Found this article about life after open heart bypass surgery. Found it very interesting and topics seemed relevant to me. What I will do is rate myself on the topics, which are:
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Daily Exercise
Keeping Your Arteries Clear
Smoking
High Blood Pressure
Diabetes
Elevated Cholesterol
Sedentary Lifestyle
Stress
Diet
Cardiac Rehabilitation - Grade A-
I have been very faithful with my cardiac rehab! The only reason I did not give myself an A+ is the fact that I have been kicked out 3 times because of my PVC's! But I keep going back & try my best at rehab. I love working out & must stay faithful when rehab is over - I have completed 31 of 36 sessions.
Daily Exercise - Grade B-
This is now more difficult. I wake up at 5:30 AM and get to school by 6:30 AM. I never enjoyed morning exercise and my schedule in the morning is tight. And, now that I am coaching, the exercise must happen after supper time. In my job, I do move around all day & coaching is also a constant movement - so that must help my exercise to some degree. Weekends will help & I must plan to get the exercise when possible.
Keeping Your Arteries Clear - Grade A-
My last blood test was great - Total Cholesterol - 126 - LDL 73 - HDL - 35. What I really need to work on is the HDL - my goal is 50. Mor e exercise & lose 10 more pounds!
Smoking - Grade A+
This is simple - I do not smoke! (Except an occasional victory cigar!)
High Blood Pressure - Grade A+
This is also simple - my blood pressure is normal. Today before rehab it was 120/72
Diabetes - Grade A+
My blood sugar is normal - no diabetic problems.
Elevated Cholesterol - Grade A+
See above!
Sedentary Lifestyle - Grade A
I do not sit around, except at night or football, baseball & John Wayne movies!
Stress - Grade B-
This is a tricky one. I think I'm pretty good at this. The only problem I have is my schedule & that should get better in 2 months when I retire! I need to be careful and not say YES to too many things!
Diet - Grade B-
Need to better job on portion size and eating after 6 PM. I have stayed with a heart healthy diet. My treats are cereal (Cheerioes), popcorn, and angel food cake. Need to watch my portion sized and little things like lunch time sandwiches (white bread to wheat). Going out to eat I usually order salads, fish & chicken.
So overall I give myself an A- - What do you think?
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
One Week Back at Work
Today was the first full week back at work. If it wasn't for my persistent PVC's, work after open heart would not be too bad. I would say with most people, going back after 2-3 months would be possible. Any jobs that would demand heavy lifting or physical labor may take up to 6 months to be back and tackle those type of jobs.
The schedule is critical! I'm trying very hard (and it is NOT easy) to do too many hours. As I said in an earlier post, my 12 hour days were probably part of my problem. It leads to poor eating habits, poor exercise habits, and not enough down time! I'm trying very hard to take a day or two a week and cut back my work hours. Luckily, I am sharing a coaching position, so I can rest & do what I need to do for myself.
So, I need to watch the hours, eat properly, and continue my exercise routine!!!!
The schedule is critical! I'm trying very hard (and it is NOT easy) to do too many hours. As I said in an earlier post, my 12 hour days were probably part of my problem. It leads to poor eating habits, poor exercise habits, and not enough down time! I'm trying very hard to take a day or two a week and cut back my work hours. Luckily, I am sharing a coaching position, so I can rest & do what I need to do for myself.
So, I need to watch the hours, eat properly, and continue my exercise routine!!!!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Cardio Files
Found another good resource for after surgery & open heart bypass. This patient is 4 months out and still suffers from shortness of breath. It is an interesting discussion, have a look at Cardio Files!
One of the discussion topics is heading back to work and your state of mind:
There's another side, as you know, to the matter of recovery from this kind of life threatening experience. It really plays havoc with your mind. I was fortunate and didn't suffer too much in that department because I made a very good recovery, quickly. But I know of people who are very afraid of going back to work in fear of stressing their heart too much to the point of being debilitated almost "thinking of work". Cardiac rehab programs can help a lot there because they bring you along on an nutrition, antistress, and exercise program with physiotherapists and nurses.
I think in my case there are many concerns, plus the PVC's I'm experiencing:
* heading back to work
* coaching
* church meetings
* retirement
* as I mentioned - PVC's
Managing all this the next few months will be my challenge - making wise decisions to slow down will be a goal as I recover the next 2-3 months.
One of the discussion topics is heading back to work and your state of mind:
There's another side, as you know, to the matter of recovery from this kind of life threatening experience. It really plays havoc with your mind. I was fortunate and didn't suffer too much in that department because I made a very good recovery, quickly. But I know of people who are very afraid of going back to work in fear of stressing their heart too much to the point of being debilitated almost "thinking of work". Cardiac rehab programs can help a lot there because they bring you along on an nutrition, antistress, and exercise program with physiotherapists and nurses.
I think in my case there are many concerns, plus the PVC's I'm experiencing:
* heading back to work
* coaching
* church meetings
* retirement
* as I mentioned - PVC's
Managing all this the next few months will be my challenge - making wise decisions to slow down will be a goal as I recover the next 2-3 months.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Forget the PVC's - It's Time for Medical Humor!
Good medicine - LAUGHTER! How about some one liners! As you read these think of Rodney Dangerfield delivering the one liner! If you don't know who Rodney Dangerfield is - TOO BAD!
ONE LINERS
Today 4 out of 5 doctors recommend another doctor.
I stopped taking tranquilizers. I was starting to be nice to people I didn't even want to talk to.
New pill to increase virility. It backfired and I got hemorrhoids.
We used to take life with a grain of salt. Now it is with 5
milligrams of Valium.
My mom takes so many Iron tablets the only time she feels good is when she's facing magnetic north. My brothers are fighting over her mineral rights.
A young housewife asked her friend, "What is that you're taking --The pill?"
"No it's a tranquilizer. I forgot to take the pill."
Do your drug experimenting on politicians.
Miracle drug--Anything that will do 25% as much as the label says.
Miracle drug--Anything the kids will take without screaming.
The doctor used so many medicines he didn't know which one worked.
At the psychiatrists office a homely woman came in depressed. "I'm lonely. I have no friends. Doctor can you help me accept my ugliness?"
Psychatrist: "I think I can. Go lay face down on the couch."
Socialized Medicine is where the psychiatrist lays down on the couch with you.
Hypochondriac: Someone who takes different pills than you do.
Hypocrite: Someone who complains about sex, drugs and violence on their VCR.
Hospital bills now are divided into parts and labor.
If laughter was the best medicine doctors would find a way to
charge for it.
We need a good affordable disease.
My artificial kidney got kidney stones.
Germs attack the weakest part of your body--the head.
Get well cards are so much fun people are trying to get sick.
Modern day prescription--take one pill as often as you can afford it.
Side effect of new wonder drugs--Bankruptcy.
Say what you want about managed health care. It's given us more ulcers.
I caught the bouquet at a funeral.
Said by a Man: My health insurance policy only pays if I get
pregnant.
The latest managed care program was named after a pizza parlor--Shakees.
This managed care movement is picking up steam. That's what happens when you're going down hill.
Car dealers are your friends. Now have a new car sickness pill.
Take one before each payment.
If you don't take some kind of pill your colleagues will think
you're over confidant.
The country is picking up steam. Doctors are steamed,
pharmaceutical companies are steamed, and the public is steamed.
Did you hear about the two podiatrists who were arch rivals.
Podiatrists are good at thinking on your feet.
Sign in podiatrist's office "Toe Zone.
Podiatrists have a real foothold on the medical profession.
Thanks to the tremendous strides in medicine people are living longer. This gives them the extra time needed to pay their medical bills.
The doctor said to let him know how my prescription works because he's having the same problem himself.
What's the death rate? One to a person.
My inner child was adopted.
The new drugs are so exciting I feel like I'm missing something by being in good health.
Drug abuse used to be two doses of castor oil.
Penicillin has been called the "wonder drug" because any time the doctor wonders what you have, that's what you get.
To find out what your doctor recommends just watch TV. It's a lot cheaper.
ONE LINERS
Today 4 out of 5 doctors recommend another doctor.
I stopped taking tranquilizers. I was starting to be nice to people I didn't even want to talk to.
New pill to increase virility. It backfired and I got hemorrhoids.
We used to take life with a grain of salt. Now it is with 5
milligrams of Valium.
My mom takes so many Iron tablets the only time she feels good is when she's facing magnetic north. My brothers are fighting over her mineral rights.
A young housewife asked her friend, "What is that you're taking --The pill?"
"No it's a tranquilizer. I forgot to take the pill."
Do your drug experimenting on politicians.
Miracle drug--Anything that will do 25% as much as the label says.
Miracle drug--Anything the kids will take without screaming.
The doctor used so many medicines he didn't know which one worked.
At the psychiatrists office a homely woman came in depressed. "I'm lonely. I have no friends. Doctor can you help me accept my ugliness?"
Psychatrist: "I think I can. Go lay face down on the couch."
Socialized Medicine is where the psychiatrist lays down on the couch with you.
Hypochondriac: Someone who takes different pills than you do.
Hypocrite: Someone who complains about sex, drugs and violence on their VCR.
Hospital bills now are divided into parts and labor.
If laughter was the best medicine doctors would find a way to
charge for it.
We need a good affordable disease.
My artificial kidney got kidney stones.
Germs attack the weakest part of your body--the head.
Get well cards are so much fun people are trying to get sick.
Modern day prescription--take one pill as often as you can afford it.
Side effect of new wonder drugs--Bankruptcy.
Say what you want about managed health care. It's given us more ulcers.
I caught the bouquet at a funeral.
Said by a Man: My health insurance policy only pays if I get
pregnant.
The latest managed care program was named after a pizza parlor--Shakees.
This managed care movement is picking up steam. That's what happens when you're going down hill.
Car dealers are your friends. Now have a new car sickness pill.
Take one before each payment.
If you don't take some kind of pill your colleagues will think
you're over confidant.
The country is picking up steam. Doctors are steamed,
pharmaceutical companies are steamed, and the public is steamed.
Did you hear about the two podiatrists who were arch rivals.
Podiatrists are good at thinking on your feet.
Sign in podiatrist's office "Toe Zone.
Podiatrists have a real foothold on the medical profession.
Thanks to the tremendous strides in medicine people are living longer. This gives them the extra time needed to pay their medical bills.
The doctor said to let him know how my prescription works because he's having the same problem himself.
What's the death rate? One to a person.
My inner child was adopted.
The new drugs are so exciting I feel like I'm missing something by being in good health.
Drug abuse used to be two doses of castor oil.
Penicillin has been called the "wonder drug" because any time the doctor wonders what you have, that's what you get.
To find out what your doctor recommends just watch TV. It's a lot cheaper.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tomorrow Will be 16 Weeks After Surgery!
Sixteen Sundays ago, December 12th, I was getting mentally prepared for surgery! And now, 16 weeks later, here is the "State of the Heart" speech!
Medicines
Lipitor - 40 mg - continue as usual, remember, before the operation it was 10 mg
Metoprolol - 100 mg - because of PVC's this has changed twice - 25-50-100 mg
Plavix - - 75 mg - continue as usual
Amlodipine - 5 mg - Thought I would stop, but must continue because my second heart cath, that showed that my one bypass had a spasm.
Aspirin - 81 mg - continue as usual
Nitroglycerin - only take in an emergency - if I am working out or feel that tightness in my chest like I had before surgery, I need to spray this under my tongue and hope for the best!
The other two meds - Singulair(10 mg) & Aciphex(20 mg), I still take for asthma & stomach issues.
My strength is coming back and chest is feeling stronger each week. In rehab, I am still doing wall pushups, but I have upped my lifting - Ex: 25 lbs one arm bent rowing, 20 lb one arm curls. etc. I was out in the yard raking this weekend and felt not problems in the chest & shoulder areas. I will try to hit a few golf balls at the range this week! I only have a slight pain at the top of my chest, where they
Sleeping is awesome now that I am back to work, coaching and doing rehab! The only issue may be I am starting to feel the extra beta-blocker - Metoprolol, which lowers my blood pressure. May need to back off my hours and get more rest!
Mentally, I need to stay positive & not let the extra PVC's get to me. The only issue I have is at rehab, when the nurses can see my extra beats and I know they are concerned. I will attempt to avoid eye contact and pedal, row, and walk to a relaxing vacation at the beach!
Spiritually, I need to focus my prayers on the PVC's! Just like my heart surgery, when I pictured God's hands guiding the surgeons, I will focus on God's hands solving the electrical issues and solving the timing issues in my ticker!
Medicines
Lipitor - 40 mg - continue as usual, remember, before the operation it was 10 mg
Metoprolol - 100 mg - because of PVC's this has changed twice - 25-50-100 mg
Plavix - - 75 mg - continue as usual
Amlodipine - 5 mg - Thought I would stop, but must continue because my second heart cath, that showed that my one bypass had a spasm.
Aspirin - 81 mg - continue as usual
Nitroglycerin - only take in an emergency - if I am working out or feel that tightness in my chest like I had before surgery, I need to spray this under my tongue and hope for the best!
The other two meds - Singulair(10 mg) & Aciphex(20 mg), I still take for asthma & stomach issues.
My strength is coming back and chest is feeling stronger each week. In rehab, I am still doing wall pushups, but I have upped my lifting - Ex: 25 lbs one arm bent rowing, 20 lb one arm curls. etc. I was out in the yard raking this weekend and felt not problems in the chest & shoulder areas. I will try to hit a few golf balls at the range this week! I only have a slight pain at the top of my chest, where they
Sleeping is awesome now that I am back to work, coaching and doing rehab! The only issue may be I am starting to feel the extra beta-blocker - Metoprolol, which lowers my blood pressure. May need to back off my hours and get more rest!
Mentally, I need to stay positive & not let the extra PVC's get to me. The only issue I have is at rehab, when the nurses can see my extra beats and I know they are concerned. I will attempt to avoid eye contact and pedal, row, and walk to a relaxing vacation at the beach!
Spiritually, I need to focus my prayers on the PVC's! Just like my heart surgery, when I pictured God's hands guiding the surgeons, I will focus on God's hands solving the electrical issues and solving the timing issues in my ticker!