Mended Hearts Open Forum

Hello, Everyone.  I am Penelope Evans.  I am 75 years old, a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of two beautiful little girls.  I am retired after almost 60 years of working as an administrative assistant (mainly in the legal field).  I am a new Mended Hearts member in Lexington, Kentucky.  Although I had a "surprise" triple bypass over two years ago in January, 2016, I truly believe that I have been, as they say, in denial about the seriousness of the lifestyle changes that I have needed to make. After my surgery, I successfully completed a four-month cardiac rehab program.  Except for some painful arthritis, which limits my ability to do aerobic exercise, and recurring AFIB problems (have had this problem for many years prior to CABG surgery), my new heart and I seem to be doing well.  I do, however, need to lose about 20 pounds and pay closer attention to my dietary and exercise habits.  Reading various your various posts has encouraged and energized me!  If you guys can do, so can I!  I am hoping to qualify as a Mended Hearts hospital visitor in the coming months and look forward to participating in this group of folks who have "been there and done that" and understand.

------------------------------
Penelope Evans
Member
Versailles KY
------------------------------

​Dear Penelope,
I am new to this forum.
My husband had quadruple surgery 3 years ago. He was 59 at the time. He is doing great and is often in denial of his heart attack and surgery. The denial was so bad that I started calling his heart attack, the "heart event". I worry about him and we both need to lose weight and have a more active lifestyle.
It sounds like you are doing well. We went onto a serious lifestyle change of eating well and walking but it only lasted for 6 months and then we went back to our old lifestyle ways. I have been overweight for many years and need to lose 60 pounds. it seems very overwhelming at times. My husband has lost about 10 pounds recently and is doing very well healthwise.
I think the hardest part for me is that my husband's personality has changed and I wonder if this is a common occurrence. I feel like I need some support from others who have experienced this.
I am grateful for a forum such as this.
Thank you for listening.
Candra

------------------------------
Candra Fisher
writer, wife, mother, grandmother
Gig Harbor WA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2018 13:18
From: Penelope Evans
Subject: Just introducing myself

Hello, Everyone.  I am Penelope Evans.  I am 75 years old, a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of two beautiful little girls.  I am retired after almost 60 years of working as an administrative assistant (mainly in the legal field).  I am a new Mended Hearts member in Lexington, Kentucky.  Although I had a "surprise" triple bypass over two years ago in January, 2016, I truly believe that I have been, as they say, in denial about the seriousness of the lifestyle changes that I have needed to make. After my surgery, I successfully completed a four-month cardiac rehab program.  Except for some painful arthritis, which limits my ability to do aerobic exercise, and recurring AFIB problems (have had this problem for many years prior to CABG surgery), my new heart and I seem to be doing well.  I do, however, need to lose about 20 pounds and pay closer attention to my dietary and exercise habits.  Reading various your various posts has encouraged and energized me!  If you guys can do, so can I!  I am hoping to qualify as a Mended Hearts hospital visitor in the coming months and look forward to participating in this group of folks who have "been there and done that" and understand.

------------------------------
Penelope Evans
Member
Versailles KY
------------------------------

Original Message------

​Dear Penelope,
I am new to this forum.
My husband had quadruple surgery 3 years ago. He was 59 at the time. He is doing great and is often in denial of his heart attack and surgery. The denial was so bad that I started calling his heart attack, the "heart event". I worry about him and we both need to lose weight and have a more active lifestyle.
It sounds like you are doing well. We went onto a serious lifestyle change of eating well and walking but it only lasted for 6 months and then we went back to our old lifestyle ways. I have been overweight for many years and need to lose 60 pounds. it seems very overwhelming at times. My husband has lost about 10 pounds recently and is doing very well healthwise.
I think the hardest part for me is that my husband's personality has changed and I wonder if this is a common occurrence. I feel like I need some support from others who have experienced this.
I am grateful for a forum such as this.
Thank you for listening.
Candra

------------------------------
Candra Fisher
writer, wife, mother, grandmother
Gig Harbor WA
------------------------------

Thank you Brent for responding to my message. 
I have done some research and understand some of the issues you are discussing. 
That is wonderful that you have written a book to help those recover from heart issues. 
Please take care of yourself. 
Blessings. 
Candra

------------------------------
Candra Fisher
writer, wife, mother, grandmother
Gig Harbor WA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-10-2018 10:37
From: Brent Zepke
Subject: Just introducing myself

Candra,

Personality changes after a life threatening event are not that unusual: the issue whether they are positive or negative.

After I left this world on January 10, 2007, when my heart stopped, after my quintuple bypass I started researching that led to my book "One Heart-Two Lives: Managing Your Rehabilitation Program WELL" www.onehearttwolivescom.wordpress.

In it I cover the reason for some personality changes, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as the five steps necessary for a successful rehabilitation: physical, safety and security, social, self-esteem, and self actualization. The first is typically accomplished by the medical community, and in the next four family and friends can play a vital role in assisting the patient as well as caring for themselves (chapter Caregivers). 

Brent Zepke

Original Message------

​Dear Penelope,
I am new to this forum.
My husband had quadruple surgery 3 years ago. He was 59 at the time. He is doing great and is often in denial of his heart attack and surgery. The denial was so bad that I started calling his heart attack, the "heart event". I worry about him and we both need to lose weight and have a more active lifestyle.
It sounds like you are doing well. We went onto a serious lifestyle change of eating well and walking but it only lasted for 6 months and then we went back to our old lifestyle ways. I have been overweight for many years and need to lose 60 pounds. it seems very overwhelming at times. My husband has lost about 10 pounds recently and is doing very well healthwise.
I think the hardest part for me is that my husband's personality has changed and I wonder if this is a common occurrence. I feel like I need some support from others who have experienced this.
I am grateful for a forum such as this.
Thank you for listening.
Candra

------------------------------
Candra Fisher
writer, wife, mother, grandmother
Gig Harbor WA
------------------------------

Hi Chandra. I had CABG at age 59 also. I have gained weight too. I joined the YMCA and do light exercises there. I also try to walk with a buddy twice a week. I encourage both of you to take baby steps toward improvement and don’t get discouraged.

Ralph


Original Message------

​Dear Penelope,
I am new to this forum.
My husband had quadruple surgery 3 years ago. He was 59 at the time. He is doing great and is often in denial of his heart attack and surgery. The denial was so bad that I started calling his heart attack, the "heart event". I worry about him and we both need to lose weight and have a more active lifestyle.
It sounds like you are doing well. We went onto a serious lifestyle change of eating well and walking but it only lasted for 6 months and then we went back to our old lifestyle ways. I have been overweight for many years and need to lose 60 pounds. it seems very overwhelming at times. My husband has lost about 10 pounds recently and is doing very well healthwise.
I think the hardest part for me is that my husband's personality has changed and I wonder if this is a common occurrence. I feel like I need some support from others who have experienced this.
I am grateful for a forum such as this.
Thank you for listening.
Candra

------------------------------
Candra Fisher
writer, wife, mother, grandmother
Gig Harbor WA
------------------------------

Hi Candra,

It was so nice to hear from you.  Just remember every new day is a chance for us to make better food choices and to get at least 15 minutes of exercise in. I am a emotional eater so you can imagine how hard some days can be for me, especially on days when my nerve pain and chest pain from scar tissue and inflammation is severe.  I just wanted to share with you that last year I went through some serious emotional and personality adjustments. To state it clearly I was just mean... And even though I have always been so positive with all that I have gone through medically, last year was just awful and my demeanor and attitude reflected as such. I was so depressed and I think ,psychology it had a lot to do with the physical and mental part of what happens to a person who undergoes open heart surgery is tremendous. (At least that what I think). This was so new for my mom and I to navigate. She has been so supportive at times I don't know how she put up with me but she did and I'm so grateful. Just know it passed. January of this year I felt so different. Its hard to explain but whatever had a hold of me in 2017 was gone in 2018.  

I know it hard on family members who love us. But I can tell you the love and support that we as heart patients get from  you guys is what pulls us through.

Candra just know anytime you wanna chat I'm here..

------------------------------
Christine Torain
Hyattsville MD
(240)706-2911
savystylez@yahoo.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2018 19:27
From: Candra Fisher
Subject: Just introducing myself

​Dear Penelope,
I am new to this forum.
My husband had quadruple surgery 3 years ago. He was 59 at the time. He is doing great and is often in denial of his heart attack and surgery. The denial was so bad that I started calling his heart attack, the "heart event". I worry about him and we both need to lose weight and have a more active lifestyle.
It sounds like you are doing well. We went onto a serious lifestyle change of eating well and walking but it only lasted for 6 months and then we went back to our old lifestyle ways. I have been overweight for many years and need to lose 60 pounds. it seems very overwhelming at times. My husband has lost about 10 pounds recently and is doing very well healthwise.
I think the hardest part for me is that my husband's personality has changed and I wonder if this is a common occurrence. I feel like I need some support from others who have experienced this.
I am grateful for a forum such as this.
Thank you for listening.
Candra

------------------------------
Candra Fisher
writer, wife, mother, grandmother
Gig Harbor WA

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2018 13:18
From: Penelope Evans
Subject: Just introducing myself

Hello, Everyone.  I am Penelope Evans.  I am 75 years old, a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of two beautiful little girls.  I am retired after almost 60 years of working as an administrative assistant (mainly in the legal field).  I am a new Mended Hearts member in Lexington, Kentucky.  Although I had a "surprise" triple bypass over two years ago in January, 2016, I truly believe that I have been, as they say, in denial about the seriousness of the lifestyle changes that I have needed to make. After my surgery, I successfully completed a four-month cardiac rehab program.  Except for some painful arthritis, which limits my ability to do aerobic exercise, and recurring AFIB problems (have had this problem for many years prior to CABG surgery), my new heart and I seem to be doing well.  I do, however, need to lose about 20 pounds and pay closer attention to my dietary and exercise habits.  Reading various your various posts has encouraged and energized me!  If you guys can do, so can I!  I am hoping to qualify as a Mended Hearts hospital visitor in the coming months and look forward to participating in this group of folks who have "been there and done that" and understand.

------------------------------
Penelope Evans
Member
Versailles KY
------------------------------

Penelope

Don't give up....I am 43 years old and  I have had 5 heart attacks between the years of 2010-2015 and I had an emergency quadruple bypass surgery in July of 2016. I too struggle with the weight issue. I am up and down... Currently I am up. But I feel like each day is a day I get to make a positive choice about what I choose to eat and get a chance to walk. Due to severe nerve damage in my feet and legs I cannot walk for very long and aerobic classes are hard. But I joined my local community center's gym and I have been amazed at my 15 minutes of treadmill action.:-)

So don't give up... Stay positive as you have been.  We can chat anytime you want. Mended hearts is a great organization. You will find a lot of supportive people here and advice.

------------------------------
Christine Torain
Hyattsville MD
(301) 559-2715
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2018 13:18
From: Penelope Evans
Subject: Just introducing myself

Hello, Everyone.  I am Penelope Evans.  I am 75 years old, a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of two beautiful little girls.  I am retired after almost 60 years of working as an administrative assistant (mainly in the legal field).  I am a new Mended Hearts member in Lexington, Kentucky.  Although I had a "surprise" triple bypass over two years ago in January, 2016, I truly believe that I have been, as they say, in denial about the seriousness of the lifestyle changes that I have needed to make. After my surgery, I successfully completed a four-month cardiac rehab program.  Except for some painful arthritis, which limits my ability to do aerobic exercise, and recurring AFIB problems (have had this problem for many years prior to CABG surgery), my new heart and I seem to be doing well.  I do, however, need to lose about 20 pounds and pay closer attention to my dietary and exercise habits.  Reading various your various posts has encouraged and energized me!  If you guys can do, so can I!  I am hoping to qualify as a Mended Hearts hospital visitor in the coming months and look forward to participating in this group of folks who have "been there and done that" and understand.

------------------------------
Penelope Evans
Member
Versailles KY
------------------------------

Original Message------

Penelope

Don't give up....I am 43 years old and  I have had 5 heart attacks between the years of 2010-2015 and I had an emergency quadruple bypass surgery in July of 2016. I too struggle with the weight issue. I am up and down... Currently I am up. But I feel like each day is a day I get to make a positive choice about what I choose to eat and get a chance to walk. Due to severe nerve damage in my feet and legs I cannot walk for very long and aerobic classes are hard. But I joined my local community center's gym and I have been amazed at my 15 minutes of treadmill action.:-)

So don't give up... Stay positive as you have been.  We can chat anytime you want. Mended hearts is a great organization. You will find a lot of supportive people here and advice.

------------------------------
Christine Torain
Hyattsville MD
(301) 559-2715
------------------------------