Confidence Builders

[Chip]

Hello VR members..
Although I am nearly 3 years out of AVR surgery and swim 10 miles a month, every so often my confidence takes a nose dive. It will happen after I have a few flutters or missed beats or if I wake up from a dream that has caused my heart to beat fast. Unless I am in one of those confidence 'nose dives' by BP is steady at 100-105 over 60-65.
Anybody have any confidence building tips?
Thanks
Chip

 

[tommy]

Chip,

Assuming that your doc(s) have consented to exercise, I suggest continuing that. I get a huge thrill and emotional boost from participating in races. Sure, I'm not going to win any trophies, but finishing is a huge victory in my mind. It is a true miracle!

The next time you see your PCP and cardio, ask them about increasing your exercise. Tell them flat out that you need more confidence. Tell them you want to know your limits. See what they say. Whether they give you limitations or not, it will give you confidence that you know the "score". Knowing (and being reminded) is very helpful to me.

Talking about it helps. Glad you posted. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Harpoon]

Personally, I get a boost from having a "good" shooting assignment for the paper or shooting some kind of breaking news story (like a house fire or an accident.)

These were things I rarely got a chance to shoot in the months before I had surgery. I was so sick and had such a rough time working (in retrospect, I should have gone on leave sooner, oh well) and it's just a great feeling to be running around now like a nut doing the work I love.


That should be a good confidence booster, thinking about the things you couldn't do in the weeks and months leading up to surgery and being able to do them now. Not everyone got sick like that, but I think most of the people here who are post vr have "before and after" type images and stories to remind them of where they were and where they are now and what it took to get there.

Sucking in air and pushing it back out again is a REALLY cool thing.

Doing that and RUNNING is even cooler.

 

[hensylee]

Chip - after heart surgery, we are forever changed. We have been through a life threatening experience and it has made every single one of us more aware of what goes on within us. No matter how many tell us "I am over it", they aren't. We just have to learn to live with the fact that when something a bit odd occurs, the first thing we think of is our heart repair. No gettin around it. The only thing I would say is listen to your body, let a bit of time pass after an event like you are talking about, and if it goes away, you got by once again; then go back to what you were doin. If it doesn't go away, you know what to do.

 

[Birky]

confidence

confidence

I agree with Henslyee. It seems that bypass patients do not experience this as much as valvers. I have seen so many that do not have to make any big lifestyle changes except exercise and diet which most of them do not stick to.I am aware every day that I have a mechanical valve and this is what is keeping me going and feeling so great. I try not to think about it but it is always in the back of my mind. We are going on vacation Friday and I worry about travelling since I am on coumadin and could bleed to death really fast if I am too thin. Got off the track. Ask about increasing your exercise and don't lose your confidence. I think it is normal to worry,

 

[hensylee]

Marcia - I am one of those who, when I joined, didn't belong in VR but I didn't know enough about the heart subject to know it. I had bypass, not VR. Yep, changes have to be made - exercise, diet, medicine, the whole she-bang. And I made them all, too. One thing I believe about bypassers is that we get worse again over time whether we stick to the rules or not. And yes, I listen to my heart (not the clicking) but what it tells me every day. Sometimes its just plain scary. SOB, heavy beating, etc.

Now and again I try to repeat to the group that I am an imposter in VR! lol

 

[bvdr]

But Hennyslee, you a beloved imposter!

 

[tommy]

Yes, Ann, glad you are here.

 

[Les]

Ann is part of the foundation of VR!

 

[Birky]

imposter

imposter

Ann, I am glad you are a member. I think you are right when you say that most of the time there are repeats with the bypasses. Hopefully I will never have to go that route, the valve was enough.

 

[Mary]

Then I want to be one too!

Then I want to be one too!

Ann,
If you're an imposter, then I want to be one! Judging by your posts, imposters must be topnotch, compassionate, funny, beautiful, sexy people --just like everyone else on the board.
Well, maybe the sexy is still to be determined about a few, but probably so!
Mary

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Ann,
I don't believe you are an imposter, you have touched my heart and I know you have touched many more members hearts. I am glad you are a member.
Take Care

 

[M&M]

"tips"

"tips"

Hi Chip, I know exactly how you feel. My confidence goes up and down depending on my 'symptoms'. Sometimes its arrhythmia - sometimes its chest pains. I can go mos - feeling great and then bang - a new symptom appears and I wonder - should I report this to my dr. or just wait and see if it happens again. Generally, it happens again and again. Sometimes I will go mos with the symptom - knowing the minute I report it to my dr. it goes away... I have tried the holter monitor and capturing the 'type' of arrhythmia which when diagnosed and treated - helps in alleviating my fear in handling this all by myself..

I'm not sure there is ever a time that you don't lose confidence from time - to time - you just learn to live with it - report your symptoms to your doctor - ask for the proper tests - then when all else has been checked - tell yourself to move on. I have found the best tests for 'me' are stress tests - as usually the symptom ocurrs when I exercise - so the symptom generally appears on those tests. Whether the treadmill or the echo stress - (bicycle) - I have found these tests to tell the doctors the most accurate information. Along with a 30 day holter monitor. They have helped a great deal in my past. Capturing that 'moment' says a thousand words. Doctors generally never treat - what you 'think' - they need proof - remember get the proof and when you do - the doctors generally treat the problem and your symptoms.

Good Luck and don't give in to the fear - face it - accept it - get answers - and move on. I know it sounds easier said than done - but it can be done. When you know you have the 'confidence' to can handle whatever comes your way - your confidence level remains high.. Nothing - but nothing surprises me anymore.

Best Wishes
Marilyn, **** and Judy

 

[hensylee]

Thanks, everyone for the lovely thoughts and compliments. Love you all.

Billy, several years ago, referred to himself and me as the two ba****ds in VR because we were the only ones who had NOT had a valve replacement. He branded us. lol

 

[Chip]

Hey Y'all

Hey Y'all

Good Evening All...
The VR web site proves it's value again. Thanks to you all for posting your thoughts. It's really amazing what it did to my thinking just to read what you all have said. THANK YOU!
Chip..

ps...Ann...I am also very glad you are on this forum. As someone said, If you are an imposter then sign me up to!! You are a beautiful person. Let me know when you are heading to Atlanta... I am looking forward to meeting you and buying you lunch.

 

[hensylee]

Chip, I am going to Sharpsburg June 30 for 2-3 weeks (probably 2 wks). I will pm my cell to you and we will have lunch - can you make it to the southern pt of Atlanta? Like Newnan maybe?

 

[terryj]

Hensylee, I live in Senoia only a few miles from Sharpsburg. We have lived here 20 years and really love the area. I hope you enjoy your visit. They have opened a lot of new Restaurants in Newnan and Peachtree City. Try Smoky Bones in Peachtree City if you like any type of Barbeque.

 

[hensylee]

Atlanta reunion?????

Atlanta reunion?????

know what? there are several within driving distance of Atlanta - we could have a reunion some time during the first two weeks of July. I have never met anyone from the site - bet you haven't either. What'cha think?

 

[terryj]

Sounds like a great idea to me. I work M-F 7-4, but my husband and I could certainly meet whoever wants to meet for dinner somewhere.

 

[Chip]

Count me in!!

Count me in!!

Hi Ann and Terry...
Let's plan the dinner. I am in Peachtree City, Terry is in Senioa and Ann you will be down the road in Newnan so we are all very close. I will be in Phoenix over the end of the month and will be back July 1 or 2. Anytime after that is fine with me.
Terry, I agree with you on Smoky Bones but it can be loud. Have you ever tried Paschal's??
Ann - Peachtree City has a huge fireworks display. One of the best I have seen and very popular. If you like that stuff plan on attending as it is worth the effort. It will be on July 3 this year weather permitting.
Talk to both of you soon.
Chip