BERNARD SHUFORD

Today I celebrate three years since my heart surgery.

“I survived Open Heart Surgery” is a T-shirt that I really wish I had gotten that one time when I found them.

I thank God for these years, even as I hope and pray for many more.

The reminder of the date is important, as I remember the days of surgery recovery.  I remember Karma asking me in the recovery room how I felt, and I told her “My chest hurts.”  I remember nearly passing out in the floor of the CICU and the nurse who was my constant companion watching American Idol.  I remember being woke up at 4 am to be weighed and nearly dying from the resulting chills.  (Trust me, there are medical things about me that those fine docs and nurses have no clue about STILL…)  I remember coming home and struggling up the stairs and sitting in the reclining chilling very badly.  I remember the nights that I couldn’t sleep.  (Lots of Yanni in the headphones didn’t even help.)  I remember the red heart pillow under the seat belt and the fact that heart surgery didn’t hurt near as badly as I thought it would.  I remember walking, walking, walking, and promising myself that I was going to REALLY get into awesome shape and do it for the glory of God.

Well, the idea of REALLY getting into shape hasn’t proven to be possible, but I really don’t want to waste the opportunities that I have.

I’m not returning to my gungho self of last year or even the year before, especially not right now.  I have a LOT going on at work, and there’s been enough oddity about my thoracic situation to make me cautious.  The docs say all is well with my heart, but everything isn’t perfect.  I’m going to try to be much more strict about walking 15-20 minutes a day and see how I feel.  I’m quite certain that I’m a statistical anomaly and the docs really don’t have any idea as to what happens from here, as most people with the condition I had don’t have repair surgery anywhere near this late.  I suspect that some of the things I feel are just the result of a really enlarged heart and pulmonary artery.

As I enter my fourth year after the great chest cut, I ask you for your prayers.  I’m 41 years old, nearly 42, and I’m baffled by a lot of things in life.  I don’t have anywhere near the answers that a man my age really ought to have.  But I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue life further than I really thought was possible.  God is good.  Even when I don’t get it.

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Find an old basketball.

If it has any air left, let some of it out.  It needs to have just enough air to bounce when you throw it up against a wall, but not enough to bounce when you drop it.

Find a concrete, block, brick, or rock wall at least six feet high.

Stand about 6-8 feet away, facing away from the wall.

Throw the ball backward, over your head, as hard as you can at the wall.

Turn and catch the ball on the bounce.  If it just won’t bounce back to you, add a little air.  Or get a little closer.

Repeat 10-15 times.  Or more.

The exercise also works forward.  Be certain to exert MAXIMUM effort with each throw.

Another one is to turn parallel to the wall.  Raise your right leg to parallel with the ground and throw the ball, with your right hand and going UNDER your leg, against the wall as hard as possible.  Repeat 10-20 or more times.

Turn 180 degrees and repeat with your left hand.  MAXIMUM effort.

VERY effective at getting your heart rate up and working your coordination.  Also helps the reflexes as you try to catch the ball or recapture it quickly.

Another motion is to throw the ball at the ground just as hard as you can.

With a weighted medicine ball, this takes on a whole new “life”, but I want to suggest as many “low cost” exercises as possible.

Or make your own medicine ball, as this video shows…

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Complete Speed Training

How to Run Faster

Sprint Training

I had fun running yesterday.  Since my heart surgery, running has been incredibly frightening and terribly irresistible.  My legs actually WANT to run.  There were times after the surgery – just weeks after it – that I had to seriously resist the temptation to run, and now, when I walk, that urge is there.  I think that’s good.  My heart lining should be thoroughly healed by now, so theoretically the shock of running can be properly absorbed by the pericardial system.

Now, if my lower back will just hold up….

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1. 40 yard dash – 8 seconds 7.55 seconds (7.67 uphill, 7.43 downhill, June 16, 2008)
2. Run / walk workout three mornings every week (I have a freshly repaired heart, so I have no excuses.)
3. 160 pounds body weight (That’s about 8 or 9 down from right now.)
4. 2 chapters of Bible reading daily (yeah, it ain’t much, but it’s more than I do now.)
5. Write one good song every month (this means I’ll write three to four bad ones, as well…)
6. Pray for four people every day that are NOT part of my church or family (I’ll probably record these on the blog for accountability. Y’all keep me straight.)
7. Play golf at least once a month
8. Fish. I have my license and a very willing son, so I have no excuses.

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