My grandmother is almost 82, and our family is going through a really frightening experience. I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has been through something similar, either personally or with a loved one. I’m especially looking for stories of recovery after major setbacks following bypass surgery. For some background, my grandmother was incredibly active and independent before all of this. She exercised, walked regularly, was mentally sharp, and honestly seemed much younger than her age. She has a history of congestive heart failure and significant coronary artery disease, including multiple previous stents. We knew she had another blockage, but we didn’t realize just how extensive her heart disease had become. Monday: She went into the hospital for what we understood would be a procedure to open another blocked artery and place a stent. However, once the doctors got in and evaluated things more closely, they realized her coronary artery disease was much more extensive and complicated than expected. They determined that a stent wasn’t the right solution and that she needed coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) instead. Because of the change in plan, she had to remain in the hospital and lie flat while they prepared for surgery. She waited several days for the bypass. Wednesday: She underwent open-heart bypass surgery. The surgery was completed, but afterward we learned that her sternum was particularly thin and delicate, so the surgeon reinforced it with a plate. Her platelet count was also low, and she needed blood products. She remained sedated and intubated overnight after surgery. Thursday: Her recovery was more difficult than expected. She was slow to wake up, seemed confused and forgetful, was extremely weak, and her blood pressure dropped when they tried to get her out of bed. She was also having difficulty breathing. The doctors were concerned about how well her heart was functioning and planned to give her blood and medication to help strengthen her heart’s contractions. We then learned that the right side of her heart wasn’t pumping as effectively as they wanted. As a result, her kidneys weren’t receiving adequate blood flow. Friday: The doctors decided she needed a temporary mechanical heart-support device to help the right side of her heart pump blood more effectively. They placed the device through her groin. They also planned to remove excess fluid and support her kidneys. The procedure appears to have gone well. The doctor came out afterward and told the family that the pump was working well. He said she would likely remain intubated for the next couple of days and that they would be starting temporary dialysis to protect her kidneys while her body recovers. The doctor’s exact words regarding her prognosis were “guarded but good.” We are obviously relieved that the heart pump is working, but we’re still terrified. It’s a lot to process, especially because she was doing so well physically before this happened. I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar: Has anyone’s loved one developed right-sided heart failure after bypass surgery and needed a temporary heart pump? Has anyone needed temporary dialysis after cardiac surgery because the kidneys weren’t getting enough blood flow? Did kidney function eventually return? Has anyone been intubated for several days after bypass surgery and gone on to make a good recovery? If your loved one was in their late 70s or 80s, how did recovery go? How long did it take before you started seeing meaningful improvements? I understand that every patient and situation is different, and I know she’s very sick right now. I’m not looking for anyone to predict her outcome. I just really need to hear that people can come back from setbacks like these. Our biggest wish is to have our grandmother back with us, healthy enough to spend time with her family and her new great-granddaughter. Thank you for sharing any experiences or encouragement. ❤️   submitted by   /u/Delicious_Tailor_259 [link]   [comments]