James's Posts

I know I am remiss in starting a journal now and this is not the normal way things are done but I have only been on this website for a short time and have just been lurking and reading. I had my surgery on Sept. 27th at Cleveland Clinic and it was done by Dr. Marc Gillinov. I can not say enough about the quality of care I was given. I returned home to WV one week later. My cardiologist suggested I just exercise by walking until I was allowed to drive myself to Cardiac Rehab. I started rehab the first week in November and finished up yesterday. I have been richly blessed to have a great rehab team and my progress has been nothing short of amazing. I can now walk on the treadmill elevated as far as it will go at level 15 with a speed of 4 mph for as long as I want, I have gone a full thirty minutes. I am whipping the thunder out of the rowing machine, bike, NuStep and elliptical as well. I went to check out a local gym today and plan on signing up tomorrow. My new found fitness along with the fact that I lost about 60 pounds prior to surgery (my doing not illness) have made me a new person. I want to lose about 8 more pounds and I will be the same weight I was in high school 45 years ago. My only lingering effects are some dizziness when I stand up, I hope that goes away soon plus some intestinal distress that I suspect may be related to my meds. Even though I should have posted earlier, I felt the need to post so that those still facing the surgery know that recovery is just around the corner. Thanks to all those whose stories inspired me to go ahead with the surgery and I hope mine can serve as a little comfort as well.