CAD and Diabetes

Hi, my name is Meredith and this is my first post here.  I am almost 40 years old with juvenile onset diabetes (Type one Insulin Dependent).  I was diagonosed with Diabetes 30 years ago.  I have not had any complications related to my diabetes and had a successful pregancy 15 years ago.  I should say no complications until recently.  I have been diagnosed with CAD and have been told I had a heart attack at some point.  My one blood vessel they thought was not viable showed in the cath last week that it may be and that bypass from an atery in my chest would be the best treatment.  The other two arteries probably could be be treated with angioplasty but would be better if a bypass was done at that time as well.  I am a complete reck.  I am so scared, it has been a struggle for me to get out of bed.  I know I have to go on for my husband and my daughter, but it is hard.  I am glad I found this forum, I have already read a lot of encouraging stories.  Any information on what to expect and recovery would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Meredith and Welcome!!

 

Gosh that's a lot to hear and even digest especially knowing how long you've had to deal with diabetes as well.

 

I had a triple bypass last Aug. so it's been one year now and the bypass changed my life.  I suffered from so much angina for so long, I'd had a prior 'silent' heart attack that caused a lot of damage to my heart.  I, too was offered a single bypass several months earlier and opted for a stent placement.  It helped, but another area of the artery become completely blocked and and due to my calcified arteries (hardened) it made it necessary for them to do the bypass.

 

Read and educate yourself - that's the best advice I can give you!!  I'll try to put up a few links here that are good sites to read.

 

Much good luck to you, Meredith and please keep us posted!!

 

Best Wishes and Hugs, Teri

Yes, once again edited for spelling errors. lol

Thank you SG and Teri for your replies, I appreciate it!  I am going for a second opinion this week at the request of my cardiologist.  If I understand correctly (there have been so many tests and information to digest over the last month) when I did have the heart attack there does show damage to part of my heart.  At first they thought that there was no viability to the one portion of my heart when they did the thallium test, but when they did the angiogram it showed that there may be some viability there, but the vessel was completley closed and it would be best to do the bypass.  I have a wonderful doctor but I believe he is being very cautious, he has met with the other doctors in the practice and a surgeon and they all concure that surgery is my best option.

I keep praying that I will have peace and understand God's will.  I thank him that I found this forum, it has helped!  You both sound like remarkable people that have handled your illnesses with grace.  Thank you again.

Meredith, a 2nd opinion is always a good thing!! :)

SG, is right...grace? lol

Big Hugs, Teri ::)

Let us know how the 2nd opinion goes!!