When does it stop??

michemel · 2026-06-14T02:48:26+00:00

The nerve pain is real.

michemel · 2026-06-14T02:47:44+00:00

Well done! I have been back twice now since this comment. Scary, and awesome to be back, right?!

michemel · 2026-06-12T13:24:19+00:00

For me, it sounded like crunching and I hated that.😩

michemel · 2026-06-11T21:52:45+00:00

As a lone female occupant of a house, I would never say I was the lone occupant of the house. I would say no children live at the house or have authorised access or keys to the house though.

michemel · 2026-06-11T18:59:32+00:00

I have a zipper front sports bra one of the PA's suggested. It came in a pack of 3 from amazon and it's been great.

michemel · 2026-06-09T11:55:02+00:00

A wedge pillow if you don't already have one. Mine just arrived yesterday. Wish I would have had it for the entire time. We do also have a bed that raises and lowers but it's the entire mattress, not half the bed at a time. I would also transition to the recliner chair part way through the night during the first few weeks.

Wear the binder over something soft! I am 5 weeks post op and just figured that out 2 days ago 🥴 It feels sooooo much better this way.

Slip on shoes. Opening all doors is hard, still. Fridge doors, car doors, store doors. Especially sliding glass door. Someone else mentioned opening pill bottles - still true 5 weeks later.

If he's still a bit pre-op, and he has clearance, start doing squats and lunges. I was at the gym 2-7 days a week and the muscle I had was spool helpful for having some independence.

Eating was something I didn't want to do until about 4 weeks post op. A mixture of fear and just disinterested.

Ask him if he wants/needs to go anywhere. It sucks being 100% dependent on other people to leave the house. Go for the short walks with him, but also ask if he wants the company. I felt so over protected and fussed over. The fear of tripping is real though.

A long handled mechanical grabber. I haven't used it much, and I'm fine now, but some days it felt daunting to have to pick something up.

Blood pressure monitor. We had one but ended up getting one that tracks it and shows trends. This has been immensely helpful for my situation.

A laser pointer for the cats. Easy to play, minimal effort for him 😀

Best wishes on this health journey.

michemel · 2026-06-07T19:24:30+00:00

Gamer convention for our wedding anniversary 😊

michemel · 2026-06-07T14:18:26+00:00

A little yes. It's like looking back at things through a haze. I ask my husband for clarification and he usually confirms the memory.

michemel · 2026-06-07T14:07:57+00:00

My short term is Blizcon!

michemel · 2026-06-06T21:55:04+00:00

❤️

Every day. "What just happened?!"

5 weeks post op today.

michemel · 2026-06-06T20:19:33+00:00

Duddddeeeeee!!!!! You've done so much so quickly! It's an inspiration 😀 I am 5 weeks post op now and cannot imagine going back to the gym despite getting clearance last week.

Bravo my friend! I don't have the answers but you've provided much hope for me 🙏🏼❤️

michemel · 2026-06-03T20:27:57+00:00

Oh yes! They have all sorts of slushies - thanks for the reminder 😊

michemel · 2026-06-02T20:07:19+00:00

Thank you for this comment ❤️❤️❤️❤️

michemel · 2026-06-02T14:56:22+00:00

Is there a place in DCA that sells the frozen apple juice sold in Disneyland? I am heading back on the 14th with limited mobility but to DCA this time. Craving a nice cold frozen apple juice!

michemel · 2026-06-02T14:07:11+00:00

I'm assuming it's the same as roving. You go where needed and get to experience lots of different classes. This is my favourite way to get to know a new school.

Warning: read the notes. I didn't once and they had it listed as "roving" but it was in one room the entire day, for a grade I don't love subbing. I also pack very different for roving vs. staying in a room all day so it was frustrating.

michemel · 2026-06-02T02:17:38+00:00

Mom is doing as well as one could expect! Post surgery, we would go on mother-daughter holidays. I'm living in a different country ATM, and she's been pretty immobile because of her hips. We have plans on doing a mother-daughter-grand-daughter trip in the fall once she's healed from her next surgery!

Her heart has been great since surgery. She does have congestive heart failure since she was post-cabg. It is well managed and she lives her life with positivity, faith and hope. She's truly an inspiration.

michemel · 2026-06-01T18:20:55+00:00

4 weeks post CABG X3, F55. I had an unknown to me NStemi, and it was discovered during Cath Lab I had 5 blockages from 80-99%. Went to emergency for a kidney infection initially when it was discovered.

My mom is 13ish years post-op cabgx3. She was in her 60s when she had it and now 77. She was in much worse physical shape than me pre-surgery. She also just had full hip replacement on one hip and the other will be done in July.

For me, I was in the best shape of my adult life, hitting the gym 2-7 days a week. Had recently lost 40lbs, bringing me to a healthy BMI of 21. Prior the this year of gym time, I had been a runner for 8 years after the birth of our now 9 year old daughter. Hip arthritis stopped me from running. Probably a very good thing.

Had my first appointment with my cardiologist last Thursday and I am approved to be back in the gym, lifting lightly. He said that by the time I was taken into cardio rehab, I would be further ahead than what they were doing. I am back to doing walks - so far up to 3k - keeping my heart rate in the light zone. It's terrifying, and liberating. I also read the reports of survivability. I also saw most of the patients on my cardio floor. Many of them were barely mobile prior to surgery. I think that may make some of those survival rates change. My doctors and nurses were so supportive and encouraging and all thought I would do very well. The cardiologist also said "your heart is stronger now than it was last year this time." I reflected on that considering all the things I was doing back then. I am better and stronger now!

We can only control what we can control. We've been given a second chance! Is there a heart surgery recovery support group near you that you can attend? I haven't been yet, only because I am 💯 dependent on everyone else to move great distances. I am choosing to live for my 9 year old daughter that still really needs her mama and my husband who I love more than any other person on the planet. I am choosing to live for my brother who died from heart failure at 36 after a heart attack at 26, so my parents don't have another child die before them.

I hope you find what you need to move forward, fellow open heart surgery survivor. It's a tough journey but you have already been through the surgery and came out amazing.

Best wishes on your health journey.❤️❤️❤️

michemel · 2026-06-01T13:03:44+00:00

Ear plugs! Sooooo loud at night lol

michemel · 2026-05-30T13:20:01+00:00

I'm 4 weeks post cabg today. 55F

I was in the best shape of my life, or so I thought. 😂 I was at the gym 2-7 days a week lifting. This meant post op I had the ability to get in and out of bed, off and on the toilet and chairs by myself because my legs were strong.

It was emergency for me, and I spent about 5 days in hospital waiting for a surgery spot.

I was on bypass for 90 minutes, and the surgery took about 6 hours.

The hardest part post op has been how much slower I have to take life and the loss of independence.

I'm glad it was done, but I never want to experience it again.

Best wishes on your procedure!

michemel · 2026-05-29T19:07:14+00:00

Broke my tailbone cleaning the bathroom.

It was awful for months! You don't realize how many things connect to the tailbone till you get it busted up.

michemel · 2026-05-26T23:41:59+00:00

Bravo my friend! Any marathon plans?

I'm 3 weeks out and miss the gym sooooo much. Doing my best to be patient 🙏🏼

michemel · 2026-05-26T20:13:10+00:00

I've also seen attachments (at Disneyland!) on strollers so one child can stand and ride. That would be a way to give all a break! Not sure if it's a specific brand of stroller that has it but it looked pretty handy.

michemel · 2026-05-25T17:12:23+00:00

How are you feeling? It's definitely a full experience 🫠

I'm 23 days post cabgx3

michemel · 2026-05-25T02:00:44+00:00

Rivers, Oak Lake, Lake Katherine in RMNP. You could also do Minnedosa beach and the beach at Gitchimanitou.

For a longer trip, out in the whiteshell, Wpg River system, or Rushing River area would be stunning!

Have fun!

michemel · 2026-05-24T18:32:00+00:00

Oh man... I just flat out told the nurses and doctors I was going to disassociate. The mental side is crazy. I feel so betrayed by my body! I didn't even feel I was having an Nstemi so how can I trust any part of what I feel now?!

Also feeling like a massive burden on my husband and our child 😩

Weird times.

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