Sorry so long August 8,  2019  2:30pm EST

Thank you so much for sharing this!  The Recovery  Road is a challenge, mentally and physically, and you are doing absolutely great! Please know that we are here for you, today and every day!  Best Katie

Gail,

As Katie stated, you are doing great given the immense set of changes and challenges you’ve had to undergo in such a short period of time.

I had a heart attack four years ago and I was faced with a lot of confusing information as well. I also over reacted. My Dr never told me not to eat anything. Just to do so in moderation while making informed choices. I went full blown vegetarian and started to reduce my fats overly much. Since then I went back to eating poultry, fish and, yes, very occasionally some lean red meats. I also still enjoy some cheese and fried foods. But it’s all in moderation. Like my dad said, it’s the bad stuff you eat every day that will kill you, not the occasional treat you allow yourself. I love food. All types of food.

While I don’t know your situation and I am in no way a medical professional, I would encourage you to take things slow. Make methodical changes over time. Don’t freak out like I did. Talk with your Dr’s. Keep a food journal and share that with him or her and ask some hard questions like “I love cookies, take a look at what I ate over the past two weeks and tell me what I can do better and when it’s OK to have a reward please?”

I bet the Dr is going to say that your quality of life matters just as much as your treatment plan does.

As far as needles go, I can’t help you there, I have tattoos everywhere, so needles never bothered me much.

Keep doing what you are doing and enjoy every moment you can with your wonderful family.

Jeff

Hi Gail,

Your reaction is typical and you will slowly modify your thinking although continuing to watch what you eat is something I'd highly advise. I had a quintuple bypass operation and reacted very similarly to how you've reacted. I was afraid to put anything in my mouth. Like Jeff, my cardiologist told me that I could have some of the foods you've mentioned but just to not make it a habit. At first I was careful to eliminate almost anything I deemed unhealthy. I have kind of morphed that into not eating anything that are obviously unhealthy such as most processed foods. I don't eat things like potato chips, french fries, bacon, high fat foods...etc. You do adjust to these things. I have eaten far more salads but I always have to add grilled chicken or fish. I allow myself grass fed organic red meat occasionally. I will eat some sweets but rarely. By the way, dark chocolate is supposed to be good for the heart. Ask your doc. 

Another suggestion I'd make is to start an exercise program if you haven't already. I was always a runner but after my surgery, I did cardiac rehab and once I was fully recovered, I started exercising more vigorously than I previously had. I think it was my way of reacting to what had happened to me. One result has been that my cardiologist secretly told me that I could probably add more salt to my diet. I was surprised when she told me that but she also told me that I was the only patient she had ever said that to. 

Bottom line is that yes, changes are necessary but you will adjust and if you take good care of yourself, you can return to some of those things you used to enjoy...just don't make it a habit.

I wish you all the best!

Jim

You have one thing going for you that is better than any medicine outhere: your great sense of humor!

Wishing you the best!

Paul