In July 2007 I had a heart attack with cardiac arrest that required 29 cardioversions/resuscitations and resulted in three stents for a 100% blocked right coronary artery and a triple bypass for blockages on the left side. I HAD NO PAIN OR CLASSIC SYMPTOMS and later found out that this is not uncommon for diabetics. It is this message that I want to promote in this blog plus my recovery process including lifestyle changes and my dealing with denial, depression, anxiety and ongoing health issues.
This week
I gave my first talk for the year to our local cardiac rehab unit. July will be
ten years since my heart attack and triple bypass and have been privileged
since 2008 to have been invited as part of the education program to talk to
people who are now doing the rehab program as they start their journey after a
heart event.
I divided
my talk today into three areas: I started off talking a bit about my heart
event, the fact I did not have any of the classic warning signs or symptoms
which I later found out was not uncommon for diabetics (amongst other groups in
the community) - and mentioned that I am very passionate about spreading
information about this whenever I get the opportunity.
The second
part of my talk focused on my dealing with anxiety, depression, denial and the
emotional headgames I went through in the months after my heart attack and
during my recovery period. I talked about the positive role that cardiac rehab
played in my recovery and also mentioned how at a certain point I reached out
to one of the social workers from the program when I found things were a bit
too much for me.
In the
second part of my talk I also mentioned the importance of finding a hobby, an
interest and talked a bit about how I rediscovered photography whilst helping
my wife looking after injured wildlife (she was involved in Wildcare at the
time) - where we live we have lots of wild birds visit us daily so I had many
natural subjects of which to take photos. And I talked about how I have
progressed my interest in photography to taking photos of live shows and
tribute bands here on the Gold Coast.
In the
third part of my talk I concentrated on how and what I did to change my
lifestyle - stopped smoking, started exercising regularly, learnt how to deal
with stress and improve my diet. I mentioned that it was my opinion that before
anyone can begin their new journey after a heart event and make changes they
needed to first assess where they were when they had their heart event and
ascertain what parts of their lifestyle they needed to change or adjust.
All in all
was a very good session with 28 people in attendance including the group
co-ordinator, the unit's psychologist and a couple of university students doing
a placement.
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In 2008, a
year after my heart attack I was invited to give a “one-off” talk at the
cardiac rehab unit on the Gold Coast. This happened not long after I had given
a number of interviews for TV and our local newspaper in which I was asked
about my heart event and my experience dealing with 29
cardioversions/resuscitations and having three stents for a 100% blockage to
the right coronary artery and then five days later, a triple bypass for
blockages on the left side of the heart.
"29 Lives" - TV Interview with Channel Nine - October 15, 2008 Click on photo to see interview on You Tube
This morning I gave my last talk for the year at our
local cardiac rehab unit. Twenty two people in attendance including the program
co-ordinator, psychologist and a medical student. A sign of the times sadly
when there are so many people needing to do a program like this.
The first thing I talked about was the fact that I had
virtually none of the classic warning signs or symptoms when I had my heart
attack and that I was later told this is not uncommon with diabetics, something
I did know beforehand.
In addition to talking about my heart event and
recovery and my changes in lifestyle I spent a bit of time dealing with the
need to find positives in life to help in the recovery process, especially when
things are not going all that great and stress and emotional head games may
become difficult to cope with
I was able to share about what I did when those times
came (come) along and what I did (so) to deal with depression including walking
everyday, looking after injured wildlife and probably the biggest thing that
happened for me, rediscovering an old hobby, photography.
Could not stress enough to those present the need to
have a hobby or two, to have something to look forward to doing. Was a good
final session for the year and if required, will be more than happy to do it
all again in 2017 when I will be celebrating ten years surviving something I
was very lucky to survive.
(Yep, that's me being loaded into
the ambulance for the trip up to Brisbane for my triple bypass)
Use this link to view a presentation I put together a number of years ago
after a cardiac rehab talk. Whilst the format may have changed over the years,
the material I cover and the messages I try and share have not.
The recovery process after a heart attack varies from person
to person. How people deal with the "ups and downs" during this
period is not the same for everyone.
For me, I found rediscovering an old hobby, photography,
went a long way to helping me deal with depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
I talk about this when I give talks at our local cardiac rehab group which is
what I did just a couple of days ago at my first presentation for 2016.
Depression and anxiety after a heart attack is not uncommon
and but talking about it is something people are usually reluctant to do. My
raising these issues from the standpoint of someone who has been through the
process usually is the stepping-stone for some present to open up and talk
about what is bothering them as they start their road to recovery after their
heart event.
I usually start the discussion off along the lines that it
was rediscovering photography that helped me deal with many months of
depression and anxiety after my heart attack and bypass surgery in 2007. I explain
that at the time of my heart attack my wife was involved in looking after
injured wildlife and that now, having free time on my hands, I soon started
helping my wife. I go on to explain that where we live we have lots of wildlife
that visit us daily and that picking up a camera and starting to take photos
soon became a daily activity.
A few years ago I created a Facebook page where I could
feature some of my photos where I continue to feature photos of various
wildlife that visit us where we live in the Gold Coast hinterland in
Queensland, Australia - https://www.facebook.com/Wildlifeinnerang/
In my talks I suggest to people that their recovery period
is an opportunity for them to rediscover or pick up a hobby that maybe they
have not thought about for years be it knitting, gardening, cooking, tennis,
golf, swimming, etc.
Having introduced the topic at last Thursday’s talk, two
people present told how cooking has become an important part of their lives and
another person talked about getting involved in designing.
In my talk on Thursday I added that in addition to my
photography which I am still passionately involved in, a second activity I
undertake on a daily basis is walking (exercise). Not only does it help me with
my diabetes (and my heart) whenever I feel “down” or an episode of depression
coming, I explained to the group that simply going for a walk usually helps me
deal with the issue.
Honoured to have been asked by our local cardiac rehab unit
to once again be part of their education programme in 2016. First session this year is in two days time.
In 2008, a year after my heart attack I was invited to give
a “one-off” talk at the cardiac rehab unit on the Gold Coast. This happened not
long after I had given a number of interviews for TV and our local newspaper in
which I was asked about my heart event and my experience dealing with 29
cardioversions/resuscitations and having three stents for a 100% blockage to
the right coronary artery and then five days later, a triple bypass for
blockages on the left side of the heart.
Being asked to present to people doing cardiac rehab about how
I coped with my heart attack and subsequent depression, anxiety and panic
attacks was something I embraced without hesitation and was something that I
can now look back on that helped me deal with these issues – to say this was
cathartic would be an understatement.
After this “one-off” talk I was asked to become a “regular”
part of the cardiac rehab programme and was more than happy to accept this
request - this was in late 2008.
Now, going on eight years after my first talk, I will be
continuing with my presentations and although the format has changed over the
years, my experiences have not and sharing these with those present at each
session is something I thoroughly enjoy – it is indeed gratifying seeing people
in front of you nodding in agreement when you make a point or comment on an
experience you have been through and it tells you that you are “connecting” and
that what you are talking about is relevant.
Of particular interest is when I talk about my diabetes and
my need to be aware of this and the impact of this insidious disease on the
heart – you can see straight away who amongst those present also deals with
diabetes by their reactions to what I am saying.
Another topic I cover is memory loss and forgetfulness, two
issues I had to deal with and issues that are often brought up during one of my
talks.
Probably the most significant thing about my being part of
the rehab education programme is that I have had a heart attack and bypass
surgery and have actually been through the cardiac rehab programme itself. Unlike
the staff (except for one person I am aware of) I am the only presenter who can
speak from first-hand experience and I truly believe that this is so very
important when offering a rehab programme.
So as 2016 begins I look forward to giving my first talk in
two day’s .
On Thursday, I gave my second talk for the year to our local cardiac rehab unit with 23 people in attendance. Whilst setting up before the presentation a lady came over smiling and to say hello and introduce herself and remind me she was the person who co-ordinated a talk I gave for Heart Foundation to her local Probus group in July, 2012.
I told her I most definitely remembered that talk where she introduced me to the crowd of over 80 people who attended that day and I told her, to this day, it was one of my most satisfying talks. Apparently her husband had a bad asthma attack in December, not a heart attack, when they discovered he had some severe blockages that required a triple bypass hence here being there today with her husband. It was good to see both of them today and to see how well her husband is doing on his road to recovery.
As usually happens, people came up to me afterwards to ask questions and one was from the wife of someone who also had bypass surgery and was having issues with concentration, reading and memory. We talked a bit about this and I mentioned something called Postperfusion syndrome (also known as Pumphead) which is not unusual for someone who has had bypass surgery. She was worried, and rightly so, that it was something out of the norm and I tried to reassure her it is not unusual and it might be a good idea for both of them to have a chat with their GP or cardiologist where she could get a better explanation. I told her I am not a doctor and am not qualified to talk more about this condition but suggested she could also bring this up with one of the wonderful staff at cardiac rehab.
Another person who himself has previously had heart issues was there today with his wife who is now dealing with the after effects of a heart event and who is in denial and has a bit of dementia. He really was looking for understanding and support as I had brought up my issues dealing with depression and anxiety after my heart attack and during my recovery. Again, I referred him to the CR staff.
Still another person asked me how long it took for me to feel '100%'. My answer was simply we are all different and we all heal at a different pace after bypass surgery. I told him that I still have issues with fatigue and lack of stamina but told him I also deal with T2 diabetes, a thyroid condition, sleep apnoea and angina and that it is not unusual two or three or even four times a week for me to have an afternoon nap.
Another person brought up the question of the need for people 'like us' who have been through the process getting into schools and talking to high school kids about what has happened to us, in many cases, as a result of poor lifestyle choices - smoking, alcohol, drugs, lack of exercise, poor diet etc. This is a topic which has always been close to my heart (pun intended) and something I wanted to see implemented by a heart support group I was involved in setting up in late 2008. Unfortunately, others in the group did not see this as a priority.
Having left that group and then becoming involved in our Heart Foundation as a volunteer speaker I was asked last year to give a talk to one of our local high schools and over 70 students were in attendance. The impact of someone who has been through process of a heart attack and bypass surgery should not be underestimated on the impressionable minds of teenagers and is why I believe it is so important for 'survivors', if they are up to it, to get involved in this sort of activity as well as sharing their experience with their family, children, grandchildren, church, social and sporting clubs and work colleagues.
All in all, the day's talk went very well and I look forward to the next one in April.
Gave my first talk for the year at our cardiac rehab unit a couple
of days ago. Twenty-two in attendance and Evelyn (my wife) joined in after she finished
with an appointment in the same building re: her breast cancer surgery
follow-up.
After my talk the
floor was opened to questions and the first one that came up was about heart
support groups. I did my spiel about local groups and also talked about
Facebook (and SURVIVORS, one of the groups I am a member of) to some people who
came up to me after the talk for more information). That was well received. Click on the name SURVIVORSand you will be taken to the group page.
SURVIVORS - should you know of anyone who may benefit from a support group online this is one on Facebook you may wish to consider. This is a closed group so all discussions, conversations, questions are private and not shared in a public way. Another group I mentioned is Heart Attack and Stents which is also a private, closed group as is another group called Zipper Club. There is no right or wrong group and there are plenty of places on the internet and on Facebook where people can turn to to share experiences following a heart event and to ask questions but people must always remember that members of these groups are not doctors and that medical advice should only be sought from their specialist or family doctor.
Another question that came up asked about dealing with depression and
anxiety and I talked about my experiences and denial and talked about my coming
around to seeing a social worker where I could vent instead of taking things
out on Evelyn.
Another person
brought up an issue that he was having re: sleep apnoea and the run around he
was getting from specialists and doctors and his frustration (which was obvious
from his voice) trying to get a CPAP machine but his not getting any help. Was
able to talk about this a bit as I am going through this process at the moment
via our public health system.
And another topic
that was discussed dealt with rediscovering old hobbies like photography for
me, being negative and the need to recognize what we might have been doing
wrong that led up to our having a heart attack in the first place like diet,
exercise, smoking and dealing with stress - i.e. lifestyle changes.
a photo I took of one our wildlife visitors where we live
All in all was
great session today and of course I covered my 'favourite' topic re: diabetics
not necessarily having the classic warning signs of symptoms leading up to
and/or when having a heart attack.
This morning I am off to a coffee morning at our local cardiac rehab unit where staff and current/past clients have been invited for a pre-Xmax get together. Will be nice to catch up with the staff including some of those who run the physical education classes and who were there when I did the programme in 2007 - I don't always get to see them when I come in to give my six weekly talk.
In 2008, a year after my heart attack and bypass surgery, I was invited by our local cardiac rehab unit to share my recovery experience with others doing the rehab program. After my first presentation, I was asked to come back and give my talk on a regular basis and have been doing so ever since - at my time of posting this, it is December, 2014. In my talks, I cover issues I had to deal with including depression,anxiety and changing my lifestyle. In this video presentation which is a recording of one my talks coupled with photos taken over the years since my heart attack you will get an idea of some of the material I cover in each talk including: • assessing my lifestyle and making changes • dealing with stress, exercise and poor diet
• coping with depression and anxiety • the role of cardiac rehab in my recovery process - turning 'negatives' into 'positives' • finding a new hobby - in my case getting involved in helping my wife look after injured wildlife and adopting birds • rediscovering an old hobby, that of photography (some photos included in this video) • volunteering - becoming involved in spreading the awareness of CVD, Heart Attack and Diabetes in the community including creating bumper stickers and T shirts to help spread the message.
Talk given in May, 2012
Please feel free to share this video with others. It should be noted that topics can vary from talk to talk depending on circumstances and the time available to me and with this in mind I am listing links to two other talks to provide a better overview of the topics I cover. Cardiac Rehab Talk, Oct. 2010 - Recovering from a Heart Attack and Dealing with Depression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZNX5oCdhO0&index=6&list=PLEBBB26999588AD14
One of the things that some of us may need after a life threatening episode is some sort of support group or a group of people who have been through a similar experience. A year or so after my heart attack I was asked be involved in creating a Heart Support group here where I live, which would be part of a national network of such groups. That was in September, 2008 and in December of that year the group was launched and I was elected Publicity/Information Officer.
Around the same time I found and joined a number of heart support groups on Facebook and became active in some contributing comments on my recovery process and trying to lend support to others going through the same recovery process that I had gone through a year earlier.
Having a background in teaching and wishing to share information, I also would post relevant items in these groups that I believed would help others understand what they had been through and what lifestyle changes they (as indeed I) made after my heart attack. And also, having dealt with depression, anxiety and panic attacks, I would talk about these - something which was not a common thing for males to do.
My greatest desire, however, in joining these groups was to spread the word that: DIABETICS MAY NOT NECESSARILY HAVE THE CLASSIC WARNING SIGNS WHEN HAVING A HEART ATTACK.
This desire to spread this message came about after I did an interview with one of our local TV stations in which my cardiologist confirmed this message - at an earlier date we had discussed this when I had raised the question.
Channel Nine interview - "29 Lives"
And it would be fair to say that the principle motivating factor for me becoming involved in creating a heart support group here where I live (and joining some Facebook groups) was to get this message out into the wider community and to also spread the word about cardiovascular disease awareness and the links between diabetes and heart disease.
In the second half of 2008, soon after the TV interview, I was invited by our cardiac rehab programme to give a talk about my recovery and rehab process which included what I did to deal with depression and lifestyle changes I made. I can vividly remember talking about not having any pain or discomfort at the time of the heart attack and seeing a number of people in the room nodding their heads in agreement. When I queried them about this they told me that they were also diabetics and had never heard of the link regarding diabetics not always having pain when having a heart attack.
The supposed one-off talk at our cardiac rehab programme became the first of many and to this day, I continue to give my talk every six weeks.
In early 2009, a month or so after the local heart support group I was involved in got off the ground, I withdrew from the group due to personal and health issues. I returned to the group around August of that year and resumed my position on the executive and made it clear that I believed that part of the direction of the group should be sharing our experiences and educating the community about CVD and heart attack warning signs. I was given a free hand to develop this.
By the end of 2010 it became clear that the primary aims of the group was to be social and to revolve around BBQ's, social outings, weekly walks and Tai Chi sessions and fund raising. It also became clear to me that reaching out to the community to spread awareness and education about CVD was not what the new leadership (nor much of the membership) was interested in and following a couple of disagreements, sadly, I walked away from the group.
I had put a lot of time into the group since it was was created and was very disappointed but felt I was knocking my head against a brick wall in trying to get the group as a whole to understand, realize that we, as survivors, had a lot to contribute to the community where we live. I tried to get the executive to see the relevance in members of our group 'getting close' to our Heart Foundation and suggested that we should look at seeing if we could provide some speakers to their volunteer speaker's programme. That proved to go down like a lead balloon!
In 2010 I fought hard to get a training program implemented where members of our group would be trained and qualify to volunteer at our local hospital to talk to people who have just had a heart event and/or maybe were awaiting surgery for a heart related issue. Again, sadly, I watched as the training course took place, and the program fell apart due to a lack of direction and commitment by the executive and those who had completed the course. To say the least I was totally disillusioned having put in over six months of effort to get the program off the ground in the first place.
After leaving the group I joined Heart Foundation of Australia and was trained up to become a volunteer speaker for the organization and and continue to be volunteer speaker today. Around the same time I also became a volunteer patient at Bond University and not long after became a volunteer patient for the Australian Institute of Ultrasound. I found pretty quickly, and easily, that there were plenty of places where I live where I could volunteer and share my experiences which is basically very much what I would have liked to have seen our local heart support group become involved in.
At the same time I became much more involved in support groups on Facebook and also decided to create items that I could use to promote CVD awareness. Here are some of these.
I found I was able to quite readily on Facebook and in Facebook groups do what I would have liked to see our local heart support group do - spread CVD and Diabetes Awareness. I was heartened many times when comments would be made in a group by others confirming that, like me, they had not had the classic symptoms and then on reflection after some prompting they would add that they also were diabetics. Not saying that this happens to all diabetics who have a heart attack, but there is no doubt it is a common enough and as I so fervently believe, this message needs to be spread as it is clear to me that many people are not aware of this.
Following are links to a number of support groups that may be of interest to people who have had a heart event and/or diabetes:
There are many more support groups on Facebook, the above are just some that maybe worth a visit if you or someone you know is looking for some encouragement as they deal with a heart issue or diabetes.
Gave my last talk this morning at our cardiac rehab unit for the year then it was off to the hospital to pick up my wife and bring her home after her bilateral mastectomy on Monday. There were 30 people in attendance today (the biggest group all year) and there was some great interaction and questions from those present.
I spent a bit of time talking about of depression and anxiety as I am currently dealing with these (again) and I could see from the nodding of heads and comments being made and questions being asked that this was very relevant to a number of those present today. When you give a talk you very quickly get a vibe when you know you are touching on a common theme and even a raw nerve and today I can honestly say was a day full of VIBES and they were all good!!!
I started giving these presentations in 2008, just over a year after my heart attack and bypass surgery and have been giving these talks every six weeks ever since. It is truly a privilege and an honour to be able to do this and of course, when I was asked today by the co-ordinator if I would like to continue doing this next year, I immediately said "YES"!
Cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) is a professionally
supervised program to help people recover from heart attacks, heart
surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures such as
stenting and angioplasty. Cardiac rehab programs usually provide education and
counseling services to help heart patients increase physical fitness, reduce
cardiac symptoms, improve health and reduce the risk of future heart problems,
including heart attack. This is a You Tube presentation I made of one of my talks a few years ago.
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