I am so confused right now. I am 60 and have been experiencing shortness of breath for nine months. I am an insulin dependent diabetic with high blood ...Read more
I am so confused right now. I am 60 and have been experiencing shortness of breath for nine months. I am an insulin dependent diabetic with high blood pressure and very overweight. I have a congenital heart defect called dextrocardia. Recently after a heart cath I was told I have to have an Aortic valve replacement and bypass on a 100% blockage. Many of the posts that I have read are very positive and uplifting however I am not there right now. My surgery should have already been done but my daughter is getting married in a month and the surgeon was concerned l would not be ready to travel at that time so I made the decision to have it done when I get back. The date is not set yet but I expect it will be mid November. I do not feel brave, strong, or even determined. I actually feel the opposite. I am mad at myself for not taking better care of my health and now I'm facing this surgery. Instead of having my diabetes under control and my weight where it should be and physically active I am again the opposite of these things. How did I let myself become like this? Are there any others that had open heart who had similar health issues? I would be very interested in how your surgery and recovery went. Thank you!
Ellen Leng Live every day in the best way you can. Forgive yourself for what is past and find some positive in y ... Read more
Ellen Leng Live every day in the best way you can. Forgive yourself for what is past and find some positive in your future. You have a few weeks to work on getting your sugars under better control. Set reachable goals on a daily basis and remember we are all human :).
If you can find small positives you can build on them. You may even feel better after your recovery from surgery as your heart will be working more effectively.
Don'the mean to be all sunshine and rainbows on you, but you are the only one who can make things better going forward, and dwelling on perceived past failures misses the opportunity to live today.
Congrats on being there for your daughter, that will be wonderful!
Ellen
Cindy McPherson Thank you Ellen for your encouragement and kind words. ❤️
Ellen Leng Cindy, Keep in touch as you travel this road. There are lots of caring folks on this site who have be ... Read more
Ellen Leng Cindy, Keep in touch as you travel this road. There are lots of caring folks on this site who have been to the places we are going. Makes it a little less scary for me :)
John Deysher Cindy- the past is history so don't dwell on it. Use the upcoming surgery as a starting point for a ... Read more
John Deysher Cindy- the past is history so don't dwell on it. Use the upcoming surgery as a starting point for a healthier life going forward. At 60 you still have many years in front of you- make each one worthwhile. Good luck, John
Amy Steele You can't change anything in the past... All you can do is be better one day at a time. Please, don ... Read more
Amy Steele You can't change anything in the past... All you can do is be better one day at a time. Please, don't get stuck in the 'what if's' and 'I should have's' , it doesn't change anything. (Believe me, I know from first-hand experience!) Like Ellen said, first you need to forgive yourself (and then forgive yourself each day for not being perfect -- none of us are), and then do the best you can going forward. We know you can make positive steps; doesn't matter if they're big or small. We're here for you!
Nancy Lewis Cindy, It is very scary to face an uncertain future. I worry too. Along with heart, I have fibromya ... Read more
Nancy Lewis Cindy, It is very scary to face an uncertain future. I worry too. Along with heart, I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. I'm fearful that I won't be able to stand when they tell me it's time to get up and move. But when the time comes, I'm going to stand or ask for help to stand. Ellen and John are right.
Maybe you made mistakes yesterday. So did we all.
But a daughter's wedding. All the wonderful things that surround a new couple. You want to be there for that, and the thousand other things in life that make it worthwhile. Please stay with us on this site. The people will help by their stories and their fears. You will hear from someone that shares what you are going through. Best wishes
Marie Leighton
Cindy, I am 60 too, very overweight, have only one kidney, and have osteoarthritis. I posted this o ... Read more
Marie Leighton
Cindy, I am 60 too, very overweight, have only one kidney, and have osteoarthritis. I posted this over the weekend:
"Words of wisdom from my wonderful husband - don't waste time and energy beating yourselves up! I have a tendency in that direction and although my problem is congenital, it is easy to get down on myself for lifestyle choices. But we cannot change the past; lets go forward, heart brothers and sisters, with a positive outlook and know that God is on our side. After all, we have limited energy as it is! Let's not waste it smacking ourselves around. " Bless you and keep on! The others are right.
Clare Auten I agree, you can only go forward. Can you do any walking in the weeks leading up to the surgery? I li ... Read more
Clare Auten I agree, you can only go forward. Can you do any walking in the weeks leading up to the surgery? I live in a suburban area so the houses are fairly close. Someone suggested walking one mailbox past the one I walked to yesterday. In no time at all, I could get all the way to the corner.
Marie Leighton That's a good idea. I may try that. It's still hot in LV, and I go to work at 6am but I am trying ... Read more
Marie Leighton That's a good idea. I may try that. It's still hot in LV, and I go to work at 6am but I am trying to walk in the nice air conditioned big box stores on the weekends. If it cools off a little more I could do this too.
Cindy McPherson Thank you all for your encouragement and support! I'm trying to be positive, letting go of the past, ... Read more
Cindy McPherson Thank you all for your encouragement and support! I'm trying to be positive, letting go of the past, and enjoying my many blessings! Surgery date should be set on October 12th. Thank you again!
I am from: San Tan Valley
If you can find small positives you can build on them. You may even feel better after your recovery from surgery as your heart will be working more effectively.
Don'the mean to be all sunshine and rainbows on you, but you are the only one who can make things better going forward, and dwelling on perceived past failures misses the opportunity to live today.
Congrats on being there for your daughter, that will be wonderful!
Ellen
Maybe you made mistakes yesterday. So did we all.
But a daughter's wedding. All the wonderful things that surround a new couple. You want to be there for that, and the thousand other things in life that make it worthwhile. Please stay with us on this site. The people will help by their stories and their fears. You will hear from someone that shares what you are going through. Best wishes
Cindy, I am 60 too, very overweight, have only one kidney, and have osteoarthritis. I posted this o ... Read more
Cindy, I am 60 too, very overweight, have only one kidney, and have osteoarthritis. I posted this over the weekend:
"Words of wisdom from my wonderful husband - don't waste time and energy beating yourselves up! I have a tendency in that direction and although my problem is congenital, it is easy to get down on myself for lifestyle choices. But we cannot change the past; lets go forward, heart brothers and sisters, with a positive outlook and know that God is on our side. After all, we have limited energy as it is! Let's not waste it smacking ourselves around. " Bless you and keep on! The others are right.