Received a call today from my Pastor - two people we know in the hospital with heart issues!
Doug
Doug has been a friend of ours for the past 30 years! He described his warning sign to me and it was like the famous catcher for the Yankees said, "It's deja vu all over again." here is how he decried it, "I had pressure in my chest. Whenever I cut grass I had to stop to catch my breath. I felt tired."
Doug will have open heart surgery on Friday this week!
Phil
Phil was a little different. He said it felt like a bad case of indigestion. Had some tingles in his left arm. Phil had a stent put in.
Two new friends and only one qualifies for my zipper club! I guess we will let Phil slide in. He just will not be a voting member!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
More Research on PVC's
I have not researched my PVC issues in some time. My PVC's seem to be under control and still come on when I exercise. Normal walking & light exercise seems to be fine for my heart, but heart rates of 110 to 120 seem to still be the issue. I have learned to slow done & the PVC's will stop.
The research I am doing today is on YouTube. Here is the first video to get into the basics:
This does a great job describing the PVC issues.
The next video is interesting!
I think I'm OK, my PVC's occur during the exercise phase & not the recovery phase.
Check out the heart monitor and what a PVC looks like.
When I did my cardiac rehab I could see my PVC's. Now I wear a monitor for my heart rate & I can see the PVC's as I exercise!
The research I am doing today is on YouTube. Here is the first video to get into the basics:
Heart Palpitations: PVCs and PACs
This does a great job describing the PVC issues.
The next video is interesting!
Recovery PVCs During Treadmill Testing Tied to Heart Disease
I think I'm OK, my PVC's occur during the exercise phase & not the recovery phase.
Check out the heart monitor and what a PVC looks like.
Heart PVC On ECG.
When I did my cardiac rehab I could see my PVC's. Now I wear a monitor for my heart rate & I can see the PVC's as I exercise!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Keeping Busy with New Heart
OK, we are almost at One & a half years from surgery! What is my typical week now?
1 - Track & Field Coach - 6 days a week, from 3-6 PM & all day Saturdays! Of course, with retirement, coaching is different! But the excitement is still there! We have kids going to states this week & that with close another season!!
2 - Golf - Mondays is my retired buddies! We travel the 6 county area and play every Monday morning! The handicap is still the same, but the time with friends is awesome! Enjoying the new driver that my sons gave me for my birthday! - Callaway's - Diablo! And to add to my golf time, the boys - Jared & Josh have been playing a round with their Dad at least twice a month!
3 - Housework! - This is important! Mowing the grass, trimming, flowers & other outside chores! Cleaning inside, dishes, wash, vacuuming and anything to keep my lovely wife happy! (She is still working)
4 - Part-time job - I am working part time for a fired that has a carpet cleaning business! Two days a week, about 6 hours a day!
5 - Volunteer at Church! - The Men's Retired Group will do outside work around the church & inside work such as painting!
The new heart is working well. I will be trying to cut down on work and adding more rest time!
1 - Track & Field Coach - 6 days a week, from 3-6 PM & all day Saturdays! Of course, with retirement, coaching is different! But the excitement is still there! We have kids going to states this week & that with close another season!!
2 - Golf - Mondays is my retired buddies! We travel the 6 county area and play every Monday morning! The handicap is still the same, but the time with friends is awesome! Enjoying the new driver that my sons gave me for my birthday! - Callaway's - Diablo! And to add to my golf time, the boys - Jared & Josh have been playing a round with their Dad at least twice a month!
3 - Housework! - This is important! Mowing the grass, trimming, flowers & other outside chores! Cleaning inside, dishes, wash, vacuuming and anything to keep my lovely wife happy! (She is still working)
4 - Part-time job - I am working part time for a fired that has a carpet cleaning business! Two days a week, about 6 hours a day!
5 - Volunteer at Church! - The Men's Retired Group will do outside work around the church & inside work such as painting!
The new heart is working well. I will be trying to cut down on work and adding more rest time!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
The Post is Dedicated to Shawn Cochran
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
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
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?
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