From One Mended Heart to Another: The Cardiac Patient's Companion (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781496186690)

Diane Caputo faced open heart surgery after suddenly suffering two heart attacks and undergoing a less than successful stent procedure. In a matter of a few short days, she went from a healthy, active mother running a busy household of eight young children, to someone requiring assistance for the smallest of needs. After surgery she had to start from ground zero, physically, and work her way back to what she considered her "normal" lifestyle. Diane has found that many cardiac patients share similarities with her own experiences in both their physical and emotional recoveries. She felt the need to get the message out to other patients that they are not alone, nor is what they experience unusual or abnormal. Since her surgery, Diane has regained her active lifestyle, and continually seeks practical ways of nurturing a heart healthy lifestyle for her family. She enjoys creating and modifying recipes using wholesome ingredients. She likes all types of exercise including jogging, Pilates, aerobics, gardening, hiking, or just walking with a friend. Diane is an accredited visitor for Mended Hearts Inc. at her local hospital in Olympia, WA. Mended Hearts is a nationwide network of support groups made up of people who have experienced some form of heart event.