Just a year ago today, my little friend Stemi came to visit, who even arranged a very special VIP visit to a place called called Cathlab, via a lovely shiny vehicle with blue flashy lights. Luckily for me he only stayed for about 90 mins but insisted he left with between a 1/4 and a1/3 of my heart function. I must admit the charge was a little steep, but could have been so much worse if it wasn't for some rather special people who intervened on my behalf and showed him the door pronto!
Well after some rather well sculptured metalwork (7 pieces of them), I'm here today in pretty good shape. I'm fitter, leaner and healthier than I was before the visit and hopeful I can claim back most, if not all of my stolen function....I'm going to give it a damn good try anyway. I still managed to get away 3 times last year, despite my little set back, and have already booked for Easter this year, I'll leave you to guess which type of break I'm going for!
What I'd like to say is a lot of thank-yous, firstly my wife for getting me the help I so desperately needed and so quickly, minutes really do matter so...DON'T DELAY, if you feel something isn't right. Thank you to my family, and neighbours for ferrying me to hospital appointments and Rehab assessments. To work, for supporting me even though I'd been with them such a short time and finally to you fine people, who've informed, supported and educated me along the way with your journeys and experiences, this helped me understand what may arise and what it may mean, it's less scary when you can recognise what these twinges and aches may be when they occur.
Finally, sorry to sound like I'm accepting some kind of award, but today I've been to work, full time, covered 10k steps, and buzzed around the building as though nothing had ever happened, lucky I know, but it's surprising how hard you have to work and change your ways to be lucky sometimes ...don't you think?
"Take care out there" bit of a quote there for the more mature telly cop show watchers.
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Cruiser25
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Thank you meadfoot, I must admit it has been the emotional and mental side that's been the hardest & I continue to improve, "begin each day as though you mean it"
Ta muchly, I've been following your exploits with the 12 lead ecg's & reading the print-outs, even I can now spot the ST elevation I had, like going to school on here!!!
Many 'heartfelt' congratulations Cruiser and thank you so much for sharing such an uplifting story. It'll be my triple-bypass's first birthday on the 18th February this year and I'm looking forward to it, and still celebrating my new lease of life. An incredible amount of thanks is due to so many people - including all the people on this site! Carol xox
When Stemi visited me I was able to stop him stealing anything by quickly phoning a certain number. I had assistance 18 minutes later to help me in the fight and the only evidence that he was here is a bit of grafitti on the inner wall of my heart. I had a couple of mesh tubes to stop him returning and almost a year later additional defences were installed bypassing my weak spots. If he wants to return, he will hopefully find it hard to gain an advantage. 😀
Like it & well done for avoiding the damage, both of my brothers have needed by-passes, so family history isn't on my side, but your additional defences will do you proud I'm sure. 💪
Stemi came to visit me because of an heredited condition (not cardiac) in combination with stress. The doc that did the angioplasty referred me to a cardiac surgeon who offered me the bypass op, though my issues could have been dealt with by additional stents. He reckoned with me being so fit and active (hill walker) the op would save the NHS in the long run. I somehow doubt I would be offered the same option nowadays. Things were somewhat different 6 years ago. 😯
No doubt the bypass will be the better option for your healthy and active lifestyle, sounds more like this was for you rather than the NHS. I understand now they stent if there are only one or two vessels involved & of course they can be placed correctly. I ended up with 2 stents into the RCA as an emergency then another 5 into the LAD, 2 days later. Only on my discharge letter did I discover they had in fact looked at all the arteries with the IVUS (Intravascular ultrasound) and contrast dye, and found the others were all pretty clear, v little gunk in there! So, I got the stents instead of the by-pass. I'm surprised there's so much difference in peoples discharge letters, mine was awesome, although the Registrar did tell me my arteries were shocking! 😱
Amazingly similar for me. My RCA got blocked by a clot where it had narrowed. Clot removed and a double stent inserted. Noted some narrowing on left side. Two bypasses using an artery from my arm took care of the left side and a single bypass of the stented artery using a vein from my leg. The op was excellent - the surgeon said he liked what he saw, probably down to me never having smoked, with a good diet and minimal alcohol (I was 66 at the time, though I was assessed physiologically as 58). It pays to look after yourself.
As you say, the offer of surgery was to maximise the benefit for me. I remember being checked over while I was in hospital after my Stemi and that included a check on my lungs. My rehab was delayed until after I had had the bypass. One guy on the rehab course asked me how I had been offered the op as he hadn't. I couldn't say.... then he admitted he had breathing issues. Perhaps therein lay the answer...
Hi Was uplifting for me to read your post. My stemi happened in early September this year after loosing my husband of 46 years to cancer in April. I too have damage to my heart and what with the awful meds have been feeling terrible the last few weeks. I start rehab end of February. Thanks for giving me some hope things will improve. I too love a cruise and that is my goal to be able to get on a ship in the sun again asap. Take care out there. All the best.
Like you, until my meds were balanced, I felt rubbish, my BP fell into my boots on just a medium dose of Bisoprolol, once dropped down, I improved overnight. Rehab is the best, take it easy & your confidence will soar, those around you will also be in the same boat, that helped me immensely. You'll be out on the open decks with the sea spray on your face , the wind taking your breath (a bit), sooner than you think, remember us when you get there. Take care 😀
Great update, a good read for those of us who have only been recently visited my (N)STEMI. My visit was last November and some days my head and emotions are a tad wonky so good to hear positive news from others. Take care, all the best.
Sounds like a quote from Sgt. Phillip Freemason Esterhaus on Hill Street Blues. I loved that show in the early 1980s.
Congratulations to you on living as close to normal —but maybe even stronger and better—than ever following your HA. I had a NStemi HA in March 2022. I have lost 40 pounds so far—slow, but headed in the right direction—and my overall diet is better, and I try to move more.
I am still a work in progress, but I am better off than I was in April and May and even June. Some days are still rough, but I am grateful to be here.
Again, I’m very happy for how you are getting on. Keep going and “Let’s be careful out there.”
Hi Smitty 1956, thanks and yes spot on, Hill St Blues, I think you're quote is the accurate one.
We done on losing weight, not as easy as some may think & lifestyle changes are for life so not easy transitions, but I guess we all have similar motivation vs the alternative! 😱
Keep with it, better days will outweigh poorer ones and soon you'll be finding yourself thinking, wow, I can't believe I did that & without worrying beforehand... lighter days are coming.
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