Back on the job

[The mail man]

On April 17th of this year I had open heart surgery to replace my stenotic, bicuspid, aortic valve with a mechanical valve. I have to admit, the first six weeks after the surgery were very hard. I felt at that time that I would never be able to do my job again. For those of you that don't know, being a rural mail carrier is a strenuous job requiring lots of upper body strength and stamina. Going to rehab to help get my strength back was probably the best advice my doctor had ever given to me. After the first day, I felt better both mentally and physically. Now, back on the job, I'm able to perform even better than before the surgery. For three years, I carried around the burden of knowing I had a serious problem that needed to be taken care of but I was afraid of so many things. My cardiologists words of "sudden death" being one of the symptoms of aortic stenosis rang in my head most of the time but I still kept putting the inevitable off and just adapted to my condition. I only thought I was feeling well, what little did I know.

So, in the end, what I have to offer to anyone on the fence about getting your aortic valve replaced and all it entails is this: Don't delay, just do it. I put my life at risk and my families future with me on the line just because I let fear get its grip on me. Yes, it is a big time scary procedure and surgeries don't get much more major than this. But, thank God we live in a day and age when advances in medicine are at the point where much that used to be feared does not exist anymore.

Thank you to you all,

The Mail Man

 

[Guyswell]

Congratulations Mail Man! Thanks for the good words.

 

[kimcdougc]

Thanks for sharing your perspective mail man! I feel exactly the same way. Put the fear in your pocket, sew it up and just do it! I had fear also. I am now 8 1/2 weeks post op and feeling great! Congrats with sharing your story. I am sure our positive stories help those in the waiting room. I know all the inspirational stories helped me when I was in the waiting room.

 

[iheart]

Mail Man, I had surgery April 18th, the day after you had yours. Congrats on doing so well; being "even better than before the surgery" says a lot! You are right that we live in an amazing age with some great advances in science and medicine. Now at just over 3 months out I don't feel limited in any way. Today at work I made several trips down a stairwell carrying some very heavy equipment and didn't think twice. We are lucky.
The take away message is, if you need surgery, don't put it off!

 

[Jkm7]

Mail Man,
What a wonderful post.

It is so good to read how well you are doing. I could feel your joy and relief in your words.

Keep up the good work and enjoy being able to do your job and be with your family.
You've 'earned it'.

Well done!!

 

[spartangator]

Thanks for sharing, Mail Man. How great to hear that you're back at work and doing wonderfully. Your words will mean a ton to those on their way to treatment.

 

[clay_from_nj]

It's awesome to hear another story about someone's "new life." Stories like yours help to dispel people's fear and give them hope. Keep up the good work. Maybe we should consider celebrating that "second" birthday? I think I'll do a cake with a heart on it and host a walk or run or bike ride.

Seeing our rural letter carrier come by each day will now bring even more positive thoughts to mind.