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Jeffrey Jackson

Jeffrey Jackson07-21-2020 20:26

  • 1.  New

    Posted 07-21-2020 20:26
    My life changed


  • 2.  RE: New

    Posted 07-27-2020 14:10

    We can all relate to that!  I am 53 years old....and on May 22nd (my 10th wedding anniversary, of all days), I had a major heart attack....100% blockage of my LAD "Widowmaker" artery.  I now have 5 stents in my heart, had to give up the cigarettes that I enjoyed for 37 years, change my diet, attend 12 weeks of cardiac rehab and plan to exercise regularly for the rest of my life, etc.  I never in a million years thought this would happen to me....and yes, my entire life has changed.  

    I hope you'll share your story and keep coming back....I find it very helpful to talk with people who are going through the same thing. 

    Welcome!



    ------------------------------
    Tracy Rhodes
    Charleston SC
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: New

    Posted 08-06-2020 16:08
    I miss smoking as well, I quit for basically 2 months and restarted and quit again this Sunday will be 3 weeks. :-) The COVID issue closed rehab for me, but I am trying.

    ------------------------------
    Jeffrey Jackson
    Nurse Clinical Informatics
    Kotzebue AK
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: New

    Posted 08-07-2020 15:30
    dearly Tracy
    you will never forget your Heartaversary ! 
    so glad you are able to enjoy many more years of married life

    ------------------------------
    Marilyn Rosenhouse
    Dallas TX
    (214) 850-0219
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: New

    Posted 07-27-2020 17:26
    Hello Jeffery,
    That tightness is normal. It varies from person to person, but it is normal. Mine lasted for about 14 months, but other folks said they felt better after 6 to 8 months. As long as you are feeling better each week and making a slow but steady progress don't worry. Be sure you mention everything to your cardiologist, but it should be ok.

    Richard Short
    Chapter 395





  • 6.  RE: New

    Posted 08-06-2020 16:05
    Thank you so much, I just read your post to another person. I was/am a bedside nurse but some things can not be taught one must experience them. Someone said to go to the Dr that's their job...as a nurse that's the FIRST thing I did, I was looking for other people, like yourself, that have gone through this change of life. My Dr said the numbness may never go away and I'm ok with that. My sternum is very sensitive to pressure (I don't wear my medical alert ID cause it bugs me. anyway thanks for responding and the encouragement.

    ------------------------------
    Jeffrey Jackson
    Nurse Clinical Informatics
    Kotzebue AK
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: New

    Posted 08-07-2020 09:09
    Good Morning Everyone,
    I had my 1 year anniversary check up this week and the best thing my Surgeon said to me was, "See you next year..."

    My BP and Heart Rates are all nice and low, most of the surprises that came with Open Heart Surgery and the post surgical Life Style are now incorporated into my life and am tobacco free for 1 year also.

    I smoked for 50 years and the Lightbulb moment came to me
    that asked me if I would choose a bad habit of smoking with no health or liberating/redeeming features or if I will choose Life.

    I pick the  Life choice every day.  

    Thank You
    Mary H







  • 8.  RE: New

    Posted 08-08-2020 12:23
    Congratulations, Mary!  Every anniversary is a big deal.  I take off a whole week around mine just to contemplate how far I've come and how fortunate I am.  I've adopted the term used by wounded Iraqi War vets:  The anniversary of my CABGx5 surgery is my Alive Day.

    I wish you many, many more healthy and happy heart anniversaries.  

    Ira

    ------------------------------
    Ira Reid
    Hoboken NJ
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: New

    Posted 08-08-2020 12:47
    Thanks so much Ira for your reply....I like your term Alive Day very much and hope you are able to celebrate for many many years to come

    Mary H





  • 10.  RE: New

    Posted 08-09-2020 09:14
    Wow, Alive Day is a great term

    I remember when the surgeon left the exam room without giving me a follow up time. He said. I dint exoect to see you here again. He got a big hug!!!
    however ( 6 years postop) My cardiologist sees me every 6 month and echocardiogram is every 2 years.
    You are so precious and vital... you will be enjoying life fir many years to come !!!!!

    Marilyn B. Rosenhouse
    Mobile: (214)850-0655




  • 11.  RE: New

    Posted 08-10-2020 07:35

    Thanks, Marilyn.  As I previously mentioned, Alive Day is a term that I first heard used on  Wounded Warrior communications by and about Iraqi war vets.  It is not my term, but I think it applies to our people as well.  I adopted it's use for my special day, when so many people came together to perform a miracle and save my life, which they and others continued and continue to do, in one form or another, to this present day, two and a half years later.

    We truly are interconnected with each other in this beautiful life and universe.

    Have a happy and peaceful day,

    Ira



    ------------------------------
    Ira Reid
    Hoboken NJ
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: New

    Posted 08-09-2020 22:12
    Hi Mary,
    Happy Anniversary! Congratulations on the quitting smoking as well!!! Keep it up, you're doing very well  ðŸ˜ƒðŸ˜ƒ

    ------------------------------
    michelle leverett
    Ridgecrest CA
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: New

    Posted 08-07-2020 09:51
    You are quite welcome. I had my CABG in 2015, and I still have spots on my sternum that hurt if pressure is placed in a particular spot. I forget about it most of the time. Then I lean against something and I get a sharp jab. It reminds me that there are wires holding my chest together.  â˜º After 5 years there is a part of my chest that is still numb, or itches, or aches. It is OK and I have become used to it. They are a minor reminder of how much our body can take and still keep going. Hang in there, it gets better from here. 

    Sincerely,
    Richard Short
    Chapter 395





  • 14.  RE: New

    Posted 08-07-2020 15:10
    you can get a medical alert bracelet!

    Marilyn B. Rosenhouse
    Mobile: (214)850-0655




  • 15.  RE: New

    Posted 08-07-2020 17:14
    I know, I don't like bracelets though.

    ------------------------------
    Jeffrey Jackson
    Nurse Clinical Informatics
    Kotzebue AK
    ------------------------------