Before I get into tonight’s posts, a quick update on myself. My health went somewhat downhill over the weekend: I began to run a fever on Saturday, and felt very low by Sunday evening. I went to my doctor this morning (he’d issued strict instructions that if anything at all happened, I was to get to his surgery ASAP, never mind making an appointment). He reckons I’ve probably picked up a bit of the flu that’s wandering around. (I’ve been inoculated against the seasonal flu, but not against the piggy variety.) He reckons it’s not worth testing to see which I’ve got, because the labs are overwhelmed and only testing those actually admitted to hospital. He’s put me on Tamiflu, plus an antibiotic to prevent any infection settling into last month’s surgical scars or related areas. I’ll be taking it easy for the next few days. No rehab exercises until I’ve gotten rid of the fever, no gallivanting around (not that there was too much of that going on anyway!).
I’ve heard (and read) a number of horror stories in recent weeks about those who’ve undergone open-heart surgery suffering from severe clinical depression in the weeks and months following their operations. That would explain why the nurses at the rehab sessions are constantly wanting to know about my ‘mental state’, and asking about such things as depression. Y’know, for the life of me, I can’t think of anything to be depressed about! Sure, I’m hurting quite a lot still, and moving rather slowly, and I’ll be limited for several months yet: but I’m alive! There’s a lot to be said for that . . . and last October 5th, there were times when I wasn’t so sure that would be an ongoing state of affairs! I’ll live with the limitations, thank you, and work hard to make them a thing of the past. Depressed? Fuhgettabahtit! I’ve got too much living to do to be depressed!
I’m still hoping to be fit enough to visit Oleg in early December – it’s far too long since I last saw him, and he can take pretty pictures of the newly-installed zipper in my chest. Otherwise, I’m still annoyed that I couldn’t attend Blogorado last weekend. I’d been looking forward to it for months, only to have my heart attack derail plans. Oh, well, there’s always next time – and it looks like those who attended this inaugural event set a pretty high standard for us to beat next year! Congratulations to Farmgirl (and, of course, FarmDad and FarmMom) for organizing what looks like a very successful occasion.
(However, I can’t get out of my mind the impossible mental image of Ambulance Driver giving a lap-dance to AEPilotJim. Some things are just too ghastly to contemplate! And no, don’t you dare post photographs, Farmgirl!)
Peter
sorry to hear about the "flu" Peter. Here's hoping you make a speedy recovery from that.
And i'm glad to hear that your "mental state" is fine 🙂 …
Hang in there, man! You done with the hardest part, now it's just a matter of tying up the lose ends.
As we say Down Under: "chin up, mate!", but I know you already are!
We all missed you this weekend and spoke of you often. I was looking forward to meeting you in person but life decided otherwise for the moment. You take care of yourself and come see us when you can. Both of you are welcome at The Farm anytime.
We expect to see you next year at Blogorado to help counsel victims of random lapdances.
I had major surgery this a bit over six months ago to remove a wee bit of cancer. I got the same kinds of questions and had/have the same reaction as you, "Depression? Really? Why?" I guess it must be common after having holes cut open but, you and I agree, it must not be absolute. Just heal up and they stop bothering you.
Get well soon!
My brother recently had open heart surgery, at 37 years old. He told me that he was a bit depressed after it all because it was the first time he had really thought about his own mortality.
Luckily he is over it now and also has a beautiful, memorial zipper on his chest.
On a more scary than heart surgery note: maybe AD will come over and help rub some ointment into your aching chest. I suggest keeping the doors locked at all times!
I'm not too terribly surprised; after the narrow brush with death, there's being forced into several things that are usually detrimental to the psyche, whether overtly or not- boredom, pain, bland food, and inactivity.
We definitely missed you at Blogorado. As for the lapdance, the best part was watching Jim do his best to get into a fetal position…
I will keep you in my prayers.
I don't know you. Thanks for writing. I like to lurk… Persevere..
Life is 99% showing up . (Woody Allen)
RBM
One of my wife's uncles killed himself, after heart problems. They figure it was depression related to that.
Take care of yourself.