Triple Bypass Triumph

A little over 7 months ago, I underwent triple bypass surgery to prevent a future heart attack or stroke. I was apprehensive and scared, but at the same time, I knew that the surgery had to be done.

I was on disability at the time because my Social Security Disability Insurance claim was lost in someone’s file drawer for the last 5 years. Thankfully, I still had my attorney who dealt specifically with Social Security Disability claims. I would have given up long ago without them.

The surgery went smoothly, at least until I popped one of the wires holding my sternum together at the medical rehab facility. When it broke, I experienced new and intense levels of pain like never before. I was sent back to the hospital for more surgery to repair the damage, but that pushed my recovery back as well.

I returned to the medical rehab facility and completed my exercise program in 6 weeks. Then I was sent to another “rehab facility”, which was, in fact, a nursing home. I refer to the place as a Cemetery Prep School because most of the people there were simply waiting for Death to take them away.

The “rehab gym” was worse than the ones you find at a cut-rate motel. The “therapists” were bitter people who would never qualify to work in a professional facility or hospital. I hated them because I didn’t regain any strength.

I actually felt worse when I was there. I caught several bowel and kidney infections while I was there, but the alleged doctors at the place provided no help at all. After a month there, I finally went home in the middle of July.

I had to go back to the hospital at least 5 times after I got home, and the stays were always at least a week, but a few were 2 weeks. It wasn’t until late October that I had my last visit to remove a PICC line and a nephrostomy bag. Now I am completely free from all the medical equipment devices that were attached to my body.

Rest-adjusting to life at home was challenging. I still use a walker and occasionally a wheelchair to get around the apartment. Speaking of our apartment, the management company found us a ground-floor apartment to make life a little bit easier for me. Hal took care of the move single-handedly. I want to drive again before the end of the year. I work deliberately towards the goals I set for myself, and that makes it easier to achieve them with less effort. I don’t feel rushed or under false pressure. Since I am a Type B personality, worry just irritates me, and I do my best to avoid it.

I spend a great deal of time in bed; it is the most comfortable spot for me. I still have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which means that I spend a lot of time walking carefully to the bathroom. This type of issue mkes me very hesitant to go out for any length of time. I dont want to fill my Depends, or worse, overfill them and make a mess where I stand. I know that this will be another long-term recovery effort. I will talk with my doctor when i visit her on Monday for my follow-up appointment.

Honestly, I don’t miss getting out every day. I suppose it is a part of growing older, but that doeesn’t mean that I am giving up on driving. Everything will happen in it’s own time.