There are many questions people have about Open Heart Surgery. One of the biggest questions is getting in there to do the work - that means opening the chest! Wooo! And of course, the most important part is closing it up & healing!
In 9 days I will be 6 months out from my surgery December 13th. Almost everything that I have read says the bone should be healed in about 6-8 weeks. As far as healing, I think my sternum seems solid - I have played golf, used a chainsaw, pushed my lawn mower, shoveled in the garden, and even done regular push-ups!
There are times I do feel pain around the incision. It usually happens after a workout. I still have numbness around the incision. At times, if I grab something using a bad angle - like shutting a sliding glass door - I feel pain. The first time golfing, I took one big divot - Pain!
I still need to watch my total weight that I lift and the angles that I lift, push or pull objects.
The steel wire, Sternal Closing Wire, will at times "tweak" areas where it was used. Take a look st the Sternal Wire Website by clicking this link.
The goals of this blog are: 1 - Share Heart information with friends and family 2 - Learn as much about MY heart as possible 3 - Make this a positive learning experience for all!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Running After Open Heart Bypass Surgery
I have been researching articles about running after open heart bypass surgery. I found a lot of stories of success! One article discussed how to strat back to running. Here was their suggestions:
Well, I'm almost at the 6 month time period. I will wait till after my check-up on June 20th and the discussion on my PVC issues. Here are the key points that I think I will try:
1 - first walk comfortably for 45-60 minutes.
2 - sprinkle in a little running (30-60) seconds
3 - slowly increase the running minutes
Sounds like a plan!
I've seen some get back to running in 6-8 months, while others needed a little longer. Once you graduate from cardiac rehab (and get the go ahead from your doctor) and are able to walk comfortably for 45-60 minutes, you'll be at the point where you can incorporate running into your program again. Start slowly with mostly walking and sprinkle in a little bit of running. For example, warm up walking 5 minutes, then run for 30-60 seconds, followed by walking for 3-4 minutes (or until you catch your breath). Repeat this for 20 minutes and cool down with 5 minutes of walking. Repeat this workout three times per week on alternate days for at least 2-3 weeks. Then, if things go well progress to 25-30 minutes. Continue to progress as your body allows first by building up to walking a lot and running a little for 30 minutes and then, increasing the number of running minutes.
Well, I'm almost at the 6 month time period. I will wait till after my check-up on June 20th and the discussion on my PVC issues. Here are the key points that I think I will try:
1 - first walk comfortably for 45-60 minutes.
2 - sprinkle in a little running (30-60) seconds
3 - slowly increase the running minutes
Sounds like a plan!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
24 Weeks and Counting!
Back to work, coaching, getting ready for retirement - these are the things that make keeping a blog very difficult! I think I will try to continue with 2-3 posts per week & when retirement starts, I will focus more on recovery & what the next 6 months will be like!
Observations:
1 - Today I noticed that as I closed the sliding glass door to the deck, the incision still is painful. The awkward position of closing the door with one arm, still "pulled" on the incision. I still need to do some things with two hands and be mindful of the angle that my arms are lifting, pushing & pulling.
2 - The meds seem to be having no real side effects. I am tired at time & sleep well. The Metoprolol that I am taking to lower my blood pressure is making me tired, but not to the point that I am falling asleep during the day.
3 - I still feel issues walking at a brisk rate & walking up hills. I am sure with my June 20th cardiologist appointment we will discuss. My next stress test is in September, so I will just need to be on top of those extra heart beats.
4 - Daily chores. I am mowing the grass (push mower), using a chain saw and cutting tree limbs, trimming bushes, and feel pretty good. I do get tired & need to take more breaks, but at age 58 that may be part of the new reality!
5 - Coaching was more physical this year. Coaching the pole vault, I was always carrying poles, spotting kids that fly the wrong direction, and on my feet for long periods of time. I must admit, there were days when I was very tired & felt exhausted when I got home. Not many things got accomplished around the house after 6 PM! But it was worth it! The boy team won another State Title! It was great to get back & be a part of another State Championship!
Observations:
1 - Today I noticed that as I closed the sliding glass door to the deck, the incision still is painful. The awkward position of closing the door with one arm, still "pulled" on the incision. I still need to do some things with two hands and be mindful of the angle that my arms are lifting, pushing & pulling.
2 - The meds seem to be having no real side effects. I am tired at time & sleep well. The Metoprolol that I am taking to lower my blood pressure is making me tired, but not to the point that I am falling asleep during the day.
3 - I still feel issues walking at a brisk rate & walking up hills. I am sure with my June 20th cardiologist appointment we will discuss. My next stress test is in September, so I will just need to be on top of those extra heart beats.
4 - Daily chores. I am mowing the grass (push mower), using a chain saw and cutting tree limbs, trimming bushes, and feel pretty good. I do get tired & need to take more breaks, but at age 58 that may be part of the new reality!
5 - Coaching was more physical this year. Coaching the pole vault, I was always carrying poles, spotting kids that fly the wrong direction, and on my feet for long periods of time. I must admit, there were days when I was very tired & felt exhausted when I got home. Not many things got accomplished around the house after 6 PM! But it was worth it! The boy team won another State Title! It was great to get back & be a part of another State Championship!