My battle with heart disease does not even come close to the battle our friend Shawn had with Muscular Distrophy. His battle of close to 30 years ended last week and all week our family has had Shawn & his family in our prayers! What has Shawn's life meant to our family?
1 - His Courage - There are many examples of courage throughout history. There are stories of soldiers like my older son Jared. Our soldiers have put their lives on the line and protected our country and tried to bring freedom to the world. Shawn had courage every day! His battle was against a disease that takes way our freedom of mobility. But Shawn & his family still kept moving! Traveling to over 40 states & three countries, to to movie theaters, Orioles & Ravens games, and anywhere that they could share time together.
2 - His Mind - Our mind is an incredible thing! The disease of Muscular Dystrophy may have slowed Shawn's movement, but his mind was amazing. He was amazing at board games when our families would get together and play. He was on the internet, facebooking friends, researching his favorite subjects, and traveling on the information highway!
3 - His Smile - For all the reasons Shawn had not to smile, we could always count on a BIG smile from Shawn! A smile that we will always remember! And a smile that we will try to continue during our journey through life!
He was a great young man that had an impact of many people! We will miss you Shawn! But we know that you are very mobile now! Walking, running and maybe even flying!!!
Shawn Cochran
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Open Heart Surgery Site
It has be about a year & a half since I did some research on open heart surgery. I found this inter-active site to help learn more about the procedure. Take a look at:
Open Heart Surgery - Anatomy & Surgery
The Anatomy section does a great job of looking at the vocabulary you need to know to be dangerous. And the Surgery side let you actual go through the entire operation! Be careful, if you make the wrong decisions your patient may have problems!!
Open Heart Surgery - Anatomy & Surgery
The Anatomy section does a great job of looking at the vocabulary you need to know to be dangerous. And the Surgery side let you actual go through the entire operation! Be careful, if you make the wrong decisions your patient may have problems!!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Seventeen Months After Open Heart Surgery
I am at the point were at times I forget about my surgery! But yesterday I visited my cousin George after his knee replacement surgery! The memories flashed back! The day after major surgery! Wires all over your body, new medicines, & the lovely smell of hospitals!
George was doing what we all do after a major surgery - just trying to get through to the next day! He are some things that my visit to George reminded me for all you patients our there!
1 - Be Your Own Self Advocate!
Ask questions! If you do not understand something ask the nurse or doctors. Understand what they are doing & how you body is reacting! The ONLY person that know how you feel is you!
2 - Keep Good Notes!
Write down your questions (you may forget). Keep track of your progress, your meds, your therapy. This will not only be a benefit to you, but it will impress (or scare) your doctor!
3 - Heal the Mental Hurt Too!
Along with the physical healing, the mental healing is CRITICAL! You need to stay positive, keep the fight, & talk to people about how you feel! THIS IS HARD FOR MEN! We get a little goofy talking about our feelings!
4 - Have a plan!
While you are laid up have a project! Read a book! Watch a movie! Listen to some music from the "OLD" days! Now that you have the time, use the time wisely!
George was doing what we all do after a major surgery - just trying to get through to the next day! He are some things that my visit to George reminded me for all you patients our there!
1 - Be Your Own Self Advocate!
Ask questions! If you do not understand something ask the nurse or doctors. Understand what they are doing & how you body is reacting! The ONLY person that know how you feel is you!
2 - Keep Good Notes!
Write down your questions (you may forget). Keep track of your progress, your meds, your therapy. This will not only be a benefit to you, but it will impress (or scare) your doctor!
3 - Heal the Mental Hurt Too!
Along with the physical healing, the mental healing is CRITICAL! You need to stay positive, keep the fight, & talk to people about how you feel! THIS IS HARD FOR MEN! We get a little goofy talking about our feelings!
4 - Have a plan!
While you are laid up have a project! Read a book! Watch a movie! Listen to some music from the "OLD" days! Now that you have the time, use the time wisely!
GET BETTER GEORGE!!!!!!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Heart Healthy Diet from Mayo Clinic
How about a heart healthy diet from the Mayo Clinic?
Check out the menu plan at their web site - Special Menu from the DASH Eating Plan
What is DASH? - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
What is an example of one day?
Well time to give it a try?
Check out the menu plan at their web site - Special Menu from the DASH Eating Plan
What is DASH? - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
What is an example of one day?
| Breakfast | 1 small whole-wheat bagel with 2 tablespoons peanut butter (no salt added) 1 medium orange 1 cup fat-free milk Decaffeinated coffee |
| Lunch | Spinach salad made with:
1 cup fat-free milk |
| Dinner | Herb-crusted baked cod, 3 ounces 1/2 cup brown rice pilaf 1/2 cup fresh green beans, steamed 1 small sourdough roll 2 teaspoon trans-free margarine 1 cup fresh berries with chopped mint Herbal iced tea |
| Snack (anytime) | 1 cup fat-free, low-calorie yogurt 4 vanilla wafers |
Well time to give it a try?
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
What Do Open Heart Surgery, Coaching & Pole Vault Have in Common?
After open heart surgery one of the first questions I asked the surgeon was, "Will I be able to pole vault again?" He looked at me like I received a bad batch of meds!!!! He said , "Why would you want do do that?"
For the past 35 years I have coached track & field. For the last 10 years I have focused on pole vault, a track & field event that is awesome! At the age of 50 I participated in the Keystone Games, an annual Pennsylvania competition of many sports, including track & field! That year I finished 3rd in the 50 & over pole vault competition!
My goal was to jump again at age 60! In 2010, my quintuple by-pass, changed my focus! Well, I'm back!!! Tonight I cleared 6 foot! And maybe, in a year & a half I will compete in the Keystone Games again! Let the training begin! And to all my medical heroes, especially Dr. Burlingame - THANKS
For the past 35 years I have coached track & field. For the last 10 years I have focused on pole vault, a track & field event that is awesome! At the age of 50 I participated in the Keystone Games, an annual Pennsylvania competition of many sports, including track & field! That year I finished 3rd in the 50 & over pole vault competition!
My goal was to jump again at age 60! In 2010, my quintuple by-pass, changed my focus! Well, I'm back!!! Tonight I cleared 6 foot! And maybe, in a year & a half I will compete in the Keystone Games again! Let the training begin! And to all my medical heroes, especially Dr. Burlingame - THANKS
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Another Open Heart Surgery Website
Here I am about 17 months after my open heart surgery! Quintuple by-pass. I am constantly looking for new websites. And I found a good one in Savannah, Georgia!
Check it out: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Here are some of the highlights:
Health Information
* Heart Disease
* Heart Disease Symptoms
* Heart Attack
* Heart Murmurs
* Warning Signs
* Risk Factors
* Valve Symptoms
* Diet
* Exercise
* Questions & Answers
* Heart Sounds
I looked at the Warning Signs & compared it to my issues:
My symptoms were - shortness of breath, weakness, feeling tired!
The site has many other topics! Have a look & take good care of that HEART!!!
Check it out: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Here are some of the highlights:
Health Information
* Heart Disease
* Heart Disease Symptoms
* Heart Attack
* Heart Murmurs
* Warning Signs
* Risk Factors
* Valve Symptoms
* Diet
* Exercise
* Questions & Answers
* Heart Sounds
I looked at the Warning Signs & compared it to my issues:
Click to Enlarge
My symptoms were - shortness of breath, weakness, feeling tired!
The site has many other topics! Have a look & take good care of that HEART!!!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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!
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)