Normality emerging

[Cruiser25]

Hi everyone, well all my buses seemed to have come all at once!

I had my repeat 'walking(beep) test on the Friday, Consultant Cardiologist on the following Monday (saw the main man!) and GP appt on the Tuesday. Wow, so, walking test stopped when I reached my max heart rate (only 118), at the same point as last time, 1 level from the end........but this was in a poorly ventilated corridor on the hottest afternoon of the year, I doubt I could have got close to this before. Cardiologist has effectively handed me back to GP for primary care, only wanting to see me if anything really significant happens, his work is done, fixed the plumbing, leaving me to 'replace the floorboards and redecorate as needed'. GP is awaiting my return to work plan, phased return, light duties etc, once ok'd then I guess, off we go.

I'm 18 weeks post STEMI, Cardiologist says damage is not permanent, but.....time and medication will help my heart, but I have to help myself. I don't need any convincing of that, just tell me how high and how far I need to jump. We are the lucky ones, yes sometimes we feel completely rubbish, for no reason at all, but hey, not a big price to pay? We have the second chance, but more importantly we know it, and can do something about it!

Sadly, I see new members coming onto the forum all the time, similar worries, similar fears, we all share these, they diminish but never completely go away, perhaps they're necessary, they remind us of our fragility yet our immense strength simultaneously.

"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." (John Lennon)

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

Keep safe and healthy folks.

[Hidden]

Well chuffed for you cruiser and you had a stemi with no damage that’s awesome !! Congratulations on all off it and keep going you are an inspiration.

[Cruiser25 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Notdead

Love your handle by the way.

I was unbelievably lucky, the Paramedics and Stenting team literally saved my life, The speed they got to me, stabilised me and got me to the Hospital was awesome, I've only recently been able to compose and post the letter of thanks to the Ambulance team. I managed to visit the CCU team a few weeks ago to thank them. Weirdly, the nurse who conducted my ECG on Monday was one of the nurses who looked after me immediately post MI. Isn't life surprising sometimes?

[Hidden in reply to Cruiser25]

Yes I feel the same way , my husband called the ambulance at 6 am , I was in the hospital stents done and sitting up in bed by 9 am , I was at deaths door so they say so I was very very lucky . That was a year ago , for me I still don’t feel 100% and probably won’t be again . I have an ef of 40% so I’m knackered walking upstairs haha . I’ve also had to stop working ( chef ) but yano what ,, I’m still here and ‘notdead’ yet !! They did tell me that I have around 5/6 years so I’m living them the way I want but reading books and having a nice peaceful atmosphere.

[Cruiser25 in reply to Hidden]

So many similarities, I've had 2 echocardiograms, first 2 days after my emergency 2 stents into my right artery, showed my ef was 38%,. Then I had another 5 stents into my LAD, so 7 in total, the second echo, just a few weeks ago, after 3 months post MI still showed ef of 38-40%. Big difference was the areas of inactivity shown on no1 echo were waking up, but not fully functioning yet, hence just time and meds.

V sorry to hear of the 5/6 yrs, 'Carpe diem', live, laugh, love, go on some damn good hols, enjoy your reading and have a ball.

I've always said to my son...always get into trouble for things you have said, rather than things you haven't, and reminisce on things you have done rather than regretting things you haven't. Good luck

[Cee-Cee1]

Congratulations Cruiser, you sound happy and well. That's great advice to your son - I'll remember that! I'm a 62yr old female and today, I'm also exactly 18 weeks on from a triple bypass (23 weeks post HA), feel good, enjoying the walking and healthy eating regime and hoping to get back to work, phased return (and part-time!) very soon. I always enjoyed cooking, lots of outdoor hobbies, good heathy grub and loved walking but life seemed to get in the way for some time. This has been my 'wake up' call and I'm determined not to fall into that rut again 😄😃

[Cruiser25 in reply to Cee-Cee1]

Omg Cee-Cee1,

I've only just realised I hadn't replied to your kind post, please accept my apologies for this.

I can only think I must have been interrupted or just had a meltdown or fell off the planet, sorry. Hopefully you are keeping well.

I've just got back from a weeks cruise to Norway and Denmark, and tried (mostly) to keep to a reasonable diet, 12k steps on ave though daily, creating those memories again.

Take care.

[Cee-Cee1]

Please don't worry Cruiser! You sound as if you'd a great time - and quite right too, my mantra these days is that life's there to be enjoyed. I'm back to work part time, keeping well, keeping positive, enjoying this new lease of life and feeling better every day. Take care and keep looking after yourself, Carol