Helo the campfire:

I need some advice from some of the members. Three weeks ago I had bypass surgery. They did five grafts, and I feel like a M-1 abrams is sitting on my chest. I am not allowed to pick up more than 5 pounds, not that I could at this point. This was all a surprise because I thought I was in pretty good shape. I just felt off one day and went to see my Doctor, who put me directly into the hospital do not go home, do not walk, do not pass go, do not collect $200.00. The next thing I knew, I was being heart cathed and shaved for surgery.
The good thing is my heart is ok. It had no damage YET.
My question: How long before I can go back to shooting a low recoiling rifle? I like my .280 and have never had a problem. I figure that my 300 WBY Mag is out for several years, but I miss shooting.
I am not able yet to pull my reloading press, but they will start me on recovery soon. I am about to go crazy sitting around the house. TV sucks. Please tell me what I can do to keep my sanity. Some days it is good that I have a hard time picking up my 1911 or there might be holes in the walls.
I am sorry for bitchcing, but this is an outlet and I know that you all are friends.
Take care of yourselvs. It is not fun, when you can not pick up your grand baby for several weeks.
Judge Sharpe.

don't have much for advice save don't watch oprah, but do have best wishes for you

Judge, congratulations on catching it in time. I'm no expert but I would think it would be a while yet. They should be giving you exercises pretty soon (walking, etc.) to strengthen your heart, but it's a long process. The best advice I can give you is follow your doctor's advice and don't try to do too much before it's time.

My mother is recovering from a stroke five months ago and is doing well now but for a while she was trying to do too much too soon. We have been able, finally, to convince her to follow the doctor's advice or the next time the damage might be a lot worse.

So, patience my friend. The worst is over and you'll be back to normal before you know it. This probably doesn't answer your question but I hope your recovery goes well, good luck.

Be patient and as soon as you recover from the surgery find a good personal trainer and start building a strong body for the future. Once you have a strong body the shooting will take care of itself. Don't expect to be the hulk overnight but you can make big changes in time.

Judge Sharpe-
I wish you a speedy recovery. I have a friend that has had similar health problems, and it was an honest three months before he was back to normal.
Now well into recovery from cardiac issues, he suffered gallbladder complications and is a wreck again after surgery. No more horses, no spring bear season, and I doubt he'll be in shape for anything until this fall.

Hello Judge Sharpe,
Well, welcome to the elite club of survivors of heart surgery.
Yes, the weight or apparent weight is overwhelming and disturbing to say the least. I had very similar "work" done in Jan/04 and can say that it was some six months before that weight on my chest issue went away, well, almost went away for even yet I feel it from time to time.
As for performing work, picking up weight, etc. I was told not to do anything other than very light type effort for 90 days. My medication was eventually done away with and am told that is a real blessing from not only a cost issue, but hassle as well. I only took meds for some 3 months and upon having a scheduled check up, told to quit taking it?? Did not argue with the doc.
I have been physically active most of my life, weighed 187 lbs since age of 18, 6'1" height, worked out, ran, walked, but did not pay much attention to my diet since my weight was steady and felt fine and actually strong. Spent many years overseas and very careful as to food consumption and to have heart problems for me was apparent just "luck of the draw..."
Now, after the operation, gained weight, up to 215 and could not stand it, so did buy one of those Total Gyms suggested by friend who is physical therapist(Lic.) and holding at 200 lbs. Have never, repeat never, regained my stamina, but now 63 yrs. of age and perhaps expecting more than I should?? As you, no apparent heart damage and believe my ravenous appetite for good steaks, fine red wine, cigars, and a few other niceties of life, scotch, may have done me in earlier than I had anticipated! Did not really care for pork, and was told to avoid at all costs. I do from time to time have a nice steak, couple glasses of red wine, eat my vegies, not much bread and avoid the butter lot more than in my previous life. Sure your Doc can advise on the diet issues for you.
As for shooting, I shot 308, 30-06, and 223 caliber rifles for many a year in competition and started back up shooting same within 6 months. I shoot prone and getting into position and getting back up is a bit of a chore and does tend to anger me, but at least I am shooting. No ill effects as of this date. Also enjoy shooting Browning High Wall in 45/70 as well as '86 in same caliber. Also shoot 458 Win Mag from time to time with somewhat reduced loads. I would not think that it will take you long to be able to shoot as before. Doc can advise of course, but know others with similar situations and they also were back to shooting in less than two years. No question about it, life changing, mind bending experience and would not wish it on anyone, but we did survive and many others have done the same. Remember, "we will finish the game!!"

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeSharpe:
..I am not allowed to pick up more than 5 pounds, ...
My question: How long before I can go back to shooting a low recoiling rifle? ...Please tell me what I can do to keep my sanity. ...

Hey JudgeSharpe, Congratulations on the good results so far.

Hard to predict how someone else heals and their speed of recovery. They typically say something like, "You will know when you are ready.", which doesn't help answer the question at all.

Tell the folks you are going for a walk and where you will be. If it is nothing more than down the driveway and back to start with, that is fine. No need to be in a hurry, just standing up increases the pump pressure.

When that is comfortable, extend the distance and carry something with you for weight. Even if it is two rolls of quarters in each pocket, that will get you going farther and the pump working better. Add weight as the days pass.

The loved ones will be concerned about you being "out of their sight". Take them with you, or take some kind of communication device. Even the small Walkie-Talkies reach nearly 5 miles now days and are not expensive. Or if you have a Celphone, stick it in a pocket. But walk, walk, walk.
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You can be working on new Targets and getting your old data cleaned up. I keep mine in 3-ring binders with the Load Data Sheet and the Targets. But if nothing else, you can be writing down Loads you want to Test in the future. Then when you are able, you just load up what you've been deciding to Test.

Your first shots can be taken with a good old 22LR Rimfire at some point. A nice Pistol doesn't weigh 5lbs and the recoil would not hurt you even today. Then on to the 22LR Rimfire Rifle when your chest muscles are comfortable holding it up.

Next comes down-loaded pistols or revolvers. And you work your way up to regular Bambi Blaster Loads. By then, the 280Rem weight may feel comfortable to you.
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If you want a good arm strengthening exercise get something like a broom handle, a piece of rope and a gallon milk jug. Tie the rope to the milk jug and the middle of the broom handle. The rope should be long enough that when you hold the broom handle directly in front of you with your arms extended, the jug is just off the ground.

Wind the jug up using your hands to turn the broom handle. Once it is at the top, wind it back down and continue until it is back up again and then down again. That is "One". Do 10 reps and stop. Do not let your arms sag.

Add weight to the jug by adding water or sand as the reps become easier.

It is a great exercise to strengthen your arms(and chest) for Off-Hand Shooting.

And keep walking, adding carryable weight while reducing body weight, and walking and walking...

I am among the earliest survivors of open heart surgery.....November 1960.....same day JFK was elected president.

If they did to you what they did to me then you won't be shooting much for a while.

They broke every bone in my rib cage along the sturnum and opened the chest cavity that way.....this means a lot of ribs to heal and it's damn sore for sure.

However I went home from the hospital in 10 days and two weeks later I was shooting my .22 rimfire without a problem at all.....it was damn heavy to carry around but I made do.

May I suggest you find a place to shoot a .22 rimfire or one of the 17 cal rimfires.....you could also shoot the 17 Remington and probably the .204 Ruger at some prairie dogs. That's about as big as I'd go in that condition.

Have someone help you get the guns to the shooting bench and have a ball. Shooting chicken eggs at 100 yards with a 17 rim fire is indeed a fun sport in itself.

You can also volunteer to score and pull at the local trap house...think...there's lots of shooting related things to do.

In about six months you should feel like shooting something like a .243 again.....give it bit more for the .375 H&H stuff however.....damn ribs don't heal fast!!!!

I wish you a safe speedy recovery also and here is my idea.

I would get a few or as many How-to DVD's, such as the gunsmithing DVD's from Midway, and watch them and study them.

That way, when you are fully recovered you might have learned and planned a new project for yourself when you are able to use all of the abilities that everyone takes for granted on a regular basis.

Just a thought, if you have the time, use it to its fullest.

Had a valve replace 22 months ago. My surgeon was a shooter. Key thing he watched for was that the sternum was healed. Once that has happened then you will need to get your upper body strength back. He let me start with a 243 after about 3 months. With the understanding that if it hurt at all I was to stop. After 9 months I had worked back up to my light weight 358Norma. Do what they tell you and don't push to far to quick and you will be back to your 280 in no time.

Judge, To releave some of the boredom you might want to try some Colledge courses on tape. I particularly enjoyed this one about the Civil War:

http://www.teach12.com/ttc/assets/coursedescriptions/88...History%20-%20Modern

but there are dozens of different courses in many different fields that you might check out. At least while you are not able to do too much you can be doing something productive.
Good luck in your recovery!..............DJ

All my good wishes for a speedy recovery.
Take care and good luck to you.

Judge, you definatly have to shoot somehow.
Even if from a wheel chair, down the hallway with an air rifle or .22 Zimmers or CB/BB caps.
If you can't hold them up use a rest like an ironing board or something. And heaps of newspapers for a back stop.

The .22 's are the best, as you get that smell of gunsmoke.
Hang in there.