Posted by Carl Plaskett on December 13, 2003 at 21:54:12:
In Reply to: Third opinion posted by Patrick Haley on December 13, 2003 at 17:19:31:
Pat: I concur with Henry's recommendation. I arrived at the CC with a persistant cough, which I was concerned would interfer with my scheduled maze. After thorough exams, they determined that I had no infection and cleared me for surgery. Post-surgery I still had a cough but not too severe until day four when I was having a celebratory "getting-out-of-the-hospital" cafe mocha from the Starbucks downstairs, and just HAD to get the last dregs of chocolate/espresso from the cup, while demonstrating to my wife my ability with the spirometer (device to exercise one's lungs). Some of those dregs "went down the wrong way" and I went into a violent coughing fit and passed out momentarily. Coming around several seconds later to 6 white uniformed ladies surrounding me and alarms going off, I figured I was a goner. Fifteen minutes later I was walking the hall again in NSR. Because of my irritated throat, my cough got worse and they kept me 2 more days to make sure that I wouldn't develop pneumonia from aspirating coffee. The doctor (Dr. Hammer, who I would suggest INSISTING upon being your CC cardiologist) assured me that coughing would not hurt my heart, but I would feel it at the incision (which I certainly did!).
After being home a few days, I was walking/light jogging 3 miles, 2 times/day at a 10-11minutes/mile pace, but developed a sinus infection about day 12-13 which cause coughing which would almost make me pass out. On day 13, about 10:30PM, I was sure that I might either have my chest or heart rip apart and die from that. I declared the irony of that to my rather frightened wife.
Almost immediately the phone rang, and it was Dr. Hammer, calling to see how I was doing. In a very faint, raspy voice, I told him of my concern. He again assured me that coughing would NOT cause my heart any problems, but that it probably would be uncomfortable. He said that they encourage heart surgery patients to cough, pain or not!
That unbelieveably well-timed/late night call calmed me down, a hot toddy soothed my throat ( and nerves) and I fell asleep. God bless Dr. Hammer!!
My bad cough persisted for a few weeks until the sinus infection cleared up, and it was pretty uncomfortable at the incision, but being in NSR and having everyone comment about how good my "color" was and how much energy I had, made it all worthwhile.By the way, I was almost 60, previously healthy,and also self-employed when I decided to get cured. As I have said before, I would do it annually to feel as good as I do now!