Life took an unexpected turn last week and I ended up having emergency surgery to repair my ascending aorta and the associated valve.
Absolutely amazing what they can do these days with these little medical marvels. I now am the proud owner of an artificial composite heart valve and one heck of a chest scar :\\
After only a few days at home, I know I have a long road ahead of me, but have any of you guys had to recover from open chest surgery and made a rapid return to shooting your bows ?
I can't do anything for 3 months, but am looking forward to shooting again. This recovery is extremely boring and I think I will have to ask my girlfriend to get the 3D targets put away so I don't have to look out the window at them :(
On a positive note, I will have some time to finish up a riser I've been working on and ....well, I ain't dead ! :thumbsup:
Speedy recovery to you.
Hang in there Tim. While not having had to recover for heart surgery, I know of what you speak. That was a pretty serious surgery when planned, let along the emergency type. I'm glad to hear that you are home and recovering as I type.
One word of advise, listen to the doctors advice and don't draw that bow. Splitting your sternum with a saw blade will take some time to heal. Just keep that pillow close, and for God's sake try to NOT get a head cold.
My Dad had a five-way bypass several years ago, and he couldn't spread his arms apart without hurting like hell for almost 6 months. He is as good as new now. Better have those 3D targets removed so as to not tempt fate.
God Speed.......in your recovery.
Winterhawk1960
I had the same surgery in 1995 and it took me about 6 nonths to get back up to 60#. When the doc. turned me lose I started @ 30# and worked my way up. when hunting don't forget your blood thinners and be carefull, you'll bleed more and broadheads are sharp.
:scared:
Oh......and the associated valve that you speak of is the Mitral Valve, it connects to the Ascending Aorta, which takes the blood to the rest of your body.
Winterhawk1960
Tim, prayers for a speedy recovery :thumbsup:
As has been said here before "Your Mileage May Vary"
Kevin
:archer:
Gordy do you need a light bow for the recovery? I can loan you one if you do. Just let me know.
Glad they caught it before something major happened while you were out in the woods! Hoping for a speedy recovery.
Tim I have a 40@28" 56" short riser Bob Lee you can use or put it on a reg. riser it will be about 35@28"(which I also have) if you need either of these let me know. I have others I can use till you get stronger.Kip
I had bypass surgery when i was 38 after my seconded heart attack it is rough but u deal with it. Iam 54 now and some days when i sneeze it hurts i dont think it will be ever be like it was.think of all the good day ahead hunting ses
I had open heart surgery (mitrial valve repair) early last February. With the doctor's blessing, In May, I began shooting light weight bows. I kept my hunting bow (60#) strung in the bedroom and pulled it only as far as was comfortable each night. I went on my 1st hunt on the 4th of July. We went gopher hunting and although I didn't connect with any, I had a blast! For the next three months you will need to be d a r n careful not to lift too much and pull things apart. Walk and try to keep yourself in as good of shape as possible. I would bet that within 6 months or so, you will be back to 100%. GOOD LUCK!
Its great that you are ok. I'll second to do all the doctors tell you what & what not to do. Have a speedy recovery.
Hope you are back at it very soon!!
Hey thanks guys !
Only here would you find so many different people who are so similar ! ;)
Thanks for the offer vermonster & kip but I have a range of bows to get by with.
I was mostly interested in how long recovery took and it looks like I'm not out of line on that.
Do nothing for 3 months, then start givvener !
Archery has been a blessing I hope I get to enjoy for decades to come (I'm only 42 :\\ so I'm planning on taking the Dr's advice and take it easy...don't rush it, but keep on moving, keep exercising. Right now, everything is still a chore, but every day gets a little bit easier.
thanks again guys :thumbsup:
I Agree with What the other Folks Say! Hope You Heal Fast, but Dont Over-Do , A Mans Gotta Know His Limits!! No Need To Rush,and then go Through ALL of it Again!! :scared: :thumbsup: Hope You Heal Fast and Correctly!! :goldtooth:
Hope all goes well,take it easy!
Here`s to a speedy recovery!
Wishing you the best!
Had a quad bypass in Feb. Doctor told me don't do anything strenuous besides walking for 12 weeks. Don't lift anything over 10 lbs. The nurse told me "You DON'T want to damage your breastbone incision because it won't be pretty."
I listened to her. No problems with archery, golf, rifles now.
Gordy....
Heal well my friend....
Time to make arrows etc....If ya want to learn todo hand stitching, I'll send ya something ya can learn on....
You are very lucky my friend.
Don't take it for granted, take all the time off you need.
Robert
Father in law just had 3 bypasses. DO AS THE DOCTORS SAY!!!! Over doing is one of the worst things and the most common set back. You don't need to risk an infection, or further injury to the incisions and breast bone. I know it's frustrating to sit and do nothing, so get out and walk, walk, and walk. No lifting and no flailing of the arms.
Praying for a speedy recovery.
Thanks guys...Mike thanks for the offer, I've always wanted to learn that. But with the blood thinners I might send myself back to the ER if I poke myself with a leather needle ! ;)
Get well Timmay my friend. Just give me a holler if you need any help with anythinga round the house or if that lovely gal of your needs some help picking up those 3d targets;)
Now is a good time to borrow my arrow crester and make up a whole bunch of new arrows for all those bows you will be shooting when you are all healed up and ready to go.
That's what you get for shooting though heavy bows :) I'm kidding of course. Hope you heal up fine. I know how much you love to shoot and enjoy the outdoors. Chad
Gordy,
Godspeed to a full recovery, just dont try to rush it.
I'll second that-good time to take the time to make some nice crested arrows or read a good book.wISH you a speedy recovery,take that rest your body needs.
Hey Chad and Greg ! Thanks again all, for the well wishes.
Chad I may need a little break from the heavy bows, but with this new hardware in my chest, I think I can go even heavier next season... ;) but for now, I can't shoot a darn thing !
I should have had the doc put a spacer in my sternum for an extra 1/2" of draw ! :D
Greg - I do think a new set of longbow arrows is in order. Something fancy....splices and all for the baby Dwyer ;) Maybe hexpines ?
You're in my prayers. Glad you'll be ok. Take it slow. (nut)
sounds like you are well on the road to shooting that bow. the mental attitude means everything so hang in there and keep us posted.
wishing you a speedy recovery....
Here's to a speedy recovery :pray:
Now don't go thinking your the 6 Million Dollar Man now and start shooting 90# Silvertip Recurves;)
Had a aortic valved replaced a couple of years ago and was shooting slowly in about 9 weeks. Just take it easy and do what the doc Say's. Didn't take long to get up to par as you use more back muscle to pull the bow than the chest. How was your first sneeze? :scared: Take your warfarin on time every day and you will be back to normal quickly. Good luck with the recovery.
I'm glad your recovering Gordy, archery will be good therapy.
MY first sneeze hasn't happened yet .... but my first uncontrolled laugh..... OUCH.... Do NOT watch americas funniest videos after heart surgery......owie owie owie ! ;)
Greg - I was thinking of keeping things under 95# for now ;) ....oops I mean 45. :|
Speedy recovery
DALE ! _ I think you jinxed me ..... I had my first sneeze this week.
OH MY GAWD THAT HURTS !!!!! :scared: ;)
Well, at least it doesn't hurt to laugh anymore ! :D
Thanks again guys and happy thanksgiving
Gordy,I had my aortic valve replaced a year ago this month. I was shooting 55 LB Longbow in 6 weeks. The Doc said to try it and if I was too early my body would let me know. One reason I could start soon was the doc closed me up with no wire or staples, just a type of super-glue. Because I had a carbon fiber valve put in I am on warafin but no big deal. The hardest part of the whole deal is the inactivty ; sitting aroud waiting to heal will drive you nuts. Just take it easy and start walking every day. I f you can keep your brain busy time will go by and you be on the road to recovery. I am doing push ups again and benching 300. The doc said no getting hit in the chest and of couse, no doing dishes or washing clothes,LOL. Take Care of yourself and in no time you will be back to full speed.
Gordy,
Hope you have a very speedy recovery brother. Thank God for technology! My family and I will keep you in our prayers...