A short update

[Survivor1952]

Just a quick update on my progress. I hope this encourages or inspires others.

My OHS was on 16th June ‘23. That was AVR & CABG. I had 2 x PCI 3 weeks before that. I’ll be 72 in just over a months time but the 20 something year old in my head doesn’t want to understand that.

I opted to attend the Phase 4 cardiac rehab classes after my free ones finished. I do have to pay but it is a small price really and affordable. The trainer there has noted that post surgery exertion guidelines don’t apply to me, I can do my own thing. And I’m working hard, it seems to be benefitting me too. Oh, my coordination and balance were way off after surgery but are now improving well.

I have never been a runner but started doing parkrun 3 months after my surgery with the the blessing of the phase 3 rehab team. I set a series of personal best times in quick succession as one might expect but then stalled with my time consistent but about 30 seconds slower than my best. Today, on my 31st run, I’ve smashed that previous PB by, unofficially, about 50 seconds. Chuffed is not good enough to describe how I feel - oh physically tired/sore as well!

I think I can say I’m back to living a normal life apart from the meds I’m on, even those are under review.

[DodgyTickerMum]

Well Done! That’s brilliant! I had my O.H.S on the same day as you, for a Mitral Valve Replacement. I’m still awaiting a post rehab assessment due to a few medical issues, before I can start the phase 4 rehab classes.

The fact that you’re doing park runs is fantastic. You put me to shame. I was 49 at the time of my surgery! 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Bluey73]

Thankou for sharing & well done, you sound like superman 🦸‍♂️

Early days for us, my boyfriend (51) had his surgery a week ago, he's doing well but gets very tired and it's wonderful to hear these stories.

I'm currently reading a book about a doctor that had stents then OHS in his 60s & he told the nurses after surgery that he would run a marathon within a year, he did 8 months later. He had never done any exercise in his life prior to this & he went on to do many marathons, triathlons, mountain climbing & many more challenging adventures. It's a very inspiring book.

[Hythe123 in reply to Bluey73]

What is the book called please?

[Bluey73 in reply to Hythe123]

The book is "Open Heart" by Akil Taher

[Mancunian1]

that is great to read. Thanks for sharing as I found it very encouraging.

[DWizza]

Brilliant 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 well done Survivor 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 I know that feeling of accomplishment, it’s a fab feeling after what we’ve been through 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻. It’s great to be a year on from heart surgery , here’s to many more 🥂

[MountainGoat52]

Excellent news Survivor. Well done on the new PB.... it's always pleasing to achieve a bit more than you've done previously. I'm definitely not a runner, so I measure my achievements in other ways, notably doing multiple Munros in a day. However, I realise that there will come a time when the process curve goes negative due to my age. It is all relative. Just as long as I can keep going, that's the main thing.

All the best for the future,

Gerald

[Jedi14]

Well done!

[ragdollcat]

what a fantastic outcome ! My Great Aunt had Open heart surgery at 70 and she lived until she was two months shy of 100 ! So many wonderful years ahead for you . My Great Aunt was in excellent health cognitively and physically as well, up until the end .

[Survivor1952 in reply to ragdollcat]

Almost exactly the same as my mum, cause of death given as extreme old age, she died 7 months short of 100. She had a triple bypass.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi that's brilliant that you can do so much exercise and enjoy it, it's just something I have never really been in to and that goes way back to when I was at school in the 70's I really admire people that can keep it up regularly. I try and walk when I have time but it's not frequent enough after my cardio rehab which was online I didn't do anything like that again, I have no staying power at all, although I was at a hen do last night and danced till midnight that's this month's exercise done 😂. Char

[Survivor1952 in reply to Thanksnhs]

I used to try and find any excuse to avoid games at school, it was my HA that made me change!