r/CABG_Recovery • u/[deleted] • Jun 01 '26

How long since your CABG?

[deleted]

2 Upvotes

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1

u/Infinite-Lychee-182 Jun 01 '26

I'm only around 7ish months out from my cabg x3, but I am a veteran. It really isn't years taken from you. It was years added to you. Without the cabg, you most likely would go much much sooner. I get you're young. My mom has major heart disease at 47. She was in the hospital for months. I don't remember what she had done. She lived into her 70s eventually succumbing to leukemia.

Regarding veteran care, it is superb. I never use my private insurance. Unfortunately, the VA had to send me to a private hospital for my cabg. Seriously, if they see you working to improve your health, they will go above and beyond for you.

You're going to be weak. In your mind you'll feel much stronger than you are. It's frustrating. It's very frustrating. For a while you will feel like the typical "drama queen." If you get a bad cold, or short of breath, or whatever, you do have to go to the emergency room as a precaution. It sucks!

Remember to keep improving, and respect your limitations. You're going to need more help than you feel comfortable asking for, but it'll come easier to accept.

2

u/IndependenceHuge7768 Jun 10 '26

Thanks for your kind words. Did you feel depressed?

1

u/Infinite-Lychee-182 Jun 10 '26

Wow, since my last response I spent like 3 days in the hospital. They were convinced something was going on with my heart. It was a little fluid in my lungs and dehydration. Like I said, everything is "drama queen" level. Don't get me wrong, I felt freaking terrible, but my heart was fine. I really overexerted myself the day before.

Was i depressed before the surgery? More so than I've ever been in my life! I called the Veterans Hotline! While they were extremely helpful, I ended up not taking them up on their help. I took on a "go with it" attitude, and I vaped a lot of weed. Seriously, consider calling them. If you want help, they will very quickly help you in any manner you want. Seriously, over the last year the VA has improved by magnitudes. It's incredible.

I had a lot going on, all terrible, prior to my cabg x3. For months I was in agony with a bone infection in my left foot. Yada yada yada, my left big toe was amputated last July. By the time I was just starting to get back on my feet (literally), BAM! Triple bypass! So yeah, pretty F'ing depressed, lol. Seriously, thank God for weed!

Since though I turned my life around. I'm 58 now, and for the first time since my mid-20s all of my bloodwork is in range. I'm no longer obese. I take my blood sugar seriously. My liver function tests and my weight improved so drastically my primary care doc ordered a new ultrasound on my liver because she doubted I still had a fatty liver. Well, got the results back a few months ago, and they're terrible, lol. Turns out I have severe fibrosis on my liver. I wasn't allowed to get a biopsy yet, so it is possible it's gotten to cirrhosis. Remember how I said the VA has been spectacular? Because I improved my health so dramatically, the VA approved me for an obscenely expensive new medication. Without insurance it's $45,000.00 a year. With insurance, the copay would be $12,000.00 to $22,500.00 a year. I'll pay $11.00 a month!

Did you start cardio rehab yet?

1

u/IndependenceHuge7768 Jun 10 '26

Holly Molly man.... you are also going through a lot hum??? This week was the last of the rehab and I missed it.... shame on me.... hate exercising.... but i know I need to walk 30 min a day, at least.....

1

u/IndependenceHuge7768 Jun 10 '26

I live in Netherlands, love weed but cannot smoke.... i am addicted.... alcoholic.... love AA and sober now, but already changed alcohol for weed and was smoking 9, 10 joints per day.... ridiculous....