I am reading this laying in my hospital bed after open heart surgery. My problem was I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve that started leaking badly resulting in an arotic aneurysm. I had to have the valve and ascending aorta replaced. I am 9 days post-surgery and will likely go home tomorrow. The article gives me encouragement.
“The article gives me encouragement.”
it’s a rough recovery, especially the first 3 weeks at home, but you should eventually be fine ...
I am here to encourage you with an even more incredible story than the Runner’s World article.
I am a former runner, now 74, who developed a minor heart murmur when about 35 - during stress test, cardio said, “You are fine - it’s minor - just keep running” as I broke the machine.
When 60, my doc said murmur was too loud, I needed to see a cardio. In 30 seconds, cardio said, “You have a bi-cuspid aortic valve - an echocardiogram will show us.” He was correct. He said I’d need valve replaced in 10 years.
I was checked every year and there was no decay, but I could no longer run - but I had a runner’s heart.
In year 4 cardio said “your aortic valve may not open at any moment - and you’ll be gone. We need to operate today!” I didn’t want to believe it, got a 2nd opinion who said same thing. A doc friend said if I didn’t have surgery immediately, I’d be committing suicide.
Not something a Christian does - so I had surgery. In heart cath, they said I had major blockage and also needed a triple bypass. “NO WAY! I’ve been a runner!”
Next day I had both aortic valve replacement and triple bypass - by God’s grace, the 5 hour surgery went well. I had the best cardio surgeon in Virginia. I’ve had 8 major surgeries, and that’s the only one I never want again! But I determined to get well quick!
I followed ICU’s directions explicitly and was home in 3 days. Told my surgeon I wanted to be his best patient ever, and followed his instructions explicitly. I began walking in 4 days - he said, “Just don’t get out of breath.” I didn’t.
In 7 days after surgery, I was walking 1 mile/day!!! By God’s grace of course!
14 days after surgery, I was walking 3 miles a day. 3 weeks after surgery, I was walking 5 miles a day. I gradually increased that to between 6 and 9 miles a day.
9 months after open heart surgery, I ran a full 10k! And I continued running until I was 69 when arthritis under my kneecaps forced me to quit running - interestingly, my knees themselves are fine.
I really miss my running, but now walk 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 miles 5 days/week.
My message: WALK, WALK, WALK! Don’t get out of breath - BUT WALK!
Best way possible for you to heal and get your heart back in shape.
May the Lord bless your recovery and healing.......
Best advice I have it to get involved in cardio rehab when your doctor allows it. Stay consistent with it. I’ll be completing my 36th, and final, session tomorrow. Could only walk about 15 yards without severe tiring six months ago. Ran 7/10 of a mile yesterday.