Need a little encouragement. ..

[bvdr]

Hi Melissa, my surgery sister ,

This thread has been very helpful to me as I can really relate to what you are feeling. It seemed at first I progressed so rapidly and then it seemed like I just stalled out. I know I probably look 100% healed and I think I even act that way most of the time but there are things still happening inside of which I am well aware.

I still sometimes feel like it requires too much effort to breathe and when I start to get tired I get really tired. And, I don't feel like I am making the progress I would like in cardiac rehab. It isn't getting easier to use the machines and I think it should be by now. I don't get short of breath on the machines but my muscles really burn and I tire out. I complete my prescribed time and at the prescribed level each time but it requires alot of effort.

And then there are days that I feel absolutely wonderful! Anyway, enough whining for me. I think I am probably doing fine and you are probably doing fine too. We just need a little more time.

 

[Kathy]

I don't feel like I am making the progress I would like in cardiac rehab. It isn't getting easier to use the machines

Betty,

It is my last week in rehab and I feel the same way. I had used a machine one day at a certain level for eight minutes and couldn't do it at all at that level the next visit. I mentioned this to the nurse and she told me I'm not a machine. That makes a lot of sense.

I've feel as though I've reached a plateau in my recovery. I think that improvement will probably be very slow from now on, but I am grateful for all that I am able to do.

 

[MelissaM]

Thanks for all of your support. Gosh, it is nice to see that this is just a normal part of recovery. 'Cause after making all of that great progress, it sure is hard to hit "the wall."

Betty & Kathy, we'll have to keep each other informed of progress, as our surgeries were so close together. If you break through the wall - let me know.

Winter is starting to settle in here, which is one of my biggest challenges - I tend to be a "fair weather" walker, and am not much for exercising indoors. Of course, if we were talking about shopping as exercise. . .that might be something I could do. . ..

Takin' it easy. . ..

 

[Georgia]

Power shopping

Power shopping

Why not. Can only buy something after doing 3 miles around the mall really really fast. Your little reward.

The nice thing about Boulder is that there aren't too many icky days in a row most of the year - snow one day, 70 and sunny the next. I'd really like to live out there.

 

[catwoman]

Melissa:

Go walking at that mall area near central (downtown?) Boulder, where all the neat shops and restaurants are. Walk several laps, then treat yourself to a latte or cocoa.

Have you found the altitude to be a problem post-op? Friend who lives SW of Denver had AVR & CABG last week. He should have gone home yesterday. Mutual friend and I were wondering what effect the altitude might have in getting those lungs expanded again.