“Welcome to the Zipper Club” Those are the words, uttered by a stranger who held the door for me as I exited the hospital that made me realize I had just begun a new life.
I was still too sick and groggy to begin to understand the implication of her cheerful greeting.
Clutching a small red pillow to my chest and using my full concentration to not cough as the first breath of cold outdoor air hit my tender lungs, I shuffled to the waiting car.
And so, in an agony of pain and stupefied by drugs I hugged my pillow while the snow crunched beneath the wheels of the car that was carrying me home to start my recovery and a second chance at life.
Saturday 30 May 2009
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I'm a member of the zipper club since Sept. 2nd, 2005. I had a heart attack the end of August and was in St. Thomas located in Nashville shortly after. After a day of tests the cardiologist and heart surgeon felt I needed open heart surgery. I honestly don't recall much that happened during the tests or even the morning before my surgery. I was given happy meds as I call them and they knocked me for a loop. My husband did say I was silly and wasn't paying much attention to anything being said to me.
ReplyDeleteI do recall talking to my brother (he passed in Sept. 2001) and I saw him watching over me at the hospital. It was an odd feeling. But I knew I'd be ok. I woke up on Saturday, the 3rd, in the Pod (recovery area) and saw my son who is a soldier. He was training to go to Iraq for first tour but the Army allowed him 3 days with us in Nashville. Saturday night I was walking a bit and on Sunday I was roaming the halld (well as far as my heart beeper would allow). I left the hospital on Tuesday and really started healing well at home.
I will always be thankful to my cardiologist and heart surgeon, they saved my life.
Jackie B in the great state of Tennessee
Hello Jackie B.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to hear from you. My surgery was on December 22, 2009. Christmas in the hospital might make an interesting story sometime.
I found your comment about talking with your brother and him watching over you very touching. I wonder if we all get a bit more spiritual after going through an experience like open heart surgery.
How do you feel now? Well I hope.
I’m finding the recovery process a bit discouraging sometimes but am plugging away. At least I’m on my feet and back at work. I’m able to do a bit of fishing and am finding I am a little more able all the time.
Let me know if you have any tips for eating better or finding the motivation to get up and take a walk when all I feel like doing is sitting in my Lazy Boy chair.
All the Best,
Steve
Sorry, I meant to say, "My surgery was on December 22, 2008."
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Steve
It should be noted that "zipper club" members don't necessarily need to have had open heart surgery. Heart or heart/lung transplant patients also qualify, even though the transplanted organs are intact and not opened up.
ReplyDelete