Back again, I hope!

[bonz_d]

Well it looks as if I haven't been here since the middle of March. Even missed my Birthday, so thank you all for the well wishes.

So this New Year hasn't been so kind as I finally had a surgery to repair my legs, http://forums.iboats.com/forum/other/dockside-chat/10341958-hope-to-be-back and I thought all was going well. Was feeling better, walking better and improved spirit. Then on the morning of April 8 I had the 1st of 2 heart attacks, one at home and the other in the ER. After an unsuccessful Cardiac Catheterization on Sunday I was off the surgery again for my 1st open heart, triple bypass.

Now I have had numerous heart procedures in the past but this was the 1st time I have had questions as to if I was going to survive it. This time I even seen the fear in my wife's eyes. Also the only time I have ever witnessed the ER people with a look of "Get him out of here!" It was almost like they didn't know what to do.

Well I did survive and I am recovering nicely or so I'm told. Still have surgical pain in my chest and leg and swelling in my leg and ankle from them taking the vein. Have made it thru the first two phases of cardiac rehab and am now exercising w/o an EKG wired in. Also haven't had a cigarette in 8 weeks! Proud of that, Cold Turkey with the help of the surgery and opioid drugs while in the hospital for 8 days. Though the cravings are not getting any lighter, I still want one, even right now.

So I've now progressed to the point that my weight restriction has been raised and was told to increase my activity level. Just to be careful, not to do too much and take frequent breaks. So now I'm trying to build the courage to go out into the garage and start putting the Sea Nymph back together. It won't take much as everything is already fitted, just needs to be drilled, sealed and fastened in. Then reinstall the helm and outboard.

 

[gm280]

Welcome back bonz_d. Sorry to hear of your two heart attacks. But glad you came through them and are making improvements now. I know of a few folks that have had open heart surgery and I know it isn't a walk in the park. But it is getting more common place these days as well, and folks do very well afterwards. My advice is to listen to whatever your doctor(s) tell you to do and do it. They certainly know more about it then anybody else. So progress as they tell you to and don't push it. And the absolute best thing you can do now, is keep adding to the cigarette stop day numbers. I never smoked so I have no idea how hard it is to quit. But you do know those thing can kill you.

Glad to hear you are looking forward to finishing the boat as well. But that too need to progress as the doctor say. Well wishing coming you way. Keep in touch on here. We like to hear from you as well. :thumb:

 

[Big Gee]

Though the cravings are not getting any lighter, I still want one, even right now.

I quit 10 weeks ago cold turkey after smoking for 50 years. I know what you're talking about. Hang in there best you can.

Welcome back!!

 

[southkogs]

Take it all in steps man. Little victories when you can get 'em, y'know?

Sorry to hear how rough it's been. That sort of thing is just plain scary - let alone painful and tiring.

 

[bonz_d]

Thanks bunches! I am feeling better and stronger every week. I too have been smoking for 50 years and quitting has been the hardest thing I've had to try and do. Ever! I also know how important it is for me to quit to improve my health.

Wife showed me a picture she took after I was back in my room after surgery. I was sitting in a chair, wrapped in a blanket. Couldn't see the 4 chest tubes or the pacemaker wires or the mainline IV in my neck. Also I didn't and still don't remember any of it on that Monday.

My rehab workout has been going well doing bikes, arm bikes treadmill and light weights Yesterday I did my 1st 1hr nonstop walk on the treadmill and was pretty proud of that. So now to get that transom wood back in and holes sealed then have the son come put the engine back on for me. Then I'll have to find someone to help with the trailer!

 

[MTboatguy]

Glad to see you back Bonz, you have been missed, stay off the darn smoke and I am not the best one to tell you that, I have almost 50 years under my belt on that issue..

Look forward to you being back and letting us know what is going on!

 

[sphelps]

Glad you are doing better after all the set backs ! I would think something like that would definitely be a lifestyle game changer for sure ... Baby steps like others have said and do what the docs and most importantly the Admirals says to do ...Wetting a line would be very therapeutic ! :fish2:

 

[charleso]

Glad to see you are on the road to recovery. Don't over do it. I for one would be more than willing to help you anyway I could if you were in my neck of the woods.

 

[angus63]

Godspeed back to good health and boating!

 

[GA_Boater]

Little steps, Bonz. Get some help putting the motor on and heavy lifting.

Get better and come sit on the porch with us and shoot the breeze.

 

[jbcurt00]

Welcome back Bonz. Ease into whatever you're doing. It was almost as painfully hard to do so little, after my surgery xmas week, as to do too much too early....

Keep a positive outlook, and be prepared to only do what you can.

Good luck and be safe

 

[BWR1953]

Dang dude, welcome back! Sorry to hear about the health issues. And as everyone said, take it easy and for a lot longer than you want to! I know it takes patience but ya gotta be safe. Ya know?

Sitting and thinking and maybe taking pictures would be a good start for a week or two. Let your body recover so that you can get back to work in a reasonable time. :encouragement:

 

[bonz_d]

Dang dude, welcome back! Sorry to hear about the health issues. And as everyone said, take it easy and for a lot longer than you want to! I know it takes patience but ya gotta be safe. Ya know?

Sitting and thinking and maybe taking pictures would be a good start for a week or two. Let your body recover so that you can get back to work in a reasonable time. :encouragement:

Thanks, everything is on schedule or ahead. 8 weeks out already and into the 4th week of cardiac rehab and all EKG's are returning normal so a week ago the took me off the monitor while working out. Also after the cardio workout my BP is lower than when I start. I also have a high inclination for when it's time to take a break or what is more than I can handle. I have no intention of being rushed back to an ER.

After the surgery and just before release from the hospital and I was told that I was on an 8.5# weight restriction I teasingly asked the Dr. if that means I can go fishing as long as I use 6# test line. Was firmly told NO. Guess he has no sense of humor.

 

[BWR1953]

Good advice from the doc. Wouldn't want you to be done in by a bluegill!

 

[DayCruiser]

You're one tough cookie that is for sure! Glad you are back and recovering

 

[southkogs]

Often I find recovery to be as challenging as the illness itself. Hang in Bonz. On this end it's a long, hard road. When you get to the other end, you realize it wasn't as long as it seemed.

 

[bonz_d]

You're one tough cookie that is for sure! Glad you are back and recovering

Not really, just survivor mode. I fear the physical act of dyeing so I'm not going without a fight!
No, seriously. What else can one do but fight thru it or just give up? I think stopping smoking is enough quitting for now. The tough cookie is my wife who has been there and watched me go thru all this. She is much more than my wife, lover and best friend.

 

[southkogs]

... She is much more than my wife, lover and best friend.

Crazy - try as hard as you might to really appreciate 'em. It's not until you REALLY need them, that you begin to understand how dedicated to you they honestly are. It's really humbling to have a good woman love you.

 

[bonz_d]

Crazy - try as hard as you might to really appreciate 'em. It's not until you REALLY need them, that you begin to understand how dedicated to you they honestly are. It's really humbling to have a good woman love you.

Absolutely! Then I've known this for a long time. This is my second marriage and long ago when my mother met her for the 1st time they hit it off very well. Later, before my mother passed she told me that Cathy was the best thing that ever happened to me and I had to agree and still believe that.

 

[DayCruiser]

Not really, just survivor mode. I fear the physical act of dyeing so I'm not going without a fight!
No, seriously. What else can one do but fight thru it or just give up? I think stopping smoking is enough quitting for now. The tough cookie is my wife who has been there and watched me go thru all this. She is much more than my wife, lover and best friend.

Your wife sounds like a great lady! My wife is trying to give up smoking. Not easy for anybody, for sure. She is kinda on the irritable side at times too. I understand completely because I have seen a few people go through trying to quit. My late dad had quadruple bypass surgery and that convinced him to quit. You're still an inspiration to keep on going. I am in my late 50s and am really getting discouraged as things start falling apart. Getting me down mentally. Things just are not healing like they did in our younger days. Nothing life threatening that I know about. Just if I took all the test I need, I would be broke.