Physical and Physcological Recovery

[Arnold Ziffel]

Im now 6 weeks post op and managing and recovering well except I now have cold symptoms. I was told by my cardio that all is well, he wants me back to do a base line echo, and a 3 month follow up visit.

I have a question to all you other OHS recoveries; I asked my cardio yesterday if there was an emotional recovery period beside from the physical one? He did confirm it but I have to ask why didnt anyone ever mention this to me? I mean through the pre op. mended hearts, the nurses in the hospital and post op...No one brought this up to me.

I figured this out as my girlfriend of 4 months was starting to question that I didnt look at her the way I use to. Although my explanation of my body focusing on recovery was not a convincing response, I had no less feelings for her, in fact more but my physical drain and roller coaster first month I just couldnt think emotionally, I tried but emotionally I was hollow inside.
Has anyone had this happen to them?

This is the very first major anything medically thats ever happened to me and my gf has never had a major medical truama, which I figure why it was hard for her to understand what was happening to me (I thank her gf for explaining to her to be prepared, that I am going to be different for a while).

I have to assume most of the others out here have been together much longer and maybe this wasnt an issue. I mean two people being able to read each other due to being together for so long. Is this accurate?

BTW, things are going great again, she said she is starting to see the sparkle in my eye again. I had to post this here because it seems that for such a major trauma to go through, and all the explanations of the procedure that were given, it seems like a very important area was omitted.

Thanks to all and Merry Xmas. Steve (Arnold)

 

[geebee]

Steve,

I don't think "hollow inside" is an accurate description of how I felt. I merely described myself as numb. All my focus was on getting the physical back up to par and I had no room or energy left for anything else. The only emotional I do recall was just the happiness of being alive. There were good and bad days but they were all triggered by the physical ups and downs.

I am glad to hear things are seeming better for you and your friend. I am sure you will find the emotional will be back full force as your body heals.

 

[CathyK.]

Thanks Steve. As i am in the waiting room, it is good to know that emotionally I will have to recover also. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[WayneGM]

In the orientation materials, including a video, provided by my hospital they did speak to the potential emotional trauma both for the patient and the family. "Hollow" isn't how I'd describe it in my case either. More the emotional frustration of not feeling well, being tired all the time, not being able to do simple tasks, etc, while I recovered. These will subside as you recover. On the other hand, I've also found new, positive, emotions about being alive and enjoying every day as if it might be my last. This was also my first encounter with a major medical trauma, and it was an eye opener.

Things will get better. Take care.

 

[Tom F.]

Its hard to respond in a general way to your questions, simply because all of us recover differently. But many people do report an emotional element to their recovery, and it can differ wildly from person to person. For me for several weeks I could not watch anything on TV that was violent, I just could not do it. It upset me. But in time it went away. You will get better, just remember you have been through lot and it takes time.

 

[Karlynn]

It's not unusual for any OHS recipient to experience some mild depression or mood changes. Some of our members have felt a need for a little medication to get them over the hump, others have felt that just by knowing it's a common by-product of OHS was enough to carry them through.

You have been through a lot physically and emotionally. Even for me, after 15 years, I still think of what a huge experience it all was.

 

[briansmom]

Our drs told us that EVERYONE that is put on a bypass machine experiences some depression. They don't know why. I think they said that it occurs at about 1 month post op. For some it is not bad, but for some it can be very bad. They were very specific that we should watch for it with our son.

What you are going through sounds "normal" for OHS. Hang in there and don't hesitate to get help if you need it.

 

[Arnold Ziffel]

I would like to thank everyone for their replies. I am doing fine, it was my gf that couldnt understand why I was not there emotionally. In fact we are both fine now, but it was during the first month p o that everything was strange. I guess I didnt recognize depression in the form I had it.

Someone said they couldnt watch violant scenes on tv, that week I was in the hospital I couldnt watch football. It was too painful to watch athletes run let alone getting crunched.

 

[Magic8Ball]

Its hard to respond in a general way to your questions, simply because all of us recover differently. But many people do report an emotional element to their recovery, and it can differ wildly from person to person. For me for several weeks I could not watch anything on TV that was violent, I just could not do it. It upset me. But in time it went away. You will get better, just remember you have been through lot and it takes time.

Same for me but with the 'emotional climax' to any movie even the crappy predictable hollywood movies i'd get little palpitations and get a little teary...has stopped now 3 1/2 weeks after surgery.

Other than that i'm probably a little distant, aware that i'm a bit of a burden rather than the independant person i was before. I'm also a little frustrated, its a little worse for me as i have a leg wound as well as a chest wound and can't go in the pool or have a bath until both are healed...i really want a bath....

 

[Adrienne]

Although I got teary when I thought about waking up in the ICU, they were tears of gratitude and awe at what my surgeon did for me. I truly, truly was not depressed after the operation. When I was in the hospital for A-Fib a while before the operation, that's another story. I cried almost every day, and then the tears were tears of depression. Maybe that's why I was just so thankful after the operation that I was almost euphoric!!

 

[Turkey Hunter]

Emotional recovery.......

Emotional recovery.......

this will be very different for each of us, as described in the above posts.
With me, for example, I have a genuine phobia of needles and hospital now. before my surgery I was a "quarterly club member" at the red cross for blood donating. I couldn't do that now even if I was permitted too.
I am six years out and still have my days where 'depression' is apparent. (I wouldn't call it depression, just not sure of the appropriate term) Don't miss-understand me, this is not something that bothers me on a daily or weekly or even monthly basis. The vast majority of the time I am the normal guy I always was, just with a bit of a different outlook on things.

Now right after my surgery, I was "empty" or "drained" inside. Some people commented later that they thought I was in depression. I wouldn't agree. We must all remember, that when another human being actually touches your physical heart.....it becomes a very emotional issue for each of us. Whether we want to admit it or not.

Gladd things are looking up for you. God Bless,

Ben

 

[ruth]

I would expect that there is a *huge* psychological component to OHS for everyone involved, especially the patient but also those closest to them. Your gf likely had her own psychological adaptation to deal with everything that was happening to you, a person close to her.

We are all whole people and our heads are attached to our bodies after all. Something as major as OHS is going to be a major source of stress for our minds to process. After surgery I would expect that the chemicals in our system from the anesthesia and all the medicines would throw our psych's for a loop on top of the adjustment to the reality that 'gee I'm alive and I got through it'. Knowing we 'should' feel relieved and delighted, dealing with loved ones who have their own stresses from the situation, all of that makes for a pretty complex psychological aspect.

I guess I shouldn't say I'm surprised to hear that hospitals/dr's may not deal directly with these issues in all cases but I wish they would. Our minds and mindset play a huge role in how we physically recover.

Glad to hear things are better now. Take care, Ruth