Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  New member

    Posted 06-25-2020 15:20
    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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  • 2.  RE: New member

    Posted 06-26-2020 09:55
    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
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  • 3.  RE: New member

    Posted 06-26-2020 11:16
    Hello Robert.
    The mental part of all this is at times more taxing than the physical. Do not try to compare yourself with others. All of our physical conditions are different. It does not matter how fast or slow you recover. All that matters is that you keep moving forward. 
    Some folks get full recovery as if nothing happened and others only get a partial recovery. Allow yourself to listen to your body and as each week passes you will begin to see gradual progress. 
    As for heart attack out of the blue if you had Afib for 35 years that should have warned you that something might happen in the future. 
    The pacemaker I had installed about 15 months post-CABG really helped me with stairs and such. The Eveready Bunny made all the difference for me. 
    A lot depends on the amount of damage the heart attack did to your heart muscle. This again is where we all differ. 
    Like Brett said this forum really can help with the mental issues, but do not be afraid of counseling either. It like all the other medical tools available to us can make a big difference. Remember you are not alone and no question is a wrong question. 
    Good luck and good healing.

    Richard Short
    Chapter 395





  • 4.  RE: New member

    Posted 06-26-2020 12:40
    Thanks Richard, 
    It sure has been a journey dealing with this recovery. Just seems like I m not moving ahead at a quicker recovery pace. Friends that had similar issues told me same thing as you..it takes time and everybody is different. Thank you for giving me advice that will help me wrap my head around dealing with this. Im pretty tough and a fighter,but how tough this recovery has been really rocked my world.

    Thanks Again,
    Robert Sauder

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    Robert Sauder
    Cumming GA
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  • 5.  RE: New member

    Posted 06-26-2020 12:29
    Thanks Brett for the encourgement. A couple of friends told me what hey experienced with Cabg and valve replacement and  had said similat recommedation...it takes time, keep moving forward and everybody is different. .  Im glad Ive found this board to know Im not the only one on this journey. Things I took for gratned before this event are now a struggle which taught me to appreciate the gifts we are given and never take anything for granted.

    Thanks Again,,
    Robert Sauder.

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    Robert Sauder
    Cumming GA
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  • 6.  RE: New member

    Posted 06-30-2020 14:27
    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
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  • 7.  RE: New member

    Posted 06-30-2020 15:47
    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
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  • 8.  RE: New member

    Posted 06-30-2020 16:34
    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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  • 9.  RE: New member

    Posted 06-30-2020 16:55
    Hearing stories like the one about your friend who is 10 years post op and feels great gives us hope that we, too, will get there one day. In the mean time, we just keep pushing forward.

    PS: Thank you for your service, brother!

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    Brett Temple
    Project Manager
    Sarasota FL
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