Friday on my mind

On By Sharron YaxleyIn Health
Beautiful bear and card Sienna, my granddaughter gave me. Granny bear is watching over me. I will treasure the bear forever.

I am now in hospital in Hobart, having been admitted early afternoon (Thursday)

I have had additional radiology tests. I had a chest X-ray and a carotid artery doppler. The sonographer asked what I was doing there as he said I was too young and the wrong build for coronary artery disease. ‘Genetics’ I said.

The good news is that he told me my carotid arteries are as good as the day I was born. Big relief.

The anaesthetist is a lovely lady, Dr B. The conversation started by her asking me questions about Zwift and she obviously knew a bit about me. I asked how she knew these things, and her response was very honest…”I googled you”. We both had a good laugh and I felt very relaxed with her.

She spelled out in considerable detail her role and the amount of cables and tubes I will have inserted or attached to my body. Mind boggling.

I will be taken to theatre one hour before surgery at around noon. It takes an hour to prepare me with all those cables and lines and anaesthetise me. The cardio thoracic surgeon walks in at 1 pm…ish.

Usa cycling friend Jeff sent me this today. He faces his own journey this week as well.

Dr Ash will work on harvesting my donor vessels first (mammary and arm currently planned), then he accesses my heart (cutting through the sternum and clamping it back), stops my heart (they use potassium), places me on the bypass machine to keep me alive, graft the new vessels, restart my heart (hopefully the warm blood does the trick, otherwise they have jumper leads), wire my sternum, stitch me up and send me to ICU.

Dr B loves her job, and she loves the cardiac team she works with. She reminded me that they do these surgeries nearly every day and it is bread and butter for them. Most traumatic day of my life is their bread and butter.

Then starts the recovery road and rehabilitation. Day 1 of Part 2 of the rest of my life. Mink 2.0.

My kiwi friend Andrew, skiing in Queenstown 14 weeks after his cardiac arrest and bypass. He was my motivation in pushing my tests. I’m playing it forward.

I am a lucky girl. They found it despite being asymptomatic. I know there will be challenges, good and bad days, but I have faith in my personal tenacity and resilience.

Finishing off with a beautiful message from my granddaughter, shared with her parents blessing. Enjoy 😊

23 thoughts on “Friday on my mind”

  1. Davis Jefferies

    I love that Sharron. Take care of yourself and hangon….we are all here waiting for you and the new and improved (if that is even possible) Mink II

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Sharron,

    I really wish you a full recovery. You are in the care of extraordinary, talented individuals that have studied and learnt their craft over tens of years. Skilled professionals with exceptional ability. You are in safe hands.

    This too shall pass Sharron. I look forward to giving you a ‘Ride On’, rather than being the regular recipient.

    Take care and rest well.

    ‘Train hard – rest harder’.

    Cheers Champ.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Sharron,

    I really wish you a full recovery. You are in the care of extraordinary, talented individuals that have studied and learnt their craft over tens of years. Skilled professionals with exceptional ability. You are in safe hands.

    This too shall pass Sharron. I look forward to giving you a ‘Ride On’, rather than being the regular recipient.

    Take care and rest well.

    ‘Train hard – rest harder’.

    Cheers Champ.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Sharron,

    I really wish you a full recovery. You are in the care of extraordinary, talented individuals that have studied and learnt their craft over tens of years. Skilled professionals with exceptional ability. You are in safe hands.

    This too shall pass Sharron. I look forward to giving you a ‘Ride On’, rather than being the regular recipient.

    Take care and rest well.

    ‘Train hard – rest harder’.

    Cheers Champ.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Other peoples medical things usually leads to me having kore of questions and I don’t. That (sorgery tram/anesthesia etc) isn’t what ii do but the thing I really like from everything and these are excellent things: 1) everyone is VERY comfortable explaining complicated things in a way you clearly understand. Good doctors. 2) they are a comfortable TEAM this is also crucial. If someone has a thought they will be comfortable speaking up to each other this along with the listening and making sense are all fundamental crucial but often under appreciated aspects … the culture of the place along with the individuals in their roles sounds just great. Even knowing nothing of the particulars or data your enormous (astoundingly so) of course will be a huge advantage. Being bedboind leads to changes quickly and some have little muscle and cardiovascular reserve and live close to the edge of not getting out of bed. You will have little ups and downs and I suspect your experience and wisdom also will give you patience and perspective. Getting out of bed is important when it’s time, slowly building back while ensuring things heal is slow. There’s a silver lining I wonder if suddenly you’ll feel much stronger eventually but will be careful not to ramp things too fast. You’re a unicorn to them but sounds like they’re be able to guide you from wherever you are. The inside Bs outside reading thing you mentioned is a thing. Weight on arm is a thing. I have a kickr. Limb three are dedicated bikes and that other front end and there’s more weight on hands and butt when pedaling easier but the option to adjust the tilt around is nice or even prop the front higher in a static way some days. Looking forward to much more as you take is all through this …thank you and o don’t think I’m wrong to say I love you we love you you are a amazing human in body and spirit and we are always be with you in spirit no matter how far away! I think you have my email old love to chat or FaceTime sometime when you’re up to it I’ll get in line!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. helen kempton

    Hi Sharron. Helen Kempton from the Mercury newspaper here. Wishing you a speedy recovery and would be interested in chatting to you when you are up to it

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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