Life After Open Heart Surgery - Robin Williams

Sharing your open heart stories with your buddies is the best thing, but reading about others is also refreshing.  One of my favorite comedians is Robin Williams.  He is definitely "Off the Wall!", and his stand up comedy, movies, and late night visits to the talk shows is never dull!  Take a look at the the article below about his life after open heart surgery!

Robin Williams: 'After Heart Surgery, 

Everything Is Gravy'

It changes you!  Even famous people are humbled!  Now Mr. Williams dis not have the by-pass surgery, he had a valve job - a valve from a cow!  Of course for a comedian, that makes for some great jokes!

He discusses the ups & downs, getting that "wake up call", his faith and other things!  Of of course, he shares a laugh or two!

Prescription Heart Drugs

Are you taking heart medicine.  In my blog I have discussed my medicines.  This website has MANY, MANY heart drugs!

Prescription Heart Drugs

I looked up mine & here are some of the comments:

Under Beta Blockers I found: Metoprolol

Side effects:  Dizziness or lightheadedness, tiredness, depression, upset stomach, dry mouth, stomach pain, gas or bloating, heartburn, constipation, rash or itching, cold hands and feet

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctorimmediately:
Shortness of breath,
wheezing,
welling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
unusual weight gain,
fainting,
rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Dosage:   25, 50, 100 mg - (I have been on all of these!)

Under Blood thinners I found - Plavix

Side Effects: Stomach bleeding

Dosage:  75 - 300 mg

Under Calcium Channel Blockers

Side Effects: Dizziness or lightheadedness, flushing (feeling of warmth), headache, excessive tiredness, slower heartbeat, upset stomach, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, dry mouth, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
fainting,
rash,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
fever,
increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)

Dosage:  2.5-10 mg

Under Cholesterol Lowering - Atorvastatin (lipitor)

Side Effects  Constipation

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctorimmediately:
Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness,
lack of energy or fever,
yellowing of the skin or eyes

Dosage:  10-80 mg

Great site to learn more about your heart drugs!

Million Hearts

Become part of a Million Heart!  What is the goal of Million Hearts?

Million Hearts™ is a national initiative that was launched by the Department of Health and Human Services in September 2011 to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years.


Check out the website at - Million Hearts


The website is full of great information, resources, education, news & events and many other heart related issues.

Try out the Heart Risk Calculator

Zipper Club

Another day and another breakfast with a "zipper club" buddy.  Rob is doing OK, but like many of my buddies has good & bad days!  Like many of us, we have our own issues on top of the heart issues!  Rob, is a Vietnam War Vet and is battling the government for his benefits!

All my "zipper club" buddies are fighting their own individual issues along with our new heart! And we are all not getting any younger!  But, the one thing we all like is getting together, eating, and discussing life!  So, our meetings are therapeutic!

Below are a few blogs of random "zipper club" people!

Welcome to The Zipper Club

Open Heart Surgery Survivors - Zipper Club

Joining the Zipper Club

Welcome to The Zipper Club

Strong Heart, Slacker Support

The Zipper Club.net

Heart Healthy Diet

Doing some more research on a heart healthy diet.  Found this article at:

Mayo Clinic - Heart Healthy Diet - 8 Steps to prevent heart disease

The eight steps are:

1. Limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol

2. Choose low-fat protein sources

3. Eat more vegetables and fruits

4. Select whole grains

5. Reduce the sodium in your food

6. Control your portion size

7. Plan ahead: Create daily menus

8. Allow yourself an occasional treat

So far, I have been changing my diet, but after 16 months from my open heart surgery it is easy to slip!!  From the list above, the easiest for me is #1, 3, 5, & 8!  I'm great at #8!  Going out to eat is not to bad, except for #6.  Most of the places we good give a nice size proportion, and of course I usually clean my plate!  

How To Cope with Tax-Time Stress

OK.  For a healthy heart you need to handle stress!  And at this time of the year - April 15 means TAX TIME!!!!!  Are you done yet?

Check ou the article - Web MD - How to Cope with Tax-Time Stress!

The hints from Web MD?

Herewith, a few tips for stressed-out taxpayers:

• To avoid last-minute stress, file early and break up the job into little pieces, Mellan suggests. Do your taxes while listening to music or whatever else makes you feel relaxed.
  
• For filers with math anxiety, Mellan recommends hiring a preparer or investing in tax software. Tax software typically collects information through an "interview" and the computer does all the calculations.
  
• Fractious couples should strategize on ways to avoid chronic money fights, Mellan says. For example, try communicating financial information through notes or other modes that won't carry an accusatory tone.
  
• McCall suggests channeling tax-time stress into a resolution to track your finances more carefully. Better money management is the best way to avoid unpleasant surprises each year, she says.
  
• Finally, if you're feeling overwhelmed, you can turn to your buddies at the IRS. Options include filing an extension or setting up an installment plan for tax payment. For more details, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

What do you think?

Sixteen Months After Open Heart Surgery

Another milestone - 16 months after open heart surgery!  What are my observations?

Physical

I feel good!  My chest has healed to the point I do not worry about my chest!  The bone seems strong!  I can sneeze HARD and not worry about hugging myself!  Pushups, swinging a golf club, mowing grass, and my normal activities are no problem!

I need to continue to workout.  My weight has edged back to the 190 pound mark.  At one point I was down to about 180, but food is again tasting good!!  I still try to be careful with my cholesterol & fat intake!  The problem is my schedule!  Believe it or not, I'm busy again!  That was an issue before the operation!  Between, a part time job, coaching, church volunteering, yard work, golf, house work, (I'm Mr. Mom till my wife retires!), and my zipper club buddies - I'm Busy!!!

Mental

I feel good about my new heart!  The extra heart beats, PVC's, are not an issue.  I still have them, but have learned my limits & they seem to be under control.  Aging is interesting!  And heart health & regular health concerns are part of the process!  As I have said in the past, one of the best ways to stay positive, is to stay involved with my "zipper club" buddies!  We share our health issues, talk sports, talk about our families, golf, and meet for breakfast & lunch!  I find it healthy for me to support my friends!

Medicines

The medicine I take seem to be working.  Cholesterol is under control, PVC's are less troublesome, and my body seems to be not suffering from side effects!