Calling All Umpires That Have Undergone Open Heart Surgery and Returned to Umpiring: I have questions

[Majordave]

Members,

I recently underwent a triple bypass open heart surgical procedure on 1/11/18.  No heart attack beforehand.  Lucky I pay attention to my body and went to the doctor with questions.  My recovery is going very well.  I was in pretty good shape before they found my blockages and surgery was pretty quickly performed after my catheterization revealed 4 serious blockages of my coronary arteries.  I am in cardio rehab and do not plan to push myself too hard, too early in the process.  My surgeon said I could expect to return as early as late April or May but I intend to wait until 01 June.

My questions from those who have endured this process:

1.  How soon did you return to umpiring?

2.  Did you take any extra precautions when you returned to the field/plate (like a padded chest undershirt or extra padding under your CP)?

3.  If your answer to Q #2 is yes, what did you do?

4.  What do you wish you had known before returning?

5.  What obstacles or difficulties did you face upon returning?

6.  If you have been hit in the chest by a ball while working the plate after recovering from this surgery, what did it feel like?  What would you do differently or what precautions would you recommend?

7.  What else do I need to know that I haven't asked?

If you don't want to respond on this forum I completely understand.  I would like any kind of dialogue you wish to have.  I anticipate some deep discussion potential with fellow umpires who have endured and recovered from this life changing surgery.  (They sawed my entire collarbone, sternum/ribcage in half!  and took 12 inches of artery from my left forearm and about 15 inches of vein from my left upper leg in the groin/hamstring area!)  My personal email is dcteater@gmail.com.  Or, you can Private Message me on U-E.  If you had rather discuss over the telephone message or email me and I will provide my cell number.

Not really looking for sympathy or well wishes or encouragement.  I AM MOTIVATED to return this summer.  I don't need anything other than information as my internal motivation is off the chart.  I am worried about doing too much, returning too early, suffering an injury to my potentially weakened ribcage/collarbone area or internal injuries if hit by a baseball, run over by a player, hit by a bat during backswing, etc.  

 

Thanks in advance for any info you wish to provide and discuss.

[Tksjewelry]

Members,
I recently underwent a triple bypass open heart surgical procedure on 1/11/18.  No heart attack beforehand.  Lucky I pay attention to my body and went to the doctor with questions.  My recovery is going very well.  I was in pretty good shape before they found my blockages and surgery was pretty quickly performed after my catheterization revealed 4 serious blockages of my coronary arteries.  I am in cardio rehab and do not plan to push myself too hard, too early in the process.  My surgeon said I could expect to return as early as late April or May but I intend to wait until 01 June.
My questions from those who have endured this process:
1.  How soon did you return to umpiring?
2.  Did you take any extra precautions when you returned to the field/plate (like a padded chest undershirt or extra padding under your CP)?
3.  If your answer to Q #2 is yes, what did you do?
4.  What do you wish you had known before returning?
5.  What obstacles or difficulties did you face upon returning?
6.  If you have been hit in the chest by a ball while working the plate after recovering from this surgery, what did it feel like?  What would you do differently or what precautions would you recommend?
7.  What else do I need to know that I haven't asked?
If you don't want to respond on this forum I completely understand.  I would like any kind of dialogue you wish to have.  I anticipate some deep discussion potential with fellow umpires who have endured and recovered from this life changing surgery.  (They sawed my entire collarbone, sternum/ribcage in half!  and took 12 inches of artery from my left forearm and about 15 inches of vein from my left upper leg in the groin/hamstring area!)  My personal email is dcteater@gmail.com.  Or, you can Private Message me on U-E.  If you had rather discuss over the telephone message or email me and I will provide my cell number.
Not really looking for sympathy or well wishes or encouragement.  I AM MOTIVATED to return this summer.  I don't need anything other than information as my internal motivation is off the chart.  I am worried about doing too much, returning too early, suffering an injury to my potentially weakened ribcage/collarbone area or internal injuries if hit by a baseball, run over by a player, hit by a bat during backswing, etc.  
 
Thanks in advance for any info you wish to provide and discuss.

My dad had open heart surgery last year and umpired. He wasn't allowed by his doctors to plate for quite some time, but he returned to the field after a few months, I think his surgery was also in January. He started out slowly, he started doing one game as a fill in for a no show then worked up to more games as he felt he could hand it. I'll pass along your email to him and he can more fully answer you questions.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[umpstu]

3 way? Meh. Talk to me when you have a 6 way which I did July 1, 2008.  Unfortunately I didn't listen to my body.  I thought it was just me being a fat pig.  I went for a pre screening for a colonoscopy and decided to answer the screening questions truthfully.  Next day I was undergoing a catheterization and it was discovered there was some serious blockage.  They had me in for surgery a couple of days later.  A month afterwards I was feeling the best I had in like forever.  Hiking, jogging.  When I had to go to rehab it was a joke.

I was on a field the following spring as I was living in Missouri at the time and there isn't much of a baseball thing in the winter.  I had no apprehension about umpiring. I did about being hit. At the time I wore a west vest.  Felt no different being hit.

My recommendation, go out and enjoy yourself.  Your heart is now in the best shape it has been in for years.  That new lease on life thing.

 

[Old Skool]

Dave, 

I had the quad CABG surgery in Sept, 2012.  Naturally that year it knocked me out of football officiating & fall baseball but despite having to be deceptive to my wife I was sitting in deer stands 3-weeks later with my newly purchased crossbow with a hand crank to cock it b/c I couldn't pull a bow back.  The biggest change in my life since that day was that I do think about what I eat more often & the required rehab led me into an exercise pattern that I never gave up.  It ended up causing me to drop from about 240 to 195 & holding steady. 

In my baseball gigs it was always at forefront of my mind about getting hit & this was also the time frame I was trying to settle on which chest protector was going to give my sternum the best protection.  I probably wore them all but that 1st season after surgery I was inclined to wear my W-Gold all the time because the thickness & bulkiness we all despise in that offering made me feel the most protected.  The thinner versions like All-Star System 7 despite being a solid CP scared me because of the thin profile.

After that first Spring season back I believe it was the 2014 season when I tried the Force 3 V1 and still owned my W-Gold.  Gradually as I felt my upper body strength come back  & I bulked back up from the weight lifting I was doing I began to wean myself out of the Gold & went almost exclusively with the F3-V!.  In that 1st year back I did take some shots on the Gold that never bothered me at all.  I never really got stroked in the F3-V1 but was always worried about it & was always seeing comments on U-E about detractors of the F3 taking painful shots so It wasn't until the 2015 season that I finally went to the F3 almost exclusively. 

I now also wear one of the Schutt XV with MadMax Mod & a RayFlex in the hotter times of the year.  Although I have been hit in both many times i have not ever been just squared up in the F3 - V1 with the shot that would strike right on top of the sternum & those knotty bumps where they wired my sternum shut again.  I wear my F3 still though all the time in HS & college ball but in the back of my mind I still would like to upgrade to the F3-V2 for the upgraded blast shield over sternum area.  My son has offered to get me one through his MiLB deals but I haven't bit the bullet on it yet.  I have taken some good shots in HS Showcase Summer / Fall ball though on the Schutt XV with no regrets. 

My return to the baseball field was longer though than you might face, about 7 months.  In your situation with the season looming or already started like it is here in my area I would look to ease into it with base assignments first when you feel the time is right then ease into the plate with some Utrip assignments or similar as you get into the mood to stoke a full return.  Your endurance will return rather quickly if you are rehabbing as I believe you were probably already in good physical shape.  Ironically just yesterday I had to take off to do a stress test as my 5-year anniversary had passed last fall & the Doc wanted to check out how it was all working in there complete with nuclear dye & treadmill test.  i passed with flying colors.

Wishing you the best as i know the emotions of having to miss the start of the Spring season would eat at me bad.  Praying for your speedy return to the game.

 

 

[Majordave]

@Tksjewelry

@umpstu

@Old Skool

Thanks to you all. Excellent first hand advice. Much appreciated. 

[umpstu]

1 hour ago, Majordave said:

@Tksjewelry

@umpstu

@Old Skool

Thanks to you all. Excellent first hand advice. Much appreciated. 

And if you become depressed, don't freak out about it.  It happens to a bunch of us after this surgery.  They're not sure why, but it does.  Had a friend who would just burst out crying and his wife would think he was off his rocker.  I had an episode during my screening for rehab when they asked if anything unusual had happened during surgery.  I thought they knew something I didn't,  like I had died on the table and had to be brought back.  I burst out crying and they had to convince me nothing had happened.  I told my friend this and it made him feel better that somebody else had become depressed because of it.  

My doctor says that I can have a perfect diet and exercise and it won't help much as I'm a perfect storm in that I'm a cholesterol producing factory. Only way to treat mine is through medication.  Did change my diet. You see when I eat something wrong through my FB posts, but they are few and in between.  Dude, you know how to get a hold of me if you need to talk.  Don't hesitate, especially if you're sending me some of those dishes you post on FB.  Always looks great and love the descriptions.  If you think about it they are healthy.

[MRG9999]

I too had a heart procedure last summer, but it was as not as serious as yours or others that have responded.  I was doing plate last July 8 in a tournament and just got hit with a foul ball on the left arm.  Walked it off down the 1B line and never returned to the plate.  Upon walking back, went to one knee then eventually to both.  Luckily for me there was a parent / nurse in the stands who came down and looked at me and told me I was done.  Kind of fought her on that and asked for 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes, she said I was done.  I should have known that when my vision started to go blurry and it was like looking thru amber sunglasses, something was up.  Too stubborn to stop. Upon the ride to the hospital, chest started to tighten.  Did not go into arrest, but had pain.  After a series of tests, blood work, it was determined my Left CAD was 70% blocked and they put in stent in thru the right wrist.  After rehab, weight loss, and several doctor visits, rearing to go for the new season.  Have Heart Dr's appointment on the 28th and should be OK to go.  MajorDave, and others, continue to listen to your bodies,  it will tell you all you need to know before something serious happens and will no be able to recover from.

[MRG9999]

Sorry it was mLAD where the two arteries split.

[Majordave]

@umpstu

@MRG9999

Again, thanks fellas. Great advice. I feel much less anxious. I won’t step onto a field until I’m sure my cardio fitness is where I want it to be. I’m not the least bit depressed. I’m a big believer that everything  happens for a reason. The hard part is figuring out what the reason is sometimes. 

I will miss umpiring so I’ll stay positive and really appreciate getting back on the field. I know that. I’ll really work hard and get in better physical condition. 

I will struggle with deciding which chest protector to wear.  I’ve got 4 freaking CP’s; 2 are West Vest Golds-One with Team Wendy padding and a small sized one with original padding, a Force 3 V1 and a Honigs K1. I feel the ball when it hits me on all but the small West West Gold.  It’s tiny though and I get popped in the ribs occasionally wearing it when the ball hits the batter and ricochets into me. 

 I’m considering buying an EvoShield Chest Guard shirt to wear as a “just in case”. Depends upon how I feel in about three months. No decisions yet.

Great info. Thanks for all your comments. 

And Stu, thanks for the kind comments about my food porn on FB. I try to eat healthy. It’s tough with type 2 diabetes and the super high cholesterol and the heart healthy lower sodium, lower fat, lower calories restrictions. I get around them all with smaller portions. 

You inspire me with your creations too. You should share more food. Less dog. Hahaha. 

[umpstu]

4 hours ago, Majordave said:

@umpstu

@MRG9999

Again, thanks fellas. Great advice. I feel much less anxious. I won’t step onto a field until I’m sure my cardio fitness is where I want it to be. I’m not the least bit depressed. I’m a big believer that everything  happens for a reason. The hard part is figuring out what the reason is sometimes. 

I will miss umpiring so I’ll stay positive and really appreciate getting back on the field. I know that. I’ll really work hard and get in better physical condition. 

I will struggle with deciding which chest protector to wear.  I’ve got 4 freaking CP’s; 2 are West Vest Golds-One with Team Wendy padding and a small sized one with original padding, a Force 3 V1 and a Honigs K1. I feel the ball when it hits me on all but the small West West Gold.  It’s tiny though and I get popped in the ribs occasionally wearing it when the ball hits the batter and ricochets into me. 

 I’m considering buying an EvoShield Chest Guard shirt to wear as a “just in case”. Depends upon how I feel in about three months. No decisions yet.

Great info. Thanks for all your comments. 

And Stu, thanks for the kind comments about my food porn on FB. I try to eat healthy. It’s tough with type 2 diabetes and the super high cholesterol and the heart healthy lower sodium, lower fat, lower calories restrictions. I get around them all with smaller portions. 

You inspire me with your creations too. You should share more food. Less dog. Hahaha. 

When I commented about the depression issues I mean that it happens with bypass patients, not all, and there is no known reason.  I had my GP inform me of that.  It's not a thing to be ashamed of unless you want to be ashamed. In that case I just say it's a free country so be ashamed.  Chuck roast is going on sale this week so expect pictures.  I don't have the good descriptive technique that you have down. lol

 

[umpstu]

11 hours ago, MRG9999 said:

I too had a heart procedure last summer, but it was as not as serious as yours or others that have responded.  I was doing plate last July 8 in a tournament and just got hit with a foul ball on the left arm.  Walked it off down the 1B line and never returned to the plate.  Upon walking back, went to one knee then eventually to both.  Luckily for me there was a parent / nurse in the stands who came down and looked at me and told me I was done.  Kind of fought her on that and asked for 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes, she said I was done.  I should have known that when my vision started to go blurry and it was like looking thru amber sunglasses, something was up.  Too stubborn to stop. Upon the ride to the hospital, chest started to tighten.  Did not go into arrest, but had pain.  After a series of tests, blood work, it was determined my Left CAD was 70% blocked and they put in stent in thru the right wrist.  After rehab, weight loss, and several doctor visits, rearing to go for the new season.  Have Heart Dr's appointment on the 28th and should be OK to go.  MajorDave, and others, continue to listen to your bodies,  it will tell you all you need to know before something serious happens and will no be able to recover from.

Especially get rid of the macho athlete play through the pain crap.  I had all the symptoms in the world, but kept ignoring them.  I mean justifying chest pains as indigestion.  When getting a burning sensation under my sternum, just take a break.  And I was out in the middle of nowhere with no cell service.  I had a 16 step staircase and would get the burning sensation after going up about 6 steps, so I'd just say it's indigestion then and sit down until it went away.  Don't chance it guys.  It may go away and it might not. Get it taken care of.

[Majordave]

Stu is absolutely correct. The denial, “it’s only indigestion”, was my attitude and coping mechanism. Exactly the same. Difficulty climbing steps, any stressful or exertion situations brought on the “indigestion”. Stay Macho, play through it, walk it off. It was even seriously impacting my “get busy” time with my girlfriend. But I finally manned up and went to get a physical then, wham, Bam, in less than two weeks I was in the recovery room of ICU.  I was also informed about depression but I haven’t responded like that at all. I had a touch of it before surgery when dusting off my will, finding my life insurance policies and informing my adult children of their whereabouts but otherwise I’m a motivated and determined S.O.B. 

Thanks again @umpstu

[Tksjewelry]

You might consult a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon also, a fellow umpire was cleared to work after a heart surgery but his surgeon didn't understand the realities of umpiring, especially since he did college ball too. He took a foul ball right to the chest, he was out the rest of the season because he rebroke something. My husband regularly speaks to several different sports medicine guys (he's had a bunch of of surgeries the last few years) who understand his sport and the realities of that sport on different parts of his body,

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[conbo61]

On 2/16/2018 at 3:33 PM, Majordave said:

Members,

I recently underwent a triple bypass open heart surgical procedure on 1/11/18.  No heart attack beforehand.  Lucky I pay attention to my body and went to the doctor with questions.  My recovery is going very well.  I was in pretty good shape before they found my blockages and surgery was pretty quickly performed after my catheterization revealed 4 serious blockages of my coronary arteries.  I am in cardio rehab and do not plan to push myself too hard, too early in the process.  My surgeon said I could expect to return as early as late April or May but I intend to wait until 01 June.

My questions from those who have endured this process:

1.  How soon did you return to umpiring?

2.  Did you take any extra precautions when you returned to the field/plate (like a padded chest undershirt or extra padding under your CP)?

3.  If your answer to Q #2 is yes, what did you do?

4.  What do you wish you had known before returning?

5.  What obstacles or difficulties did you face upon returning?

6.  If you have been hit in the chest by a ball while working the plate after recovering from this surgery, what did it feel like?  What would you do differently or what precautions would you recommend?

7.  What else do I need to know that I haven't asked?

If you don't want to respond on this forum I completely understand.  I would like any kind of dialogue you wish to have.  I anticipate some deep discussion potential with fellow umpires who have endured and recovered from this life changing surgery.  (They sawed my entire collarbone, sternum/ribcage in half!  and took 12 inches of artery from my left forearm and about 15 inches of vein from my left upper leg in the groin/hamstring area!)  My personal email is dcteater@gmail.com.  Or, you can Private Message me on U-E.  If you had rather discuss over the telephone message or email me and I will provide my cell number.

Not really looking for sympathy or well wishes or encouragement.  I AM MOTIVATED to return this summer.  I don't need anything other than information as my internal motivation is off the chart.  I am worried about doing too much, returning too early, suffering an injury to my potentially weakened ribcage/collarbone area or internal injuries if hit by a baseball, run over by a player, hit by a bat during backswing, etc.  

 

Thanks in advance for any info you wish to provide and discuss.

First and foremost - good luck to you.

Second - Were these photos taken in a hospital room?  I thought the furniture had an "institutional" look.

 

[Majordave]

@conbo61

yes they were taken in my regular room. My son was staying at my house and brought them to me. Had to spend the time doing something. My first “walk” after surgery was in them. Hahahaha