There is hope a view from seven months down the line

[Tedsdad]

I thought it might be encouraging for some at the beginning of their journey to read a relative success story from 7 months down the line.

I am 67 hand an elective operation for an aneurysm and aortic valve replacement. Cardiac arrest during op and blood clot in lungs in following day resulting in having to be brought back from a short visit to the other side.

I had the full catalogue of associated problems during six weeks and ICU with no visits at any time other than a chance for my wife to say good bye. I Have also had an ongoing access which was evacuating through the trache scar.

There really is light at the end of the tunnel.

Although I am still on a lot of meds and too wobbly to drive I am now well on the mend. Walking 5 to 7 miles a day and three hours flute practice a day. As most of us have experienced the beginning is hell. When you weep. With frustration because you cannot move and you are trying so hard. No one can be sure of how anyone will recover but if you give in with the physio you really are making sure that you won’t get over it. I have been lucky having fantastic support from my wife since I came home knowing when to suppprt and when to bully.

But Hiwever awful and weak yiu feel now time and work will help you more than you can appreciate at the beginning if your recovery. When I came round my surgeon said a few very wise things to me and one was that if I looked back I should always do it with the attitude of seeing what I couldn’t do a few days or weeks ago that I can now. Of course I was lucky to be in the mend not everyone is, we have to acknowledge that, but if you are making this backward comparison is a wonderful way of making you feel better about the whole procedure.

[FamilyHistorian]

How true. What can I add

[Sepsur]

Agreed - it’s always better to see how far you have come than torture yourself with how far you have to go.

[8SofMB]

It sounds like you are doing fantastically well. Key to a successful recovery is keeping positive and a zest for life, you seem to have all you need in bucketsful. Get on with your life as best you can, push yourself and your recovery will chug along in the background. Wherever you are, its better than where you might have been.

Brill, well done.

Pete