 Four hundred and thirty five days after open heart valve surgery, I experienced a magical moment.
As many of you know, my cardiac surgery, which replaced the aortic and pulmonary valves of my heart, triggered a series of challenging lows (e.g. cardiac depression) and a series of memorable highs (e.g. my engagement to Robyn).
Well… I recently experienced a memorable high that I want to share with you - my friends, family and blog subscribers.
“What happened?!” you wonder as you see my smiling, much-in-need of a shave, face.
This past Saturday, I dug my dusty, nine-foot, eight-inch McTavish surfboard out of the garage. Then, I reached into the dark corner of my closet and grabbed my RipCurl wetsuit.
Yes…
After fifteen months of cardio- and physical-rehabilitation, it was time to complete my physical recovery from the double heart valve surgery, known as the Ross Procedure.
It was time to surf again.
The day was a surfers dream. Sunny, with just a few swooshes of cloud in the blue skies above. I think the high in Los Angeles was 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Pacific Ocean held to its name. It was symbolically calm and glassy.
And the waves…
The waves were as playful as a six-week old puppy.
Perfect for a longboarder like me…
Or, more accurately, perfect the longboarder I remembered to be (prior to my surgery).
With booties strapped on, I entered the cold, salt water with no expectations.
This would be my first time on a surfboard in eighteen months. This would be the first time that my new heart would experience a surfing adrenaline shot. This would be the first time that my stitched sternum would feel forces controlled by the one-and-only Mother Nature.
Come to think of it, I was a surfing virgin again.
Fear and anxiety bubbled up as my chest smacked down on the white, waxed fiberglass board. I started to paddle.
“As long as I don’t break,” I thought to myself, “Everything will be fine.”
Fifteen feet into my initial paddle, however, that thought transformed.
There was no pain in my chest. There was no discomfort in my nine-inch scar. There were no heart palpitations that I could feel. There was nothing but a boundary-less emotion of joy.
Chilly water splashed overhead as I slipped through an oncoming wave. More chilly water from the next wave and the next. About a minute after entering the water, I was outside the breaking waves amongst the other surfers in the line-up.
“Is this really happening?” I thought to myself. “This must be some kind of wonderful dream! If only Dr. Starnes (my surgeon) could see me now!”
I tested my chest once again.
Using my hands, I thrust my body upward to strike the traditional, surfer pose you see as you drive along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu – butt on the board, legs on the side, chest slumped but upright, eyes gazing to the water’s horizon.
Again, no pain…
Hmmmmmmmm…..
“Don’t get cocky Adam,” I thought to myself, “Take it easy… You did not come out here to go nuts. Just get used to your surfboard. Paddle around a little. Then, call it a day. You’ve been through a lot.”
Needless to say, those thoughts disappeared.
In its place, came an empowering voice that screamed aloud, “LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!!!”
In the distance, I saw a friendly mound of bulging water that was going to peak about twenty feet to my right.
Instinct took over.
The time was now.
The hunt was on.
Nanoseconds later I was paddling to the peak.
“GO! GO! GO! GO!” the empowering voice was now yelling in my head. Like a windmill, my arms circulated, cutting through the water, powering me forward.
And then it happened….
The water’s energy transferred to my board.
The need to paddle disappeared.
I angled to the right.
There was only one thing left to do…
One thing.
My internal cheerleader rose again and rang-out, “UP!”
I lept to my feet.
I was....
I was...
I was... surfing again.
I would spend the next forty-five minutes frolicking in the water.
The magic of the day extended when a pod of dolphins showed up.
The dolphins and I had our own little surf party to celebrate my recovery.
Thanks to each of you for your support and encouragement. I’m not sure where I would be if not for your love and help during my recovery!!!
Adam Pick is the author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. This special book divides the valve surgery process into four sections which address the challenges and opportunities faced by both patients and caregivers. To learn more about Adam’s heart valve surgery book, click here.
> NEXT: To read more inspirational stories from other heart valve surgery patients, please click here.
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