Tale Of A Good Heart: The Secret To Patient Healing Therapy
“The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.”
– Hippocrates
16 years ago, my heart was taken out of my body, placed on ice and a pig valve replaced a defective valve.
It was only supposed to last 12 years yet, here I am writing about it. I’m grateful.
Here’s the story.
Shortly after returning home from shooting a movie in Scotland, an odd emotion took place. I really don’t know what depression is. Sadness, yes. But, depression, no?
I told my wife, Susan, about what I was feeling, and she suggested I call my internist and explain what was going on. I did. I saw him at 10:00 AM. He did the usual checks and said that I should go for an echo cardiogram ASAP. He made call to my cardiologist. Four hours later I was being scanned. When the echocardiogram technician finished, she said that I should see my cardiologist immediately. That was odd.
I left the doctors, did a little work, and met a buddy in Norwalk, CT for some seafood and drinks. As I was waiting for him, my cell rang at 6:00 PM. It was my cardiologist.
This is as close as I remember, “I’ve got some news for you. I know you are a bit stubborn but listen carefully. You have an aortic aneurysm which could rupture at any time. You need to select a surgeon and schedule a valve replacement immediately.” Yikes!
I stumbled into the restaurant where my friend asked what was wrong.
We ate and drank, both having several martinis. It was like a friend therapy session. Next, I had to tell my wife.
Susan and I went into action doing what needed to be done. Part of me was in so much fear I thought I might fall over dead at any moment.
Before my heart surgery, I insisted we join my brother and sister-in-law at our cabin in the North Woods of Wisconsin. Susan was not a happy camper as there is no hospital nearby. I had to visit both Dave and Laurie as I feared I might not see them again.
Before we left for Wisconsin, my surgeon called me into his office at Yale to pick what kind of valve I would have inserted. He had them laid out on his desk. Yikes!
Two choices: a mechanical value which would last for the rest of my life but – would make a constant ‘clicking’ or ‘ticking sound.’ No, thank you.
I ended up choosing a pig value which was to last a maximum of 12 years. It has now been 16 years and it’s still doing its job.
LESSON: The best way to manage fear is to jump into it and examine what you fear most.
Sometimes a little knowledge is disquieting. I researched my value replacement and discovered my heart would literally be taken out of my body and put on ice before replacing and restarting. Yikes again!
I chose the very best surgeon, John Elefteriades, MD, who, later, became a dear friend s and supported my “Healing Patient” problem. I was confident I was in good hands.
John Elefteriades, MD, is one of the leading heart surgeons in the United States. He has performed all types of adult cardiac surgeries, including coronary artery bypass grafting and artificial heart implantation.
He was founding director (Emeritus) of the Aortic Institute at Yale New Haven Hospital. Dr. Elefteriades is a pioneer in the use of extreme cooling, or hypothermia, to allow surgeons to stop a patient’s heart long enough to carry out cardiac surgery. Once the procedure is complete, the patient is warmed and the heart restarted.
It was fascinating and, oddly, it sparked a creative idea. Considering my skill as a hypnotist and life coach, I jumped into research.
The first fact I uncovered is that approximately 48 million surgeries are performed each year. This includes both inpatient and outpatient procedures. Common surgeries include orthopedic, cardiovascular, and general surgeries.
48 million!
I had a lot of questions. How many are major surgeries? How many patients experience fear? How does fear affect the actual surgery and healing?
I was absolutely convinced that there was a valuable program for pre-surgery and post-surgery patients.
I intended to find out. My wife, being a journalist, was glad to help.
Even though it was an incredibly tough recovery period, I immediately had questions prepared for my nurses and caregivers.
The result of more than a year or two of interviewing and researching provided a solid foundation for creating what is now called “Patient Pre-Op/Post-Op Healing Therapy™”
If you, an acquaintance, or family member are facing surgery, incorporate these five keys and you will help create your own miracle.
This time proven program is based on five Keys to Healing. I believe they could be applied to many areas of an individual’s life.
Key #1. MAKE FRIENDS WITH REALITY
This is not complicated, and it is not easy. First, the patient must choose to stop denying or blaming and learn everything about the challenges and what you can contribute to healing. Courage is a must.
Key #2. ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE
On the third of my four-day stay in the ICU, with my raspy voice due to my breathing tube breaking, I began to interview the senior nurses as well as the attending physicians. I asked this question, “From your experience, do you believe having a positive or negative attitude influences patient healing?”
The answers then and later were all basically the same and went something like this. “We have seen patients who should have had no problems with their healing, but they did. These were also the patients who were rude, demanding, angry, and unappreciative, fought with the staff and were rude to their visiting friends and relatives.” “Then there were the patients who should have had more problems than they actually did. These patients seemed to heal faster and were also the ones who constantly thanked us for helping them. They smiled, had a positive, loving attitude and were simply grateful for everything we did.”
Everyone I interviewed during my 10-day stay at Yale/New Haven Hospital and the hundreds of nurses, physicians, surgeons, and caregivers I have interviewed since have agreed that having a positive attitude makes a major difference in both the outcome of patients’ surgery and their recovery.
Adding to the evidence, researchers who reviewed 16 studies over a period of 30 years that looked at patients’ attitudes toward their health, both before and after surgery, concluded that the more positive the patients’ attitude and the more positive their expectations about how they would do after surgery – the better they actually did.
Key #3. CREATE A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATE YOUR NEEDS
This is also extremely important. The people, including family or friends that you surround yourself with and have at your side contribute to your healing. This includes setting clear boundaries to protect your healing space and your caregiver. That was my wife’s task.
Key #4. ASK FOR HELP AND EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE
Have the courage to ask for help. Expressing gratitude (a ‘thank you’) goes a long way in your healing. Caregivers face many challenges.
Key #5. CREATE A VISION THAT WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH A CRISIS
Visualize your ideal state of health and well-being in detail.
Following is a (short link) to an article which will serve you and your acquaintances well. Six Powerful “Strong Advice Points” For Healing & Nurturing Your Caregivers
If you, an acquaintance, or family member are facing surgery, incorporate these five keys and you will help create your own miracle.
IMAGINE THAT!
James Mapes is the founder of Quantum Leap Thinking™, creator of The Transformational Coach™, expert on the psychology of “applied imagination,” best-selling author, highly acclaimed business speaker, consultant, seminar leader and personal excellence coach.