Love Your Heart!

First things first,

I know how hard it is to come out of recovery. You physically can't do what you are used to doing and it may even bring you down. I was lucky enough to be able to rely on my family and have my mother there to take care of me. For those who have family, a friend, a neighbor, or those going at it alone, know that there is help! We may ask ourselves why did this happen to me of all people. I know I did. Just know that every person's walk of life is different. We all endure many things and difficult things but each thing is there to help us grow, stay positive. A story comes to mind in the Bible. As Jesus concludes his sermon on the mount he said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you" ~ Mathew 7:7. The trials we endure here on earth are not to isolate us or short side us but to teach us. God is always there for us when we need him. Pray for help and you will find it, I promise!

With all this said there are tips and tricks to help us take care of our bodies that will ensure a happy spirit during all the turmoil of recovery. First tip is, Early to Bed Early to Rise! I know it may sound stupid, as if we can hear our mother’s words echo through our mind but even when we are struggling through a difficult recovery period it is important to keep this principle along with other principles that I will share throughout this blog to ensure you feel happy and invigorated throughout your life.

Our minds are strongest and more revitalized on a good night sleep that we become more productive throughout the day if we start it off right. Ok I know what your thinking….why should I have to do anything right now I just got out of the hospital or a difficult situation. This I fully understand however, even when we are not our normal 100% selves it is still vital to take care of ourselves to defeat a dark cloud of depression that sweeps through when going through the changes of recovery. Don’t be subject to entitlement for negative behavior. Believe me I’ve been there too!

I know when I was first going through all of my recovery struggles with open-heart that I didn’t want to do anything. I entitled myself to sleep all day whether needed or not and stay up at night watching pointless shows. The first week I was home I didn’t keep my mind active or talk to people. I felt negative and annoyed at the situation. I soon understood the principle, early to bed early to rise. Just get back to YOU and you’ll be on your way to a better self!

We need to learn through all of our physical hardships to take care of our bodies despite how we feel about our situation. In time you will overcome the battle. It all has a lot to do with how we eat, what we listen to, what we tell ourselves, what we’re open to, etc.

One of my all time favorite artists Colbie Caillat sang in a song called Never Let You Go, " If we go through a little bit of hard times we should know that to fix it, it will take time".  Try to hum this to yourself when feeling self-doubt enter into your mind that grants you justification for misery. It works for me! Letting others care for us, or even being in a situation to be cared for is difficult and sometimes our pride enters in to take control of how we should feel and react in the situation. Try not to let it. Just follow this blog and be open and disciplined to the principles introduced and I know you will feel so much happier through your recover and the rest of your life if you are consistent with the things I am sharing!

Sleep is by far one of the necessary steps to a true inner beauty and self-happiness when we get it in recovery or not. The best way to make sure we do get the proper amount is to go to bed early and wake up early. Did you know that you increase your arterial aging and your risk of heart attack when you don’t get the sleep you need? (Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen You Beauty http://www.youbeauty.com/sleep/sleep-affects-body). Your body is affected by what you do and don’t do and it’s so easy to feel entitled to live and behave however we want in order to cope with life. What we need to do is do our bodies a favor and take action in order to get healthy again!

Now I understand that there are people out there who are night owls and that works for them…congratulations! However, the principle of early to bed early to rise is to gain that renewal of the spirit and mind that comes from the still quiet hours of morning to organize thoughts and priorities of the day. For example, Harold B Lee gave great council to Marion G. Romney, first counselor in the first presidency of the LDS church, “If you are to be successful as a General Authority,” Elder Lee said, “I will give you one piece of advice: Go to bed early and get up early. If you do, your body and mind will become rested, and then, in the quiet of those early morning hours, you will receive more flashes of inspiration and insight than at any other time of the day.”

This is absolutely true. I feel like when I wake up early I get so much more accomplished and I am able to listen to my body and sprit more whether in recovery or not. This principle really helped me in my recovery period and it is still helping me with my healthy body today gain the satisfaction I need from life!

Heart to Heart

Hi everyone,

My name is Casey Ford and heart health has been on my mind lately. This July 24th will be my eighth anniversary since having open-heart surgery. Here's a little history.

I was born with two heart murmurs that the doctors said they would close up as I got older. I went through my life like a normal kid. I played, climbed trees, and rode my bike around. Every now and then I would notice that my heart would race in unusual circumstances such as reading or sitting in class. Times when I should have a normal resting heart rate.  I complained that I felt scared all the time when I wasn't sure what was happening to my body. As I got older I started to have headaches quite frequently and it was then that my mother decided to have my heart checked up on. I was 16 when I had my first ever EKG. My doctor indeed saw that one of my holes was not closed up yet. He suggested that we go through with a procedure that would plug up the hole to avoid having open-heart surgery done. 

Entering the Cath Lab was frightening but I knew the procedure had to be done. I was sedated and soon woke up in recovery. The first thing I saw was the worried look of my mother's face. She had the doctor come in to explain to me that the procedure had not been successful. He suggested the only alternative would be in fact open-heart surgery. He explained the pros and cons and I knew that it had to be done and better sooner than later. We scheduled my open heart that afternoon for July 24, 2003. 

It was nerve wrecking waiting for this type of procedure at such a tender age of 16 years old but knowing my life would be better I walked into the hospital with bravery. I somehow felt at peace as if I knew everything would be ok.  The nurse asked me if I would like a dose of medicine to calm my nerves. Not knowing the real affect of such medication I agreed and I soon felt woozy and silly.  They took me back to the operating room and turned on some cool rock music. That was the last thing I remember before waking up in recovery. 

Waking up to this procedure is not anything I would wish for my worst enemy. I woke up to a large staff of doctors and nurses leaning over my bedside with one lady saying my name over and over again trying to gain my attention. I was confused and had no idea what was happening to me but that I was in a substantial amount of pain and agony. They had to give me an antidote upon recovery because of the high dose of medication given to me for sedation caused me to stop breathing. I felt all the pain in my chest and wanted so badly to drink water to sooth the dryness in my throat. Soon they were able to give me more medication and I  began my recovery.  

I spent three days in the hospital after my surgery. I was bedridden for the first two days and soon had to get up and walk around. During my time in the hospital I had many visitors form friends, family, and even the other children in recovery. Every day a little girl came to my room to visit who was 5 years old. She has gone through over 7 open-heart surgeries and was scheduled for more as she was born with her heart completely upside down. A girl a little older than me came in to visit me who had the same surgery and told me her story. I was not alone with this type of birth defect and I felt lucky to have had such a successful surgery despite the anesthesia. It was at this point that I felt for these children and others who were suffering in the hospital with me. 

When I went home I started to eat healthy and gain my strength back. I resumed my active life style and soon felt better than before. I knew that this surgery had saved me from a life of pain and medication to keep my wounded heart beating. I know that because of my decision to go through with the procedure I am in much better condition and now I feel like I can do anything. I currently enjoy mountain biking, running, and dancing. I have a hard time wasting my life in front of the television and am always on the go. 

You may be wondering why I have decided to talk about my experience with open-heart surgery. The inspiration for this post is to help others with their difficulties with birth defects, surgeries, and any physical hardship they may be enduring. I have decided to embrace my hardships and change my habits in order to lead a healthy life style that allows me to live the life I want. I have found that eating healthy is the number one most affective way to enhance my goals. The foods that I choose to eat and the faith I have in God have brought me to an exciting time in my life that I am eager to share. Throughout this blog I will be posting health tips and ideas to keep you going in times that are difficult. 

Stay tuned for new ideas to help you promote a heart healthy lifestyle that will keep you up beat, rejuvenated and inspired!