Today I celebrate a memorable anniversary: 20 years ago thoracic surgeon Dr. John C. Wain at Mass General Hospital (MGH) in Boston operated to correct a congenital chest deformity (pectus excavatum).
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The invasive, major reconstructive procedure I underwent to correct the concavity resulting from an inverted sternum (breastbone) and ribs impacting my heart and lungs was unusual for an individual at 50.
I had experienced progressive difficulty breathing during my youth into adolescence - most notable participating in my enjoyable high school track experiences with teammates - and unfortunately throughout the following decades.
My quality of life was negatively impacted by the emergence of severe asthma and extensive allergies requiring medical treatments, even surgery during the 1980's and following years.
Sinus surgery occurred to open up prolonged blocked nasal passages.
Exercise and cold induced asthma increasingly limited, prevented various physical activities including running over time.
Memories of having difficulty breathing walking in -30, -35 to -40 with wind chill in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada remain vivid.
A PRODUCTIVE MEETING
I was fortunate to be directed to Dr. Wain by my primary care physician while employed at the Pediatric Shriners Burn Hospital for Children - Boston in the research department.
A
YOUTHFUL
JOHN CHARLES WAIN, MD
THORACIC SURGEON
A
20th
ANNIVERSARY
APPRECIATION
I have long valued Dr. Wain's response to my initial visit to his Blake 1570 office at MGH to inquire about the possibility of having a corrective surgery often associated with pediatric, adolescent patients.
Dr. Wain understood my concerns about both the physical and psychological issues associated with this chest deformity.
Why this corrective surgery was not done as an infant, child or adolescent was a source of puzzlement, increasing anxiety originating from my teenage years and continuing as I got older.
Finding a surgeon who agreed surgery was a warranted, appropriate and justified action at my age was welcomed.
POSITIVE OUTCOMES
I knew a titanium bar would be placed in my chest, there would be significant pain given the large incision, trauma to tissues to accomplish the reconstruction, a long time to experience a full recovery.
The more invasive nature of my surgery required me to be in the hospital for a full week - a period of time where I received excellent care from doctors and a skilled thoracic surgery nursing staff.
Sleep was elusive with the hospital bed set in an upright position and having to deal with significant pain (especially by coughing, sneezing), by frequent nursing activities throughout the evenings.
Being capable to walk at night provided relief from pain especially after the thoracic epidural injection was discontinued.
Dr. Wain came to see me each morning - one patient among many others others now recovering from his skilled efforts and those of his surgical team.
I remember how he kept his word to remove the tight, restrictive wrapping around my chest after several days - necessary given the nature of the operation.
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The positive outcomes of the surgery can not be overstated:
- My breathing was immediately, significantly improved
- Never again during the following two decades did I require any medications to
- I was successful in establishing a focus on maintaining a lower weight, eating better
- I initially experimented with different physical activities (light weights, treadmill, stationary biking) at a local gym to facilitate my recovery from the surgery
NOTABLY
Dr. Wain restored my ability to utilize lung tissue more effectively; in my case, eliminating the severe and chronic asthma and allergies from my past.
Years later a fortuitous introduction to Ray Hoyt and the yoga he taught during 2010 led to my embrace and lifestyle focus on both yoga and nutrition during the past decade.
YOGA
FURTHER
IMPROVES
BREATHING
It was through focused yoga activities during my 60's this past decade that I began to further enhance my breathing.
Issues with the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of my spine were possible to be addressed through diverse yoga asanas including assisted standing back bends frequently done using the wall ladders, on occasions using the wall ropes.
Use of props including yoga blocks, the two chairs with the assistance of others also were effective means to open my thoracic area.
Likewise, being lifted in Upper Facing Bow by Ray Hoyt and others safely enabled whole body movements less accessible without assistance.
I smile thinking about the difficulty, limited mobility experienced attempting to do a basic back bend, to barely move my head backwards without making a loud 'haaaaaaaaaa' sound when I initially began to attend group yoga classes in 2010.
The ability to do the Standing Back Bend variation shown above from 2015 on my own in a deliberate, controlled manner with easy breathing continues to be a source of satisfaction, motivation to both maintain and enhance these movements.
My whole body mobility status at this time is an unanticipated yet welcomed consequence of the reconstructive surgery done by Dr. Wain two decades ago.
