Life after triple bypass surgery

Anita Yarde was looking forward to retiring from her job as principal nursing officer at the Psychiatric Hospital. And for years after, she enjoyed her leisure time relaxing, travelling, making craft items and doing flower arranging, and basically enjoying her life.
“In November 1999, I went on a cruise and I didn’t feel my usually perky self,” she recalled. “While I was on the cruise, I just wanted to rest. Even after the cruise, the lethargy came on me, so I went to my physician and he couldn’t find anything wrong with me. But he did refer me to a cardiologist, Dr [Raymond] Massay.
“He too, did tests but didn’t find anything, But he recommended I do a cardiac catherization to see if there were any blockages in my heart.”
What they did find were three blockages which came as a surprise to Anita. Though she had developed high blood pressure after retiring, she had controlled it with medication.
“I had no history of heart problems and I wasn’t even thinking heart,” Anita said. “I was always particular about what I ate. I’m not a big person and I always ate lots of fruit and vegetables.”
Because of the findings, Anita was scheduled for triple bypass surgery, which she had in April 2000. By all accounts, the surgery was a success.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m still recovering,” she said.
Anita revealed that she modified her life after the surgery and became active in the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados. She is currently the organization’s ambassador.
“I used to do a lot of crafts, flower arranging, cake icing, but I slowed down,” she said. “I still travel and do things but not like before.”
Anita admitted that after the surgery, she was filled with her own share of anxiety and fears.
“A lot of things go through your mind after surgery,” she revealed. “I was afraid to drive, to have sex, to travel to the country, because I used to go for trips to the country. I was even afraid to sleep because I felt that I wouldn’t wake up.”
After talking to herself and having a heart to heart with God about her fears, Anita finally found some solace.
“I told God that I was not ready to go but if he is ready for me, help me to be ready for him,” she said. “You know those fears went.”
Anita did say that she took great comfort from the support of her husband Roger and their three children.
“My husband and children were not afraid for me,” she said. “They have been always very supportive. That’s why I still go places, travel, am involved with the church and the flower arranging society, and looking after and loving my grandchildren.”
While Anita cannot forget that time in her life, she credits being in tune with her body and seeking help for making the difference in her life.
“You have to know how you feel normally, so that when something is wrong, you’ll notice,” Anita added. “You also have to exercise and eat right.”
Part of her eating right is eliminating chocolate, or at least reducing it, from her life. She admitted to having a fondness for chocolate and would eat a Cadbury or Oh Henry bar every day, but she doesn’t do that any more. And occasionally, she’s treat herself to a lean piece of pork.
“I just continued life as before, I just modified things,” she said. “Naturally, the things I did at 21, you can’t do at 74. My theory is, though, that you’re going to die one day, and that’s why it’s important for you to be ready for your Master.”