Connect
Seeking advice regarding patient in recovery from bypass surgery
Not sure if this is the best group to post this in but my father in law is currently trying to recover from bypass surgery and seems to be having setbacks relating to his lungs & breathing. He seems to be doing poorly and I don't know if he might be able to get better recovery somewhere else or with more expertise.
Here is an overview. He is/was an average health 68 year old, but long time smoker and on blood thinner. Very active, early riser, no mobility issues, etc. About 2-1/2 months ago he went for a checkup and the doctor said he had major blockage in his heart and needed to get triple-bypass right away and also surgery on his carotid artery in his neck. They transported him to Memorial Hospital (Jax FL) and after 5 or so days off the blood thinners they did the surgeries. They recommended/suggested doing the bypass and carotid surgeries at the same time, not sure why but I feel this played a big role in the setbacks he experienced post surgery.
After surgery, he was very out of it and barely responsive, sleeping most of the time. Seemed to be very sedated though they had him off sedation and had given him some medication to counter the sedatives from surgery. Over the next couple weeks he slowly became more alert though still mostly sleeping. He remained at Memorial for 1 month in ICU while they stabilized him (was having low oxygen levels, pneumonia, etc) and he was intubated and eventually had a tracheostomy. Has been on and off ventilator as needed. All the while he was very weak and not able to move his arms/ hands/etc very much and still resting/sleeping most of the time. After 1 month they moved him to another hospital for longer term recovery. At this new hospital he has been there 1 month already and though he seems to be improved a little, his arm and hand movements are improved a little and they are working on sitting up and standing at times (though that is a big struggle), he has still been struggling with breathing and only a few times have he been able to be off extra oxygen and is now back on the ventilator. He is clear minded and able to communicate with us a little using an alphabet chart to point at letters and spell things out (since he is unable to use his voice), but still sleeps most of the time and seems very exhausted at all times. My mother in law drives almost an hour to the hospital every day to spend time with him and she leaves on the verge of tears. We are all very concerned and I'm wondering if maybe there is better resources available that could evaluate and assist in his recovery. He is very scared and depressed at this point, and expressing very concerning thoughts about "giving up" and "pulling the plug". Seeking any advice/councel. Thanks.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.
Connect
@jagster
I feel for you and your family and your FIL and MIL. What does your spouse feel about all of this with their parents going through this?
What specialists does your FIL have working with him now? Did he have brain damage or autonomic nervous system damage with the surgeries? How long were his surgeries? Was he under too long and did they have complications in surgery (was he deprived of oxygen too long)?
I would want to get information on pre- and post- surgery functioning of heart and lungs. Does he show improvement of blood and oxygen flow? Was the surgery considered a success? If not, why? Did they warn him and your MIL about the risks of the surgery? Did he have any clots that formed during/after surgery that caused blockages of blood and oxygen flow?
@dlydailyhope Thank you. My wife is sad and scared as we all are. I'm trying to keep things positive and optimistic.
What specialists does your FIL have working with him now?
I do not know exactly what specialists are working with him, he has nurses come in and do check-ins and whatnot, as well as a PT that does a few sessions a week with him. There is a doctor who is on-site and keeps tabs on it as well.
Did he have brain damage or autonomic nervous system damage with the surgeries?
Not as far as I'm aware. My information has been just what was shared by my MIL but it didn't seem like they said anything like that to her from what I gather. They eventually did an MRI or CT scan on his chest and head but from what I heard, they didn't find anything.
How long were his surgeries? Was he under too long and did they have complications in surgery (was he deprived of oxygen too long)?
From the time they took him from the room to bringing him back, it was around 6 hours. I don't know if that is long or not and as far as I know they did not disclose any issues with oxygen, etc to my MIL.
I would want to get information on pre- and post- surgery functioning of heart and lungs. Does he show improvement of blood and oxygen flow? Was the surgery considered a success? If not, why?
My understanding is that the surgeries were considered successful, though his carotid surgical area has been problematic in healing - they've had to keep it bandaged up and I think do some scraping to keep it clean/etc. He's also developed some bed sores which is another thing his body is having to fight. I believe his heart is doing well, just issues with his lungs (had several bouts of aspirating - first was shortly after surgery they tried a swallowing test but stuff got in his lungs, other times he has vomited and got stuff in that way). His O2 has been up and down. I believe he's been able to breath without supplementary on several occasions but then setback happens and then has to get put back on it.
Did they warn him and your MIL about the risks of the surgery?
I don't know exactly how it transpired, but they asked them if they wanted to do both surgeries at the same time. I've come to find that with other folks we know who have had similar surgery needs, they have always done the surgeries separate and allowed time for recovery between them (carotid first, then heart bypass). I feel that maybe the doctors did not explain the elevated risks of doing both at the same time or perhaps undersold the heightened risks.
Did he have any clots that formed during/after surgery that caused blockages of blood and oxygen flow?
After surgery they found a clot in his lower leg and used meds to get it to clear up from my understanding. It was causing his leg to swell and be painful. Other than that I'm not aware of any others.
I'm going to try to get some additional info when/where I can. Mayo is regarded as world class and probably has better experts than what he is getting at his current facility. I just want to make sure he is getting the best care possible and if there are any tools or resources to pull in, I want to try to get those involved if possible - I just don't know what is out there.