. I called for a nurse and told her about it. My cardiologist was called adn I was put on the moniter again, given oxygen and nitro tabs twice Now we had had echo grams done, and several different times but they showed nothing. My cardiologist came in and said that we should probably go ahead with the angiogram the following day. This was done and he explained to me while I was still in the cath lab that I had two arteries that were blocked 70 to 80 and 80 to 90 % respectively. I needed to have stints put in and he did not do it here. Did I want to go to Oklahoma City or Tulsa each about 40 miles away. I told him Oklahoma City as I had friends there. I asked him if he would go up and explain what was going on to my husband of 21 years. I was transferred by ambulance that afternoon to Oklahoma and had stints put in the next morning. I went home on Friday the 14th of July. I just recently went back to work. I work as a cook for our local senior citizen site. I continue to take cardiac rehab three mornings a week at the local Univeristy. I walk on the tread mill and ride a bicycle while on the moniter.I feel good. My husband told the doctors that I had been complaining of chest discomfort for some time but I didn't remember it. I am trying to lose weight and my diabetes is doing well. I keep thinking what my internist told me in the hospital, I as cying and was scared. He said, "If you had to have chest pain, this is the best place (in the hospital) to have it." I was really lucky and thank God that I have some wonderful doctors that listened to me. Please don't ignore symptoms like numbness and pain in your arms. |
| Name: | Mary Forrest |
| E-Mail: | mary.forrest@foxnews.com |
| Date: | 09/05/00 17:39 |
| Comments: | Hi - I work for a weekly heatlh show called "WebMD TV" that airs on Fox News Channel and we are working on a story about how having a heart attack affects a persons sex life. We are interested in finding someone in the New York area who would be willing to come on our program and talk about their experience with this issue. If you are interested or know of anyone who may be I would appreciate hearing from you. Thank you. |
| Name: | Judy |
| E-Mail: | JBixby1@aol.com |
| Date: | 09/09/00 11:37 |
| Comments: | Hi My husband went to the doctors on july21 for bad heartburn. The doctor sent him by ambulance to the local hospital for a stress test. He failed badly.From there they sent him into Bostonfor an angiogram.The doctor told me if they sawanything the woulddo an angioplasm. Worse case scenareo heart surgery but he didn't forsee that.He went for the angiogram and there was too much blockage. They said he would need surgery.He asked if he had time to talk with local cardioligist, he would be in the next day. They said yes. The next thing we knew the surgeon said he was schedul for surgery the next morning. He was so nervous I laid with him and held him .We cried all night. At one point thet came in to take blood to check enzymes he thought they said he was having a heart attack and he started hyper ventilating.They asked if he wanted a tranquilizer. I thought they should have given him it when they gave him the news. The next day the doctor said it was worse than he thought and did quadruple bypass.He's only 42. In the meantime I had talked to his boss.I asked if he still had a job. He said Mitch knows him better than that.He gave him 2 weeks vacation pay 1 week sick pay,and a letter stating that he can't come back to work unless he is able to lift 30 lbs. do receiving and put in a full week. His doctor said he was able to go back to doing design work starting with 6 hrs a day.That's what he was hired to do. The boss said no. 100% or nothing.He signed a contract when he was hired saying if he ever became dissabled where he couldn't perform his job he could be terminated. I guess my husband was right he doesknow him better than that. He went to unemployment. They pretty much say if he can work part time he can't collect. SSI you have to be totally dissabled. I just got a promotion at work but my paycheck alone won't pay bills. Anyone out there have a similar situation. I feel this is puttin added stress on the family. Thank you, Judy |
| Name: | isabel macdonald |
| E-Mail: | issie00.@hotmail.com |
| Home Page: | brain anerysum |
| Date: | 09/09/00 17:41 |
| Comments: | I would like to here from anyone who has had a Brain Anerysum. I had surgery on July 4/2000 for a anyersum on my left side of the brain. I still have alot of dizzy spells. I was always a busy lady and find it very difficult sometime to accept. I just turn 49 in June, work a very stressful full time job in the accounting world. I am responible for all the work that has to be done at home. My hubsand had a heart attach 15 years ago and also bypass 7 years ago. I would like to hear about the recovery period and what to except. I thank anyone who could help me in anyway. |
| Name: | Melissa Swan |
| E-Mail: | Meliss6149@aol.com |
| Date: | 09/10/00 09:12 |
| Comments: | Hi. Mom mom was just diagnosed with heart failure and enlarged heart. Apparently she is retaining water in her lungs and heart. I live 750 miles away, my dad says shes doing fine, I'm scared and worry that it's worse than he's telling me. I worry that I need to go home to be with her. What should I do? Has anyone been through this? Good or bad I need to know. Please help. |
| Name: | Melissa Swan |
| E-Mail: | Meliss6149@aol.com |
| Date: | 09/10/00 09:14 |
| Comments: | Hi. Mom mom was just diagnosed with heart failure and enlarged heart. Apparently she is retaining water in her lungs and heart. I live 750 miles away, my dad says shes doing fine, I'm scared and worry that it's worse than he's telling me. I worry that I need to go home to be with her. What should I do? Has anyone been through this? Good or bad I need to know. Please help. |
| Name: | Lynnda White |
| E-Mail: | lynndaw@home.com |
| Date: | 09/10/00 13:07 |
| Comments: | My father needs ideas!! He had bypass surgery 9 months ago and his hands and legs are always numb now. The doctors say he's fine and everything looks good. He drops things and falls down often because of the numbness. Will he ever regain the feeling? Is there anything he can do? He is very discouraged. Please send ideas, thanks! Lynnda |
| Name: | David Wertz |
| E-Mail: | dwertz2000@home.com |
| Date: | 09/10/00 14:49 |
| Comments: | Hi All, I'm male 47. Had a heart attack in 1995. Had angioplasty and put on meds during that time. About a year later I came down with bronchitis and have been battling it ever since. I.ve been to a couple of doctors and nothing really found. Until a few days ago my general (gp) doctor said may be congestive heart failure. Could this be true? Has anyone with heart problems developed these symptoms have having a heart attack? |
| Name: | Timothy D. Hobby |
| E-Mail: | timhobby@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 09/11/00 17:40 |
| Comments: | Hello, My name is Tim Hobby and I would like to get any feed back, good or bad, concerning kelation therapy. You see, I live in the state of Tennessee and my fiance, Kim (50 years old), has started kelation therapy. She has had high blood pressure for several years, and the medications she has been taking don't seem to get it down to a healthy level. She has had several kelation treatments, including peroxide, and has already noticed a difference in her energy level and blood pressure. Everything I have researched about kelation, supports the safe and beneficial results of this inexpensive treatment. The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners ("Board")is reviewing this treatment at a meeting in Nashville in October of this year(next month). If I could get personal testimonials from anyone who has used kelation therapy, I would certainly ask your permission to present them before the board. It is important to me that kelation is continued to made available to anyone who wants it in the State of Tennessee, but most importantly for my fiance. I would really appreciate any help. A short email testimonial would be great. Thank you. Tim Hobby timhobby@yahoo.com |
| Name: | Pennie |
| E-Mail: | homemaid@hotmail.com |
| Home Page: | none |
| Date: | 09/12/00 11:51 |
| Comments: | Hello, My father was diagnosed with an Aortic Anurism and is in need of surgery to repair this. He had a heart attack in August of 1998 and had a pacemaker/defibulator put it at that time. He is wondering about the new procedure we have heard about where they repair these Anurisms through the groin in a similar manner to the heart cath. Any information on this would be very helpful ASAP. Thank you for your help. Pennie |
| Name: | Ernest H. Evans III |
| E-Mail: | EEVANS@vitshoppe.com |
| Home Page: | ervinskievans@aol.com |
| Date: | 09/13/00 16:22 |
| Comments: | I'm a 44 year old male. Had a mild heart attack less than a month ago, they put a stint in a 90% blockage and gave me med's to lower my blood pressure and slow my heart beat. During placement of the stint my heart stopped and it took 5 shocks (which actually leave big burn rings on your skin) and several 'poundings' to get it going again. I went from asking hey whats that your putting there (it was a pacemaker electrode as I found out later - my Dr. saw the beat dying) to saying hey, can I have some drugs - like MORPHINE!, my chest is really starting to hurt (cause he had pounded on it several times). One of the nurses said to me 'Don't do that - you scared us to death'. I've already been back to work for 2 weeks (I'm a Systems Analyst doing contract work in NJ/NY). It's difficult cause the med's seem to make me a little drowsy, depressed, fatigued , and now I just don't know if I'm going to have any energy ever again - unless I quit the med's or get used to them. Also was told to stop coffee, which I've consummed at least a pot a day since age 15. This and stopping smoking and eating stuff like fat free mayonase are probably adding (or may be the main reason) for feeling depressed. I'd encourage anyone out there - God can be in control of your (or your mates destiny) and you need not be afraid. You need to acknowledge some things and discover Faith can even change the course of history. Write me to find out how. |
| Name: | Joan |
| E-Mail: | J_Biondolilo@hotmail.com |
| Date: | 09/13/00 21:25 |
| Comments: | Im looking for a women in her 30-50's who has had open heart surgery sometime in her life. I am 46 and have had 2 surgeries, one for pulmanary stenosis, and one for infandibular stenosis. I would just like to connect with someone who has survived the trauma of the events associated and wants to share online. |
| Name: | Rachael Freed |
| E-Mail: | rachaelfreed@heartmates.com |
| Home Page: | www.heartmates.com |
| Date: | 09/26/00 12:35 |
| Comments: | Hello everyone-- I have been out of town on a writing grant, working on the new book, working title: WOMEN'S LIVES .... WOMEN'S LEGACIES An Interactive Guide for Creating Your Spiritual-Ethical Will Many of you wrote here while I was gone, but I wonder where you have all gone, since September 13? To all of you, I wish you a serene fall, as we are watched over my the guardian Angel, Raphael (Healer of God). For those of you who are Jewish, may I wish you a sweet new year, as Rosh Hashonah is less than one week away. Keep interacting ... expression and support are two important keys of healing. --Rachael@Heartmates |
| Name: | Jo |
| E-Mail: | linville@ptsi.net |
| Date: | 09/28/00 12:05 |
| Comments: | After my angioplast my doctor put me on Pravachol, I hurt all the time and wanted to sleep all the time, after two months he changed me to Lipitor after about two weeks on it I am starting to hurt and want to sleep. I understand this is a side affect but does anyone know if it ever goes away. |
| Name: | Dave Dworak |
| E-Mail: | ddworak@hns.com |
| Date: | 10/09/00 14:06 |
| Comments: | A aortic aneurism I've had for several years has grown to 4.5 cm and my cardiologist is telling me to get it taken care of. A recent angiogram showed very little heart blockage (nothing that can't be taken care of with beta blockers) I am 56 years old! How is the surgury for this? Any complications? Help! |
| Name: | Karen |
| E-Mail: | jazwick@ahp.com |
| Date: | 10/10/00 09:33 |
| Comments: | My father-in-law had bypass and replacement of his aortic valve last Wednesday. At this time, they have put off sending him home due to an arrythmia problem. His heart rate is all over the place. Has anyone been through this? My husband is concerned. The doctors are not concerned. They say it happens in 40% of the patients. I believe it is due to them trying out different medications on him to find the right ones before sending him home. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. |
| Name: | Leslie Fessler |
| E-Mail: | sonflower@acninc.net |
| Date: | 10/10/00 21:32 |
| Comments: | My husband who is 52 years old had a heart attack in September of this year. He had a heart catherization and they put a stent in his main artery whick was blocked 70%. He is over weight nd smoked. Needless to say the smoking has stopped. The eating has been more difficult. He was not feeling well a few weeks ago and returned to the doctor. They gave him another EKG and thought he should go for another catherization,which he did this past week. Now they found an artery that is 50% blocked and a smaller artery that is 70% blocked. This time they just gave him medication and a Nitro patch. He takes medication for his blood pressure,a blood thinner,something for his cholesterol and is wearing a nitro patch. His personality has changed. He is very irritable and has no pep. He now has developed a walking problem called claudication. I am about ready to pull my hair out ! I work and hate to leave him alone. I am a a nervous wreck most of the time. I just don't know how to cope. Most people our age aren't having these problems...my own parents who are in their 80's are healthier than he is. I could use someone to talk to or use some advice. Thanks. |
| Name: | Pam |
| E-Mail: | paquilino@hotmail.com |
| Date: | 10/13/00 22:04 |
| Comments: | My dad, 74 years old, had open heart surgery for four bypasses 3 and one half years ago. Now, he has suffered a heart attack and is expected to have stints inserted this week because 2 of 4 valves he had repaired closed up. Open heart was supposed to work for 8-12 years - but 3&1/2?? Doctors were surprised and said his diabetes is the contributing factor to the decay. Has anyone had experience they can talk about with stints and what can go wrong? Or any similar stories to share. Our family really has no other choice but to go for the stints. |
| Name: | Anne |
| E-Mail: | anne_town@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 10/14/00 06:56 |
| Comments: | Hello: Where should I begin? I am a 56 year old female who recently celebrated 5 years since breast cancer and feeling elated. But earlier this year I began to sense a weakness and tightness in my chest while hiking and/or walking fast. Several years ago I had been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse so with the condition persisting and increasing, I opted to go the Arizona Heart Institute for their highly acclaimed Heart Test, a non-invasive heart scan. I unfortunately was diagnosed with aortic stenosis; I learned my aortic valve is almost completely blocked. My cardiologist says that my damaged valve almost certainly occurred at birth or I may have had rheumatic fever as a child. At any rate, I have had a follow up angiogram which also revealed some blockage, but my heart is in good shape. After some rather stern talks from the cardiologist and the heart surgeon, I am scheduled for surgery for a mechanical valve replacement and one bypass in four days. I have since learned that my mother has a heart murmur (age 78). I am very concerned about having this surgery! If anyone has gone through this, please let me know your story. I am so tempted to let nature take its course and not have the surgery because of how it will change my life afterwards, but the doctors say my situation is critical...but I keep asking myself...if my mother made it to 78, why not me? Would appreciate your support! |
| Name: | Melissa Wright |
| E-Mail: | Lessa_K@hotmail.com |
| Date: | 10/14/00 15:20 |
| Comments: | I am a thirty year old female, after giving birth to my son four months ago I started having problems with my heart. At first, there was fluttering in my chest several times through out the day. Now, I have a constant heaviness in my chest and my heart feels like it skips a beat and then races. This happens all day long no matter what my activity level is. I have had a chest x-ray and a resting ekg, neither showed any problems. I do not drink or smoke, I excercise on a regular basis and have never had any other medical problems. I would like to know if anyone else has had these symptoms and has already been diagnosed. |
| Name: | sherry |
| E-Mail: | ketsel@aol.com |
| Date: | 10/14/00 16:15 |
| Comments: | Hello everyone. I am 37 years old and the primary caretaker for my mom who has ben suffering with heart failure for many years. He story is extremely long so i won't write t all but she is 75 and has been in "end stage" for several years already. In the past year the doctors have told us 5 times already that she would not make it out of the hospital. Well she did and she is home right now. I am writing to connect with other people who are caretakers. I guess i am writing now becasue I myelf have a surgery scheduled for this coming Wednesday and i will be in the hospital for about 5 days. it is nothing serious, I am having my fibroids removed but I am so worried that something will happen to mom while I am laid up. We have a wonderfule woman that stays with her most of the time and I do have a brother but no one know my mom and her symptoms like I do. Mt dad is also at home but he is not well either. I seem to have a sense when she is going to get sick before anyone else does. I know I have to trust that G-d will take care of her but I am still so worried and stressed. Anyway, I thank you for allowing me to share here. I just bought this computer and this is my first day on it. I have had one at work but I am going to be home recoperating for a few weeks so now I have one at home.. Thanks and G-d bless all of you..sherry |
| Name: | Amy |
| E-Mail: | alyorra@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 10/15/00 19:06 |
| Comments: | It has been a long time since I visited Heartmates.com. My husband, who had a heart attack on July 10, 1999, is hanging in. We have both been smokefree for well over a year. He struggles with his depression and that adds extra pressure on me. I have just been diagnosed with a fairly bad hiatil hernia and very, very, very high cholesterol. To all I wish you health and happiness. |
| Name: | Travis |
| E-Mail: | klosegr@daktel.com |
| Date: | 10/21/00 13:42 |
| Comments: | Hi I'm 25 and just found out that my dad has a brain aneurism at the back of his head. He is 45 years old and is a smoker. We don't know much more at this time for his next appointment isn't until 10-25-00. I have some questions that maybe someone could help answer. What precautions should be taken during this time and what is done to fix the aneurism. What kind of side affects typically happen and will he be able to remain active after surgery? He is a pack a day smoker and enjoys beer. He has had this pain for almost a year and it has been treated as sinus infection more than once. He is currently having headaces and sometime complains of dizzy spells. Any information that may help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You |
| Name: | Jea |
| E-Mail: | Streetchv@aol.com |
| Date: | 10/25/00 07:44 |
| Comments: | Hi-just an update since I last wrote in July. My husband had quintuple bypass in February of 1999. His anxiety and depression continue. It has caused him to do alot of irrational things but he seemed to be trying. Two weeks ago he agreed to see a marriage counselor so we could work on our communication problems due to his anxiety attacks. Yesterday I got divorce papers. I've done all I can do - he will not talk anymore. I'm going to just let him go - I am beyond devastated. I've quit my job because I can't function and there seems to be no point. It's a no win situation but life has to go on. I will find strength somewhere and regroup. My advice to others is to not push - don't try so hard. Let them work through things on their own. Do not try to control. I've made every mistake possible. Good luck to everyone. |
| Name: | Mark Green |
| E-Mail: | markgreen@alltel.net |
| Home Page: | wake2wake.com/team |
| Date: | 10/25/00 23:23 |
| Comments: | Another Bypass Survivor offering prayers and best wishes to all...I was 39, experienced left arm numbness while exercising for a couple of weeks, ignored it (I used to work in Coronary Care!) until it happened at work under no excertion..went for treadmill stress test, and literally could not believe what I saw on ekg! I knew I was in trouble, I used to do cardiac studies on people with arrythmia's like this! Next stop, CCU, cath lab and decisions..I stopped smoking a week before this, thinking it was time (after 22 years) 4 arteries blocked..I caught this before a heart attack. I compete in waterski events, so I rehabbed aggresively, entering a tournament 3 months after sugery...Ive had chest pain scares, but they turn out to be likely scar tissue healing by mammary artery, but if you are post op, and not sure, err on the side of caution and get it checked out! I've got to give thanks to my wife any any caretaker for a spouse, this is very hard on them, trying to cope with uncertainties...I catch myself not exercising enough or eating too much sometimes, but you gotta quit the smokes if you have this done...its the greatest risk factor to have it again...best wishes to all survivors, young and old, and bless the caretakers! Mark |
| Name: | Candice |
| E-Mail: | candeecha@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 10/27/00 04:16 |
| Comments: | My husband of 28 years, 53 yrs. old, has never smoked, doesn't drink, is 50 pounds overweight, med-high cholesterol, had 6 stents placed in 2 coronary arteries 3 weeks ago. (It was a first for the cardiologist we went to; he actually had two angioplasties within one week because of a tear.) Our lives have been turned upside down. He's depressed and he certainly isn't taking care of himself. He's a physican and he isn't taking the weight off or exercising and it's so discouraging. Any attempt I make to ask him to walk with me is seen by him as an attempt at controlling his life. He's so moody and touchy, even my grown children notice it when they're around and try to pacify him. Sound familiar to anyone? I've read the Heartmates book and devoured it with great appreciation. I just wonder if anyone out there has a physician husband who already "knows" everything there is to know about heart disease. I know he's very worried about restenosis in the stents. He has 5 in his right coronary artery. Originally 3 were placed, it dissected (?) and two smaller ones had to go through the original 3 and be placed right up against them so there are 5 in a row. The other one is in the ramus branch, for what it's worth. Thanks. |
| Name: | ankala venkateswara subbarao |
| E-Mail: | avsubbarao@rediffmail.com |
| Date: | 11/04/00 21:47 |
| Comments: | Dear Jon, I am a Non invasive Cardiologist with over 20yrs experience. I would like to offer my services to any of your patients free of cost. You can ask any of your patients needing a Cardiologists opinion to my E Mail address given below. Sincerely, Subbarao AV 78 10 9 Syamala Nagar, Rajahmundry 533103 |
| Name: | PSJayaraj |
| E-Mail: | psjayaraj@hotmail.com |
| Home Page: | na |
| Date: | 11/06/00 07:06 |
| Comments: | i would like to know more about this site |
| Name: | Suelanda Murray |
| E-Mail: | Bible@iname.com |
| Date: | 11/08/00 09:54 |
| Comments: | Two years ago when my husband had a massive heart attack emergency tripple-bi-pass surgery, I found this site. It has been a place to return to over and over for me. I read of people who are in all stages of illness and healing. One thing I have learned is that all heart attacks leave their marks. We know about the stages of dealing with grief. I believe there are stages of healing after heart attacks and surgery. I have seen the personality changes. Is there anyone out there who is a caregiver of a heart patient who has not seen a change in personality? Some more extreme than others. Depression is an ongoing symptom that rears its ugly head on and off and sometimes just on. In our lives the personality changes and memory loss is hearder on me than most people who do not live with my husband, ever see. The lady who wrote here about how bad a patient her doctor husband is....of course that makes sense. He knows "intellectually" all of the answers but now he is faced with the "emotional " element of having this in his life and he can no longer separate that knowledge from his own life and it is scary. Sometimes it seems when we know too much we are more likely to panic because we KNOW what the possible outcomes are. Oh, ramble on. Not my intention but I just want to wish everyone measures of hope, love , peace and comfort wisdom to cope with these trying situations. Do I have all of the answers? NO, I still wait for the "other shoe to drop" but I have at least made peace with my husband going and doing things he enjoys and I do not want to be on his case all of the time and make him some kind of invalid. Whatever time he has are for us to treasure and if he finds peace out by the ocean hunting ducks. I have learned that he doesn't need me to try and stop him. Bless you all. Suelanda |
| Name: | JANET |
| E-Mail: | BLUEEYES11125078@aol.com. |
| Date: | 11/11/00 19:34 |
| Comments: | i was diagnosed with a mvp in 1987,1 month after my mother died of a heart attack.the drs. told me at the time not to worry about it because it was very common,and i wasnt having any symptoms. then in 1994 i noticed i was getting shortness of breath at doing the slightest thing, so i went to my dr. who then sent me to a cardiologist who discovered i had mitral stenossis and miral regurgitation. i was then hospitolised and the performed a valvoplasty on me. they told me i would be in the hospitol for 1 day i ended up in there for about 4 or5 weeks. it was the scariest thing ive ever had to go through. i ended up with congested heart failure phnemonia, fluid in my lungs ect... it took me about 5 months to feel better again after a simple procedure and i did make the medical journal and ive been told that i have helped alot of people so they didnt have to go through what i had to. but now my valve is bad again and they are talking about replacing my mitral valve i have to see a surgeon monday im scared to death! i just wish i could just have the valvoplaty done again and not the open heart soergery. has anybody else out there had this same problem or simalar? please e-mail me and let me know i would be forever grateful thans so much and god bless all of you. |
| Name: | Anonymous |
| Date: | 11/13/00 16:53 |
| Comments: | Hi there. I actually have no heart problems (that I know of). I came across this site by accident, but I was really struck by all of the people out there who have had heart problems. What a great website this is. As I have been reading these posts, I keep seeing this common denominator. Almost everyone seems to not know there is a problem until they have a heart attack/angina/arrythmia... etc. Are there any tests that people can take just to check themselves out? I can't believe that there is no preliminary checkups out there that can be done quickly to check for these sorts of issues. Don't we all have better chances if we take measures earlier in life??? |
| Name: | Frank |
| E-Mail: | fgoutier@mweb.co.za |
| Home Page: | south africa |
| Date: | 11/15/00 09:29 |
| Comments: | My Father of 70 years of age has just been diagnosed with having Cardiomiopathy Arithmia. He has been told that he needs a defribulator fitted which will cost +/- US20000.00. Throughout his years he has been very fit and still is, and has never had any problems until a blackout put him on his back. He unfortunetly does not have medical insurance to cover this cost and is to proud and stubborn to ask for help. His attitude is that he has had a wonderful life so if he must go, then so be it. The only problem with this is that he is still very active and now cannot drive himself around as he would be a danger to others on the road if a blackout accurred. What I need to know is: Is their any other treatment that can be given instead of the defribulator? and, Can anyone advise me where we could possible get hold of a second-hand defribularor? Any advise will be appreciated Thanks Frank |
| Name: | Bob Saner |
| E-Mail: | bobsane@hotmail.com |
| Date: | 11/20/00 20:47 |
| Comments: | > To Whom It May Concern, > My name is Bob Saner. About three years > ago I had a heart attack. It was strange for me but if it was not for my > dad, I know I would be dead. He taught me what to look for and never be > afraid. Fear can kill us just as quick as pride he told me. I have been an > over the road truck driver going from place to place all over the U.S. > One Saturday morning i was not feeling good. Had some chest pains > and thought is was gas. My father taught me to watch a clock. Time how long > the pain is and if it does not subside in about 15 minutes, get help. Well > that saturday morning i started to have pains in my chest, but not very > strong. I then looked at a clock to see what time it was and then i timed > it. After about 20 minutes I called for help. when the ambulance arrived I > have unlocked my door to my apartment while I still could and told them to > come in. > When they came in i was on my couch sweating and as they said I > looked gray. As for me I still felt strange but it was not as if I was > having a heart attack. My pulse was fast, my blood pressure was high. I was > clammy and still did not feel good. After about 5 minutes or what seemed to > be for ever, they gave me nitro. The pain stopped and I started to feel > better. They advised me to go to the hospital and I did. Didn't want to have > them come out to the house and not get the help I needed. > On the way to the hospital the pains started again so they gave > me another nitro pill. When I got to the hospital in the emergency room they > died blood tests and chest x-rays and as of that moment, my blood test > didn't show the enzymes in the blood to show a heart attack. But they did > admit me because of my fathers history and the pain I was feeling and how > the pain stopped after they gave me the nitro pill. > A couple of hours later, the enzymes showed in my blood and they > told me that from the time I called for help and they got me to the hospital > i was still having the heart attack. They told me if I ignored what was > happening to me, I would have most likely have died. > Thank god for a dad who taught me what to look for and what to do. > I had a stint installed and angioplasty done about 3 years ago. > For the last couple of months I have had a bad cough. So bad sometimes I get > dizzy. One time about 3 weeks ago I was driving my truck across Nebraska, I > started to have a coughing fit. I started to get dizzy so I started to pull > over to the shoulder of the road. I remember started to do this but the next > thing I remember was I was out in a field, just missing a bridge embankment. > When I saw where I was I don't know how but I looked down at my tack and > noticed my rpm's where at zero, so I talk the transmission out of gear then > back in gear, released the clutch and the engine started again. I kept > moving and headed back to the highway. Then I stopped on the shoulder of the > road. Well I headed for the hospital after I got my bearings down and also > calmed down. When I got to the hospital, They did some tests on me and then > I got some news I was not ready for. My ekg showed some problems but what > the doc was concerned with was my x-ray. It showed an enlarged heart. Also > my legs and feet were swollen. I was told I also have congestive heart > failure. I am overweight and I have been working on that. But what I am > scared of is I was told by the doc at the hospital that at this rate I would > be dead within five years. Men am I scared. If you could give me some sites > to look up or some advise I would appreciate it. > > > Thanks For Your Time > > Bob Saner > _________________________________________________________________________ |
| Name: | Kathryn Durrett |
| E-Mail: | durretks@nsuok.edu |
| Date: | 11/21/00 14:44 |
| Comments: | I am searching for others who might be in the same condition as my father. He is 68 years old and has had diabetes for many years. He has had two by-pass surgeries, the first was 8 years ago. At that time, his doctors installed six by-passes. The second by-pass surgery occurred 6 months ago when they repaired four of the original six. We have recently learned that all of the bypasses that were installed the last time are no longer functioning. This is caused from the by-pass vessels giving out. They are diseased from the diabetes and don't last long. Currently the only vessel feeding his heart is the mammery artery that was installed during the initial by-pass surgery. His doctors tell us that no more surgery is possible because his veins are too diseased and there is nothing to sew new bypasses to. We are frantic that his life may be in serious jeopardy. Is there anyone out there who is living with only the mammery artery feeding the heart? Is there anyone out there who can give us some idea of the life expectancy of a person who has only one vessel feeding the heart? Is there anyone out there who can tell us where we might go for additional help?? Does anyone know of specialists who work specifically with diabetes patients who are in need of coronary by-passes?? Thank you for any information you can provide. |
| Name: | Karen |
| Date: | 11/21/00 18:00 |
| Comments: | Hi y'all. I'm only 34 years old, and I had a heart attack last April. I still have a shocked expression on my face! I didn't smoke, my cholesterol was about 180, I was doing advanced aerobics 3 times a week, and I've always eaten healthily. My risk factors were diabetes and family history. I've been on an insulin pump for almost 2 years now, with incredible results -- well, except for that heart attack problem. I had very little damage, and I'm doing well, but the hardest part for me now is everyone else's denial! I look really healthy and I laugh all the time (even about my own crazy health problems), so people seem to forget that I can't schedule myself to the hilt like I used to. Are there any other young people out there struggling with the stereotype that only older folks get deadly heart disease? |
| Name: | Jo |
| E-Mail: | linville@ptsi.net |
| Date: | 11/21/00 19:09 |
| Comments: | Karen, I know how you feel. I am not as young as you(52),and got a pacemaker in April and a stent for 85% blockage in May. Everyone says you look so good and I do but I just don't seem for whatever the reason, to have as much get up and go as before. My thallium stress test came back good and the doctor said my heart was normal. I just can't seem to make people understand that I can't or maybe deep down inside I just don't want to push myself as hard as I did befor. I think 40 hours a week at work is enough for anyone, although I did more than that before all of this. So good luck making the world understand, the only ones who do are the ones that have walked in our shoes. |
| Name: | Anne |
| E-Mail: | anne_town@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 11/21/00 23:22 |
| Comments: | Hello again. I wrote in early October about my diagnosis of aortic stenosis and the need for aortic valve replacement surgery. Since that time I have delayed surgery on three separate occasions, because: a) I wanted more information, b) I was afraid of the surgery, c) I had several upcoming critical dates at work (I'm a Human Resources Manager of a large manufacturing firm), and d) with the upcoming holidays, I didn't want to put my family through this ordeal. At any rate, the new surgery date is 12/12 and I know that my condition has deteriorated because I feel fatigued after a day at work, whereas before, I had enough energy in the evening to walk, etc. The point is, waiting certainly "plays with your mind". Anybody out there had aortic valve replacement lately? Would like to hear your story...your recovery, etc. Thanks. |
| Name: | Jo |
| E-Mail: | makeit@fairytale.co.uk |
| Home Page: | freeserve |
| Date: | 11/22/00 15:56 |
| Comments: | My boyfriend was one of the first children in england to survive a heart transplant 15yrs ago..He has just had a bypass(triple) and has muscular dystrohy. His kidneys have failed and he is still sedated. Unfortunately because of the stress etc. he doesnt want to see me and we split up just before his op. after it was cancelled twice. But Im desperate to know how this will affect him both physically and mentally. I only know half the story as his parents were good enough to keep me informed of his progress and i dont want to bother them at the moment as they have enough on their mind.His operation was four days ago, how will his recovery progress ? He will contact me as soon as he can, but the not knowing and waiting to hear from him is driving me crazy.Thankyou for your time to read this and look forward to any replies. |
| Name: | Patrick Catania |
| E-Mail: | 600sl@mediaone.net |
| Date: | 11/23/00 11:42 |
| Comments: | I,m 51 years old, and Nov.24, I,m going to have trip- bypass. boy am I scared. hope all goes well for all of you. I will check back with you all (i hope) and see how everybody is doing Patrick |
| Name: | Nan Ganz |
| E-Mail: | nganz@clark.net |
| Date: | 11/24/00 21:16 |
| Comments: | I've written to this webpage from time to time, but it's been awhile, so I guess it's time for an update. Last spring, memorial day to be exact, I had an angina attack at my nephew's wedding, which resulted in an angioplasty and 2 stents being placed. At the end of September, I had another angina attack at work, and was taken to the closest hospital where I passed the treadmill part of my stress test, but a problem was noted on the pictures. This resulted in a return trip to Johns Hopkins for cardiac catheterization, another angioplasty, and the placement of a third stent. On my return home from the hospital, I found a letter waiting for me from my primary care physician saying that my fasting blood sugar was kind of high, and would I monitor my sugar for a week and bring her the resulting finger stick readings. It was decided that I was in the early stages of Type 2 diabetes, and should be able to control it with diet and exercise. All this on top of being primary caregiver to my husband! We are both now in Level III cardiac rehab (unmonitored, twice a week) at our local hospital, and doing fairly well. I tend to get tired more easily than I used to, but I hope that will improve in time. What's most frustrating to me is my husband's ongoing apathy and fatigue. We're told that the fatigue is an after-effect of his stroke, but he could happly sleep/doze 24 hours a day! It affects my motivation to do things for him when he's either finding fault all the time, or not having any opinion at all. Have others encountered this combination of symptoms with their care recipient? I'd like to know how others deal with it, expecially when there seems to be no place else to turn for positive feedback and caring. I hope everyone has a happy holiday season and gets the opportunity to kick back and relax a bit from the stresses of daily life. Thanks again for your ears and your help. |
| Name: | BECKY |
| E-Mail: | bkelly@nls.net |
| Date: | 11/27/00 19:25 |
| Comments: | Hi Karen, My husband was 34 when he had his heart attack two years ago. Last year at this time he was in the hospital having triple bypass and a DOR procedure done. He has a lot of heart damage. People all the time think he is back to good as new because he looks so good. He'll never get back the muscle he has lost. He is always tired. He still works 40 hrs. plus a week. He has a type A personality. He is always on the go. So I think people sometime because of this expect him to do what he used to. This past week he had a defibrillator put in. People think this will improve his heart function, but it will only help if his heart goes into atrial fibrillation. Sometimes I have to stop myself and think It's only 9:00 on a Saturday night why are you going to bed. He is just so tired all the time. I always wish things would be like they use to be. But things will never be the same. Our lives changed forever that night two years ago and they'll never be the same. So he knows exactly how you feel and he gets very upset sometimes because of this. |
| Name: | Ralph Kallweit |
| E-Mail: | kallweit34@msn.com |
| Date: | 11/28/00 11:29 |
| Comments: | My name is Ralph Kallweit. Have had a defibulator for 6 years. Last year (1999) the first one was replaced due to battery being low. Have not had a shock. Six and a half years ago I had a triple by-pass surgery. Since all the above I have watched some-what closely my diet and have exercised adequately. Will have a check up next month. Feel good, very good. Am in no pain, no shortness of breath, in good health. But----for some unknown reason my doctors do not seem to talk to me, enough at least to satisfy my curisoty. I don't know the right questions to ask. They ask me to ask them questions. Hell, I don't know what to ask other than, "Hows my heart doing?" They answer "ok". I want more than that. What would be a good set of questions to ask? Hope I don't sound like a hypocondriack on one hand, or insincere on the other. Please e-mail me advice and/or questions. My e-mail is: kallweit34@msn.com |
| Name: | shannon julseth |
| E-Mail: | sjulseth@home.com |
| Date: | 11/28/00 12:44 |
| Comments: | Hello, I would like a response from anyone who may have lost a love one from a heart attach due to injuries sustained at work. My spouse died January 5, 2000 at home. There was a blockage of left ventrical. Prior to that he had no history of heart problems. He had been severely injured on the job August 31, 1999 when the tire on his offhighway logging truck exploded while he was adjusting the brakes. A common practice that all truckers are accustom to. On impact my husband broke both hips, pelvis, lost his spleen, ruptured the bowel, broke his pubic bone, collapsed his left lung with multiple rib fractures and cracked his spine. Four months later he died of a heart attack at home. He had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis on December 14, 1999. He had 5 weeks earlier been taken off warfarin to prevent clotting and was put back on it December 15. He was still wheelchair bound when he was taken off the medication. Needless to say this medicine is given to people with his injuries because of the tendancy to clot due to immobilization. Our family has been denied compensation because upon an autopsy being performed the pathologist discovered he had heart disease. The question is because he had clotting in his system to begin with, does there have to be damage in the lung if a clot passes through to his heart. WCB has inferred he died of natural causes rather than the mobilization of the clot in his leg. It is to be noted throughout my husband's injuries he recieved minimal medical care after the initial treatment he received on the trauma unit for 6 weeks. He was sent home to a remote community with no physio in place, was unable to leave our home for weeks because he could not get down our stairs unless he was taken out by ambulance. He seen his local physician one time in four months as the physician was suppose to come to our home to see him - he never followed up on my husband's treatment and knew he was unable to go to the doctor without ambulatory services. As a result my husband had to work extremely hard to try and walk again on his own. Again his injuries were severe and no help was available except for myself and a lab technician coming to our home once a week to take blood re his warfarin medication. Has anyone experienced anything like this in their family and if so - what course of action did you take. I am currently working with the union my husband was part of. They have appealed the wcb's claim that he died of natural causes. At the moment we are waiting for a reply from an unbiased physician who is looking over his medical records, autopsy report etc. Needless to say I am very apprehensive that the physician's opinion will be negative ie that he died of natural causes. I believe my husband would be here right at this moment had it not been for the accident and the resulting clotting in his leg. Many people live for years with heart disease and my husband had no problems prior to his death. I would appreciate a response from people who may have some advice. This family has had enough tragedy without having to deal with wcb claiming it was basically 'his own fault'. Thank you for your time and allowing me to vent my frustration over this terrible predicament. |
| Name: | Rita Mosley |
| E-Mail: | mosleylogantele@com |
| Date: | 12/02/00 20:52 |
| Comments: | My husband, Eddie started experiencing chest pains in June. He was refered to a cardiologist and from there, he had four stints put in. Two months later,more pain, and he had triple by-pass surgery. Now it is December,a little over three months since his by-pass surgery, and he has just had angioplasty and two stints put in. It seems like the arteries keep clogging up. His left leg hurts a lot when he walks, and I think he has a clogged artey in that He follows his diet, takes the medicine prescribed to him. I am scared , that this is just going to keep continuing. Anyone out there with the same kind of problem? |
| Name: | Rita Mosley |
| E-Mail: | mosley@logan tele.com |
| Date: | 12/02/00 20:58 |
| Comments: | Sorry, the above letter has the wrong e-mail address on it. The letter refering to my husband, Eddie. |
| Name: | Susan |
| E-Mail: | jhawk@lsbg.net |
| Date: | 12/03/00 06:06 |
| Comments: | August 1, 2000 my husband picked me up at work in the evening and was having trouble breathing. I could hear the rattle in his chest. He had been ill and we had suspected flu or bronchitis (a lot of coughing). I work at a large hospital and our doctors office is right around the corner. I drove my husband there to see the doc, but he had already left. The office manager said to take him to the hospital. The ER doc said he had an irregular heartbeat and an abnormal EKG. He wanted to put John into the hospital immediately. No way my husband said. We were going on vacation on the 4th of August and he wasn't going to miss it. Our doctor came in and said he would concede to this if John would have a thallium stress test immediately after returning from Maryland. Well, he had the stress test and was scheduled for a cardiac cath on August 31. The saga of John the warrior began on this day. The cath showed such a diseased heart that the Cardiologist called the heart surgeon and scheduled the surgery while I was waiting to hear the results of the cath. To say shock set in is an understatement. I only remember the doctor telling me that the only time he had ever seen such a diseased heart was on a person who was DOA in the ER. It seems that John had been having heart attacks, yes multiple heart attacks, but because he is a diabetic, he was having what they call "silent heart attacks". The coughing (as well as gross swelling of the legs and feet) was a result of Congestive Heart Failure. The bypass was scheduled for the next day, September 1. The surgeon and the Cardiologist said John was in such bad shape that he had a 10% survival rate. What this meant was that he probably would not survive the surgery. They didn't know if he would be able to come off the bypass machine because his heart was so diseased it might not start again on its own. On the morning of 9/1 they took him to surgery. 20 minutes later I was called into pre-op holding. They couldn't do the bypass that morning because the pre-op doppler showed that both carotids were severely blocked. 98% on one side 97% on the other side. If they tried to operate, it would almost certainly mean a stoke and instant death. Because John was a high risk patient, they couldn't do both carotids on the same day, so he had one done the night of 9/1 and another done the following Tuesday 9/5. On 9/7 he had the open heart bypass(5)done. I literally lived at the hospital for 8 days. We live 50 miles from the hospital and it was too scary for me to come home and rest with the idea that if I got a call in the middle of the night I couldn't get there fast enough (it takes exactly 1 hour to drive there). I had come home on 9/2, packed a suitcase, made arrangements for the newspapers to be picked up and headed back to town to be with my husband. The hospital provided a cot for me to sleep on, but I didn't sleep more than a couple of hours at a time because of anxiety. It was a surreal experience to be on the other side of the fence as a patient and family member. Two days after his surgery, when he was in a room, he began having Arrhythmias. They put him back in bed, wouldn't let him walk in the halls anymore and set him up for an ESP test to see if he would benefit from a defibrillator implant. The ESP is designed to take a patients heart to the point of having cardiac arrest by simulating arrhythmias. This enables the medical team to see if the defibrillator will benefit the patient. John, with his recent track record did the unthinkable, he went into full cardiac arrest almost immediately after the test started.(Cardiac arrest doesn't usually happen at all let alone at the beginning of the test. Shook up the doc and the rest of the team I am sure.) They had to use 300 jules (defibrillator shock amounts) to revive him. They put in the ICD device 3 days later. He came home finally on September 18. He has suffered severe depression. Has no appetite and has lost 45 pounds. Still can't eat. Has no energy. Sleeps a lot. My job allows me to work at home occassionally and I was able to make arrangements with my wonderful to work at home the first 3 weeks he was home. Leaving him was difficult when I finally went back to work. The guilt I have felt at not knowing he was so ill has been terrible. As women, we believe we are supposed to keep everyone we love safe, to be the caregivers. I think about the year before his surgeries and realize how sick he was and I didn't know it. Why didn't I know it? I should have seen the signs. Extreme exhaustion all the time. His color wasn't good, but I didn't see it. He isn't doing well now and I find that I worry about him all the time if I am not with him to "watch" over him. It is as though I believe that I can will him to live and heal and be the husband I have loved passionately for 24 years. I am tired of being responsible for everything and I resent his illness for taking away my partner. His Cardiac Rehab wears him out. He has started to fill with fluids again. They keep changing his meds, but it doesn't stop anything, such as the coughing and the fluid build-up in his lungs. He did stop smoking, I guess that is a bright star in all this. Something good has come out of this though. During John's hospital stay, there were a lot of support group meetings for the patient's, but nothing for the partners of the patients. I met with the director of the Cardiac Wellness Center and we are starting a support group for Partners at the hospital. Our first meeting will be Monday, 12/4. I hope we have good attendance so that we all can share our experiences and know that we are not alone. As it says in Heartmates, you must talk about your experience to begin the healing process. Tell everyone who will listen what happened. Tell those close to you how you feel and take a helping hand if offered. An if not offered, ask for help anyway. Let yourself grieve the loss. Take care of yourself. My new life creed is "Keep it Simple". If something looks like it might complicate my life, I go the other way. I have to keep everything manageable. Because of the severity of his heart disease the docs can't tell me if John has 2 months or 2 years or 20 years of life on this earth, but I know whatever time there is won't be wasted. Thank you all for listening. |
| Name: | David Roop |
| E-Mail: | david.roop@eurekabroadband.com |
| Date: | 12/15/00 08:33 |
| Comments: | I had an ICD put in on Monday 12/11/00 for and arrythmia detected on a pre op halter monitor before neck surgery. I am 38 in excellent condition, until now, and am now looking at replacement of this thing over the next 30-40 years, I hope. Has anyone else had one replaced recently? how long did it last? what brand and model was it? I also have cardiomyopathy, does anyone have this? I would like to discuss with someone who has dealt with these two things over a long period of time. Thanks DR |
| Name: | Sharon |
| E-Mail: | levinprag@aol.com |
| Date: | 12/16/00 03:12 |
| Comments: | Hi , it is 6 am in the mprning and I am a 44 (just) year old woman feeling like I live in someone elses body, In the last 3 years , I have suffered a stroke , angioplasty and am one week out of quadruple by- surgery I've been reading everyone's story and wanted to add my own. While my condition has been described as 99% genetics and 1 % french-fries, I mourn the loss of trust I had in my body, It had always seemed so strong and dependable I itend to recover fully but I am left with such feelings of loss and sadness. I feel the lightness of spirit I had alwqys felt is gone and I miss it profoundly |
| Name: | Anne Townsend |
| E-Mail: | anne_town@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 12/19/00 06:39 |
| Comments: | Hello Heartmates: Just wanted to briefly inform you that everything went well with my AVR procedure on 12/12 and I was home the morning of 12/16 and walked almost a mile the first day home, but my breathing capacity still isn't up to the normal level yet..that will come with practice and perseverance. While I feel extremely sore, the blessings far outweigh the soreness. I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Love, Anne |
| Name: | Jan |
| E-Mail: | hartzjl@aol.com |
| Date: | 12/24/00 13:34 |
| Comments: | This is my first visit to this site. I would be interested in hearing from anyone with a similar situation to mine. I am 53 and a clinical psychologist (but I can't quite be a psychologist for myself). My husband has known for years that he has genetic heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides- and many early family heart attacks and deaths). He has eaten well and exercised religiously for years, not smoked, etc. Nevertheless, after being diagnosed with prostrate cancer in Mar.,2000, they discovered on the way to his prostrate surgery (which was eventually successful) that he had two seriously blocked arteries and a third smaller blockage. He had angioplasty (LAD and circumflex), for very complex long blockages, with four stents implanted. He sufferred a heart attack during the procedure, losing some side branches, but has recovered some- does very well on thalium stress tests, good EKG"s but has very little energy. The prostrate cancer seems like a blip in comparision to his heart disease. The doctors hope they may be able to keep him going with more angioplasty if needed. A bypass may not be an option (Johns Hopkins doctors say the blockages are all over-- so there is no place to bypass from and to). I'm grieving the loss of our former life togther- that had more financial and emotional security. My husband is coping great-- has not gotten that depressed- and I could not ask him to do anything more to care for his health. We have a great mariage. It's just hard and exhausting. Yet we are also managing to celebrate life together and with our friends and family. His disabliltiy company has denied his claim!- great- but work is really not an option. He has no energy- and knows he has to avoid stress (he was a trial lawyer)- and so I'm grateful he is staying home and trying to get healthier. I am especially interested in hearing from other spouses coping with genetic heart disease in their mates. It makes me so sad when everyone tells me how great he looks, and wants reassurance from me that everything is fine now, when I know that that is not the case. A little angioplasty, change in diet and more exercise are simply not going to be a magical cure all. |
| Name: | Robyn |
| E-Mail: | robynm60@hotmail.com |
| Date: | 12/25/00 19:15 |
| Comments: | My fiancee' had a triple bypass on 12/19/00 and I'm very scared for him. He's 48, and the docs said that he is way WAY to young to be having these probs. His family history doesn't ease my worries. His father died when he was 48, four months after his bypass, and his grandfather died at a young age too. My fiancee' hasn't had a cig since 12/16/00, and he smoked for 30 years. This is actually a sort of warning for smokers. After seeing him an hour after his surgery, I cried on my friends shoulder for a very long time. The look of him, the tubes, will forever be burned in my memory, every time I close my eyes, all I see is him lying flat, color gone from his face and a trach tube down his throat. PLEASE, if you smoke or a loved one smokes, QUIT NOW. I can postitively, absoulutly say: You will never forget those images, NEVER.... |
| Name: | Anne |
| E-Mail: | anne_town@yahoo.com |
| Date: | 12/28/00 18:15 |
| Comments: | I agree with Robyn...it is imperative for people to stop smoking now! After my four-hour surgery I was unable to have the throat tube removed for 8.5 hours because I couldn't get my breathing capacity up to normal..thanks to the many years of smoking which has damaged part of my lungs. It was most unpleasant. Thankfully my husband was there to coach me to breathe, and I was able to have the tube removed quicker than the hospital staff thought I would. Unfortunately the lung damage is irreversible; however, to stop smoking means you can cub anymore dangerous damage. While I feel blessed that the surgery went well and I'm doing better everyday, I know I would have felt better faster if I had never smoked. I want to wish everyone a Healthy & Happy New Year. |
| Name: | Patrick |
| E-Mail: | 600sl@mediaone.net |
| Date: | 12/30/00 14:04 |
| Comments: | I'm 10 days post trip-bypass. I was in the hospital for 3 days and seem to be getting better each day. I have a little bleeding, but that might be because I'm pushing myself. I'm walking 1/2 mile each day. My history , I am 51, ex-football player, smoked for 20 years quit 5 years ago. blood sugar is controled with meds.(fasting appox.88) Does anybody know how long the chest pain will last for ? I'm talking about from the doc's cracking my chest. From what I can tell a lot of this recovery is your state of mind, I'm wishing you all the very best in the new year, and if I can help anybody out, with answers to any ? please drop me a line. Patrick |
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