6 weeks post-op

[Debbrn]

I am now 6 weeks post-op. I can drive. I am so happy!!!! Bad news is I found out the air conditioning does not work in my car. I will get that fixed next week. I can also lift more than 10 pounds. I am going to see my step-son, daughter-in-law and grandson tomorrow. We are going to cook steaks out on the grill.

I can do a pretty good bit during the day. I am not back to pre-op status yet though. I have been riding my stationary bicycle about 35 minutes at 30 watts with intermittently going to 45 watts. Pre-op I could do 30 minutes at 60 watts. I usually take walks lasting 15-30 minutes in the evening around the neighborhood. I get a lot of things done around the house a little bit at a time.

I start cardiac rehab tuesday. I have 6 weeks to get in my peak form to go back to nursing. The docs still don't want me to lift more than 20-25 pounds. My job won't take me back until I have no restrictions.

The incision and chest tube sites are almost healed. I have almost no pain.

I am taking the next 6 weeks to get some things done. I have painters coming next week. I am also trying to get my grass to grow.

Debbie

 

[Luana]

Hi Debbie,
It's good to hear you're doing well!

 

[ARGreenMN]

Sounds great Debbie! Your docs cleared you to lift more than me. Now I REALLY feel like a sissy

 

[Lynlw]

What a great update. Whenever I read your updates, I can't help but think about how long we worried about when you would need this surgery, where you would go ect. It is so good to ME to know you had it are home and doing well, so I can't imagine what a relief it must be for you and your loved ones. Keep up the good work.

 

[heartman77]

Thats great Deb.......keep up the good work and enjoy feeling like the new person you are Michael

 

[Praline]

Bed,
That sure is good news! You sound like you are doing great. I am so happy for you. Enjoy those steaks.

 

[Ross]

Doesn't sound to me like Cardio Rehab is going to have much to offer you.

 

[Debbrn]

Andy, What are your restrictions?

Lyn,

My family did not know the majority of work that I had to do to get to this point. If I told them everything I would have had to deal with their response. Know I am trying to be reasonable about my expectations for the future. I am trying to be cautiously optimistic if I will get stronger compared to pre-op. I know this will slow the progression of the right ventricle dysfunction. I will have to wait and see if I get any increase in exercise capacity.

Ross,

I am still not where I was pre-op. You may be right about cardiac rehab, but I am going to check it out. I certainly don't have to finish the 12 weeks if I am not getting anything out of it. I am hoping that they might be able to teach me a thing or two about exercising and getting me through my work week. Even though I am exercising for 30 minutes it is at a very low resistance. I am going to try every reasonable plan to get me at my best. Also this may be the only time I qualify.

The steaks were great.

Debbie

 

[Bill B]

I think rehab could be great for you, even though you are already riding your stationary bike. It was for me. At the facility I attended they had me do a variety of exercises, alternating arms and legs, for about 1.5 hours 3 times a week. Initially they were very cautious and the exercise was not very challenging, rarely breaking a sweat. I think the bulk of their patients are coronary bypass/heart attack, so they are reluctant to push things. I complained and they stepped it up and I improved gangbusters. I more than doubled my endurnace and was doing sustained 130 watts on the rowing machine at the end of the rehab. I doubt I would have done as much on my own.

Anyway, you appear to be doing well and should be ready to go back to work in 6 weeks at full power.

 

[Superbob]

Sounds like you're doing great, Debbie -- that's wonderful.

You might enjoy cardiac rehab even if you don't "need" it. Strange as it might seem, I am thinking about joining a local cardiac rehab at the hospital here, almost 5 1/2 years after my surgery. I have joined Mended Hearts locally and found out some folks pay a few extra bucks a week and continue cardiac rehab years after surgery. I like the monitored exercise, and I plan to be a volunteer in the hospital anyway.

Anyway, hope all continues to go well for you, whether you choose to pursue the cardiac rehab or not.

 

[Julieaka]

Cheers!

Cheers!

Keep up the great work

 

[Bean Counter]

Glad to hear things are going well! Keep up the good work.