While I am more than happy to toot my own horn, pat myself on the back etc - my motivation to post my exploits is to give hope to those on the other side of surgery or just coming out of it.
I know that when I was told I had to have the surgery I really felt like my life was over, that I wasn't in the game any more. I felt like a ghost haunting my own life. Boy was I wrong. In less than six months I am back in the game, better than ever.
I also want people to be aware of how great a role physical conditioning plays in recovery. I know we all face varying restrictions on our exercise because of our hearts but that just makes it even more important that we be careful about what we eat and be as active as we can. I am no health food nut but I eat pretty fresh and don't eat too much. I exercise regularly, to the limits set by my doctor. I did this both pre and post surgery. I was walking laps in the hospital the day after surgery and went home after three days - and I was a rodeo competitor four months post surgery.
I think the amazing medical staff at St. Lukes in Boise gets most of the credit but the second most important part is that my body was as fit as possible pre-surgery and I followed up with diligent rehab post surgery.
