Hello all, I am trying to help my 36 year old son who had a mechanical valve put in 2.5 years ago. Followed by surgery just 7 days later he got Covid and nearly ...Read more
Hello all, I am trying to help my 36 year old son who had a mechanical valve put in 2.5 years ago. Followed by surgery just 7 days later he got Covid and nearly died and was in the hospital 28 days. To this day, he has no energy, is definitely depressed as he can no longer support his family, thankfully the wife went to work. Takes blood thinner daily and will for life. I don't know what long covid is, people, not doctors, have suggested maybe that might be the issue. The big issue is he is giving up and it is so difficult to find good care in NC. I live in CA also hard to assist from so far away. I am flying out on Wednesday, surprise visit, to see if I can get him to take some advice and seek further treatments. I want if nothing more for him to do another blood culture, initially how we found out about the infection that attached his heart. Any advise!!! A very very worried mom!
Susan Lynn Janice - Your son has been through quite a lot! Recovering from surgery alone is exhausting! I can... Read more
Susan Lynn Janice - Your son has been through quite a lot! Recovering from surgery alone is exhausting! I can't imagine battling Covid on top of it.
I'm guessing your son never had the opportunity to go to cardiac rehab. I would see if he can attend now. They will give him an appropriate level of exercise based on his ability and they are skilled in handling the depression that comes with heart surgery.
You might also want to let him know about this site. Sometimes it's easier to talk to other heart warriors than your own family. We have a bunch of rock stars who have rebounded after unexpected post-operative challenges. I know he would be embraced by this community and encouraged by those who have walked in his shoes. Safe travels!
Rose Madura Janice, Susan give excellent advice. Also, not sure where he is at in North Carolina but I would thi ... Read more
Rose Madura Janice, Susan give excellent advice. Also, not sure where he is at in North Carolina but I would think Duke University in Charlotte would be an excellent choice. Please keep us posted.
J Alexander Lassally I'd try Duke - Folks there have been happy... They should be able to weigh in and evaluate the heart ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally I'd try Duke - Folks there have been happy... They should be able to weigh in and evaluate the heart status.
susan harris Go to search, top right on this site, search Depression. Several really good videos will come up. ... Read more
susan harris Go to search, top right on this site, search Depression. Several really good videos will come up.
Rita Savelis Your son has been through a lot. Depression after heart surgery is common, but he had so much more th ... Read more
Rita Savelis Your son has been through a lot. Depression after heart surgery is common, but he had so much more than heart surgery. If he could talk to a therapist it would be a start. Long covid is real and many are unable to work as they live with it. He has so much on his plate. There are long covid support groups out there. It is really hard to live with a condition that is not recognised by many - be they friends or the medical profession.
I'm guessing your son never had the opportunity to go to cardiac rehab. I would see if he can attend now. They will give him an appropriate level of exercise based on his ability and they are skilled in handling the depression that comes with heart surgery.
You might also want to let him know about this site. Sometimes it's easier to talk to other heart warriors than your own family. We have a bunch of rock stars who have rebounded after unexpected post-operative challenges. I know he would be embraced by this community and encouraged by those who have walked in his shoes. Safe travels!