Author Topic: Big Surprise! - 6 Months Post Surgery  (Read 5212 times)

Online Dave Swanson

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Big Surprise! - 6 Months Post Surgery
« on: September 25, 2021, 06:11:57 AM »
I am a regular lap swimmer at my local YMCA.  I swim a mile every morning 6 days a week.  For the first time I experienced chest pain while swimming this week, and went to get it checked out. 

The end result was a triple bypass yesterday!  Sitting up for the first time now.   Very lucky this was detected!  My "widow maker" was 100% blocked with 2 others 95, and 90% blocked.  Evidently over the years due to my active lifestyle collateral vessels were built up to compensate.   

It looks like I will have more years ahead on the bike!!
« Last Edit: March 17, 2022, 04:02:09 PM by Dave Swanson »
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
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Offline chuck peterson

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2021, 06:34:54 AM »
WOW

Good to see you here
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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2021, 06:42:32 AM »
Good that you were diligent in getting it checked out , Dave. 👍

Online lucian

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2021, 06:46:22 AM »
Glad you caught it and got it taken care of. My Dad had a seven way when he was in his seventies. I would tell him he   got one for each kid, ( I'm one of seven}  I remember him being amazed at how much better and clearer thinking he felt after the surgery.  These things creep up slowly on us and sometime we don't notice the subtle symptoms.  I'm glad you didn't just think it was a muscle strain from swimming and let it continue. Nice work as usual. Hope you are back at it soon. :thumb:

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2021, 06:46:22 AM »

Online Cam3512

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2021, 07:00:18 AM »
Damn Dave!  You’re well on your way to being a bionic man. 

Pace yourself, glad you’re okay.  My father died of heart disease, so I have a 3D cardio ct scan done every 7 years or so.

Cam

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2021, 07:04:39 AM »
Good that you were diligent in getting it checked out , Dave. 👍

You are lucky...and glad to know we have the technology today to get it corrected quickly and efficiently! :thumb:
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Online blackcat

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2021, 07:27:45 AM »
Dave, glad you’re OK. 

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Offline Stevex

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2021, 08:22:12 AM »
Good news.

Offline ohiorider

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2021, 08:25:56 AM »
Good going, Dave!  Nice catch.  You'll be up and around in no time.  Just don't jump on two wheels 'too' soon.  The first bump came as a shock to me where they wired the sternum back together.  Parked it for 2-3 more weeks after that episode.

Bob
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Offline kindoy2

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2021, 08:26:59 AM »
Excellent!  Congratulations !
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Offline RHAT

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2021, 08:49:37 AM »
Glad to hear you are still among the living.  Bounce back soon

Offline nick949

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2021, 08:50:38 AM »
Congrats Dave. Almost identical story to mine, but in my case hiking, not swimming.  Family history of heart disease, but like you, by being active I had a host of collateral arteries which kept me active until they couldn't.

I'm in my fifth, post triple-bypass year and still hiking and riding my old dreadnought of an Eldorado.
It's a wonderful surgery. You'll soon be back to a mile a day.
Don't rush the recovery. That sternum needs proper time to heal.  But.........walk, walk, walk. It's the best medicine.

It may seem like a long haul back, but you'll get there soon.

Best wishes

Nick

This is me five months after CABGx3. You can too!  And as if you need any other encouragement: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1723836664 (Beyond the Bypass.)




Offline jrt

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2021, 08:56:31 AM »
Good to hear you dodged that bullet!   Now I can look forward to seeing you at the next National.
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Offline Canuck750

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2021, 11:18:02 AM »
Wow, glad your OK Dave!

One of my business partners had a fatal heart attack 12 years ago, he ran every day. Doctors told his widow that his regular exercise hid the chronic blocking of arteries in his heart, very sad and far to young to die.

You have now had a major rebuild, should be pulling strong for another 50 years.
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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2021, 03:14:41 PM »
I’m so glad you caught it Dave.  I know we just caretake our bikes for future owners, but your bikes are so well chosen and restored that you should continue for a goodly while. I hope your surgeon checked the sludge trap and used a torque wrench in the assembly.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Online Dave Swanson

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Update
« Reply #15 on: September 25, 2021, 03:22:20 PM »
A bit over 24 hours since waking up from surgery.  Feeling good.  Had 2 walks in so far.  Had first solid food in 48 hours.  Never knew hospital food tasted so good 😊
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
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Offline vintage53

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #16 on: September 25, 2021, 03:28:58 PM »
Dave,

Wishing you the best, get well!

 
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Offline LowRyter

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #17 on: September 25, 2021, 04:09:37 PM »
get well soon.  take care of your rehab. 
John L 
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Offline mechanicsavant

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #18 on: September 25, 2021, 04:23:48 PM »
First , glad to hear ya beat the widow maker !
And , one of my axioms , eat dessert first ! Ya never know , get the cookie down yer neck before the red tide seafood hits you or a chicken bone lands sideways in yer neck !
Hope to see ya on the road !

Offline Deno

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #19 on: September 25, 2021, 04:37:00 PM »
Good to hear that it was caught and that the bypass was successful.
I am always amazed by just how much of the artery can be blocked yet you feel fine.
I had my quad bypass done nearly 30 years ago. Still waiting for the magic pill that will cure the issue.

Offline Stretch

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #20 on: September 25, 2021, 05:41:29 PM »
Glad you caught it in time!

Heal well and quickly!  :grin:

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Offline Guzzi Gal

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #21 on: September 25, 2021, 05:51:51 PM »
Amazing! :bow: As Nick said, walk your way to a full recovery and don't rush it. :thumb:
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Online bad Chad

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #22 on: September 25, 2021, 06:28:29 PM »
Wow, glad you are still here.
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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #23 on: September 25, 2021, 06:51:34 PM »
Hallelujah!
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This is the day.....

Offline Johncolleary

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #24 on: September 25, 2021, 07:57:42 PM »
Gotta listen to your body!!   Glad you caught the warning signs.  Ride safe!!
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Offline Muzz

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #25 on: September 25, 2021, 09:09:24 PM »
Nice catch. :thumb:

Pleased you didn't ignore it and even more pleased you came through fine.
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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #26 on: September 25, 2021, 10:07:45 PM »
 That’s incredible Dave, good save!
« Last Edit: September 27, 2021, 09:25:05 PM by John A »
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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #27 on: September 26, 2021, 05:32:50 AM »
     Wow Dave, that sure worked out perfectly for you!

      Hoping that you heal quickly.
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Online Dave Swanson

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #28 on: September 26, 2021, 07:11:25 AM »
Thanks all for the kind words and advice!  Day 2 after surgery going well.  4 walks scheduled for today, with one in the bag.  The nurse keeps bragging on me!  I have been very impressed with the care I have received.   

No doubt this is a disruption to my life but it could have been the ultimate disruption so I am thankful for that.   My 2 adult kids are quite blown away by all of this after losing their mother a year and a half ago.
« Last Edit: September 26, 2021, 07:12:33 AM by Dave Swanson »
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso SE - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore
2023 V100S

MGNOC L-780

Offline nick949

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Re: Big Surprise!
« Reply #29 on: September 26, 2021, 09:32:25 AM »
Thanks all for the kind words and advice!  Day 2 after surgery going well.  4 walks scheduled for today, with one in the bag.  The nurse keeps bragging on me!  I have been very impressed with the care I have received.   

No doubt this is a disruption to my life but it could have been the ultimate disruption so I am thankful for that.   My 2 adult kids are quite blown away by all of this after losing their mother a year and a half ago.

It will be a long haul Dave. Don't be surprised to hit a few troughs along the way along. Post CAGB depression is a common phenomenon, as is 'pump head' - the feeling that your brain isn't working properly - caused by the long period you will have been on the life support equipment while they diced and spliced you.

Great to hear you're walking so well, so regularly. I'm not surpised you're the star of the ward. Walking the halls also gets your digestion working properly again. They probably won't let you out until you've had at least one crap.  Good work. Stay strong.

Nick

 

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