Now What? Part two- Moving on

Hey R.C.,

Today is part two of your two-day 'Moving On' blog special!

I wanted to fill you in on one of the books we recently added to the Sidney Public Library. I made sure that when we picked the materials for the library resource that it included something about moving on from a cardiac episode, because this is potentially even scarier than the actual episode. 

I've talk to a few people who have been caregivers or lived through a cardiac episode, and here is what they had to say:

"When he came home all he wanted to do was sit in the rocking chair watching TV and waiting to die.   Every time he had indigestion  he made me call rescue cause he thought he was having another heart attack.   He was hospitalized 14 times in 15 months for cardiac related issues, one was another heart attack....I spent almost two years watching him sleep cause I was afraid if I went to sleep he would stop breathing...If I dared go anywhere and heard sirens I would rush home cause I was sure it was MY house."

"Since the surgery, I have worked hard at restoring my health: following my doctor's orders, eating nutritional foods, taking supplements and exercising. Despite my efforts, I have not made much progress. I am depressed about my state of affairs and panicked about my future.” (borrowed from WomenHeart)

This excerpt show just how scary it is to live past a cardiac episode, but the end result is a blessing:

"Dad  remembers to take his medications  and eats healthy and exercises regularly that he is still with us 16 years later, despite having been given only 6 months to live."   

“After 14 angioplasties, five stents and two quadruple bypass surgeries, I have gone through the frustrations, depressions and fears of serious heart problems. I even go through periods of denial, but I also meditate, do Tai Chi, and generally have a positive view of life. I am aware that there have been many changes and new directions in my life but I am very happy for each moment, laugh and hug that comes into my life. I am actively involved in living even though how I live has changed.” (borrowed from WomenHeart)

"I had a 1% chance of survival after surgery, but I came through and I'm doing great. The depression following the surgery is terrible, but it does go away and all the pain is worth every day I have afterwards. I call my scar my "life line" to a new and wonderful life.” (borrowed from WomenHeart)

One of the books, called "Back to Life After a Heart Crisis: A Doctor and His Wife Share Their 8-Step Cardiac Comeback Plan" by Marc Wallack, MD, and his wife, Jamie Colby, teaches how to conquer your fear of living, how to get through sleepless nights, answers the questions you're afraid to ask, and gives helpful information for coping as a caregiver.

Need more information on coping after an episode or being a caregiver? Check out the Sidney Public Library or visit the American Heart Association. 

From my heart to yours,

Red