My wife and I took advantage of some unseasonable sunshine today and went for a walk along the coast here in Hampshire. As we walked I was struck by just how much my life has changed since I had bypass surgery five years ago.
This walk features some challenging climbs up and down from the cliffs, and walking on the beach is always hard going. Before my operation my angina meant this walk was beyond me. But now it's simply not a problem, in fact we sometimes walk from here to the very farthest headland shown in this photo. Plus we're at the gym five times a week and we're out dancing at least once a week.
A few years ago the miracle of open heart surgery simply wouldn't have been an option. Open heart surgery was starting to be practised in the UK during the 1940's and 50's, but it actually wasn't until the 1980's and 90's that it established itself as normal, mainstream treatment. That really isn't that long ago. If I'd have been born just thirty years earlier things might have been so very different.
The hard truth is that without bypass surgery the boundaries of my life would now be progressively closing down. I would have only been able to manage shorter and shorter distances. Yes it would still have been a life with purpose and joy, but it would have been so much smaller and less vibrant than the life I've now been gifted.
Feeling the sun and wind on my face today I was overwhelmed by gratitude. Gratitude for the selfless doctors and nurses at Southampton Hospital, gratitude for the dedicated scientists who developed these amazing procedures, and gratitude to my wife for supporting me throughout.
Some days you just can't help feeling, this really is the most amazingly, wonderful life!
Written by
Chappychap
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What a wonderful post, and as you say (particularly in the context of the old favourite film at this time of year 😃) what a wonderful life! Keep on enjoying life and keeping well.
Thank you for all of your helpful posts. I always find them interesting.
I am also seriously envious of your local surroundings!
Thanks for sharing your gratitude and happiness. Yes life is wonderful, especially if you can get out and enjoy our beautiful countryside. I call it food for the soul. X
Hello
Your picture just makes me want to be there a beautiful photo
Your post was a pleasure to read as are your wise replies you give to others
Thank you for sharing this with us x
Once again you've it the spot.You always know what to say.I thank you.
'Feeling the sun and wind on my face today I was overwhelmed by gratitude. Gratitude for the selfless doctors and nurses at Southampton Hospital, gratitude for the dedicated scientists who developed these amazing procedures, and gratitude to my wife for supporting me throughout'
You sum up my thoughts, had everyday, perfectly. Life is so different now and my appreciation for the skills and care afforded to me over the last 11 years has massively impacted my quality of life. Well, maybe I would add in one word 'rain' :)) My job finds me out and about in all weathers.
What area of coast in Hampshire is that in your picture?
You've caught me out Flintperepere, we've just crossed the Hampshire/Dorset border in this photo and we're in Highcliffe in Dorset. Next stop along the coast is Christchurch and then Bournemouth. If the camera had turned a bit to the left we'd be looking at the Isle of Wight and The Needles Lighthouse.
It is indeed a wonderful life. Moved to the beautiful north Kent coast just over a year ago - Turner country. A total joy and always takes my breath away to walk along a cliff or stop and just look at the sea.
I am sure I have posted here before that my father had a bypass in the 1970s. He had had 3 or 4 heart attacks in his early 40s (heridity, smoking and red wine). I remember the trauma the family went through as it was considered risky surgery in those days. He was in hospital for weeks afterwards. Hospital in South London no longer exists. It was considered anything but routine. But what a revolution in his life. He went from being a dying man to an active, healthy doctor again (he was a doctor) and back on the golf course once more. Fast forward to the early 2000s and the poor man had endocarditis and had to have a valve replaced. What a difference in a short period of time. This time the surgery seen as standard treatment and, although major OHS, he was up and on his feet and home in a matter of days and back in his beloved garden. My biological family has a lot to be thankful to the medical profession for - my father, my uncle, both brothers, my sister and I have all benefitted from the work of those dedicated scientists - without them we would all have had much, much shorter lives.
What beautiful scenery to be out and about in, and what an inspirational post! I am so glad your life improved so much following your surgery. My appreciation of life and the simplest pleasures really increased following my OHS - I never want to lose that appreciation and am so very grateful to those that looked after me.
Hello Chappychap what a beautiful photo and how lucky you are to be able to walk by the sea - you can’t beat looking at the sea and hearing the waves. Yes I think you’ve made us all realise how lucky we are to have had treatment and given chances with our hearts by the research, medics and pills that enable us to carry on. It’s not easy sometimes but seeing your photo and reading your posts is always encouraging and positive. We are lucky to have you on here! No one really knows what it’s like until you walk in the shoes. But I’m glad you and your wife are enjoying the sea air and I’m sure that will be something you will continue to enjoy for a long time to come. Have fun ❤️🧚🏼♀️
What a lovely photo (and what different weather today!)
My husband grew up in Southampton and as a family they spent loads of time at the sea. Please could you identify that beach as he can’t recall where it is but says it looks familiar.
As the seasons move on you will be able to do more of those lovely walks and will feel the wonder and gratitude of being restored. Whilst we live in precarious times, we remain very fortunate, thank you for reminding me to enjoy life.
I think I may have made a schoolboy geography error saying "Hampshire", this is Highcliffe which is just over the border in Dorset. If I'd turned to the left we'd have been looking at the Isle of Wight and The Needles.
Hi what a wonderful post to read first thing in the morning especially as I am lying in bed with the virus we can't name. Thinking about what the NHS has done for me and my fellow hearties has stopped me feeling sorry for myself, without my transplant I wouldn't be writing this at all. I can't thank the surgeon enough and everyone else involved in it at the Golden Jubilee Hospital near Glasgow for there dedication and skill over the years also the early transplant patients who went into the unknown to help people like me in the future. It must be so lovely to live by the sea so calming, Scotland has lovely beaches but unfortunately I am not that near to them. Char
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