This is a long one so I'll apologise first. On this day at this time exactly one year ago, I was starting to get myself ready for the theatre - the operating theatre that is and they came to collect me just after lunchtime. At 9:30pm that same night I was being wheeled back to IT after my triple bypass and when I properly woke up next morning I looked at it, and still do, as the first day of the rest of my new life - and what a wonderful life it really is.
I'm just about to happy dance off on my usual Saturday morning constitutional to get the newspapers for my neighbour and myself. It's raining and I don't care. I was in hospital for almost 6 weeks pre-bypass after my HA and would have given anything to be able to walk outside in the rain, feel the rain on my face and smell the fresh air and I promised myself I'd never moan about it again
😁😀and I don't!
Yes, there's been a couple of tweaks to the medication over the year (a doubling of the bisoprolol as I was started on the lowest possible dose. As my GP explained that's the normal thing to do as they like to keep the meds to a minimum to see how we get on). A couple of episodes of AF which were investigated and explained, a few aches and pains that made me think "Jeepers, is this new?". But when I stopped and thought about it - no, that little niggle in the middle of my chest was the indigestion that I ALWAYS got after eating certain foods, or that lower back pain that was always there when I sat in the wrong position.
So basically, here we are - a new life and incredibly thankful to everyone for it. I'll do my best to keep to what the doctors have told me to do (although I do fall by the wayside occasionally - thank you mince pies at Christmas but I've still managed to avoid temptation and successfully walk past the bakery with the delicious sausage rolls next to Tesco!). At my six-week assessment after the op I thanked the doctor (Ricki) and the surgeon (Gwynne) who performed my operation and Gwynne replied - "Oh Carol - we just did the really easy bit, the hard part's up to you now".
Thanks to everyone on the forum too - I've read answers to questions that I didn't even think to ask. To those who are still waiting for treatment or are having health concerns or hiccups I hope you all have your answers soon and feel better even sooner. Thank you too to all those here who give me inspiration with healthy life-styles.
Have a great weekend everyone! See you tomorrow, I always look forward to the 'Daily Digest' posts. I think this little ditty by a very young James Brown says it all for me really:
Thank you Mirador, I'll do my damndest - it's my way of thanking the medical profession who looked after me. (Although I'm sure I do look ridiculous if I accidently break into my James Brown happy dance trotting round to Tesco!) Carol x😂😂
I'm five years post bypass now and they've been some of the very best years of my life. I genuinely feel twenty years younger, and wake up every morning raring to get stuck into another amazing day just being alive in this wonderful world!
Thank you Chappy - I know exactly what you mean - although I do have the occasional morning when I wake up and think - 'Ugh - work to go to today, wish I could go out to the garden and tootle around instead'! (It's really lovely out there today here in County Antrim, I'm just back from the shop and although the ground's damp and it's a bit chilly, it's bright and feels lovely and fresh. My cheeks were all rosey when I got back - no blusher or make-up required for this 63yr-old today!) 😊
Thank you very much Fishface - and every best wish for you too. It's hard to remember those first few weeks after the op, hugging a cushion when anyone was driving me in the car in case the seatbelt hurt, 🙃sitting around at home for the first week after in my PJ's, wearing huge t-shirts designed for men for a while after that, jumping in and out of the shower stupidly trying to avoid getting my front wet in case it was stinging when it was actually the first thing that helped when I eventually plucked up the courage! 😆 Here I am today, just back from my second Saturday shopping trip loaded with a lot of grocery tat that I really don't need. Just goes to show that there's hope for us all.......................I just wish that Gwynne the surgeon had been able to bypass my (what seems to be) compulsive grocery shopping gene! 😜I hate shopping - except for groceries!😁
What an uplifting and positive post to read, thank you.
I celebrated my HA anniversary recently. Counting my blessings as I made my way around Parkrun this morning...in the rain and drizzle, I agree wholeheartedly with you, we have begun our new lives...our second chances.
Yes, our friends on this forum, really do give far more than they realise and long may it continue 😜👍
Thank you Cruiser and many genuinely 'heartfelt' congratulations to you too. I'm going to work four days a week (desk work though), I live alone so all the usual housework, gardening etc., out for walks too, but don't feel as if I'm doing enough 'proper' exercise like yourself. I don't know whether it's a saying over there on the mainland, or just here in NI, but 'more power to your elbow' (meaning from the Cambridge Dictionary - an expression of praise or admiration for someone's success or brave actions) 😀👍
I agree - our friends on this forum are priceless.😊
Thank you Cee-Cee1, totally get the power to your elbow saying. If you're doing all that housework and gardening and out walking then there's lots of 'proper' exercise going on. I think every little bit we do helps in it's own way, taking the stairs instead of the lift, even if by only one floor is amazing exercise.
Great news you're back at work, interacting with people is essential for well-being and mood. We all still have moments but we can see through them... lighter days are on their way.
I was incredibly blessed with my recovery Cruiser (undoubtedly due to the talent, skill and empathy of Gwynne the surgeon and his team!). I was able to come home 4/5 days after the op and back to work (on a phased return) just four & a half months later and I really did feel okay - just a bit tired, but I'm putting that down to the medication - any excuse for being idle!😀 I agree with you totally about interacting - I did miss a gossip with the lads and lasses. It really does lift your mood.
Hello
I can feel in your post how full of life you are and you have come a long way and done so well
I have read your other comments and cannot add much more except what we go through break out into a few James Browns moves in the Supermarket or on the street why not you should celebrate feeling so good and I hope it long continues which I am sure it will
Thank you so much BeKind. I love reading your posts, you're always so very helpful and lovely to other people even when you're feeling a wee bit down yourself. As I said to Cruiser in the post above, the friends, and the advice, on this forum are all incredibly precious and that's priceless! Take care and don't forget to keep looking after yourself too, Carol xox
There's a high pollen count at the moment, Pheasant - that must be what's doing it - it happens to me as well when I read all the lovely stories here. Keep smiling! 😂🤣
I can’t believe I didn’t see this post, Carol. What a lovely, uplifting post just like you! If Pheasant1234 didn’t comment, I wouldn’t have had the chance to reply. I know I’m a late comer to the post, but I’m sending you lots of wishes for continued good health & prayers for more amazing years ahead!
Thank you too, Soap - it really does cheer me up when I read everyone else's positive stories and just wanted to share my own. Even 18 months later it still feels like a bit of a miracle sometimes and I'm STILL feeling better every day! I appreciate that it isn't the same for everyone, but just wanted anyone reading who's about to have their bypass operation, or who has just had it, to know that things really can get better for so many people even if it doesn't feel like it at the time.
We've had nothing but really heavy rain showers since Friday, but who cares, we can still dance in it! xox
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