First day of Cardiac Rehab complete.

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Ovie

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2011
Messages
493
Location
Sioux City, Iowa.
Well had my first day of cardiac rehab completed today, it went well for the most part, good to get out of the house, I even pushed myself to do an extra 10 mins on the bike, which made me proud. Was excited to meet some new people, despite age difference, im 25, I think next closest is late 60s. Nobody talked to me, and kind of avoided me like a virus but took kindly to the other new guy who was older, one guy even refused to give up a piece of equipment to me that the nurse had ordered, and had some not so nice things to say. I do have tattoos and piercings, so I'm sure the generation gap between the 4 decades plays a part on how they view me, when I'm actually a very nice and polite person, I suppose their lost. I'm there for me and to get better, and yet tired after..felt worthy of something, which was a good feeling. Very kind nurses there so that's a plus.

Anyways, just thought I'd chime in, it kind of gave me some motivation and defiantly a bit of confidence that I've desperately needed as of late. So if you're in recovery, I suggest as soon as you're able to, jump into the program.

Thanks for taking the time to read.
 
Yep, cardiac rehab is very useful to get you going. Glad you found it that way. The crowd is old and mostly coronary bypass patients. I was "young" in my group at 62. Hope they become a bit more friendly. What I found is that for most of the others, many of whom long, long ago finished the 12 week rehab schedule, this was just a social thing. They don't push too hard and look at you a bit funny when you do.
 
I had experiences similar to both of yours. I was definitely not the youngest in my rehab group, but I did ACT younger than the others. I cracked lots of jokes, and made sure I was the butt of many. The others warmed up a lot when they found that I could even make fun of myself. I was the honorary Class Clown, along with one of the older gents.

Many of the patients were even older than I (63), and there was only one other valve patient in the group. I probably had more complications than any of the others, so I didn't get to start rehab until I was about 3 months past surgery. That extra healing time, plus the fact that I was going to the gym 5 days a week right up until surgery week, made it easier for me to gain strength. I started out very slow, as I was still healing at the start. By the end of about 8 weeks, I was back to being able to enjoy the workout. At the end of 12 weeks, I just moved my routine back to my regular fitness center.

I put a lot of effort into rehab, because I wanted to get a lot out of it. I think I was about the only one who regularly broke a sweat during the exercises. Most tried to do just the minimum, and then trudged back to their lives. I wanted to turn back the hands of time. I wanted to be able to run. I didn't accomplish either of those, but I do feel that the rehab experience helped me to get back to the level of fitness I had before surgery.
 
Even at 59, I was the 2nd youngest in my group when I started. As Steve says, all but one other were there following bypass surgery and sometimes their view of things is different. For one thing, your prospects for the future are better than theirs. But the group does change as the weeks pass and new people join so you may be surprised. The important thing is that you apply yourself; you are not competing with them.

Larry
 
Ovie,
Good for you on starting your rehab and getting the most out of it that you can. As to those grumpy people, they obviously are not a motivated thus they will continue to not strive for better things in their lives. Too bad they will miss the chance to get to know you and discover all your fine personal qualities. Just cause your outside doesn't conform to their expectations doesn't mean there is something wrong with you. As far as I am concerned it is their loss. I'm 60 years old on the outside but I'm 12 years old in my mind and I'm gonna stay that way! I refuse to grow up!
 
Here's another voice of support for cardiac rehab. I was by far the youngest in my group (38) and had a similar experience in that the older folks (none of whom were valve patients) didn't really talk to me at first. As time went on, most of them at least grunted toward me acknowledging my presence, but they were much more chatty with the other older folks. However, the staff took a real liking to me. As you progress, you will see pretty dramatic improvement and I think the staff loves to see (and rightfully takes a great deal of pride in) their work paying off for someone. In addition to helping you build confidence, CR can help if an issue occurs that you otherwise might not have noticed or taken care of. In my case, about three weeks into the program, the workout began to suddenly become more difficult for a few minutes and then become much easier again. Thanks to the monitors, we were able to determine that I was going into and coming out of heart block. I ended up needing to get a pacemaker. If I hadn't been keeping up with the program, who knows how long I would have gone without getting my issue resolved. Another benefit for me was that I wasn't much into exercise in the 3-4 years leading up to surgery but the program has helped get me back into the routine of exercising and I am now knocking off a few extra pounds that I had picked up during my non-exercise period.

Good luck!
 
I'm excited to start...I'm at 3 weeks today and have worked my way up to walking about two miles a day (total...not all at once). I'm 40, so I'll be closer in age, but still on the younger side. I wish I could get started BEFORE I have to go back to work. I think it would help alot with my confidence. I'm still always a little concerned about something going wrong even though I've had a pretty "bump free" time so far.
 
I start next cardiac rehab next Tuesday. Sounds like I am somewhere in between Ovie and Mom2izzy in terms of recovery - I will be three weeks out on Thursday. I am walking twice a day for about 3/4 of a mile each time but not pushing the pace. While I think this represents good progress, I do feel a touch of depression that this is going to be a long road. The good news is that I do already feel better from a cardio perspective. Like many I have the occasional flutter, etc due to the reforming, but I was experiencing pretty serious shortness of breath before surgery and that seems at least so far to be gone. My walks seem more limited by my own concern about pushing things or a little lightheadedness as opposed to any heart or breathing limitation. I have pretty diligent keeping a log of pretty much everything from medication, walking, eating, and vitals to progress on the spirometer. No doubt that these daily assessments highlight the days that are steps forward and those that seems flat or backwards. I expect the rehab will help me build some confidence.
 
Ovie,
Thanks for sharing. That is kind of how it goes as the young one in the group (I was 30). As John A. mentions, though, the staff really love to see the progress and your willingness to work. All you can do is be nice and do your work. If the other patients aren't willing to engage with that, there's not much else you can do. Of course, they've also been through tough experiences recently so maybe they'll come around once they find their new normal as well.

Keep it going, and keep us updated on your progress.

Mom2izzy and FC, all the best with starts coming up. One great part you will both appreciate (based upon your above comments) is that rehab gets you active in a controlled setting. You'll come to see the data and understand that all is going well and activity is a good thing. You'll witness your healing as you progress.
 
Hi Ovie,

Sorry your first rehab day was not so good. Perhaps give it a little more time. I found rehab a terrific confidence boost as it allowed me to recommence jogging in a safe environment. It also made me push myself to do a little more each session. I thought it wonderful and will be keen to do it next time around. Also, it was good hearing from you. I hadn't seen posts from you for a while and I was wondering how you were going.

Stay well.


Phil.
 
The staff really do love to see people progress. They were very chatty with me and made me feel comfortable. I can understand the crankiness of some, you get older and see things start to slow down and I imagine it becomes frustrating, I saw it happen with my grandpa before he passed, so I don't take it personally. Like mentioned, I'm there for me and any friends I make along the way is just a bonus.

Also to acknowledge the not working out prior to surgery, I was the same way for a couple years, I wasn't "fat" persay, just out of shape, I was quite athletic for my size, and with this program I hope to get on some kind of routine to continue on working out after the program
Is complete.

Another thing, I saw that a 12 week course was mentioned, are most that long? Because I'm only in a 6 week program?
 
My program was 12 weeks, and I enjoyed every one of them. In a couple of months it will have been a full year since I started, and I'm planning to go back and visit the cardio center staff, just to thank them. I know the first few weeks seem hard, but it is really worth it. I went in there just happy that I could walk, and came out being able to jog short distances, ride a bike and even do light weight lifting again. I felt that the work I did there made me "whole" again.

BTW, Ovie, I have a sort of working rule about stuff like body jewelry. . . when I'm hiring people who may have such jewelry, I gently make it known that if their jewelry makes lumps in their clothing, I'd prefer they not wear it to work. Most folks I know who have body piercings have various jewelry they can wear in the piercing - some which is "showy" and some not, just for these situations. We have some folks here sporting some ink, but no full sleeves or major art visible. My own opinion is that it is what's inside that counts. 'Nuff said. You're fine in my book.
 
Hi Ovie! Congrats on your cardiac rehab initiation. Although I have not had my surgery (yet) a good friend, who happens to be a cardiac rehab nurse, suggested I go. St. Lukes in KC has a prevention program for people like me with valve issues and I have found it to be very, very helpful. Similar to you, the older folks looked at me strangely but after being there a while, they began to joke with me. One fellow encouraged me to ride one particular bike -- later I learned it was because one of the men in the program kicks anyone off it as he sees it as "his."
All kidding aside, when I am not at cardiac rehab I am a psychologist. Several years ago, there were large-scale studies that looked at the relationship between personality characteristics and heart attacks. At 25, you may not have heard of this concept, but it was called the Type A personality? It was discovered that hard-driving, competitive and intense individuals (who were often leaders in business) were at a greater risk of heart attack than the calmer, take-life-as-it-comes Type B people. Later, it was determined that underlying hostility was a stronger predictor of heart attack than Type A. I bring this up because there might be some dynamics in or between the individuals who go to rehab that actually have nothing to do with you personally. I have noticed some of the folks make comments like, "Amy, you are doing well here. Are you trying to make me look bad?" To which I reply, "There is no competion between us. We are here to support each other in getting and staying healthy, don't you think?" After a few weeks, I feel happy to report I have become aquainted with several very nice people; I know which cranky "characters" to avoid; and I even have a couple of cool new friends. Both happen to be 25 years older than me and I really like that.
The tatoos and piercings, in my view, are your gift to them. Some people make attributions about another's character based on external factors like hair color, body art, etc. (I think pink hair and safety pins through the skin were my generations contributions to this drama.) But without a doubt, some of my favorite moments in life have been and are the times when two seemingly dissimilar people discover that underneath the external "tribal-markings", we are all just human.
I hope you have a good experience at rehab, as I have. Congratulations, again.
Amy
 
Hi Ovie,

I'm glad to read that you have started your rehab already! That's great for you, and will certainly help your mind really focus on the improvements ahead. Less than two weeks to go until the surgery, can't wait until I'm in recovery myself. Keep chugging along! Best of luck.

Tom
 
I had my second session wed, and I really wasn't feeling great AT ALL, but sucked it up and did what I had to do, and actually I had a few people reach out to me, telling me I was too young to be there, and just some other very nice people who asked about what happened as I did in return to keep conversation going and learn to what brought some of the other people to the rehab. It was a good second day socially, just not mentally or physically. Just one of those days ya know :)

and Amy, we have one of those guys to in my class, he's the man I first explained, your suppose to switch machines every 10 mins..not this guy, he's all business and territorial on his machine, I feel for the guy though..he seems to be in rough shape. Probably not a bad guy when he's feeling alright.
 
We all have our days, good and bad. You did the right thing by giving it your best effort. Don't hurt yourself trying to be a hero, but the only way you'll get your wind and stamina back is to keep up the rehab and push your limits gently.

Nice work!
 
Ovie,
Great news. Heck I was in my early 50s and I was the youngest in my class. Cardiac rehab was a great motivator for me and helped me understand how hard I should and could work my heart. It is also a time to turn things around and get in shape. Stay with it and be yourself. I'm sure some of the other clients are feeling a little down after their cardiac events and probably don't have the internet support or knowledge that you have found here.
Best,
John
 
Things have really gone uphill with CR, Im actually having more and more people talk to me, and are sharing their stories with me. It's really become a good feeling walking in there, what I thought was my curse has become my attraction..age.

AND, as I walked in today I saw my kindergarden teacher who not only taught me, but my 4 younger brothers, and I have a long history with her. As soon as I saw her I had a great big smile, and gave her a great big hug. She pulled my first tooth, so there has always been that bond, it had been a few years since seeing her and hadn't known of her situation. She did get me in trouble with staff because she was talking to me and wouldn't allow me to move machines. But seeing that she's in my class is really a special deal for me. So I always will look forward to going now.
 
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