Friday, May 13, 2016
Monday, May 9, 2016
What Doctors don't
tell you? My Cardiologist did and I listened. The result “Gibraltar the Story of my Heart”
Heart surgery involves
4 distinct stations,
The patient, - the cardiologist/Surgeon, - the professional
caregivers and the patience’s caregiver
"The professionals are trained in one thing only, to
save and/or extend the patience life. But, about what happens to the victim
after he/she has been discharged from the hospital, they have no idea. They
simply move on to the next patient."
“Gibraltar the Story of my Heart”,
possibly the first book written by a patient for potential patience, patients
and their caregivers gives an inspiring and realistic account of the events
surrounding heart surgery and the recovery process, including the psychological
journey which patients and their caregivers undertake. https://www.amazon.com/author/johannesfl
https://johannesflisiecki.blogspot.com
Friday, April 29, 2016
From congenital heart defect to cardiogenic shock,
open heart surgery and a defibrillator at age 68 to endurance Athlete at age 76.
Always remember to pursue the dream and
live the journey
[The Story of my Heart-segment 19]
Calamity Strikes
THEN,
ON TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2011 disaster strikes. At 9:45 p.m. our son-in-law Andy
calls from Germany where they live. Our daughter Jacqueline is in the hospital
with a ruptured brain aneurysm and is in surgery. We are in shock. Marlis
leaves for Germany the next day. Along with worrying about Jacquie, we’re also
concerned how this calamity could possibly affect me and my heart condition. Only
time will tell. I keep swimming and pass 400 miles. This is exciting. Who would
have thought, except perhaps me, that I could swim 400 miles after heart
surgery? Marlis and I speak on the phone almost daily. We’re both still shocked
by these events; I’m feeling almost numb. There is no telling what may happen
next. While Marlis spends eight hours a day at Jacquie’s bedside, I find solace
in the pool. I, too, fly to Germany at the end of July. In between hospital
visits I visit friends and swim in German pools in the north and south. Even
here, Gibraltar is constantly on my mind.
When
in the hospital, I often sit with my head on the side of the bed next to
Jacquie’s, holding one of her hands while Marlis holds her other hand across
the bed. Jacquie has been in an induced coma since the surgery. The hardest
emotion to deal with is feeling totally helpless—not being able to do anything
to help her except communicate with divine providence. I return home at the end
of August and continue my swim program. The chlorine problem is still driving
me crazy and I decide to Google for chlorine allergies. Someone with extensive
similar problems claims a certain nose clip solved it for him. Reading his comments,
I tell myself, “Perhaps the chlorinated water in my nose is causing it.” I
purchase the suggested nose clip and lo—and behold, it solves the problem, a
simple solution to end a long ordeal. On October 25, 2011, the surgeons
reinstall Jacquie’s skull section they had removed. They actually have to
squeeze the brain back into the skull, which takes additional time. But
apparently everything went well. In the morning of October 27, Marlis calls me.
Her first words are, “We have sound!” We’re so excited I almost come unglued. Marlis
explains that Jacquie has started to form words. The first word, she thinks,
was “Mom.” She tried to form other words, but it doesn’t work yet. They just
come out garbled. Important, however, is that we had actual sound for the first
time in four months. That afternoon I see Dr. Coletti for a brief, routine
checkup. He is happy with how things are progressing and agrees I can reduce the
pee pills (diuretic) to only twice a week. When I tell him I’m weaning myself
off the depression medicine, he wonders why—especially with the current stress
I’m under with Jacquie. Because I’d been on depression medication for years,
but having an aversion to any kind of drugs, and because I gained so much
mental balance from swimming, I thought it was time to get off it. Looks like I
was not thinking well because he highly recommends otherwise. Another problem I
find hard to deal with is the short-term memory loss Dr. Coletti warned me about.
This was caused by the excessive time I spent on the heart lung machine.
Pumping blood through the heart-lung machine may harm blood cells and thus create
clots. It may also provoke inflammation, which can harm the brain. Sometimes I
stand in front of a person I’ve known for a long time, but can’t recall his or
her name. These are problems I can deal with—I’m happy to still be alive.
If you like this
story and have a moment to spare, I
would really appreciate a short review. Your
help in spreading the word is gratefully received.
©
Johannes Lisiecki
We
would love to hear, your story!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
From congenital heart defect to cardiogenic shock,
open heart surgery and a defibrillator at age 68 to endurance Athlete at age 76.
Always remember to pursue the dream and
live the journey
[The Story of my Heart-segment 18]
I
make my project presentation and explain the reason for the idea, which is to
bring about awareness of congenital heart defects, especially for children and
teenagers. I also stress my goal of sharing my experiences with other heart
patients. I ask for a sponsorship amount of $15,000. This is a positive
meeting. They’re even more excited after I finish my presentation, for which
Dr. Coletti laid the groundwork, along with Beth. As a team, I believe we can
make this a success. The meeting lasted about 45 minutes and I leave Beth with a
hardcover copy of my first book. As fate will often interfere, a year later
Beth will succumb to cancer. After the meeting I drive to Train-or-Try,
Bellingham’s triathlon headquarters. Come to find out, the owner Maureen
Trainor is a heart patient, apparently much worse than I am, and still doing triathlons.
I tell her what I’m looking for and why. She’s only 42 years old and her
problems go far beyond just the heart. It so happens that both Dr. Coletti and
Dr. MacGregor are her physicians. Obviously my visit to the store takes much
longer than anticipated. She explains the most up to date products being used
in wet suits. The difference between a diving wet suit and a swim wet suit is significant.
I learn that for a swimming suit the interior is similar to a diving wet suit
made of neoprene, but the outside is made of smooth skin. The technological
difference is evident. They are designed to increase swimming efficiency,
flotation, and speed. I try on several suits, after which I’m almost exhausted.
The cost ranges from $250 up to nearly $1,000. We concentrate on several from
$250 to $380. She explains the technology of design between the two price
ranges. The suits come from New Zealand and Australia. We are astounded by the
difference in size I need, in comparison to the chart for my weight and height.
Because of my body construction after surgery, I end up needing two sizes
larger than she expected. In the first week of August I again drive to North
Cascade Cardiology for Maria to check the defibrillator. The ratings come out perfect
except for a couple of short periods of atrial fibrillation back in February,
lasting no longer than about five minutes each; nothing to be concerned about.
After that I meet with Jerry Marschke, Cardiovascular Administrator of North
Cascade Cardiology. I tell him about my decision to postpone the Gibraltar swim
until next year. He once more confirms their commitment. He will also contact
Tracy Peacock, the project director at the American Heart Association in
Seattle. I continue swimming and make several visits to North Cascade Cardiology
for routine checkups. Always looking for incentives to do my exercises, the
berry season comes in handy. I now have another reason to take out my bicycle
and ride through the berry fields, where I can stop and gorge myself on fresh
berries—energy food. First it’s the raspberries, followed by blueberries, which
makes for a delicious ride indeed. In September, we attend Dr. Coletti’s heart
seminar at St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center. It’s amazing to learn
about all of the new devices that are appearing. I confirm his agreement to be consulting
adviser to the Heart Challenge Swim Association, once I set it up.
In
March, I have an echocardiogram and blood tests done. A couple of days later
Dr. Coletti’s nurse, Heidi, calls to let me know they both came out perfect and
Dr. Coletti is delighted. In May, I register the Heart Challenge Swim
Association as a nonprofit organization with the state and receive the largest
sponsor contribution from North Cascade Cardiology. This is exciting because
it’s a great step forward. North Cascade Cardiology is now merging with
PeaceHealth. I send notice to Spain to register myself for the swim and on Wednesday,
June 8, I receive an answer from ACNEG, the swim association in Spain,
informing me they are completely booked for the year and suggest registering
after December 1 for the 2012 season.
If you like this
story and have a moment to spare, I
would really appreciate a short review. Your
help in spreading the word is gratefully received.
©
Johannes Lisiecki
We
would love to hear, your story!
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Friday, March 25, 2016
Every venture starts with a dream, either before, or
after conception, with our parents wondering about
what may become of us. Then, as we grow up, everything becomes a succession of
visions we call dreams, expressed in "Someday".
The Johmalites story starts in 1940
during the war fought by the greatest generation.
Growing up I was
determined not to lose my dreams to the elusive promise of "Someday"
which keeps most people from ever achieving their dreams.
"Someday" is like tomorrow
which never comes, because tomorrow, "Someday" becomes
yesterday which turns into yesteryear and "I should have done it" which turns into frustration and regret.
"Someday" became a vicious
illusion that destroyed ambition and dreams. Why, simply because we didn't act
on them.
The trick is not to fall into the
dreaded trap of "Someday" and never realize our dreams. The only Question you have to ask
yourself is. "Will I
act on it," or remember it as: "I should have done it!"
I had to learn How
to turn that "Someday"
into "I did it," instead of "I should
have done it."
To accomplish this we have to become
possibility dreamers and decide to
And not to remember them
like the person who once said to me,
"My dreams went up in smoke so
long ago; I don't even remember what they were."
"The
Johmalites" book series will take you
on that ride. © jfl
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