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Master and Commander
Posts: 1835
Location: Boydton, Virginia | Subject: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Just was released from the hospital a couple hours ago, am staying with my sister for a few days before taking the 4 hour trip home. All things considered, I'm doing better than I ever expected, and better than some of the doctors and nurses did, too. My spirits are up, just feeling right puny right now.
Now I gotta tell Ya'll that I am very deeply moved by all the well wishs and sincere concern. Maybe I did a back-field play by not warning Ya'll ahead of time, but after all the fuss Ya'll made over me in February when I had a minor episode, I couldn't make myself do that again, even if it was the "real deal' this time. Ya'll have heard Dex rave on about the difference it makes to have real friends when something big happens. Let me be another to say that these are not just words Ya'll have typed into a magic box, they are connections to my soul. I will eternally be in your debt for your friendships.
I can't close without bragging about the extroidinally high level of care given me at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Virginia. The cardio-vascular surgeon is on of the best in the field, and that ain't no platitude. All my nurses were very professional, caring and courteous. They made my 5 day stay quite tollerable and at times even enjoyable. The health profession has progressed to such a high level of excellence that I fervantly pray that our leaders can find it within thier power to make it available to every US citisen.
Thanks again All. I'm kinda tired an sweaty now, so will sign off till later.
Steamboat sends |
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Old Salt
Posts: 402
| Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Steamboat, It is good to hear that you are doing well!!! My prayers are with you for a full and speedy recovery. You take care of yourself,
Steve |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1431
| Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
He's alive, He's alive!!! Well want ya expect!! He's a sailor!!! Well good on ya and glad to hear your doin well 
Edited by RCK 2009-08-03 2:58 PM
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2540
Location: Wappingers Falls, NY | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Welcome back, John! So glad to hear you got busted out and happy to hear you are feeling better. You just take care of yourself. What Don and Doc said...use that pillow. My Mom practically lived with hers. it can be your saving grace.
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Master and Commander
Posts: 2262
Location: Foothills of the Ozarks | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Great news, John.
Now pretend that pillow is Miss Virginia and hug her like a long lost friend. Don's advice is exactly what you need for the next few days/week along with the other 12000 things your doctor wants you to do
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 6180
Location: Summerville, SC | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
YEEEE-DOGGY!!!!! Good on ya Mate. We're glad to hear you on the board again. Mary kept us posted on your progress and she deserves a big hug. Stay well, my friend.  |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1405
Location: Houston, TX (Best state in the US) | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Great to hear from you, Steamboat! And to find out you are doing well. Take it easy, don't push yourself too hard, but get better soon. Always love to read your posts.
And do we need to send you wife sympathy cards, hee hee hee?
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1263
Location: Va.Beach,Va. | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Welcome back you old fart!Behave yourself and git well.
OBTW,Mary,we're waiting for those pictures of the old man's neckid mug/ |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 2360
| Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Sheeesh, there goes the neighbourhood!
Glad to hear all went well for you mate!
Keep well.
Blue *_* |
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2693
Location: New Jersey | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Welcome back to the world John. How sweet it is! |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 590
Location: Colton, NY | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Steamboat,
Glad to see the future is looking positive.
If the hospital runs a formal cardio rehab program - get into it ASAP.
Our local Hospital runs an excellent program: Three 90 minute
monitored intense sessions a week for twelve weeks. Builds you up.
And mainly convinces one they can cut it and that you ain't gonna keel
over. Big confidence builder. Our facility is 75 feet from the ER. Has
all the usual fitness equipment including weights. Super program - and
the nurses are experts and well trained. They watch you like a hawk
during that twelve week program.
Subsequently one can do twice a week (no longer wired into the
monitor) and can stay as long as you want in a session. Costs six
bucks per session. Also they do BPs and O2 checks frequently in
each session. Check and see if your hospital does that.
Four years ago I did a short tour through the Burlington VT cardio
floor. Those folks are like a JIFFY LUBE. They do so many cardio jobs
that they are very fast and very competent. (My cardio surgeon was a
six foot tall, very cool young Chinese American doc --- and get this: his
name was Doctor Gogo --- my son cracked up when he was
introduced. He said "hey dad ya got yourself a rock_n_roll doc".
Damn fine people and had their s**t together for sure.
Biggest thing I found was --- and this may be a bad analogy so I'll
apologize in advance for anyone who doesn't understand what I mean
--- having a sudden heart prob (minor or major) leaves one feeling
(probably) like a girl who has been raped. In other words, life's comfort
zone has been permanently violated. The trust in a pump that has for
an entire lifetime one has taken for granted now is forever suspect.
Anxiety and paranoia becomes a permanent factor. I'm informed that is
a normal reaction. It sucks. That's a difficult thing for most men to deal
with. Makes one feel like big old pussy. The best thing is to accept it
as part of the deal. Either conscious or sub- conscious. And the
friggin pills every day are a constant reminder that the son-of-a-bitch
let you down. The trust is gone.
Outwardly (if you play it right) no body knows. But the anxieties are
always waiting in the wings for you. Even though all the tests say
you're good to go.
So do not hold back in sharing feelings of anxiety and fear and
depression with your doc. I had a full rerun of tests that said i was
golden. But I still needed a scrip for a magic anxiety pill to take as
needed. Otherwise you'll be cycling through the ER every time you get
a friggin gas pain.
Keep the faith and exercise, exercise, exercise.
Best
Sid
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 597
Location: Tucson, Arizona | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Prayers to you John and welcome back to the real word. So many were with you as I am sure you know - get back to posting and into the swing of things. Get strong, were pulling with and for you.
God Bless
ski |
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Admin
Posts: 2315
Location: Renton, WA | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
It must vary a lot Sid... but I don't think about it at all. Just got home from our last hockey game of the summer season and we only had two lines rather than three (lot's of skating!!). I push the old ticker harder than ever. I also like to learn from dogs... they live in the moment no matter what. I think that's a great model. I don't think I can talk Steamboat into trying hockey but maybe I'll fly out there when he's healed and get some riding lessons! |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1800
Location: Albany, GA. | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Glad the old Reb is back. However, I hear a rumor about training some Norhwest Yankee to ride? You'll first have to convince him there ain't no starter, and if you kick start it, it's likely to kick back. Glad your still around. |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 877
| Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Steamboat,
Glad you're back and getting better.. I can remember from when my father had bypass in 1993 that walking (sorry, no full speed cavalry charges for you) and fresh air help.
Get better soon.. UNION FOREVER |
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Crew
Posts: 98
Location: Lipan, TX | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Sid and Don are both correct. Everyone recovers differently and the post op meds you take can be a factor. I think Sid's anology of "it let you down" is quite accurate and most men have a difficult time dealing with the anxieties that come with that feeling. I'm no expert, but I remember very clearly what my father went through with his first major heart attck in 1985 and then his quintuple bypass in 1998. The man I knew to always be in control, seemed distant and very difficult to get along with. In 84, the only one who could do anything right was his grandson, who was about a year old at the time. I talked to his doctor about what was going on and a slight med change helped him snap out of it.
After his surgery in 98, he was even worse and so very, VERY difficult to get along with. Sadly enough, it took mom's cancer diagnosis, (which we understood at the time, to be a death sentence,) to snap him out of his grizzly bear state and once again become the teddy bear I'd always known to be my father. I've seen and heard of this same behavior from many who've experienced bypass surgery. So as the daughter of a long time Zipper Club member, my best advice for you, Steamboat, is to know and understand some of the emotional changes that you may go through. Don't be so macho that you can't talk about what you are feeling with those who love you and are treating you. You may be the one who was cut open, but they experience pain too!
My best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.
Robin
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2693
Location: New Jersey | Subject: RE: I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
Same with me Don. After my surgery 15 years ago and the normal paranoia about my heart popping out of my chest, I settled down and realized how it changed my entire life, physically as well as mentally. I became a runner, watched my diet carefully and eschewed anything I considered not conducive to my physical & mental well being. That lasted well beyond my ability to run any longer, due to feet & stamina problems.
I continue to maintain a regimen of exercise by walking and kayaking. So John, begin exercising slowly and increase it slowly. I was amazed to see how quickly my body recovered from a quintuple bypass.
Now it's time to get on with your new life John. No looking back, just ahead! Good Luck!
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I'm Alive, I'm Alive!!
