Introducing Myself

[Kuya]

I'm a newbie to this process as I'm four days away from my first hospital visit and two days away from diagnosis of congestive heart failure and COPD. I'm here to learn how to adapt to this new life style and change in self image. I've thought of myself as "Buffalo Woman" strong, good endurance, hard worker, high alpine hiker etc etc etc ... and now I'm a heart patient who has to limit salt, liquid and find a way to exercise in ways that are more gentle and at the right level. I'm here to learn.

[Hidden]

hello and welcome, I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis and that now it’s about embracing your new life as a heart patient but remember you are still you! Hopefully there will be people along soon who can offer advice on your particular health issues. Support however comes irrespective of our individual health challenges ❤️

[Kuya in reply to Hidden]

thank you

[MummaSoap]

Welcome to the forum Kuya!

Firstly, I would like to say you can still be strong and a heart patient but it’s ok to feel rocked by the uncertainty of your situation (and that doesn’t make you any less strong).

I have dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure but 2 years into my diagnosis, I’m still adapting and trying to learn about the impact on my body and what works for me.

Personally, and in my experience, I would recommend listening to your body. If it doesn’t feel right or it causes discomfort - stop.

Also to help with your mindset, rather than worrying about the things you can no longer do, focus on the things you can do (easier said than done but how you frame situations can hugely impact various outcomes).

I hope that your upcoming appointment provides you with some clarity around your diagnosis - make a list of questions that you want answered and take it with you. Then you’re more likely to get the most out of the conversation and ask if you can record it on your phone so that you don’t have to try and remember everything that was said to relay to family afterwards.

Best wishes

Soap

[Kuya in reply to MummaSoap]

thank you .. re framing the experience. a friend gave me a very helpful and timely application of a very old concept ...ie ... to consider this as my next reincarnation, but in a body that has issues. how will i meet the conditions of this new life? your suggestions help me to answer that question

[devonian186]

As a hiker myself, getting out and about in nice scenery and fresh air is important. It would be useful if you can find out the limits to your exercise which may likely increase as time goes by.

Should you do 10 minutes light walking each day? An hours brisk walking on the flat? An hours brisk walking up moderate slopes? If you can get the medical people to set the boundaries you will know what is right for you

[Kuya in reply to devonian186]

Thank you so much, Devonian ... I'll try a walk again today - this time a lot slower. Typical of me, I was barging into my exercise program the day after out of hospital and when the my finger clip oxometer showed me a 75% O2 and very high heart beat, I kind of freaked out. And yes, fresh air and a little forest bathing is always rejuvenating. I'll be 77 in three weeks. Smoked from ages 13 to 40 and grew up in a home full of cigarette smoke from morning to night. Back in the early fifties, we knew nothing about smoking and the cigarette manufactures, in later years, hid the harmful health effect data for years. I remember the ad in which a tall thin elegant woman was smoking a Marlboro cigarette with the caption, "You've come a long way, baby." (because we women could now smoke in public.

[Swalecliffe88]

Welcome Kuya. I was sort of in your shoes 8 years ago. One afternoon in Feb I was suddenly made aware my 20 a day habit and 60 year smoke filled environment had finally got me. Throwing away my cigarettes while exiting the hospital following my angiogram and being told my only hope was open heart surgery, my previous fit and energetic world came to an abrupt standstill. I say standstill because that sort of fright makes you stop, think ohhhh s..t. But …….. take whatever treatment they can offer you, accept all the advice and services the Cardiac Rehab people offer, seek all the knowledge of friends like us and you will be you again before you know it. Just more aware life is about staying healthy. Perhaps not doing some of the things you did previously but you will still have a life to enjoy. That’s why I only said standstill not stopped. We are hear to listen, empathise on not so good days and celebrate when the standstill comes to an end and you are walking, running a marathon or climbing a mountain again. Well maybe make it a hill now 🤣🤣