Heart By-Pass Surgery

[Worldcrzr]

Last Friday, I had heart surgery...a three way by-pass.The surgeon wanted to do a five way but didn't have the two extra arteries or veins he needed.

First thing the hospital did was take me off my pump. The gave me an insulin drip and shots at given times. My blood sugars were all over the map and mostly high in the 200's. When my cardiologist saw the reads, he told my admitting physician to put me back on the pump and that I would manage my own diabetes. The hospital personnel were very upset. They had a protocol to follow and my using a pump was not in their protocol. My cardiologist said I was his patient and he was ordering them to allow me to monitor my own reads and administer my own insulin. With the high reads, I was nauseated when I ate.

Within just a few hours, my reads were normal. No more nausea. I had more visitors coming by to see how the pump worked. Even my surgeon was totally supportive of the pump. He just wanted me to be clear headed enough to use it properly.

Now that I am home three days early, I have found that my insulin needs have dropped dramatically. I have lowered my basal from 1.3 to 1.0 and am carefully counting carbs. I may have to do some more tweeking. The lower insulin need may be because of the surgery but I am having some lows now that I didn't have before.

I have contacted the Diabetes Education Department at my clinic to set up an appointment with a pump trainer to work on my settings. I need help this time because I can't stay awake very long to work on settings. In a few days, perhaps, I will be able to do it myself.

[BriOnH]

Wow! Sorry to read that world. Will this effect you going on your trip at all? How is the healing process coming along? My uncle is a cardiologist. I've been trying to get him to let me observe and possibly assist on a surgery. Hoping for a speedy recover for you! Congrats on getting that over with.

[ladytaz]

Wonderful news that you've come home early!! Sorry you had to have the surgery in the first place tho! and YaY to your doc for fighting for YOU!!!!

My 76 yr. old Mother In Law had Triple Bypass with Mitral Valve Repair done this past December. She's done AMAZINGLY well, even better than I thought she would. She's also a T2 Diabetic. Her BG's have gone up a bit since then tho. But still doing well.

Hope you have a short and easy recovery!!Get that rest now, cuz in a few weeks time, they're gonna work yer butt off in Therapy! :wink: Seriously tho, do get your rest!! You're body has just been thru a LOT!!! Take GOOD care of you!!

[Penny]

Sounds like you are doing well, good work getting them to let you do what you knew would work. My 71 year old hubby had 6 bypass surgery in November, and the difference is amazing. He was always athletic, which I think helps, but now he seems to have more energy than ever. He can do jobs such as mowing our large yard, that he thought he would be paying to have done. He dug up our garden with a shovel this year. He also golfs several times a week. I thought the heart attack he had was the beginning of the end for him, but now it seems it is the start of a new and better life. I think you have much to look forward to, and hope your recovery goes as fast and well as my Husbands. :)

[notme]

Your amazing!!! I'm so happy to hear that you are recouperating so well from your bypass surgery. And congratulations on the pumping WIN. It amazes me how hospitals think they can manage diabetes better than you can. You have been dealing with this for years. I would also fight to keep my pump on during surgery.

Keep working hard and do your therapy. My mother had a quad bypass in February and just came home from a nursing facility last week. She was sendentary and it has had a very negative effect on her recovery.

Keep moving Worldcrzr and come back and tell us about all of your wonderful trips!!!

[ProudMOM]

Sending you best wishes for a speedy and comfortable recovery! Hope you are feeling better soon:)

[shockme]

worldcrzr-i'm sorry you had to have the bypass!you're already on your way to a speedy recovery!you'll be in my thoughts.glad your dr.stood up for you.feel better soon.take care,trish

[Worldcrzr]

I don't believe I could have handled my pump the first 48 hours or so and most of the nurses had never seen one. They changed shifts so often that I couldn't train them. So, I had to be completely clear headed to do it myself. The nurses on duty kept coming by for a demonstration. They believed that 130 to 178 was an ok read. I kept telling them NO it wasn't. They were not even concerned over the 200+ reads.

I am feeling great and am looking forward to a new life now. A friend sent me this link about Eagles. Turn up your sound. I tell everyone that the Great Eagle had me under his wings this week.


Eagles (http://plantinghisseeds.com/articles/eagles.htm)

[lgvincent]

That has to be a scary thing to go through and it looks painful, too. When my father had his first bypasses in 1979, it seems like they had him out of the bed and walking within about 12 hours.

[princesslinda]

Worldcrzr, sending thoughts, prayers and well-wishes your way. Sounds like things are looking up for you. Keep on keepin' on!

Loved the Eagle story!

[flash]

World, glad you came out of surgery in good shape ! Does your cardiologist attribute your coronary artery disease to having diabetes ? How long have you had diabetes and have you been in decent control ? I recently had 3 more stents inserted into my circumflex artery, I wonder if I would have been better off having bypass surgery, since the stents are likely to clog the arteries again. What test or symtoms did you have that told your doctor that bypass surgery was neccessary ?

Flash

[Worldcrzr]

I have had diabetes since 1983 and the coronary artery disease for over 14 years. Both parents died of heart attacks and my younger brother had a triple by-pass last year. I believe the heart disease is hereditary. My brother also has diabetes. Whether the diabetes caused the heart disease or the heart disease worsened the diabetes I don't know. My last Hba1c was 6.1 and my fasting is always under 100. I thought my last Hba1c was 5.5 but that was an error on the part of the person giving me the results. My C-peptide test was .8 which is the bottom of the scale used. The scale is from .8 to 3.6 so I am producing very little insulin. My diabetes is in control and everyone was pleased with the 6.1 result.

For several months, I have been having severe angina mostly in the evenings. Bad chest pain and back pain, hard to breathe and weakness, hard to walk without taking nitroglycerine. We were in the Antarctic on a cruise in February when I had congestive heart failure. I saw both my primary care doctor and my cardiologist when I returned home. My cardiologist ordered an echocardiogram and said everything looked good. I was put on Lasix and a low sodium diet. 14 years ago, I had an angiogram which showed 60% blockage of my heart in the small arteries so I was not a candidate for by-pass in that area. Since I returned home in February, the pain got worse and on May 31st, I saw my primary care doctor who called my cardiologist. Off to the hospital ER I went.

I cannot have a stent because I am allergic to Plavix which I would have to use if a stent were installed. The angioplasty failed so surgery was scheduled for the next day. I had three arteries left that were becoming blocked so a by-pass of those three arteries was done. One vein from my breast and one from each of my lower legs were harvested for the by-pass. The surgeon wanted to do a five-way by-pass but I didn't have any more veins he could harvest.

He told me later that I was his perfect patient. Everything in the surgery went right, I had no pain, no infection, no fever, good blood pressure and heart rate. I was dismissed three days early. I have no pain in the chest but some in my right leg. I hear that the leg pain is the worst part.

I have an appointment set up with a nutritionist to work out a heart healthy diabetic diet and I will be attending cardiac rehabilitation.

I was never concerned about the surgery. I knew I was in good hands and I had made things straight with my maker and my husband so I had nothing to fear.

[flash]

Thank you World for taking the time to explain your situation. I attribute my heart attack and coronary disease to having diabetes for 30 years, along with smoking. My right coronary artery is closed and the muscle in that area is dead, I have an EF of about 34 %.

Flash

[Worldcrzr]

Have you talked to your cardiologist about by-pass surgery? Perhaps you could ask him/her what your options are.

I can't tell you how much better I feel today. Each day I get stronger and feel better. I have not had any problems since the surgery and they have cancelled most of my heart medications...even the nitroglycerine. I was cut down from 18 prescriptions per month to seven and eventually I will only have a couple to take. They are weaning me off a couple of the medications and eventually I won't be taking any heart medication. I might stay on blood pressure and chlosterol medication or maybe not. It depends on how well things go. We returned hundreds of pills to the pharmacy for disposal. I had just refilled most of my prescriptions just before surgery.

What ever you decide to do...don't wait like I did. I spent months in pain that I didn't have to have. If your cardiologist isn't clear on your options, get a second opinion right away.

[notme]

Reading your story has been very helpful worldcrzr. After watching what my mother went through with her quad bypass, I have been pretty scared. I know that I will follow in her footsteps one day. My mother has been on cholesterol medication for years, but it didn't stop her from needing a carotid artery surgery or a quadruple bypass surgery in February. Her recovery has been slow and frustrating. I knew she was not the "normal" recovery as she spent seven days in ICU and then ten days in the cardiology unit at the hospital. She went to a nursing facility (for her inability to walk) for rehab for four months. She is still using a walker and a wheelchair and is unable to do many things on her own.

I knew her recovery has been abnormally slow. I watched Regis Philbin go back to work when his surgery was in March. It has been so frustrating.

You are an inspiration to me and I am thrilled you have recovered so quickly and you feel so well. I am active. My Mother has been very sedentary all of her life.

Take note everyone!!! Exercise and activity is key. Worldcrzr, you are a great example of how things should go after bypass surgery.

[Worldcrzr]

Attitude has so much to do with the success of heart surgery. I went in on Thursday night and came home the following Wednesday. From day one, I told the nurses and doctors that I feel great, I'm going home soon. I thanked each and every one of them for doing what they did for me. My surgeon called me a sweetheart when I thanked him for doing my surgery. Each and every doctor who had anything to do with my surgery and care came by several times while I was in the hospital. Each time, I told them that I truly appreciated their participation in my surgery and care and I knew for a fact that I was in good hands. Not only did it make me feel good, they felt appreciated. I did the same thing with each nurse I had. One male nurse requested me the last three days before I was released. He took very good care of me and I knew how much he appreciated being thanked for his efforts.

Many elderly patients (and I saw plenty during my short hospital stay) are difficult patients. They are scared and very demanding. Some refused to do even the simple things the nurses asked them to do. Like I said, attitude is the key. I try to have a positive attitude about everything. The head nurse in surgery asked me just before they put me under if I was scared. I said, "why should I be"? "I'm in God's hands and everyone in this operating room is here to make sure I do well so I know I will come through just fine".

We are going on another cruise in November and an East Africa Safari in September, 2008. I told my surgeon I had to get well...I had too much traveling to do. He smiled and told me that I had many trips in my future. I plan on taking very good care of my heart and new arteries. I have a very supportive husband who will be with me 100% in what ever I have to do to keep myself healthy. He wants to keep me around for many more years to come. This whole experience was a big wake up call for me...

[Rexy]

Hi there! It sounds like you are doing wonderfully!! That is great! I wanted to let you know that my husband who is a T2 also had heart surgery and his blood sugars improved after surgery too. He was on oral hypoglycemics at the time and he had to cut back on the amount he was taking. Eventually, he ended up on insulin and now an insulin pump - due to kidney issues which precluded his taking the oral meds.

Anyway, he was hospitalized a few months ago, and his doc wrote on the admission orders for him to manage is insulin via his pump. He was pretty sick for a couple of days, but I was able to stay with him so I was able to manage the pump (like you, he was too sick those first couple of days to do it himself). Also, like you, we had a trail of "lookers" coming in to see the pump and how it worked!

Good luck with your recovery!

[Jules49]

I had a double by pass in 97. Did well and was home in four days. Now I can't walk and don't plan to have more surgery. I take a low dose statin but no heart or blood pressure medication. The walking thing is another disease. Not age or diabetes.

[Alnan]

We feel for you, really! My wife who's been a type 1 for quite a while, and on the pump for several years, had a hip replacement. That was two months ago and I know what we went through during and after the operation.
We fortunately had one of her endro's interns keeping a very close eye on Nancy. And are we fortunate, they shut the pump off during the operation, and afterwards said they would leave her on an insulin drip.
As has been pointed out already, way too many staff do not have a clue when it comes to the pump. That doesn't seem to alter their to determination to march in and change settings without a clue
The following morning with the intern's help we discovered that there was no drip, and the pump had been turned on with greatly altered settings.
That was corrected after the intern marched down to the nurses station. But after the operation with no physical activity to speak of, the after effects of the medications - then slowly increasing physical activity, and the medications wearing off, it was a merry go round of changing the basal settings, etc.
With close contact with the intern, we've now come out of it intact, Nancy is done with therapy, and going back to the surgeon for a check up in a year - but we have an even greater realization that even a well respected hospital is absolutely no guarantee that their staff knows zip - nada - about diabetes and the pump in particular.
It seems that today, you need to watch 24 hours a day, and never accept any decision by staff without question. Possibly 98% of staff are competent, most are fantastic, but all it takes is one loose cannon, without adequate intelligence or training ready to march in where angels fear to tread - to make your loved one a statistic.

[BriOnH]

I hope you share pictures of that trip. If so I look forward to seeing them.

Attitude has so much to do with the success of heart surgery.

With life in general I believe that too.

[gettingby]

We feel for you, really! My wife who's been a type 1 for quite a while, and on the pump for several years, had a hip replacement. That was two months ago and I know what we went through during and after the operation.
We fortunately had one of her endro's interns keeping a very close eye on Nancy. And are we fortunate, they shut the pump off during the operation, and afterwards said they would leave her on an insulin drip.
As has been pointed out already, way too many staff do not have a clue when it comes to the pump. That doesn't seem to alter their to determination to march in and change settings without a clue
The following morning with the intern's help we discovered that there was no drip, and the pump had been turned on with greatly altered settings.
That was corrected after the intern marched down to the nurses station. But after the operation with no physical activity to speak of, the after effects of the medications - then slowly increasing physical activity, and the medications wearing off, it was a merry go round of changing the basal settings, etc.
With close contact with the intern, we've now come out of it intact, Nancy is done with therapy, and going back to the surgeon for a check up in a year - but we have an even greater realization that even a well respected hospital is absolutely no guarantee that their staff knows zip - nada - about diabetes and the pump in particular.
It seems that today, you need to watch 24 hours a day, and never accept any decision by staff without question. Possibly 98% of staff are competent, most are fantastic, but all it takes is one loose cannon, without adequate intelligence or training ready to march in where angels fear to tread - to make your loved one a statistic.
Hi Al. Glad to know that Nancy is doing ok. Please give her my best wishes.

[ladytaz]

We feel for you, really! My wife who's been a type 1 for quite a while, and on the pump for several years, had a hip replacement. That was two months ago and I know what we went through during and after the operation.
We fortunately had one of her endro's interns keeping a very close eye on Nancy. And are we fortunate, they shut the pump off during the operation, and afterwards said they would leave her on an insulin drip.
As has been pointed out already, way too many staff do not have a clue when it comes to the pump. That doesn't seem to alter their to determination to march in and change settings without a clue
The following morning with the intern's help we discovered that there was no drip, and the pump had been turned on with greatly altered settings.
That was corrected after the intern marched down to the nurses station. But after the operation with no physical activity to speak of, the after effects of the medications - then slowly increasing physical activity, and the medications wearing off, it was a merry go round of changing the basal settings, etc.
With close contact with the intern, we've now come out of it intact, Nancy is done with therapy, and going back to the surgeon for a check up in a year - but we have an even greater realization that even a well respected hospital is absolutely no guarantee that their staff knows zip - nada - about diabetes and the pump in particular.
It seems that today, you need to watch 24 hours a day, and never accept any decision by staff without question. Possibly 98% of staff are competent, most are fantastic, but all it takes is one loose cannon, without adequate intelligence or training ready to march in where angels fear to tread - to make your loved one a statistic.

AMEN!

I'm so glad to hear that your wife has done so well! :)

[Worldcrzr]

I haven't posted all of my Antarctic pictures yet. I had to stop before surgery and haven't done any processing since I got home. I have several galleries still to post. But, if you are interested, here are the Antarctic pictures I have posted:

Zenfolio | Alice Coyl (http://worldcrzr.zenfolio.com/)

[notme]

Thanks Alice, Great pictures. Can't wait to see more. EEEK That storm sounds nasty!!! :eek:

[Worldcrzr]

It was like a 40 hour roller coaster ride. I normally don't get seasick and took Dramamine in time. My husband on the other hand didn't take Dramamine in time and was sick for almost two days. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures.

I'm feeling better each day. Today, I climbed the stairs. We have a two story house and my husband has had to run up and down the stairs every time I needed something. I can't overdo it but I'm going to try to sleep in bed tonight instead of on the couch.

I'm still have no appetite and it is hard to keep my blood sugars where they are supposed to be if I don't eat. Any suggestions for low sodium, diabetic friendly, easy to fix meals would be appreciated. Can't buy any pre-fixed meals like Lean Cuisine because of the sodium. I get dizzy when I stand up for any peiod of time so my husband has to do the cooking.

[notme]

Your amazing. You also have many of the symptoms my Mother described. Your appetite will come back. My Mom lost quite a few pounds because of her lack of appetite. I would fix her food while she was in the hospital and she would want it and then leave it. Frustrating for both of us.

Low sodium/low fat meals these days can be harder than low sugar. The crockpot can be your friend. You can control the ingredients and it can cook all day and flavor will be better than something store purchased. My Mom is enjoying fresh vegetables and fruit right now.

I hope you make it up to your bed and get a comfortable and good nights sleep.

[andypoo]

I had my double bypass in june of 98' And I am doing fine. I take about 7 different meds and of course an aspirin a day also. I have had "D" for 38 yrs. and have had my ups and downs with it. But all in all I'm ok. If ever I am to go through that again,I won't do it,because they don't tell you before the surgery that it usually lasts 10 yrs. on average. There is however a new non-invasive procedure now that most "surgeons" don't tell you about. It's called EECP which means enhanced exterior counterpulsation treatments. It is in many heart health clinics and is considered just as effective as bypass surgery. Of course you get different opinions on this just as you do on everything. Use your own judgement. If you go to look this up Just type in EECP,and you'll get plenty of info about it. I showed this to my cardiologist and their clinic was even thinking of getting this in their hospital. It's for people who are good candidates for this ,and you have to meet the criteria,which is having already gone through surgery and you still have angina,or people who for whatever reasons don't feel they want to endure open heart surgery,diabetics especially. It's very interesting to read up on. You should have a choice in your own body. Also Insurance recognizes it,some may not. It is however not as expensive as invasive heart surgery,so that should be a plus. Let me know if anyone checks this out or has heard of it.

[Worldcrzr]

Many people go back to their old habits when they have bypass surgery. This lady has a new lease on life and fully intends to live a very long time. That is why I plan to try to eat well, exercise and do what ever I need to do to keep my heart healthy. I don't smoke or drink so that is a plus in my corner. I am learning about low sodium heart healthy foods and with the help of a nutritionist will lay out a plan that I can follow. I have my diabetes under control with the pump. What dooms many heart/diabetic patients is that they refuse to follow the diets that are set up for them and refuse to give up their cigarettes and booze and control their blood sugar. They figure they are as good as new after bypass and can do what they want to do.

I will read the information on the EECP you mentioned.

[Worldcrzr]

Three weeks have passed since surgery. I'm feeling great, my BS is right on track, I've lost 13 pounds and my Cardiologist is very happy with my progress. Tomorrow, my husband and I meet with a nutritionist who will set me on the right road to a healthy heart/diabetes eating program. Next week, I meet with my surgeon to be dismissed.

I will soon start cardiac rehabilitation and after that I plan on joining Curves to keep my cardiac training going. We are walking 30 minutes a day and increasing our speed daily. The only pain I have is in my right thigh but they tell me that is to be expected. My surgery sites are healing properly.

Thanks to everyone on this forum who gave me encouragement and their prayers and best wishes. All of you are great supporters.

[shockme]

so glad everything's going so well!take care,trish

[ladytaz]

Wonderful news!!!! :five: