caratoid artery question - I'm scared UPDATE

[wishuponastarforever]

Has anyone had blockage which resulted in surgery? DH has 85 percent blockage on his left side and will have surgery next week.
We were to visit WDW next Saturday. Even though only my disfamily knows the disappointment, it pales in comparison to the fright and worry I am feeling. Also I am ashamed to admit - anger!

He had a heart attack last November due to plaque. Now it's his caratoid artery. He's only 56. I blame the fact that he smokes.
For anyone out there thinking about quitting - PLEASE PLEASE do - it does catch up to you. My DH is proof.

Can anyone tell me what to expect it the way of recovery? Any advice?

I am also asking for the magic of disboard pixie dust and prayers.

Thank you - I believe in the power of my disfriends.

UPDATE:

DH had surgery Thursday. The Doctor took a part of his vein in his left foot and used it in his left caratoid artery.

He came home Friday and is doing great.
The best news of all is his Doctor took a very hard line against smoking.

DH hasn't had a cigarette since Wednesday night and he is taking medication to help him quit.

This is a dream come true for MANY reasons.

Thank you to all of the disfamily who had my DH in their thoughts or prayers. He was the least likely person in the world to quit. He just had absolutely no desire to quit. I can't even begin to say what this means. I am sooooooo happy.

 

[DawnCt1]

I recall that my aunt had an "endarterectomy" years ago and did extremely well. Now the vascular surgeons have so many new techniques and technology that I have no doubt that he will come through with flying colors and be just fine. In fact he will be better. Good luck. I am glad they were able to find the problem.

 

[LUVDSNY04]

Hi,
My older brother(65) had this surgery last April and managed to come to my son's wedding a week after this surgery! The drs said he had 90% blockage but when they operated it was more so they did have have to go way up in the jaw. He had a swollen tongue when he came to the wedding but he was fine otherwise. I should mention that he drove from Erie,PA to Philadelphia for the wedding and that is quite a distance so you can see he was feeling good.
I'm sure your husband will do just fine too. I will keep him in my prayers.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

Hi,

My dad had it, and I think he was 70. He came out with flying colors!

One of the things that saved his life was an article he read, and information he got from a real estate agent. Some of the things were the symptoms to look out for including tingling in the hands etc. He also said that he was told that you can hear a swishing sound in your ear, and when it becomes really blocked it feels like a shade is coming down over your head.

BTW if you do not mind my asking does your husband have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and if he does what are his numbers and how long has he had it? If this is too personal I am sorry for asking, I just worry about my brother who is now 50

 

[JESW]

My Dad had this in his late 70's and did well after the surgery - he is 84 now. It was scary when it happened since my Mom found him passed out on the bathroom floor - and then he didn't want to go to the dr. since he said nothing was wrong!

Hoping all goes well for your DH!!

Jill

 

[cgcw]

My Sister has had it done 3 times because of repeated blockage. Being she's only 55, it's very, very scary.

She just went through it again in September. It's taken a bit to recover because it's been her 3rd major surgery in 14 months. I won't say it was easy but there really isn't much choice as to have it done or not. Although I will tell you that it's one of the only surgeries the nurses see patients go from ICU to being released without a step down in between. My sister is now checked on an every other month basis to keep check on her situation.

The two biggest factors her doctors have said are huge contributors are stress and smoking. As she no longer smokes, it's now just trying to reduce her stress level to help keep control of the situation. Cholesterol level for her is 97 yet the doctors want it even lower.

Best of luck to your DH.

 

[JVL1018]

My friend's Dad just had it done(he's in his mid 60s) and came through with flying colors. )

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by wishuponastarforever
....I blame the fact that he smokes....

Does he still? I sure hope not.

Best wishes, wishuponastarforever, hoping all goes well. He, you and family are in my prayers, my best.

 

[wishuponastarforever]

Thank you all so much. I feel major relief.

DawnCt1 - Yes we are very fortunate they found his blockage.
Thank you.

LUVDSNY04 - Wow your brother drove that distance to your son's wedding after one week - that is very encouraging.

Purrrrfecta - Interesting symtoms - those are good to know. My DH did not have symtoms other than he thought his reading glasses needed to be changed because he couldn't see as well. No problem with blood pressure. His is normally 110/60 without medication. Cholesterol is 163 with medication.

JESW - I am glad all went well for your Dad!!

cgcw - that is my fear that DH will be a repeat as I see no signs he is willing to change his habits. I am very glad your sister stopped smoking!!!!

JVL1018 - thank you for the encouragment.

Dan Murphy - I wish I had a better answer but that is the reason I am feeling so angry. My DH told the Doctor he wasn't going to quit. I thought maybe this was a gut reaction. After his tests I got the car and drove around to pick him up in front of the hospital. He was waiting outside having a cigarette. He cut down for a while after his heart attack but never stopped - It didn't take long for him to smoke as much as he did before.
This time he isn't even cutting down.

Prayers are needed and I thank you all very much. I remain strong for my children and family. I don't want to take drama into my office. I don't have much time to see my friends. You are my release and sounding board and I thank you all for this outlet.

 

[antmaril]

My father had it done in his 80's. Recovered quickly from it. My father-in-law had it done twice. Again, quick recovery.

 

[wishuponastarforever]

 

[cgcw]

Great news! Let's hope and pray he continues without smoking. I know it's tough to quit (been there myself) but maybe he came to realize just how serious his health is being compromised by the addiction.

Wish him the best and tell him to brush his teeth when he has a craving for a cigarette. It worked for me.

 

[floridafam]

I'm glad he came through everything well.

Tell him he has to quit. Tell him you want him to be around for a while.

My brother smoked a pack a day and died of a heart attack at 41. He left behind a lot of grieving family members and a son who misses him terribly.

My other brother (his twin) still smokes. He just doesn't get it.

Try everything. We're all here for you.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm glad surgery went well for him!

I'm with floridafam on making sure he quits! My husband smoked 2 packs a day, died of a massive heart attack at 38.

Hugs to you!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great news, wishuponastarforever. So happy for him, and you. A day at a time, turns into a week, a month, and years. He can do it, he will do it. Great!!!! My best.