.

Barry

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
Postponed an August safari, probably to October. Is that enough time to heal? My wife can do all the shooting if it comes to that. My .375 Weatherby has been ready for a long time, and a red hartebeest on the list. She's plain old deadly with her .270 Weatherby and it's been eleven years since we last went.

Thoughts?

Barry

Postpone

Hunting is a damn vacation at end of day. Take time to heal.

Mike

After my by-pass doctor made me wait six months. Recoil and chest healing. Mine was several years ago, but probably still applies.

Minimum time 8 weeks. Better get back into shape and wait 4 months.

My dad had a heart valve put in.when he was 53 years old .He deer hunted no.problems five months later .Good luck hope bad pray your operation goes well and you hunt.again with no.problems !

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
Postponed an August safari, probably to October. Is that enough time to heal? My wife can do all the shooting if it comes to that. My .375 Weatherby has been ready for a long time, and a red hartebeest on the list. She's plain old deadly with her .270 Weatherby and it's been eleven years since we last went.

Thoughts?

Barry

Postpone

Hunting is a damn vacation at end of day. Take time to heal.

Mike

This^

I had quadruple bypass in February 2014. The surgeon who did the procedure shot skeet and sporting clays.

He told me no shooting for at least 6 months, and I shoot sub-gauges.

Air travel wasn't on the menu, so I can't speak to that issue.

Bottom line: do whatever your doctors says.

Flying commercially is not a problem.

But, if you have to use a small plane in Africa, make sure you have oxygen on board.

I have heard that flying at 10,000 feet people with heart problems tend to feel uncomfortable.

Actual hunting you should not have a problem, just take it a bit slower.

Best of luck.

quote:

Originally posted by LR3:
Minimum time 8 weeks. Better get back into shape and wait 4 months.

8 weeks?

Have you had your chest sawn open?



I was 47 years 5 mobths when I underwent aortic aneurysm surgery January 3rd, 2017

The Surgeons team removed the damaged aorta and glued and sewed in a synthetic graff then reattached the blood supplies.

Wired, stitched and glued my chest shut



It was the most debilitating thing I have ever gone through. I started cardiac rehab at 5 weeks and went back to work at week 9.

Within 2 weeks I had injured my chest and this took an aditional 3 months to stop hurting.

I hunted last fall at month 10 with a 7-08, 6.5CM amd a light loaded .280

I promis you......it will take one year for you to feel close to 100%

I can still remember sneezing and coughing.......bad

If it was me or my patients I’d be recommending 6 months before a trip to a place without ready access to cardiologists or surgeons.

Doesn’t matter if you are shooting or not. If you have issues with clot/suture aneurysm/restenosis you will need them and fast. You are generally considered back at normal risk at 6 months, but may well still have some pain issues for up to a year.

Recoil from any gun is going to hurt... and big bores could cause issues.

I would wait.

The chest wound is what made my situation debilitating.

It effects your core strength badly.

I didn't even attempt to fire a short action centerfire until month ten

How long are you post-op?

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
Ten days, ted thorn. Looking at an October 16 window. We'll learn about and decide on cardio rehab program based on what the cardiologist recommends next Friday. I know it's rushing thing a bit, but we have to decide what to do based on that info. We were slotted for August 7 window. The money is already committed, and its been eleven years since the last trip. I am planning to be the observer. Spot and stalk happens from the truck, and if I have to watch from afar, so be it. Just want to be safe to fly.

Thanks!

Barry

Where are you hunting?

What does your doctor say about hunting, Africa and shooting high power rifles ?

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
Ten days, ted thorn. Looking at an October 16 window. We'll learn about and decide on cardio rehab program based on what the cardiologist recommends next Friday. I know it's rushing thing a bit, but we have to decide what to do based on that info. We were slotted for August 7 window. The money is already committed, and its been eleven years since the last trip. I am planning to be the observer. Spot and stalk happens from the truck, and if I have to watch from afar, so be it. Just want to be safe to fly.

Thanks!

Barry

I couldn't lay down and sleep for about 8 weeks because it was so hard to get out of bed without help. I slept in a recliner instead.

Are you able to get a good night of sleep?

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
ted thorn

Tramadol, though necessary to handle surgery pain, interferes with sleep. Getting plenty of rest, though, and the PT training about using that little pillow against the sternum, plus sticking to the < 5# limit, and doing lots of little walks really helps. Long as I keep my asthma handled, progress is steady. I have a recliner, but can't throw the lever without help. Mostly I sleep in my own bed, with a pillow chair and other pillows arrange to keep me kinda sorta upright. As a side sleeper, I really don't like it. But, I took the training about getting out of and back into bed seriously. A great spouse helps!! Sorry your road was so rough. Whew!!


Beretta6821

Eastern cape. Doctors will tell me this week as follow up appointments with surgeon and cardiologist begin. I plan to be an observer -- Pamela can have a ball. A month in front of an "everything in place" trip, CABGx2 happened and I am getting my ducks in a row to know how to rebook plus ask docs the right questions.


Many thanks amigos,
Barry

Good location in that you will be in driving distance to good medical care. I would talk to ph/outfitter about health issue and make sure they know and have contact for appropriate specialist doctors.

I would get good insurance. Travel insurance beyond global rescue.



Mike

Again, the best advice I can give is to do exactly what your doctors recommends.

You're not shooting--that's fine, but only part of the equation.

There are a number of other possible issues associated with coronary bypass.

If you have an event mid-air, either flying over or back, the flight crew will have limited means (and training) to deal with your situation. Will there be a thoracic surgeon on board? Possibly, but most likely not.

Most cardiologists I've dealt with since my 4 grafts in 2014 have always erred on the conservative side when advising me regarding physical activity.

Personally, I wouldn't go as soon as you are planning. But that's just me; of course it's your call, so if you decide to make the trip, I hope you have a wonderful, uneventful (medically speaking, that is) safari.

Cheers!

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
Surgeon says "green light" for October safari. One cardiologist to go!!

That's great news!!!!

I've not had a bypass, but I did have a heart attack in October 2015...my RCA was 100% blocked! They went in through my femoral in my groin, cleaned it out - then put in 3 stents!

I was back hiking / hunting in the mountains in 5 weeks....feeling great. Now I hike at least 20 miles per week!

I'd think the biggest issue is the open surgery some of you guys have had, versus the procedure I had? Otherwise I'd bet you'll be back to new and feeling much better in the future!?

Good luck man!!!

B.

Glad your okay and the surgery went well.

Look forward to hearing about your hunt. Have a great time.

Glad to hear you are doing great and getting to go on your trip.

Have fun !!!

What an interesting subject to occupy the top spot on the African hunting forums for about a month.

Best of luck to you. Nothing like a pending hunt to motivate a guy to train!

After paying $100,000 for the surgery, I would suggest following your doctors orders. Your chest will take 6 months to heal somewhat.

My wife is cardiac intensive care nurse. Her advise is to do what the doc says.


Why come to a hunting forum to get medical advise?

quote:

Why come to a hunting forum to get medical advice?

Indeed, why come at all? Guess only the high money people count here...

If I was given a $100,000 bill after surgery I would probably stroke out ..

I hope that you can make the safari, amigo. I am cheering for you.

Tried one shot with her .270 Wby during her own sticks practice session (early September). No problems. Seven shots yesterday with my 7mm Wby and no problems this morning. Flew to Arizona and back last week, Thursday and Friday. No physical issues and cardio rehab is moving along swimmingly. October's safari will be just fine.

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
Tried one shot with her .270 Wby during her own sticks practice session (early September). No problems. Seven shots yesterday with my 7mm Wby and no problems this morning. Flew to Arizona and back last week, Thursday and Friday. No physical issues and cardio rehab is moving along swimmingly. October's safari will be just fine.

Fantastic!

I wish you all the best.

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
Tried one shot with her .270 Wby during her own sticks practice session (early September). No problems. Seven shots yesterday with my 7mm Wby and no problems this morning. Flew to Arizona and back last week, Thursday and Friday. No physical issues and cardio rehab is moving along swimmingly. October's safari will be just fine.

Well that is good... i was given a weight restriction by my doctor and it was 2 months before i could pick up my trap gun. i cheated to put the case in the pickup. with the medication that i will be on for another 8 months have slowed me way down.

the advise about following doctors orders are for your well being.

i had put this years trip to South Africa off and am looking at re-booking/scheduling for 2019 after i have had my 1 year checkup. heck i will not have my 6 month check up until December from the doctor. i am hoping at that time i will be cleared for flying. in the mean time i have taken two short driving trips and it has taken me 2 days to recover after i make it home.

As i was being rushed into the operating room i asked the doctor if i could still go to South Africa in a few weeks. all he said is we will talk about later. i guess all i can say is that i am lucky to be posting. as i have only started getting on the computer the past few weeks.

Have a good trip and make sure that you have your will updated and it is in place.

From 'there'


to 'here'


July 5 to October 28, 2018.

ted thorn, one of your Frankenstud's on my Camelbak was a lifesaver! Mountain hikes/hunts without it would have meant Neville (tracker) carrying the .375 Weatherby Brno instead of me. I sucked down water the whole week, too.

Airports and multiple checking rifles/ammo rigmarole at O R Tambo (Jo'burg), Port Elizabeth (domestic) and Washington D C (Dulles) were far more strenuous. We were last to board returning to IAH (Houston), being waved forward as I'd run part of the way getting from U.S. Customs and then a redo at TSA. God bless Texas -- a pure breeze on both ends, flying United. Say what you want about porters and tipping. Never again on taking my own stuff vs. renting. And, the Ethiopian guys at Dulles saved my bacon!!

Since we'd missed two Sundays, I could offer a few bucks to go vicariously for Pamela and myself to pray and "give something to the 'predikant'/minister/priest/whatever." Amharic helped me with Ethiopian friends (automatic when born in Addis Ababa, apparently) and I said "Drinking/arranging coffee is a good thing!" ["Bunna maderug teroo newh"]. Tried to navigate domestic --> international at Tambo and wished I'd just let the porter chat us up. Wound up being "helped" by SAA ticket lady who directed me to an orange vest anyhow. Without Pamela along, a heart condition, etc. maybe it works out otherwise. Never again!

The trip to Blaauwkrantz Safaris with the Rudman/Dixie families was "lekker" and you might look for a full write-up a la MY NAME IS BARRY! (entitled "UNRAVELING") in November. The mods here may pan it -- not advertising, just some here know the reference. Previous hunting reports were picture rich, story based, yet left out the most serious part (for me.)

(Still waiting for mine...)

Fantastic!

Ditto - and congratulations!

Well done sir.

Good for You! Congrats on many levels.

Barry:

Did you have any health related problems at all?
Looks and sounds like you had a great time and are back at it again. Too damn young for such problems.

Thanks for sharing with us the ordeal.

Here I sit feeling sorry for myself over pain from a knee replacement two weeks ago.

Best to you,

George

Pain is pain, boss. Mine was medicine-related. and the mental aspects. Helped load a zebra, climbed mountainsides, pushed a car out of the road. Heart was good. Scope check back home gave me a really nice magnum shoulder bruise, but that's medicine, too.
see Nagel family safari 2018

Hey, thanks for all the nice words, guys!



Now to get my chest meat back!

Just a follow-up. Returned from June 2019 England trip : flights were fine. Left-over statins in my legs and beta-blockers still in play made the return from RSA in October 2018 the trial it was. Extremely happy I went, even though Pamela did all the good. Cheers!

Glad to hear the extra months of recovery have made the long flight tolerable. Now you can start planning your next safari!

Great news. Glad to hear it.

Keep stroking!

George