Back to Life After a Heart Crisis: A Doctor and His Wife Share Their 8 Step Cardiac Comeback Plan

by Marc Wallack M.D.

Overview

A Wall Street Journal Top Pick of 2010

A top surgeon teams up with his wife, a veteran network news anchor, to offer a comprehensive plan for overcoming a heart trauma.

A well-known and internationally recognized surgical oncologist, Dr. Marc Wallack kept fit by training as a marathoner. He was the rock of his family, at the top of his career, and an expert on health who practiced what he preached-until he suffered angina symptoms while on a run. Two days later, after discovering his arteries were 95 percent blocked, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery and found himself unprepared for the emotional fallout of his recovery.

In Back to Life After a Heart Crisis, Dr. Wallack and his wife, journalist Jamie Colby, offer their moving personal story along with a one-of-a-kind, prescriptive guide to reclaiming your life after confronting the issues of mortality and vulnerability raised by a traumatic heart event-whether it be a heart attack or a surgical procedure. Brimming with inspiration and encouragement, this unique book shows readers how to regain emotional strength in tandem with healing physically by working through eight important milestones-from sleeping through the night to surviving doctor's appointments to taking on a huge physical challenge.

With sidebars and tips for caregivers, Back to Life After a Heart Crisis helps patients and their loved ones heal hearts and minds and feel vibrant and full of life again.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101185223
Publisher:	Temple Publications International, Inc.
Publication date:	02/04/2010
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	356,424
File size:	513 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Marc Wallack, MD, is a celebrated surgical oncologist with more than 20 years of experience. An affiliate of the Metropolitan Hospital Center and a faculty member of New York Medical College, he received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine. He is the author of Back to Life After a Heart Crisis, which details his recovery from quadruple bypass surgery.

Jamie Colby is a Fox News correspondent who has served as the host of Strange Inheritance since 2015. She holds a BS degree in accounting from the University of Miami and a JD degree from the University of Miami School of Law. Since joining the Fox News Channel in 2003 she has covered a number of major news stories, including those of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, and the trials of George Zimmerman, Casey Anthony, and Jodi Arias. Prior to joining Fox, Colby served as a correspondent for CNN and CBS News. She has received a number of awards, such as the Edward R. Murrow National Award, the Gracie Allen Award, and the Clarion Award from the Association for Women in Communications.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Part 1 The Hope

Introduction You: Back and Better Than Ever 3

1 The Story of This Courageous Survivor 11

2 An Insider's Guide to Early Cardiac Care 22

Part 2 The Plan

3 Step 1: Conquer the Night 43

4 Step 2: Face Physical and Emotional Pain 58

5 Step 3: Get Out 84

6 Step 4: Survive Doctors' Appointments 101

7 Step 5: Make Love to Your Partner Again 128

8 Step 6: Embrace Your Dinner Plate 137

9 Step 7: Arm Yourself for Career Issues 180

10 Step 8: Train for a Huge Physical Challenge 207

Part 3 The Support

11 The Finish Line 241

12 The Back-to-Life Recipe Collection 247

13 The Back-to-Life Resources 278

Notes 293

Index 301

What People are Saying About This

Isadore Rosenfeld

A fascinating and inspiring story...What makes this book a 'must' for doctors and patients alike is the practical advice it contains on how to maintain emotional strength under duress and what steps to take to keep your heart healthy. (Isadore Rosenfeld, M.D., Rossi Distinguished Professor of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College)

Arthur Agatston

Powerful, practical, and deeply compassionate, this book is the blueprint for getting past the fear and living a vibrant, full life again. (Arthur Agatston, M.D., author of The South Beach Diet)

Editorial Reviews

Back to Life After a Heart Crisis provides clear, jargon-free explanations of heart disease, an honest evaluation of the emotional and physical fallout from a heart crisis, and a comprehensive plan for common-sense recovery.[it] is like having a purse-sized personal physician - you know, the fantasy doctor seen on TV, the trusted, wise, supportive family friend.

Blogcritic

Back to Life after a Heart Crisis is chock-full of useful information, including explanations of medical terms, tests and procedures from the proverbial "horse's mouth"...Readers are unlikely to find another book quite like this one. It's unique and important for those who need it, and a clarion call to those who need to turn their health around, but are avoiding the tough decisions required to do so.

The Huffington Post

Surgical oncologist Wallack discovered how frightening the patient's side of the bed looks when a bout of angina led to emergency quadruple bypass surgery. Here, he describes his fear of dying, shock over losing total control of his body, and his feelings of anxiety and stress during recovery. Wallack and his wife, Colby, intersperse tips and suggestions throughout their narrative and include personal observations, coping techniques, and caregiver concerns. They provide an eight-step plan for heart patients to overcome their fears, with advice on establishing healthy sleep patterns, facing physical and emotional pain, resuming normal activities (even sex), managing doctor visits, adjusting diet, returning to work, and tackling new challenges. Included are recipes and information on evaluating doctors and hospitals and finding support resources. VERDICT Wallack and Colby provide excellent answers to common questions in a warm, readable style. For those needing emotional reassurance, this is a valuable title. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/09.]—Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp., Tampa

Library Journal