How to Prioritize Yourself (and Your Heart) When life revolves around recovery — whether you’re healing from open-heart surgery or caring for someone who is — self-care can feel like a luxury you don’t have time for. But here’s the truth: self-care isn’t selfish. It’s an essential part of staying healthy, calm, and strong…
Resources for Caregivers
Managing Stress as a Caregiver
Protecting Your Own Heart While You Care for Another It’s just as important to manage caregiver stress as it is to be taking care of someone else. Caring for a loved one recovering from a heart condition can be one of the most meaningful roles you’ll ever have—but it can also be one of the…
A List of Things You Need for Open Heart Surgery
Sometimes, when open heart surgery occurs, there is no warning. That means there is no time to prepare your life, family, or home for the event, and there is no time to prepare your travel bag for your hospital stay. When open heart surgery became a reality for me, I didn’t have time for any…
Why Tracking Health is Important During Recovery
Recovering from heart surgery is a monumental journey, requiring dedication, focus, and organization for tracking health recovery. It involves tracking medications, appointments, naps, rest, eating healthy, and careful moving. It brings fatigue and mental fog, making it hard to manage a packed schedule. A caregiver or family member can help with the day-to-day physical and…