Home from Rehab, Surgery Ok, slowly regaining strenth

[Stuart G]

About a month ago, I posted that I was going in for by-pass surgery. They did it Feb 9. It was more extensive than I
thought it would be and I was a lot weaker than I thought I would be. After a week in the hospital I went to a Rehab
facility, and begain to regain strength.
Today, I left tha rehab place and I am home. This is the first time I have been on the internet in a month. I am much stronger than I was a week ago, but, I am taking it one day
at a time.
.. I still have a long way to go. Thanks to all who wished me well, and I hope to post more soon

Stuart

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. good to hear, Stuart G

cheers!

[rocktivity]

2. CUE THE VONAGE THEME!

rocktivity

[csziggy]

3. Good to see you back!

And glad you're finally healed enough to visit.

[Wait Wut]

4. You just got home from rehab...

...after having heart surgery and you come here? Let me see the note from your doctor.

Welcome back and don't read anything that will stress you out!

[snacker]

5. Welcome back!

[siligut]

6. Bypass surgery is a big deal

Especially if they crack your chest, which in most hospitals is still the norm. Keep breathing deeply, eat well and get plenty of rest. And don't forget that you are not to put too put pressure on that sternum. Glad you came through it and welcome back

[Suich]

7. Glad you're back, Stuart G!

Take care of yourself...

[MerryBlooms]

8. Welcome back! n/t

[Phentex]

9. Rest up!

and feel better soon!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear Stuart G!

Welcome home!

We often forget just how debilitating such procedures truly are...

I'm glad you're doing well! Please take it easy, and heal in your own time.

[PassingFair]

11. Yay!!! Welcome home!

By-pass surgery is a new lease on life.

Congratulations!

[ScreamingMeemie]

12. So glad to hear you are on the mend.

Baby steps.

[FloridaJudy]

13. Welcome back!

That's a tough road. So glad to hear you're on the mend!

[img][/img]

[Whoa_Nelly]

14. Keep gaining strength, Stuart G.!

I hope this surgery has you recovering to better health for a very long time to come

[flvegan]

15. Glad to hear you're home and doing well.

Please keep us all updated on your progress. I wish you the best.

[helderheid]

16. This is such wonderful news, Stuart. I'm sorry things didn't go as smoothly as hoped. That's MAJOR

surgery. Please take it slow and know you've got massive healing vibes coming from me to you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ HEAL! ~~~~~~~~~~

[vard28]

17. Glad you are back out and about among us!

Sounds like you've been through a lot, Stuart. Nice to hear that things are going along well for you and you feel well enough to pop in for a visit.

Take it easy, and continue to feel better and stronger every day.

[NoNeed4Attention]

18. Glad to hear you're doing well.

I wish you a speedy recovery and you'll be back to normal in no time!

[Rosie1223]

20. Glad you're finally home!

Hope your recovery continues smoothly!

[Whoa_Nelly]

22. Message asked to be conveyed to you from a friend, Stuart G.!

My friend can no longer post on DU, but wants you to know this:

"My whose husband had a quadruple bypass with a defibrillator implant, and he is still working full time and traveling.
It's my wish that knowing this might lift your spirits a tad, and also that your recovery can and will give you many good years and happy times ahead to enjoy and be with those you love, and be able to let them know they are loved, too.
Post again when you can. So many who have been through this are right with you in spirit through your recovery and daily gains." ~Midlo~ :hugs:

[helderheid]

23. What a lovely message!

[flvegan]

24. Dammit.

Stupid Facebook, had me looking for the "Like" link. lol!

[Whoa_Nelly]

25. +1

[helderheid]

32. HAHA!

[mentalsolstice]

28. + a gazillion. nt

[Iggo]

26. Glad you're okay!

Keep us posted.

[Vanje]

27. Get well and strong soon!

[auntAgonist]

29. Good to see you Stuart G! Glad you're doing alright and on the road to recovery.

Post when you can !

aA
kesha

[mentalsolstice]

30. Bypass is always an eye opening experience.

My previous experience with surgery was with several loved ones who had knee and/or hip replacements. They are painful and a minor inconvenience. However, when my daddy had a triple bypass that was serious for me. Fortunately he had it done before he had any heart attack that would have probably killed him. He was/is tall dark and handsome and very strong. He was 63 when he had it, and in May he'll celebrate his 81st birthday. After the surgery he lost a lot of weight (he was never overweight to begin wIth) and painfully for me he was frail. He eventually gained back his strength, but he never really gained back the weight. Weather permitting, he still gets in 2/3 rounds of golf per week.

I hope you have and enjoy the success my dad has had. Follow your doc's orders and you should do fine.

[helderheid]

36. Thanks for sharing your father's experience.

Stuart G, make sure you have some kind of treat to keep your weight up if that is an issue!

[mentalsolstice]

41. This is very true about getting in good nutrition

I swear in the matter of a week after his surgery, my dad looked like he had lost 40+ pounds, which made him appear so frail. Also it is a very common side effect for bypass patients to experience some depression, if you do talk to your Dr. about it.

[roguevalley]

31. Hang in there, Stuart. It will get better. Welcome back, hon.

[uppityperson]

33. Glad you are doing ok. Bypass surgery isn't a walk in the part, hoping you heal quicly.

[Jamastiene]

34. (((((VIBES)))))

[Gormy Cuss]

35. I hope that you continue to feel stronger every day.

Stay away from GD though. That's probably not the kind of exercise your heart needs right now

[BeachBaby]

37. My god. You've been through quite the scare.

I don't post here very much anymore, but every now and then, I come across a post to which I feel the urge to reply.

We all have our health issues to contend with, myself not withstanding. Sometimes, I see people post about minor health issues that I would never even think to bring out in the open. Some things are private, imho, or not so serious as to start a thread about them. To each, his/her own, I suppose.

Your situation is very different, though. It's a serious matter that ALL of your friends here WOULD want to know about. I'm so glad you shared your situation with us. I'm sure that all DUers are absolutely thrilled that you are back, and on your way to excellent health.

Get your rest, and we'll all be waiting to have a virtual toast with you. When you're ready. <3

[helderheid]

39. +1000

[NoNeed4Attention]

42. + 40 million

[AtomicKitten]

38. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[murielm99]

40. I am so glad you are back.

Keep well, and keep getting stronger. I hope you do post a little more, if you can!

[riderinthestorm]

43. My dad had one almost exactly a year ago. Quadruple bypass.

A few things:

1. It took a full year before he felt 100% again.

2. Depression is a common side effect. Docs don't know why but it's a chemical thing related to the surgery. Be sure to take the meds!

3. Follow the diet. It's really crucial. The combination of salt, caffeine and other restricted items can put you back in the hospital asap. They are toxic to your shocked system so you must, must follow the diet.

4. Do the coughing (ouch!!) My dad HATED that but you must persist. It gets tons better.

5. I hope you have a caretaker still.... He really needed someone cooking for him and cleaning and making sure his (monster doses) pills were in good order.


Give yourself a LOT of time to be good to yourself. What a surgery eh? My dad was pretty flattened by it and he's a strong, fit guy. It does get better but it really takes some time.

Glad you are online - that's excellent progress! My dad's a really techie geek and even he didn't manage much of ANYTHING for the first 3 months!!

[mentalsolstice]

44. +1!

[Stuart G]

60. Thank You for this one because I thought I should be doing much better. Let me explain:

I had this surgery before, yes this is the second time, and last time, I recovered much quicker.
I am 15 years older now, and this time it is painstakingly slow. Your last sentence about not doing much for 3 months
is reassuring to me. So, even though I am still very weak, it is normal.. And, you are correct about the depression....It really sucks big time..I will report more later..

but for everyone who has sent good vibes, prayers and kind words...I appreciate them and I appreciate all of you
Thank you

[helderheid]

61. I'm so glad you checked in!

[riderinthestorm]

62. You already know you're past those terrible first weeks. Its only going to get better from here

hang in there!!!

[myrna minx]

64. Thanks for letting us know how you're feeling.

All of my best.

[Demonaut]

45. stay active dude!

[myrna minx]

46. Healing vibes to you. All of my best to you and yours.

[Bossy Monkey]

47. Wishing you well again. So there! K&R n/t

[femmocrat]

48. Welcome back, Stuart!

Hope you continue to gain strength and recover quickly! Best wishes and S

[Whoa_Nelly]

49. Kicking!

because and and well wishes always are a boon to healing and recovery.

Post this thread up!

[FloridaJudy]

50. ^^This!

You can never get too many healing vibes!

[img][/img]

[Whoa_Nelly]

51. Megawatt + Brazillion!

beautiful vibes!

[auntAgonist]

53. best vibes ... for complete healing.

aA
kesha

[helderheid]

52. Saw this and thought of you!

[auntAgonist]

54. beautiful, I hope Stuart catches this thread, keeping it kicked. Heart surgery is serious business!

Good vibes and best wishes continue.

aA
kesha

[mentalsolstice]

57. Beautiful! Nt

[Whoa_Nelly]

58. Pure energy of light and healing, for sure!

Hope more come here to share such love and support for Stuart G. to see when he's up to coming back to read and see all these wonderful messages

[ellisonz]

55. Get well!

[DFW]

56. That must have been somme heavy surgery!

I just missed having to have it, too. When they put in my stents here in Germany, the heart surgeon
only said one thing in English to me: "Just in time."

Sorry to hear it took so long, but glad to hear it's looking up. With us heart patients, once there's
a problem, it's more a question of damage control than anything else.

[LaurenG]

59. Get well Stuart G. I am sorry that you have had to go through this.

You will be good as new once you are healed. I am very glad you are here and telling us about this.

[grasswire]

63. that's one way to avoid nasty February weather!!

All cozied up under blankets, with nothing to do but nap and eat Jell-O?

Be well. Get strong. The world is waiting, and spring flowers are ahead.

[rurallib]

65. missed the earlier news, but glad you are doing well

certainly better than reading the other news.

You'll be dunking again in no time

[Whoa_Nelly]

66. Kicking for when Stuart G. comes back again...

to see all these wonderful and supportive messages.

Keep gaining in strength, Stuart G.!

[Whoa_Nelly]

67. Just a short note for you from a dear and close friend

who can no longer post on DU, but has heard about your surgery, and wants to convey this:

"May your recovery be steady and strong. Please know you have so many, including me, keeping you in their thoughts. Growing healthier a small step at a time is something I have been through, and I am sending you the most positive of thoughts, vibes and support."
~KitchenWitch~

[auntAgonist]

68. kick