My Husband's Mended Heart

Last 2021, Chino and I experienced one of the most difficult journey we had to go through as a couple. It was the year that he got his mended heart.

It all started when Chino wanted to celebrate the end of a hectic week at work. He drank three bottles of soju, got a little bit tipsy, and went to sleep. Later on, he woke up with difficulty breathing. Given that Chino has asthma, we assumed that it was just one of his usual asthma attacks.

We had a nebulizer at home for his asthma attacks. He used this and felt some relief, but unfortunately, it didn’t last long. After a couple of hours, he started having difficulty breathing again. He kept repeating the same process of using the nebulizer to feel better, but it only provided temporary relief. We decided to observe his condition.

Unexpected Hospitalization

After monitoring him for more than a day, Chino’s condition took a turn for the worse – he started vomiting. We then made the decision to take him to the emergency room (ER) at St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) in Quezon City.

In the early hours of January 26, 2021, Chino went inside the ER. Due to the strict COVID-19 protocols, I had to wait outside the ER, while Chino was being attended to. At the time, I thought it was just a minor issue and he would be discharged quickly, but boy was I wrong. Things escalated quickly.

Shortly after, Chino messaged me that he was being transferred to the critical area of the ER. I rushed inside and found him surrounded by a team of doctors, all checking his condition. The initial diagnosis given to us was diabetes and heart failure. I was shocked.

At 3:30 AM, Chino was admitted to the hospital, but we had to wait for his RT-PCR test result before he could be transferred to a room. At 7:50 AM, he was finally brought to a regular room, and we anxiously waited for the doctors to give us an update on his condition.

The doctors informed us that Chino was experiencing a mild heart attack and needed to be closely monitored. Later on, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at around 5:00 PM as his condition was becoming more severe. My heart sank as the medical team brought him inside the ICU.

Pre-Operation

The next few days were filled with mixed emotions. I was scared, anxious, and constantly worried about my husband’s condition. Due to hospital restrictions, I could only visit him twice a day for 30 minutes each, but I made sure to be there to provide support. Chino remained in the ICU until January 31, 2021.

At 1:00 PM on January 28, 2021, an angiogram was conducted to diagnose Chino's condition and check for any blockages or narrowings in the blood vessels using X-rays and a special dye injected into the bloodstream. At 2:30 PM, the doctors informed me that the test results indicated that angioplasty, a medical procedure that employs a catheter with a balloon on the end to widen blocked or narrow blood vessels, was not advised.

It was then revealed to us that Chino needed to undergo heart bypass surgery due to several blockages in his heart. This was a critical turning point in our journey towards his recovery. Despite the gravity of the situation, I knew that I needed to remain strong for the both of us. I had faith in the exceptional medical team at SLMC QC, who kept us well-informed throughout the entire process.

I kept our family, friends, and colleagues updated on Chino's condition and progress. I even spoke to the CFO of VXI, Chino's employer, on January 29, to inform him of Chino's condition and to coordinate any assistance the company could provide.

While at home, I received a call from the nurse at 7:15 AM on February 1, 2021, informing me that Chino would be discharged from the ICU and transferred to a regular room. He was transferred at 11:40 AM. Later that day, at 3:30 PM, the doctor advised us to prepare for the bypass surgery and find blood donors. Chino stayed in a regular room for the next few days, undergoing further tests and receiving blood donations from friends in preparation for the operation.

On February 4, 2021, we had a conversation with the cardio-surgeon about the various scenarios for Chino's heart bypass surgery. We were even given the option to choose a valve in case it needed repair. The night before the operation, Chino practiced with the recovery room nurses on the do's and don'ts of the recovery room.

During Operation

Chino underwent heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), on February 5, 2021. This procedure is commonly used to treat blockages in the heart's arteries. It involves taking a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body, in Chino's case, his left leg, and grafting it onto the blocked artery. This allows blood to flow around the blockage and supply the heart with the oxygen and nutrients it needs.

When it comes to bypass surgery, we often hear about triple bypass, which typically means three grafts were performed. But in my husband's case, he underwent something much more complex - a sextuple bypass surgery. Six blockages were bypassed during the procedure.

The day of the operation was a difficult and emotional one. Chino, who had been diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder, asked the anesthesiologist for medication to help him sleep before being taken to the operating room. However, as soon as the medication began to take effect and Chino's lungs began to relax, he started to panic and had difficulty breathing. Despite the medication, he was unable to sleep. Witnessing this made me realize how important mental health is and that we should prioritize it as much as our physical well-being. It must have been a terrifying experience for Chino, and it highlighted the need for proper mental health care and support.

Chino was brought to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) at 7:15 AM for the installation of an Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), a device that helps the heart pump more blood. After the procedure, he was taken to the operating room at 8:40 AM. As my husband was taken into the operating room, I said a silent prayer and tried to focus on the positive outcomes that we hoped for. I knew that the next few hours would be difficult, but I also knew that we had a great medical team on our side.

The entire procedure lasted for over nine hours and ended at 5:40 PM. After waiting anxiously the entire day, I had a discussion with the doctor in the operating room at 6:15 PM. He assured me that they would continue to monitor Chino closely for the next few minutes to ensure that there were no complications. At 6:50 PM, the doctor announced that the procedure was successful, and a wave of relief washed over me. But the emotional toll of the long day hit me all at once, and I felt weak in the knees and heavy all over.

After receiving the news from the cardio-surgeon that Chino’s surgery went well, I returned to the hospital room and noticed that the movie playing on HBO was "Where'd You Go, Bernadette." It dawned on me that my late sister had sent me a sign that she was watching over us from heaven and that she had ensured Chino's safe return to me. Later that evening, I received a call from the recovery room at 10:50 PM, informing me that Chino had woken up.

Post-Operation

After the surgery, Chino was taken to the ICU at 1:10 AM on February 6, 2021, where he remained for the first 48 hours. During this time, he was closely monitored by a team of nurses and doctors who checked his vital signs, oxygen levels, and pain levels. Seeing him hooked up to so many machines and tubes was overwhelming, but I tried to stay positive and supportive. He was given pain medication and was gradually weaned off the ventilator.

It was heartbreaking to watch him struggle, and I often felt helpless. However, I was also proud of his strength and determination to get better. Chino remained in the ICU from February 6 to 9, 2021. On February 8, 2021, at 3:15 PM, he was extubated and able to talk. On February 9, 2021, at 9:00 AM, his nasogastric tube (NGT), a tube inserted through the nose and down the throat to the stomach to remove stomach contents or provide nutrition, and catheter were removed. Later that day, at 1:30 PM, I received a call that he would be discharged from the ICU and transferred to a regular room at 7:30 PM.

He stayed in the regular room for several more days, where he continued his recovery. The medical staff encouraged him to get out of bed and start walking, which helped him regain his strength. By February 10, 2021, he was able to sit up and receive visitors, which lifted his spirits and helped him stay positive during his recovery.

On February 11, 2021, Chino was able to walk unassisted. At 10:30 AM, the doctor changed his wound dressing, and he started on a cardiac rehabilitation program at 11:00 AM. The program included light exercise and breathing exercises to help him regain strength and improve his breathing. By 7:00 PM, the nurses removed his oxygen and compression socks, which was a sign of his improving condition.

On February 12, 2021, Chino's blood sugar monitoring was removed, and his wound dressing was changed. The doctors also checked for infection at 4:00 PM, just in case he needed to be brought back to the operating room. During his recovery, I tried to keep his spirits up by talking to him and distracting him with movies and TV shows or playing computer games with him. I also assisted him with his basic needs, such as helping him with his meals and assisting him when he needed to use the bathroom.

On February 13, 2021, Chino had his first shampoo and shave in a while at 8:30 AM. He was then taken to the cardio rehab room for the first time at 10:40 AM and began using equipment for his cardio rehab at 11:30 AM, which lasted for 20 minutes. Later that day, at 12:30 PM, the doctor changed his wound dressing and informed us that there was no infection present. Chino was also taught how to use insulin injections.

In the following days, Chino's recovery progressed steadily. He was able to reintroduce solid food into his diet and gradually increase his activity level. Witnessing his strength and resilience during this time filled me with admiration and pride as his wife.

We spent Valentine's Day in Chino's hospital room. It was a poignant time for me, as I began to reflect on the experience and what it had taught me about life and love. I realized how much I loved my husband and how much I wanted him to be healthy and happy. This experience also reminded me of the importance of cherishing every moment we had together and to never take our time together for granted.

On February 15, Chino underwent a 2D echocardiography (2D echo) inside his room at 9:45 PM. This non-invasive test is used to analyze the functioning and assess the sections of the heart. He then started using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at 11:00 PM. CPAP is a machine that uses mild air pressure to keep breathing airways open when sleeping. The following day, he had his second cardio rehab session at 11:00 AM, and his Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain was removed at 4:30 PM. The JP drain is a rubber tubing used to help empty excess fluid from the body after surgery. On the night of February 16, 2021, at 8:15 PM, Chino underwent his sleep analysis procedure. On February 17, after his cardio rehab at 9:00 AM, the medical team informed us that he would be discharged on Friday of that week.

Going Home

On February 19, 2021, Chino was finally discharged after spending four weeks in the hospital. At 8:30 AM, the medical team gave him strict instructions on how to care for his incision site, and the stitches were removed. He was also put on a strict diet and exercise program to aid in his recovery. Regular follow-up appointments with his cardiologist and surgeon were also scheduled to monitor his progress. We left the hospital at 8:00 PM and headed to the province so that Chino could relax and recover more quickly.

Heart bypass surgery is a complicated procedure that necessitates meticulous planning, proficient surgeons, and a committed healthcare team to ensure a successful outcome. Although the recovery process can be demanding, with adequate care and support, Chino was able to resume his regular activities within a few weeks after the surgery.

I cannot help but reflect on the fragility of life and how abruptly things can change. In one moment, we were carrying out our daily routine, and in the next, we were dealing with a life-threatening health emergency. Life is a precious and delicate gift, and we must always cherish it and not take it for granted.

Upon reflection, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the prompt medical attention that Chino received. This experience made me realize the value of having health insurance and emergency funds. It became clear that having our finances in order allowed us to focus more on Chino's recovery, without being burdened by the substantial hospital bills.

Our journey through Chino's health crisis was undoubtedly one of the toughest we've had to endure, but it also served as a test of our relationship and personal strengths. As a result, we emerged from the experience with a stronger bond and a deeper appreciation for each other. Since then, Chino's health has improved significantly, and we're grateful for each day that we get to spend together, enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

Yun na! Pak!