What do you order when eating at a restaurant?

Oh bad days and not so bad days , can I ask you a question ? I am sure you have been through it all , was it worth it after everything you have been through ? Maybe I just have a poor attitude but been weighing both sides and having a hard time deciding if I want to fight this ! Thanks so much

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Mike-I am just 8 months post heart/double lung transplant. Although I was hospitalized for only a short period of time prior to transplant, I was steadily declining 18 months prior. I don’t own a ranch but I do have 2 horses that I rode several times a week prior to my deterioration. As I deteriorated it was all I could do to walk out to catch them. I had no stamina. Fortunately I board my horses, so they were cared for whenever I was not able to go to the barn. Is there a local ag college or high school ag program that you could reach out to for interns or students to work at your horse ranch when you are not able? I know it isn’t the same as doing it yourself, but if they can work with you before hospitalization that can give you some peace of mind.

And heck yes it’s worth it! I will say that I got a little frustrated post transplant when someone asked me if I had a good day. Some days I was lucky to have a good hour or two. So I started counting the ‘small wins’ every day and wrote them down at night, along with what didn’t go well. Even little things like “stood up by myself” made the list. Eventually the small wins greatly outweighed the little steps backwards. I’m very independent, competitive and some say stubborn 😊. I used that to my advantage in recovery-setting goals and challenging myself so I could get out of the hospital asap and then progress in recovery. One of my goals after I got home was to get back in the saddle. In 4 1/2 months I was riding again. Sure, someone had to lift my saddle on and off in the beginning. But within 2 months I was able to saddle both my horses and ride on my own again. Freedom and normalcy comes back, and is something to look forward to. And I didn’t realize how crummy I felt pre transplant until I got my heart and lungs working again!

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So let me ask you this were or did you get back where you were or like 80 % , 60%, that's what's making me wonder if it's worth it. Right now up at sunrise and don't get done till dark I know I can't keep this pace for ever so throwing everything around and I don't have near what you went through wow , it's funny just 5 years ago I won the Texas State Cross Country racing championship. It's hard to wrap my mind around it , thanks for your input you guys are better than doctors cause you loved , thank you Mike

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I am 54 (55 in a week-another milestone!). So I don’t know if my ‘before’ compares to yours. Before I was an exec doing a lot of international travel and office hours. I also worked out 5x week and rode. So I was fit and active for my age. Average build and weight. My heart/lung capacity was diminishing as time progressed. I didn’t know how badly until recently when I realized walking back and forth to the barn and pasture is no longer a daunting task!

2 weeks ago during my checkup my lungs were at 65% SO FAR. They are not yet done improving and I can tell noticeable improvements every month. My strength, etc is also getting back to normal. I expect to be ‘normal’ at the one year mark (or sooner). It’s hard in the beginning and it’s easy to see why some people don’t push themselves right after surgery. It’s easier to sit and let folks help you. But given your accomplishments and likely competitiveness I expect you too are used to setting goals and achieving them. You have to do this for recovery too. And heading into it in as good of shape as possible is helpful. My transplant is much different than yours . So I can only comment on my experience. It took time, patience (very frustrating) and counting the small wins. It also took a lot of rest and sleep too.

Hope this helps. Happy to continue to discuss or answer questions.
Jackie

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Mike-I am just 8 months post heart/double lung transplant. Although I was hospitalized for only a short period of time prior to transplant, I was steadily declining 18 months prior. I don’t own a ranch but I do have 2 horses that I rode several times a week prior to my deterioration. As I deteriorated it was all I could do to walk out to catch them. I had no stamina. Fortunately I board my horses, so they were cared for whenever I was not able to go to the barn. Is there a local ag college or high school ag program that you could reach out to for interns or students to work at your horse ranch when you are not able? I know it isn’t the same as doing it yourself, but if they can work with you before hospitalization that can give you some peace of mind.

And heck yes it’s worth it! I will say that I got a little frustrated post transplant when someone asked me if I had a good day. Some days I was lucky to have a good hour or two. So I started counting the ‘small wins’ every day and wrote them down at night, along with what didn’t go well. Even little things like “stood up by myself” made the list. Eventually the small wins greatly outweighed the little steps backwards. I’m very independent, competitive and some say stubborn 😊. I used that to my advantage in recovery-setting goals and challenging myself so I could get out of the hospital asap and then progress in recovery. One of my goals after I got home was to get back in the saddle. In 4 1/2 months I was riding again. Sure, someone had to lift my saddle on and off in the beginning. But within 2 months I was able to saddle both my horses and ride on my own again. Freedom and normalcy comes back, and is something to look forward to. And I didn’t realize how crummy I felt pre transplant until I got my heart and lungs working again!

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Well…I’m back to work full time, but unless I’m doing trainings, I basically do research and write 40-50 hours a week, so not physical labor. I do try to walk 2-3 miles a day, and I’ll get back to 3-4 mpd in the spring. I do get fatigued, but that’s undoubtedly due to Sjogren’s. I’m also 62. So, I’m not thinking I’m the average transplant recipient. On the other hand, at least I’m able to work, walk, and even went to a couple rock shows and danced a bunch before Covid got real bad again. And, given my comorbidities I’m doing ok, which, while frustrating at times, is a lot better than the alternative!

I know on my liver transplant support group there are others working full time, at least one of whom runs a construction company. He was back to work at his business within a month.

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Jackie, did you say horses? I bet you'll want to join this discussion in the Just Want To Talk group.
- Equine Therapy is Horses Helping People: How do horses help? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/equine-therapy-is-horses-helping-people-how-do-horses-help/

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I just saw this , horses are great for doing many things , guess I am lucky I take care of 28 of them , I find the Mustangs and Clydesdale is relaxing just to sit by them ! I actually laid down by the Clydesdale he was napping and didn't even bug him at all , animals are amazing I wish all the children could come out from children's hospital and experience what I take for granted ! Thank Mike

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