Need advice on limiting my lifestyle.

[Dan W]

I am 29 and was very active until my surgery 7 months ago. I am into custom motorcycles, atv's, jet skis, surfing, and water sports. I sold the atv because I know that I could not keep doing that with the kind of riding we did. I have only been on my motorcycle 2 times this year and am even questioning that. Is anyone else on here into these things if so what do you think? Should I stop the things I love and start looking for new hobbies? Thanks

 

[Ross]

Absolutely not! For all we've gone through just to be alive, I say live the way you want too! I know that isn't what the Doctors tell us. They treat us like we are fragile eggshells and that's just not right. Use common sense, protect yourself as much as possible against head injuries and maybe no extreme sports, but other then that, go live your new life to the fullest.

I still cut myself doing my thing. I bleed a little longer, but so what. Hank water skies, Robthatsme still fires up his chainsaw, many bikers here too. It's not stopping us, it shouldn't stop you either.

 

[geebee]

Are you talking about changing because of coumadin or because of how you feel?

If it is the coumadin thing - do all you want. Be sure and wear helmets to guard against head injuries. Didn't you go through all this to be able to live your life? What's the point if you stop doing the things you love?

Get back on that motorcycle - NOW!!!!

 

[MarkU]

Hi Dan,

The first thing I would say is that you're only seven months post-op. It took me nine months to a year to feel fully healed. Your body has been through a ton of trauma and it takes time for it to heal and recover. Be patient and give it some more time before you make any major life-style decisions.

Secondly, have you specifically discussed your activities & interests with your doctor? Or are you making your decisions based on how you are presently feeling? Many doctors are understanding and can advise you relative to your specific condition and/or limitations. I was fortunate that I had no other complicating issues and the only thing my doctor actually advised me against was heavy weight training. He told me that I could do as much aerobic exercise as I could handle. He just advised me to be consistent with my level of activity to help keep my Coumadin in range.

Mark

 

[Hank]

Change??

Change??

Change your lifestyle?

In my opinion - and for me personally since my surgery...

Of course you should change your lifestyle. You should do everything that you love and more! Keep doing all the stuff you used to do! Just be careful and know that life is only life if you live it. What is the point of having surgery if it limits your activities.

In the 6 years since my surgery and since starting coumadin, I have never thought twice about limiting my activities....

Educate yourself to your condition and live my friend...

You have taken a big step by just asking the question here in this forum. You will get many opinions and can then begin to formulate your own plan for the rest of your life..

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Crank it up. I've got a Harley on my shopping list when my car is paid off. My wife wants to get a jet ski, and we probably will when the kid goes off to school Just use care, such as helmets and safe riding practices. But wait - shouldn't you do that anyway?

 

[Gemma]

Hmm, limiting your lifestyle???

Nope, can't say I've noticed Jim (my boyfriend, has a mechanical aortic valve) doing anything to limit his lifestyle. He mountain bikes, rides motorbikes, tries to surf (actually, we haven't been since his op but only because we haven't been anywhere with decent waves), uses grinders, drills, chainsaws, etc. His friend's jetski is currently out of action and I personally think they're a bit dangerous, but I'm sure that wouldn't stop Jim going on it again.

Having said all that, it's still early days for you. It can take a year to feel fully "normal" again, sometimes even more. I think it's perhaps even harder for people in their late 20s than possibly any other age - you think you're at the peak of physical fitness, over the hard partying of college and ready to make long-term plans for your future, when WHAM! you find yourself on a hospital bed on your way to open heart surgery. Not what you'd been planning at all...

Give yourself time. Maybe try going on a nice quiet road on your bike, get used to handling it again, wear a helmet (but so should everyone) and enjoy the feel of the wind on your face. But under no circumstances should you be giving up the things you enjoy.

Gemma.

 

[OldManEmu]

Dan
I asked these same lifestyle questions before my surgery and was
advised like Mark that I could do as much aerobic exercise as I
could push myself to after I had healed from surgery if I had a mechanical
valve however I should avoid activities that risked a large blunt impact to the head or body. Eg snow skiing, contact sports (football), helmet or no helmet.
I have a tissue valve; however I judged my return to normal by when I could
ride my motorcycle again. (8 weeks after surgery).
It took me about another month before I found I had the concentration to go for a ride longer than an hour.
I can't believe anyone would want to ride without a helmet anyway.
Riding without a helmet is not an option in Australia on a public road anyway.
As Mark said I suggest you discuss your interests with your doctor and make
your decision on what you consider an acceptable risk based on this discussion.