Researchers don't know cardiac depression's exact cause. Dr. Tara Narula, associate director of the cardiac care unit at Lenox Hill Hospital and a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, had this to say, "During open-heart surgery, emboli --- little pieces of plaque in the aorta --- may break off and travel up to the brain, which could result in changes to the brain's structure and abilities. Open-heart surgery also makes use of hypothermia --- lowering the body's temperature --- which may affect brain chemistry, as could general anesthesia. Cardiac depression is multifactorial, but certainly it is something we know exists. Patients and doctors need to educate themselves more about the link."
I realize that not everyone will think the same way, have the same feelings, or the same experiences regarding open-heart surgery, but thats what's great! One point of view always amplifies another. We are enriched by our diversity in our physical and mental state. We all have different lives, had different surgeries, by different doctors, at different ages, with different complications and so on. It is through our differences that we have the ability to enrich one another's lives. Sameness is boring. If every situation was exactly the same there would be nothing to learn from each other. We need to embrace and applaud our differences. Some people may be better off after surgery, where others may be worse off. This site is not about comparing our medical situations, details or outcomes, it is about connecting on a deeper level. Among our greatest needs as humans, is the need to be heard and to be understood. That is what this site is about.
"When you'e down and troubled and need a helping hand...ain't it good to know you've got a friend." James Taylor
I know for me personally, I have struggled often with depression following my surgeries. Trying to make sense of everything. I have found that too often we only express positivity, which can muddle the recovery process for those who are really hurting. As a society we are so resistant to talk about or deal with depression because it’s often viewed as a character flaw or an attitude issue, rather than the true medical issue that it is. It becomes a taboo subject where people feel like they can't openly talk about it. There is this misconception that we simply need to think more positively and everything else will fall into place. So we end up detaching ourselves even more. Even if someone is not experiencing true clinical depression but is still struggling emotionally, just trying to be "positive" instead of being honest and real, is not necessarily the answer.
It's ok to show your emotional scars too, not just the physical ones. Sadness, hurt, anger, negativity are all natural emotions. Ignoring these feelings doesn't make them go away, it just buries them only to have them resurface later or manifest in other ways. It is in the sharing and examining of those feelings that they can be dealt with in a productive and healthy way. Sadness is a blessing, for it lets us appreciate beautiful, joyful moments. It is the paradox of life. How could we appreciate the fullness of life is there was no death?
Every warrior's journey is different. We need to allow every expression, whether inspirational and joyful or depressed and angry. We should never tell someone how to "feel." When we allow ourselves to get honest and be real, we see that we all struggle. Whether it’s with depression or something else. We all know what it is to hurt and have pain in our heart.
Ultimately, I want this to be a place where we can express our hurt, inspire and encourage each other, pour out our heart, share our broken selves and our newfound life and BE HONEST with each other and with ourselves. I hope my words resonate with you.
We all came across this site for the same reason. Heart Disease impacted our life in a dramatic way and we want to connect with others who have been impacted as well. We are all in this heart journey together!
I can't wait to hear from my fellow WARRIORS!
Much love,
Derek Owens
