Well my "jeans" and my "genes" finally caught up with me a couple weeks ago. While checking some cameras on a super hot day about 3 weeks prior I had a little tightness in my chest and was a little short of breath. Now I'm NOT in good shape really didn't feel much different than years past but something was different like pressure didn't go away even that nite while resting. Gave my cardiologist a call on Monday and the ride started. Ekg that week-normal, nuclear stress test next week -FAIL, had one 4 years prior that was normal. Heart cath the next day and Doc's quote "HE"S A MESS". 7 or 8 blockages, 3 major heart arteries and a major side branch 95% blocked, another 75% and some 50%'s too. Met surgeon that day in hospital that afternoon and he gave wife and I the details and stats you know the % of this that like chances of death. They thought about next day surgery but hospital schedules didn't work so 9-16-20 was it also my son's birthday. Birthday cake and presents came a day early. Surgery went good quadruple bypass and after 4 nites in hospital I came home feeling like a new man but this guy was not the 58 year old short overweight guy that went into hospital. Now feel like a 90 year old that got ran over over by a school bus. I had been feeling good(no elephant on chest or pain of any kind) so with my chest being cracked open it's going to take a bit to get over that and then keep going to higher levels than before. Very fortunate they caught it before the "BIG ONE" and am VERY BLESSED with the many prays for me and my family, many people I have never met. Will be trying some deer hunting at LOW LEVELS in another month half (mid nov coincidence) and been invited this late winter or early spring to Texas for some exotics so looking forward to that. Turkey season will EXCITING this year as I feel that I've been given a second chance at playing the game on this side of heaven and plan on taking advantage of it. Guys and gals listen to your bodies and docs. My dad had a heart attack and bypass at around 72 and lived to 78, brother had bypass at 62 and still going 10 years later. Do wish they had a shot that they could give me about once a year that would make me feel this BAD for about a week to remember NOT TO GO BACK to my old ways as many people do.
Best of luck in your recovery, take advantage of your blessings that is was caught in time. Listen to the docs and make whatever lifestyle changes and whatever recovery they recommend. I know this can be hard. Take care and God bless
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I'm saying you'll bounce back and feel years and years younger by next turkey season. Pity for the turkeys then. Get well soon pal.
Take care and most definitely do what they tell you to do! Walk when you don't feel like walking and then walk some more. My Dad (72) went on this ride starting last Nov (light stroke) which led to his dr's discovering heart issues. That led to double bipass surgery in late Jan. He found out he had a silent, substantial heart attack years ago that had left him with only 50% heart function. His recovery was rough given his circumstances. Just keep the big picture and mind and do the best you can each day. I pray God blesses you with a complete, speedy recovery!
You gotta a new lease on life! Our Creator decided you still had a purpose left on this planet. Discover it, make the most of it, and embrace every minute. And never let a day go by that you don't thank Him for that opportunity! God is Good!!! StaySafe!!!
Good luck, follow your Doctors guidelines and you should be ready to go by the season opener. I'm prepping for season as well, but I'm going to try and avoid that open heart surgery portion of it. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a successful spring season.
Sorry to hear you had to go through all that, but I am glad that it sounds like they found everything and that surgery went well. Granted my situation was not the same but I was and am grateful that God saw fit to let me into the woods again and I am sure you feel the same way. I wish you all the luck in the world with your recovery and in the woods. God bless.
My grandad had open heart surgery about 20 years ago. Triple bypass. He was mad that after they cut him open he couldn't lift the homestead anvil over his head anymore. But he is still kicking. Just helped me put the last of the boards down on my deck last weekend at 86 years old. I hope it works out as well for you.
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Prayers , glad your doing good after heart surgery , just take it easy and take care of yourself , spring will be here before you know it .. Good time to rest and play turkey calls ..
God bless, glad you are doing well. You have many more sunrises to experience, and many more gobblers to chase. Be well my friend....
Glad your surgery went well and you're on the road to recovery! My dad had 5 bypass surgery 5 years ago at 72 and it turned a new page for him. He's down 40 pounds, in great shape from walking most days and is loving life now.
Don't forget to check with your doctor on shooting your guns this soon due to the ribs. My uncle had heart surgery in June and his surgeon has him holding off until October. (He shoots skeet, or used to, 1 or 2 times a week so he's going nuts.)
I had a triple bypass 8 years ago. Amazing what they can do today. Hope your in the turkey woods this spring and that you have a great time in the turkey hunting. Follow the dr's orders and and heal up, you'll be up and and about to normal before you know it. The Good Lord and His Second Chances never cease to amaze me and keep me in wonder and awe at His kindness to us. God Bless and Godspeed to your recovery.
Had the same surgery in July 3rd, 2005 . I was able to shoot doves on labor day weekend. Granted I was 45 then so my recovery ability was probably better then. It took me longer to walk in and out of the field because I wasn't fully recovered but shooting wasn't an issue and a buddy helped carry some of my junk. Walking in waders in duck season a few months later also wore me out but again,as long as I didn't get in a big hurry I was fine. By turkey season the following year I was as good as new. Keep plugging away at rehab and you will be good to go, it just takes time.
Good luck.
Glad to hear your on your way to recovery and wish you many more mornings hunting these awesome birds bud!
Good luck to you..Sounds like you have a great attitude about the whole thing. Glad you got a second chance to be able to change some of your old ways. Life is short anyway you look at it..
I do have another lease on life and need to make some changes NOW. Looking forward to getting back in the woods plus other enjoyable pastimes. MANY THANKS for all the thoughts and prayers.
Sounds like you were very lucky and you're on the road to recovery. God bless you and best wishes for ya
Best of luck on your recovery.
Good luck to ya and I'm glad things are getting better
Glad your on the mend and good call on going to the doctor. My dad had similar symptoms years ago and had a quadruple bypass. Said the worst part was the chest pain from the sternum and ribs healing. Sad to say it but my uncle and grandad both had symptoms they should have got checked and aren't here anymore. It's no joke
That's a rough go, glad to hear things are getting better. Best of luck through the healing process, them turkeys are in trouble!
Well I'm 20 pounds lighter and still kicking after a few setbacks runnin well walkin anyways the woods and got a longbeard yesterday. As for setbacks had a bloodclot in my left leg at the vein harvest site, 1200 ml fluid drained off my left lung(coughed my guts out) and my sternum bone has never fused. Surgeon said we can (if I would like) take me apart shave the bones and wire me back up and hope it fuses this time. It's not moving or clicking, wires still tight and doesn't bother me much so decided to hold off for now. Now to the gobbler, worked this bird off roost 3 days in a row and we had him inside 40 each day but thick and never offered a clean shot. Yesterday moved on field edge to change call locations but left us silhouetted so the 2 longbeards had us pinned down even tho they were 12 yards but just too thick and they kept moving. They went back and circled gobblin like crazy behind my daughter and hard to my left but even thicker. 20 yards strutter wouldn't clear but his guard and lookout gave me a hurried shot as he turned to go back again. After all the heart fun last fall it sure felt GOOD to be in the woods with family hearing those gobbles then carrying home a gobbler. THANKS AGAIN for all your prayers and thoughts, I am truly BLESSED!
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Congratulations to you and prayer for your continued health.
Edit: I love that second image.
Glad to hear your able to keep after them Tom's. Always look foreword to your family pictures. Thanks for sharing.
That is awesome, so glad to hear. Good for you!
You are a better man than I. I would have played that up a little, there is no way I would have carried that turkey out.????
Congrats on your health and the bird, great pics also, thanks for sharing!