From Strong Man to Bra Man
Did anyone else finish their diagnosis conversation thinking, “Well, that was a weird call,” and only realize weeks later that their life had just taken a hard left? 💔📞
Five weeks ago, I answered my doctor expecting to hear that my echocardiogram looked great.
Instead, she opened with:
“Scott, I want to start by saying this isn’t necessarily a death sentence.”
And I thought… Well, that’s an unusual way to deliver good news. 😳
I heard the words.
I just didn’t understand them yet.
Now I’m beginning to grasp how serious heart failure can be.
Looking back, it feels like I was watching a car crash in slow motion… while somehow still asking if anyone wanted to stop for coffee. Never realizing I was the one in the car! 🚗💥☕️
Then suddenly, I had a handful of medications, a whole new collection of potential side effects, and a LifeVest.
Which brings me to the part where I’m literally sitting here in a very unglamorous bra… tethered to a powerful battery… and relying on the whole contraption to help keep me alive!
What is this, a medical device or the world’s least fun fashion accessory?! 😳🔋👙
And yes, I know it’s there to protect me. I’m grateful for that.
I’m also allowed to look down at myself and think, “How did I go from conquering the world to being dressed like a phone that needs charging?” 😂❤️🩹
Until that call, I thought of myself as a healthy 55-year-old who could take on just about anything. I was a big strong grown a$$ man that generally operated under the assumption that I was the main character in an action movie. 🌎🏃♂️🪂
Now, almost overnight, I feel fragile and I’m trying to make sense of a future I never expected.
I know recovery may be possible, and I’m holding on to that hope. 🙏
But I’m also trying to be realistic about the things I love that may never look the same again:
🍻 Late nights drinking with friends
🎶 Music festivals
🪂 Skydiving
🤿 Scuba diving
🏃♂️ Marathons
🏋️ Bodybuilding
⛰️ Climbing mountains
And the rest of my personal “activities that apparently require a much more cooperative heart” list…
Even a substantial recovery may change my life in ways I’m only beginning to understand.
That realization hit hard.
At 55, I already cherished the time I had. I just didn’t expect to start appreciating it while wearing a battery-powered bra and being terrified that it’s not charged. 🔋😅
I had no warning. No symptoms. I didn’t know the last time I did one of those things might be the last time it was safe for me to do it.
So I’m trying to take this one day at a time… keep some hope… and admit that this is frightening and sad, even when I can still make a joke about the outfit. ❤️🩹
If you’ve been through a diagnosis that turned your world upside down, how did you cope? What helped you find your footing again?
And sorry for the "trauma dump". I know my story may not be as difficult as many others here, and I really appreciate how positive and supportive this group is.
I’m just trying to figure out how to carry all of this… preferably with a little humor, a lot of hope, and a fully charged bra. 🙃🔋❤️