Been 12 weeks...

Art Doc

Art Doc

SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
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Since my bypass surgery. Surgery and recovery the most horrible experience of my life. Experienced every complication. Went into a coma for three days the next day. Recurring episodes of arrhythmia (THAT'S a lot of fun let me tell you). Still having some trouble. But 12 weeks is significant. Physical restrictions lifted. Can go back to the gym. Can lift. Happy days.

Still sleeping in a chair because I can't get comfortable lying down in a bed. Lost 26 of the 35 pounds in water retention I gained within 24 hours after surgery. Not nearly so swollen now. Various scars and disfigurements will stay with me.

Just renewed DL and I notice in the photo I look 15 years older. This stuff will age you. Better than dead, though. MD says I should enjoy every minute from now on as it's all bonus time. I should have died 12 weeks ago. Said I was about 5 minutes away from the "Widow Maker."

No complaints with insurance. Medical expenses so far (not over yet) at about $150,000 and I was only responsible for $5,280. Paid even less as doctors and hospital gave cash discount for paying bill in full in one payment. Probably actually paid about $4,600. Everyone at work got email saying that due to increased claims premiums were going up. Probably all my fault.

Used 3 months of sick leave and still have 2 months left. Never used it before now. Lots of people at work take a day off as soon as they earn a sick day. Not me. I assumed that one day I would need all that time off. Dammit, I was right. Wish I had been wrong.

Honestly, when I was in surgery and they told me what I needed I asked them to just let me go. For me Hell is medical treatment, hospitals, being hooked up to machines, slow recovery. Didn't want to do it. They didn't listen to me. Wife was in hallway screaming through the door "Don't listen to him! Do the surgery!" Now I sort of feel like Private Ryan when Captain Miller told him to earn the life given to him. I am already working on being less negative and more positive. Want to make the world a better place? Be a better man.

While I was on leave the supervisor making my life at work miserable for 5 years was replaced. Things are looking up. No longer looking forward to retirement. Now I want to go back and be the best I can be for my students...and for my wife who nursed me and suffered through this even more than I did...and for God, who for whatever reason wants me alive right now. I was ready to go but He said "Not so fast..."

I have debts to pay. Debts that cannot ever be repaid. But I will try.
 
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I'm at 9 weeks (surgery done March 15) had to go back in last Monday (chest pains), found out one of the veins they used for replacement was intermittently collapsing because of low blood pressure. They put me on drugs that raise my blood pressure and I came home Wed. (but they did another angiogram through the femoral artery, not fun) I asked if they would punch my coffee card for being a "frequent flyer". But you're right, it beats the alternative.
 
God has blessed you with access to excellent care and a path to recovery. Best wishes for the future.
 
We once had some issues over which guns should be routinely fired with just any Plus P .38 ammo, but today, you have my prayers. And they'll continue.

I'm glad the supervisor was replaced and that work will now be easier and more satisfying. I think that mean bosses account for some heart problems, at least in part.

You take pretty good photos. I look forward to seeing more when you feel able.

I know your first name now, and will use it in prayer. :)

Get well: your wife is probably right about your value in life, at least to others.

I have a friend who, like you, had a probably miraculous recovery from a heart attack that caused him to fall from a deer stand in remote country and be found crawling on a road, near death. By infinite grace, perhaps, a heart specialist was visiting his small town hospital and pulled him through.

When Petra Nemcova recovered from her horrible injuries from that 2004 Thai tsunami, her chief physician told reporters, "We did not heal this woman. God did this."

I believe that He intervenes in some cases. I've twice been spared car wrecks that'd surely have killed me. In one case, a big white Mercedes with an exhausted nurse dozing at the wheel ran a red light and LEFT WHITE PAINT from a side door on my front bumper as I tested my Toyota's brakes to the max! She was going about 50-60 MPH! On a city street!

If God spares us, He must have His reasons. Live, and make a difference for good in this troubled world. Your students may well benefit from your survival. And don't think of just yourself. You're here for your wife, too, and for any children. And for us here, too. :)
 
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Glad things are looking up! Hope the sunshine is upon you tomorrow!
 
Been there...

Done that, twice. I'm on my third aortic valve. Now I'm messing with prostate cancer. None of those are as bad as my arthritis.
 
Great to hear that you are recovering. Everyone is here for a reason, and you obviously have a lot more to contribute to this world.

If I can say one thing, it would be when you are able to take your wife out and treat her to something unexpected and preferably expensive.

Last year I sat and watched my wife go through an organ transplant and we came close to loosing her. I found it the hardest thing I have ever done to turn up at the hospital each day to support her, but it was well worth it eventually.

I feel that your outcome may not have been so happy without her pushing the doctors, nursing staff and you.

Good luck.
 
Indeed you will not.....

vonn said:
Do the rehab! You will not be sorry.
Click to expand...

....be sorry. Those people know what they are doing. They increase your heart rate a little bit every week and can monitor you to make sure that you don't overdo it.

That's a terrible time but at least you are over the top and can get moving.

I only had two problems. Trying to breathe was terrible and it took a while to get that back.

Did they implant a 'grid' of wire on your chest to take care of a defibrillation? Getting it pulled out of my chest with pliers was fun. But all in all, I had about as easy a time as someone could.
 
When I had my last angiogram I asked the doc if they could do it differently than the old way through the groin. Was told that now they can do it through a artery in the wrist. Reason I asked was that I had a bad experience with both the doc and the procedure. He was kinda startled when I told him exactly what happened. In comparison, well lit operating room,kept me semi under cause of my sleep apnea, and updated me constantly. Went home with a bandage on the wrist and went back to have it removed in case I started leaking. Frank
 
A walk through the "Valley of the Shadow" can be an attitude adjuster. Glad you are making a recovery.
 
Glad you got great care and have such a great, positive outlook!
 

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Awsome to hear the good part of news. Been threw it my open heart mechincial valve surgery 2013 kept me in hospital 32 days. Know to well about all things you typed about. Facing round 2 another open heart ugg in future. ( anyersum repair). Its as hard or harder on family members seeing ya on all those machines. Stay well.
 
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