Replies

1. 
   SparrowHawk | Sep 17, 2003 12:48pm | #1

   Hi Chad,

   The human body is amazingly resilient. One of my closest friends is a cop and has had a great many misfortunes with his body. He has been shot twice at different times with both bullets striking his heart and one left a fragment that still remains. Last year he had quadruple bypass surgery as well as shunts which laid him low for a time. But he returned to work before long and rapidly became as active as he ever was. Hang in there ... I'm sure you'll be just fine before you know it and probably feeling better than you have in a long time.

   Be safe,
   Ken

2. 
   BG | Sep 17, 2003 01:16pm | #2

   Chad,

   Just a couple of quick comments. First, when your doctor says full recovery that means no serious heart damage was incurred and the heart muscle is fine. Second, for who knows how long, your heart and body has had inadequate blood flow thereby depriving the muscles of oxygen and nutrients to help do the work and help recover.  So when you ask will your strength return...it seems to me you got lots of opportunities to go past your old levels.

   Surgery, 'they' say, really takes about a year to fully recover from.  You'd be smart to attend a supervised program for recuperation....You need to nudge the body into improvement through adaptation..not beat it up.  good luck

3. 
   Leonardo | Sep 17, 2003 03:42pm | #3

   Hey Chad,

   I had cardiac surgery coming up on four years ago.  My younger brother had a triple two months before that.  We are both doing great as of today.  I returned to work after a few weeks, but as mentioned above, it takes a while to get back in shape.  Don't push it too much, but don't become a cardiac invalid either.  I strongly recommend a supervised cardiac rehab program.

   I'm retired now, and love it.  With today’s amazing cardiac medicine and surgical techniques, what would have been life altering or fatal just a few years ago, is now just a big bump in the road.

   Good health to you, 

   Len

1. 
   cft353 | Sep 17, 2003 05:18pm | #4

   Thanks, guys - you bring tears of relief to my eyes, you really do! I hear what you're saying about it taking time to recuperate. If I know me I'll probably do a bit too much too soon once or twice, then really get the message after I've had to spend a day or two on my fanny to recover...BG, I like what you say about "full recovery" maybe meaning "better than before"! Fortunately the need for the surgery was discovered before a "carfdiac event" had occurred so there was in fact no damage. Cool, huh?

   Thanks again!

1. 
   BG | Sep 17, 2003 05:48pm | #5

   Chad,

   I didn't want to say "better than before"...cause you never know on these posts if the wife is reading it too...;-)

2. 
   SparrowHawk | Sep 18, 2003 01:14pm | #11

   Hi Chad,

   You need to find some means of exercise that you are comfortable doing and give yourself a chance to make it a habit. Two years ago I got a NordicTrack skier and decided it was time to begin an exercise program. I'm not comfortable in gyms and didn't want to be weather dependent so I decided the skier was the way to go for me. I set it up in my shop and look at my wood while I work out. Thinking about projects and planning takes my mind off sweating (and counting!). I started out slowly but now do 40 minutes a day, 6 days a week and have lost a bit over 100 lbs not to mention having a much healthier cardiovascular system (and more plans and ideas for projects than I'll ever have time to do!). It gets to be a habit so that you actually feel something is missing in your life should you be unable to exercise one day (although this takes some time). Start whatever program you are comfortable with slowly and follow your doctor's orders but you'll be really surprised at your recovery and how much better you'll feel once you get further along.

   Be safe,Ken

4. 
   billyg83440 | Sep 17, 2003 06:13pm | #6

   Talk to your dr. and start his recommended exercise program. From what I understand, if you do the proper exercises your chances of having a long healthy life from here on out improve dramatically.

   Maybe you can get in better shape then before.

   Best of luck

   Billy

5. 
   forestgirl | Sep 17, 2003 07:09pm | #7

   Chad, I'm so glad you made it through the surgery OK and are getting positive predictions from the one's who know here at Knots!  I want to second (4th?) the suggestion to establish an exercise program.  A cardiac rehab program is certainly ideal.  But keep in mind, even during times when you have trouble (discipline-wise, busy schedule, for instance) keeping up with a serious exercise program, simply walking or spending 20 minutes on an inclined treadmill (Gasp!) is really good for your heart, circulatory system and to keep that internal fat stuff reduced.

   Best of luck to you!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   cft353 | Sep 18, 2003 05:53am | #8

   I personally would really rather watch flies making little baby flies than get on a treadmill, stationary bike, etc., but for about a year and a half the dog and I have been doing just-about daily walking program. Remarkable how all that conditioning goes away when thet cut your chest open! LOL The surgery was just last Friday. They suggest a 5 min. walk 2x a day to start. When I recover enough to be able to walk 5 minutes in a row I'm going to start! Right now it's all I can do to get from the couch to the fridge or bathroom.

   Meanwhile, those of you who know the words can join in: "God is good/all the time..."

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 18, 2003 06:50am | #9

   I know what you mean about treadmills!  I got me a big dog (collie) now, and he keeps me movin' each day.  Those walks are very helpful!  I'm one of those people that hates exercise just for the sake of it, but who will work until I drop at something like field mowing or splitting wood or other gross-motor outdoor activity.  Problem is, in the wintertime there's not much of that kind of stuff to do, and I'm a whimp about the cold.

   Hang in there guy, keep makin' those trips to the fridge (and the bathroom of course, LOL).  You'll do great.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   billyg83440 | Sep 18, 2003 07:10pm | #12

   That's the worst part of being down and out. The weakness.

   I always thought if I was ever laid up, I could just read a lot. I'm a voracious reader.

   Well, I had an accident and it actually happened. Couldn't read much as a small paperback book was much too heavy. I could get through a short magazine article before having to put the magazine down to REST.

   Never understood before that just how difficult the simplest things could be. Or how lousy tv is, no matter how many channels you have, when you're stuck watching it all day.

   Glad to hear you're getting better.

6. 
   adair | Sep 18, 2003 12:49pm | #10

   Chad

   Glad to hear all went well.It wouldn't take long to get back to normal, and my guess "better".I had a metal valve installed June 19th, and I'm back doing the same things I did before......but more careful, and I work much longer and do not get tired. I shuffled around for about four or five weeks and then the next day the engine kicked-in and I was off and running (fast shuffle)....once the pills get washed through your system things will change. Take care, and remember, they found our problem before it happened.

7. 
   forestgirl | Sep 18, 2003 07:44pm | #13

   Chad, one other suggestion (assuming it's OK with your doctor):  Take some not-too-strong Vitamin B complex.  It will help your body deal with the stress of the surgery (should have mentioned it a few days ago, sorry!).  I had a friend several years ago who was reallllly having trouble recovering, and the said the Vit. B helped alot.  I've used it after all three general-anesthesia surgeries I've had.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

8. 
   mso | Sep 18, 2003 11:45pm | #14

   I had a similar experience just under one year ago, and the recovery went fine. Surgery on Friday, home Tuesday, back to work the following Monday with 10 pound lifting restrictions for a month (my wife carried in the groceries, took out the trash - one short-term benefit), then 30 pounds, then after three months no retrictions. I changed my diet slightly (no butter, no cream), take a cholestrol lowering drug, and exercise 45 minutes minimum daily, getting my heart rate up to a sustained 145-150. So, it was essentially a three-month period before I could do whatever I wanted to do.

   Good luck with your recovery.

1. 
   cft353 | Sep 19, 2003 04:07am | #15

   Thanks again, all. I really am touched that you took the time to respond and share your experiences. Woodworkers are the best!

   P.S., made it to the mailbox and back today, 150 ft. ; )