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Jon Mircetich  A quick story about what it was all like....I had surgery February 4 this year and yes the anticipation was the worst part. My Surgeon; Dr. Castro and the team at Sequoia Hospital were phenomenal. I spent 4 days in the hospital before going home. My time in the hospital was uneventful, broken up with nurses and check ups etc. As soon as I got home I focused on my recovery. I walked many times a day, totaling 6-8 miles daily within the first two weeks.
Went back to work as a school teacher after week five but continued exercising because I had a goal...
At 6 weeks I was cleared to return to the gym to get back in shape. I managed to loose 25lbs after surgery, mostly muscle mass due to the body's desire to heal so it leaches from the muscles.
The recovery: the first few times around the block felt like a marathon, and blowing into that damn thing was grueling, my strength was far lower than I ever imagined.
Work was difficult for the first couple of weeks while I was getting used to the rigors. But continued exercising, I kept charting my progress; my walks, weight, BP, what I ate, etc...I had that goal...
On June 3 I was released by my cardiologist and surgeon to tackle my goal...I am a fly fishing guide for Lodge at Palisades Creek on the South Fork Snake River, other than my wife and daughter, it is my love and passion. I row a boat daily for a minimum of 14 miles sometimes as much as 18 miles. I successfully worked 69 days of 71 before returning home to teach.
So, dreams are achievable after heart surgery, if you are determined enough, rather shortly. After only 5 weeks I worked a rather sedate job of teaching high schoolers, 6 weeks I was in the gym and at four months was working a very strenuous, laborious job which I love.
The details....I am 47, and had sternotomy and mitral valve repair at (IMO) the best hospital and the best surgeon with the best team available on the west coast. Not to say that it was easy, there were difficult times, realities of being mortal and fragile are never easy. Exhaustion, but I kept focus on the positives and what I could do including progress...
Before you know it, you will be saying "that was not too bad", and "I'm Ok!"
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

Eddie Patton  Amen. I found that the more you are willing to do the faster you recover. A little more today than yesterday was what I lived by for six weeks. Now I am four months out and am at least where I was before and in a lot of ways better than I have been in years.
It is a second chance and an opportunity to do what you thought you would never be able to again.
Let those waiting know that this is not an end but a new beginning.