Brett,
What you described is how I feel some days. Some mornings I can walk easy 2 miles and other days its tough making it half mile. Sorry about your VA experience,I had my own experience with VA back in 1969 on returning from my tour in Vietnam. Its a long story ,also. That said,glad your doing well and soon looking at this heart stuff as a bad nightmare.
Just to mention, I met a friend that had Cabg 4 about 10 years ago and he said today, that he hardly notices (beside scar) that he even had heart surgery..
Thanks,
Robert Sauder
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Robert Sauder
Cumming GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2020 15:47
From: Brett Temple
Subject: New member
Hi Robert. I've been exactly where you are and know how you feel. I'm over a year post-op now and still have days where I get winded doing the simplest activities but I've learned not to compare my progress with others as it can cause a lot of frustration. Everyone's body is different and we all heal at a different pace so don't let it get you down when you have days where you feel like you're not where you should be on your post-op journey. You're body has been through a lot of trauma and it takes time for it to recover. The best thing is to never stop moving. Staying mobile and active not only helps in your healing but helps fight off those cardiac blues, as well. You're walking every day, which is awesome. I wasn't able to do cardiac rehab (it's a long story but it had a lot to do with the V.A.) but I did, and still do, a lot of walking which has helped tremendously. You'll have days where you can do more, other's where you don't feel like you can do much at all. Just listen to your body. If it's telling you it needs rest, by all means rest. If you feel good and want to walk an extra block or two, go for it. :-)
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Brett Temple
Project Manager
Sarasota FL
Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2020 14:26
From: Robert Sauder
Subject: New member
Hi Brett,
During your recovery did you ever feel that you were not making any progress? Im 7 months post Cabg /afib ablation hand feel like I stalled out on the progress chart. Its very frustrating since I do walk every morning since my rehab has been shut down because of Covid. Still winded walking up my home stairs and sometimes just sitting around feel winded. . Maybe you can offer a few suggestions that may help and your own experience during your recovery?.
Thanks,
Robert Sauder
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Robert Sauder
Cumming GA
Original Message:
Sent: 06-26-2020 09:54
From: Brett Temple
Subject: New member
Hi Robert. I know exactly how you feel. I'm just over a year post op from a CABG X3 and like you fitness was a big part of my life (weightlifting was my thing) and I'm still struggling with getting back to being able to work out again. I've had to accept that I probably will never get back to my pre-surgery fitness level but know that as long as I just keep moving and doing what my body will allow me to do then it's all good. As long as we're still up walking around then that in itself is a blessing. It definitely takes a toll on you mentally, as well. One of the things I found that has helped me most is the community right here at Mended Hearts. Knowing that you're not the only one feeling and experiencing these things and having the encouragement of others who have been where you are at is a tremendous help. Just listen to your body (and your doctor) and things will get better. :)
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Brett Temple
Project Manager
Sarasota FL
Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2020 15:20
From: Robert Sauder
Subject: New member
7 months post Cabg..used to run exercise all my life and heart attack out of blue. Hard time getting head around what happened. Had Afib issues for 35 years. Still out of breath going upstairs and chest feels full and tight...dont know what to expect. Walk everyday but need to hit weights but cant until inplanted defibulator surgery heals. Really need some feedback from others that have/had same experience. Getting depressed about lack of progress and how I feel. Thanks for any feedback
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Robert Sauder
Cumming GA
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