I had my SAVR done almost 3 months ago. I was very fearful going in. The things that helped me the most with my fear were Bellaruth Naparstek’s guided meditations (especially the cardiac rehab, anxiety and panic, and relaxation meditations), walking in nature daily, and leaning on something that gave me strength.
It’s important to lean on something that gives you strength, whatever that is for you. For me, it was my Scottish ancestors who were a tough bunch. I thought about them for months and drew on them for my strength.
Many of you would say the following experience is coincidence, but for me it was a sign that my Scottish ancestors were helping me out. The day before my surgery while I was walking the seawall in Vancouver, I saw and listened to a young Scottish man who was a busker, playing a bagpipe, and wearing a kilt in Canada. In my 65 years, I’ve seen hundreds of buskers - never one playing a bagpipe, never one wearing a kilt, and never one with a nice Scottish accent. (I have never been to Scotland). The very small odds of this happening the day before my surgery could have been coincidence, but for me, I knew and believed differently.
You will see this Scottish young man in the video below. My wife documented The First Twelve Days of my surgical journey. She did this because she thought that in the months ahead I might be whining and complaining, so she wanted to remind me of how well I did, and how far I’ve come.
I was discharged 7 days post-op instead of 5 days post-op because I ran into a minor complication that resolved quickly. I stayed a little longer in the big city before flying back home because where I live rurally, this type of specialized cardiac care medicine is non-existent, so I went home on day 11 post-op.
I will be kick-sledding this winter, and in the spring of next year, mountain hiking 6000 feet.
All the best to you newbies. I was in your shoes not long ago. This forum has helped me so much with having a positive outlook toward this process. I hope this short video helps you.
With gratitude,
Will
It’s important to lean on something that gives you strength, whatever that is for you. For me, it was my Scottish ancestors who were a tough bunch. I thought about them for months and drew on them for my strength.
Many of you would say the following experience is coincidence, but for me it was a sign that my Scottish ancestors were helping me out. The day before my surgery while I was walking the seawall in Vancouver, I saw and listened to a young Scottish man who was a busker, playing a bagpipe, and wearing a kilt in Canada. In my 65 years, I’ve seen hundreds of buskers - never one playing a bagpipe, never one wearing a kilt, and never one with a nice Scottish accent. (I have never been to Scotland). The very small odds of this happening the day before my surgery could have been coincidence, but for me, I knew and believed differently.
You will see this Scottish young man in the video below. My wife documented The First Twelve Days of my surgical journey. She did this because she thought that in the months ahead I might be whining and complaining, so she wanted to remind me of how well I did, and how far I’ve come.
I was discharged 7 days post-op instead of 5 days post-op because I ran into a minor complication that resolved quickly. I stayed a little longer in the big city before flying back home because where I live rurally, this type of specialized cardiac care medicine is non-existent, so I went home on day 11 post-op.
I will be kick-sledding this winter, and in the spring of next year, mountain hiking 6000 feet.
All the best to you newbies. I was in your shoes not long ago. This forum has helped me so much with having a positive outlook toward this process. I hope this short video helps you.
With gratitude,
Will
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One of the advantages of OHS.
