Isaac “Rich” Bowen: Recovering from heart surgery
I always felt I had a calling in life — to share my faith with others. At age 11, I began preaching on the streets in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which led me to a lifelong career in ministry that culminated at New Hope Worship Center in Augusta, Georgia.
Shortly after my retirement, I underwent mitral valve replacement surgery and nearly lost my life twice after the surgery due to cardiogenic shock and internal bleeding. I spent more than a month in the ICU and nearly three months in the hospital. I’m eager to show others that with faith, hard work and the right team, anything is possible.
Regaining my independence
Once stabilized, I began inpatient rehabilitation. Upon my arrival, I required assistance to complete nearly all basic functions, including sitting up on the side of the bed. When they rolled me into my room, I didn’t have the strength to raise myself up in the bed. The first time I stood up, it took two nurses supporting me.
Together with my therapy team, we set personalized goals. After three months in the hospital, my goals were straightforward. Long-term, I wanted to be as active as I was before surgery. In the short term, after three months in the hospital, I simply wanted to be able to walk across the room to the bathroom and to be able to return home safely.
Progress came rather quickly — quicker than I or my family expected. When I came to therapy that first day, I didn’t believe it would be possible to be at the place I am right now in two weeks. But it’s come to reality and fruition.
During those two weeks, I took my first steps since before surgery and was ultimately able to walk more than 150 feet. I also worked on climbing stairs so I would be able to navigate the three stairs required to enter my home. Prior to discharge, I was able to climb four stairs unassisted. I worked with speech therapists to improve my ability to swallow and eat, allowing me to enjoy my first complete meal in months.
In the midst of my rehabilitation journey, I was also able to share my story via phone with more than 450 ministers and their wives who had gathered for a conference. I told them that I have experienced the messages they preach firsthand.
As I prepared to return home for the first time in three months — my own Christmas Day — together with my family, I felt confident that we were ready to face whatever comes next.
Managing mental struggles
In addition to navigating the physical challenges that came with critical illness, there were mental challenges as well. I only had one day where I really, really hit a low spot. I realized how easy it is for people to give up and quit.
Those mental challenges were felt by the entire family too. Our family has leaned heavily on their faith and the prayers from people around the world, but the support of my care team has also been invaluable in easing the family’s anxiety after traumatic few months.
With a combination of faith, hard work, the expertise of the caring staff and my family, I have made it past the most extreme of the twists and turns of that roller coaster. With their help I have set my sights on continuing to gain strength in the comfort of my own home.
I thank the Lord for His strength, and the staff for encouraging me every day and telling me, “This is our goal today and I believe you can do it.” That was more than I believed myself most of the time. You don’t want to disappoint those who believe in you.
Rich lives with his wife and children in Georgia. He shares his story to raise awareness of his rehabilitation journey post heart surgery. The American Stroke Association’s Together to End Stroke initiative is nationally sponsored by Encompass Health.