Hunting season cut-short: going to need archery recovery.

[Gordy]

Life took an unexpected turn last week and I ended up having emergency surgery to repair my ascending aorta and the associated valve.
Absolutely amazing what they can do these days with these little medical marvels.  I now am the proud owner of an artificial composite heart valve and one heck of a chest scar  :\\

After only a few days at home, I know I have a long road ahead of me, but have any of you guys had to recover from open chest surgery and made a rapid return to shooting your bows ?

I can't do anything for 3 months, but am looking forward to shooting again. This recovery is extremely boring and I think I will have to ask my girlfriend to get the 3D targets put away so I don't have to look out the window at them   :(

On a positive note, I will have some time to finish up a riser I've been working on and ....well, I ain't dead !    

[Izzy]

Speedy recovery to you.

[Winterhawk1960]

Hang in there Tim. While not having had to recover for heart surgery, I know of what you speak. That was a pretty serious surgery when planned, let along the emergency type. I'm glad to hear that you are home and recovering as I type.

One word of advise, listen to the doctors advice and don't draw that bow. Splitting your sternum with a saw blade will take some time to heal. Just keep that pillow close, and for God's sake try to NOT get a head cold.

My Dad had a five-way bypass several years ago, and he couldn't spread his arms apart without hurting like hell for almost 6 months. He is as good as new now. Better have those 3D targets removed so as to not tempt fate.

God Speed.......in your recovery.

Winterhawk1960

[Gray Buffalo]

I had the same surgery in 1995 and it took me about 6 nonths to get back up to 60#. When the doc. turned me lose I started @ 30# and worked my way up. when hunting don't forget your blood thinners and be carefull, you'll bleed more and broadheads are sharp.
 

[Winterhawk1960]

Oh......and the associated valve that you speak of is the Mitral Valve, it connects to the Ascending Aorta, which takes the blood to the rest of your body.

Winterhawk1960

[fatman]

Tim, prayers for a speedy recovery    

As has been said here before "Your Mileage May Vary"

Kevin
 

[vermonster13]

Gordy do you need a light bow for the recovery? I can loan you one if you do. Just let me know.

Glad they caught it before something major happened while you were out in the woods! Hoping for a speedy recovery.

[Kip]

Tim    I have a 40@28" 56" short riser Bob Lee you can use or put it on a reg. riser it will be about 35@28"(which I also have) if you need either of these let me know. I have others I can use till you get stronger.Kip

[ses]

I had bypass surgery when i was 38 after my seconded heart attack it is rough but u deal with it. Iam 54 now and some days when i sneeze it hurts i dont think it will be ever be like it was.think of all the good day ahead hunting   ses

[Deff]

I had open heart surgery (mitrial valve repair) early last February. With the doctor's blessing, In May, I began shooting  light weight bows.  I kept my hunting bow (60#) strung in the bedroom and pulled it only as far as was comfortable each night. I went on my 1st hunt on the 4th of July. We went gopher hunting and although I didn't connect with any, I had a blast!  For the next three months  you will need to be  d a r n  careful not to lift too much and pull things apart.  Walk and try to keep yourself in as good of shape as possible.  I would bet that within 6 months or so, you will be back to 100%. GOOD LUCK!

[Toklat1]

Its great that you are ok. I'll second to do all the doctors tell you what & what not to do. Have a speedy recovery.

[Over&Under]

Hope you are back at it very soon!!

[Gordy]

Hey thanks guys !
Only here would you find so many different people who are so similar !  

Thanks for the offer vermonster & kip but I have a range of bows to get by with.
I was mostly interested in how long recovery took and it looks like I'm not out of line on that.
Do nothing for 3 months, then start givvener !

Archery has been a blessing I hope I get to enjoy for decades to come (I'm only 42 :\\ so I'm planning on taking the Dr's advice and take it easy...don't rush it, but keep on moving, keep exercising. Right now, everything is still a chore, but every day gets a little bit easier.

thanks again guys    

[Shakes.602]

I Agree with What the other Folks Say! Hope You Heal Fast, but  Dont Over-Do , A Mans Gotta Know His Limits!! No Need To Rush,and then go Through  ALL  of it Again!!         Hope You Heal Fast and Correctly!!  

[Bone lake]

Hope all goes well,take it easy!

[Bonebuster]

Here`s to a speedy recovery!

Wishing you the best!

[reddogge]

Had a quad bypass in Feb.  Doctor told me don't do anything strenuous besides walking for 12 weeks.  Don't lift anything over 10 lbs.  The nurse told me "You DON'T want to damage your breastbone incision because it won't be pretty."

I listened to her.  No problems with archery, golf, rifles now.

[mike g]

Gordy....
    Heal well my friend....
Time to make arrows etc....If ya want to learn todo hand stitching, I'll send ya something ya can learn on....

[Robert Honaker]

You are very lucky my friend.
Don't take it for granted, take all the time off you need.
Robert

[BOFF]

Father in law just had 3 bypasses. DO AS THE DOCTORS SAY!!!!  Over doing is one of the worst things and the most common set back. You don't need to risk an infection, or further injury to the incisions and breast bone.  I know it's frustrating to sit and do nothing, so get out and walk, walk, and walk. No lifting and no flailing of the arms.

Praying for a speedy recovery.