What have you done differently after heart surgery?

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lilteach3234

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
236
Location
Houston, Texas (USA)
This might be a goofy thread and it might have been a previous thread, but I thought it would be fun!

Since I have found out I am having surgery, I've been looking at life a little differently. I now know that there's alot of things I wouldn't worry about and there's lots of little things that really don't matter. For example: I've always been a fanatic about a clean house and everything being perfect.

Things I want to do afterwards:
Travel more
Learn the game of golf
Spend my weekends having more fun and not worrying so much about my house
Loving, cuddling, and watching my new granddaughter grow up (she's 10 wks. old)

How have you changed and what things have you done since surgery?
 
Before everything went down hill for me, I was too busy working to stop and notice anything. Since then, I enjoy just looking at the trees and nature, watching the sunrise and world come to life. Basic simple things that for some reason, got kicked under the carpet during the brainwashing of thinking I had to work 12 to 16 hours a day 6 and 7 days a week. Went to work in the dark, came home in the dark and grew under fluorescent lamps.
 
I knew I was going to have AVR for 10 years but I didn't give it much thought. Life as usual for me, since I had no symptoms of anything being wrong.

Since then, been trying to enjoy every sweet day of life.. only problem, times is passing way too fast! ;)
 
You know I actually was walking into my kitchen from my bedroom this morning. I heard several birds chirping and singing. I don't open my blinds too much because we have had so much hurricane damage I don't like looking at all the half finished fences and roofs.

I, however, did open the blinds and just watched the birds play, chirp and sing. I know eventally all the roofs and fences will be fixed so why miss an opportunity to look at nature.

I have been wanting to pick up the game of golf. I've blown it off because I have no energy and have some weight to get off. I am going to get me some clubs and start once I can do it. This woman will probably be a big joke on the course but what the heck.
 
Went 2.7 on a bull named Fu Man Chu....:D Not really (that's from a Tim McGraw song)... but I have been more active. Long hikes with dog and part-time jobs that sometimes add up to more than a full one; playing ball with grandchildren ....busy life that I wouldn't have had otherwise, without the valve and root replacement....
 
Superbob said:
Went 2.7 on a bull named Fu Man Chu....:D Not really (that's from a Tim McGraw song)... but I have been more active. Long hikes with dog and part-time jobs that sometimes add up to more than a full one; playing ball with grandchildren ....busy life that I wouldn't have had otherwise, without the valve and root replacement....
Click to expand...

If I was in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I'd be outside all the time. Aren't grandchildren fun? We have our first and grandpa and I have gone goo goo. Mom and baby live with us so I get her all the time. Matter of fact, she is laying by me right now kicking her feet and arms, cooing and smiling....it is great!
 
I run....and I like it ! Prior to surgery I couldn't go a 1/4 mile without SOB and chest pains. Now Im training for a 1/2 marathon in May. Pretty cool stuff.
 
Scott,

We share the same surgeon and I too run now after my AVR. Not as far or fast as you but farther and faster than I could before AVR.

LilTeach,

I try to keep that feeling that you expressed about remembering what is really important. I felt the same before my surgery and as I heal and feel physically normal, I find that it is easy to forget that I was blessed with a gift that I must use to its fullest. I visit this site everyday to remind me that I must not forget the important things in life.
John
 
Lionheart said:
Scott,

We share the same surgeon and I too run now after my AVR. Not as far or fast as you but farther and faster than I could before AVR.

LilTeach,

I try to keep that feeling that you expressed about remembering what is really important. I felt the same before my surgery and as I heal and feel physically normal, I find that it is easy to forget that I was blessed with a gift that I must use to its fullest. I visit this site everyday to remind me that I must not forget the important things in life.
John
Click to expand...

I ran track in high school and was in drill team and dance as well. I am so glad this valve never gave me issues when I was in my younger years. I would love to run again...maybe I'll do that one day. It's so hot and humid in Houston though.
 
All in all my lifestyle is much healthier:) ... I had already quit alcohol but since surgery I have quit smoking started exercising (some) and lost weight .... Oh, and I go to the doctor more than ever before:mad:
 
I think this is really an important topic, just because of the nature of valve surgery, different from CABG surgery.
I got into pets big time, that is, lots of them, pet yeast that is. I started making wine of rather poor quality, and beer of rather delicious quality.
 
I exercise (ick). Although I'd already started a diet a few weeks before I was diagnosed, I have kept off 40 pounds since.
I try to stop and smell the roses more. I have found myself saying "life is too short to deal with that" and simply refuse to engage in trivial, unnecessary disagreements.
 
Pre op I just took a deep breath and dove in without thinking about it.
This may have helped with the pre surgey anxiety,but it certainly didn't
help afterwards. I only put off all the anxiety until later- I mean , the
adrenaline has to go somewhere at some time.So postop,I found myself
a little shaken and somewhat lost. I think letting your feelings flower
before surgery,puts you on a firmer path to healing later. Going my route
just slows down the process. It sounds like you are on the better path:)

I know this doesn't address your topic very well,kinda jumps off
track a little,but I think it relates.
 
lilteach3234 said:
How have you changed and what things have you done since surgery?
Click to expand...

Can't 100% say surgery changed me or that I've done things different since surgery ... since I've always had this. I've never known a "normal" life, with surgeries in 1977, 1987 and 2003.

*shrugs*

And, yet, at one point, I was a very bitter person. Then, after my 2003 surgery, something "snapped" ... and I became better....



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...MidW Event = 04/04/09
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"There's no better time than today" ... 9 Days ... 'Good Friend'
 
Me???????
I found happiness!!!!!
I have had alot of things happen since my surgery almost 9 years ago.....but the best beyond ALL was to discover what it is like to be in a relationship based on the needs of the other....rather than the needs of the individual........
Stop; take time and enjoy the new day you have been given.....

Ben
 
I exercised before, but now take it much more seriously and work twice as hard, as I appreciate life more than ever and want to live a long one! Another big one is that I don't sweat the small stuff nearly as much, especially when it comes to my kids. I also try to say what I mean and mean what I say (actually works sometimes, still working on it..). I'm sure there's more but those just came to mind.
 
How things have changed -

  • Stopped sweatin' the small stuff
    Learned to appreciate the tick tock sound of a well made clock
    Got really good at explaining to people that "no, I didn't have a bypass.."
    No longer fear needles
    Am on a first-name basis with a large number of medical staff at a metro Seattle hospital :eek:
    Have given myself approximately 500 Lovenox shots for various procedures
    Since I'm on Coumadin now, I decided to take up shooting as a hobby
    Shooting was not dangerous enough, so now I reload my own ammo too
    Had to sell my high-power Ham radio gear when I got the pacemaker :mad::mad:

And the best thing I've done since my surgery: Survived
 
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