Mari's Posts

Things are going well...started work last week and I definitely have the energy needed :) I am glad we had a longer summer to allow for more recovery time. It is 12 weeks today!!! So...I go back to Monterey (CHOMP) for a quick procedure to have the wire taken off my sternum on Friday. This will be a good thing as the sensitivity to touch and the fact that pieces of the wire are sticking out started to become an issue. Sad to say that I have been busy setting up my classroom and haven't been exercising as much these past 2 weeks but my heart is ready. Just made plans today to get a schedule set in stone for my gym days and then training to get started running. On Sept 24 I will be joining the heart walk on the Bob Jones Traill in Avila Beach. Should be fun! Off to read Harry Potter and put the boys to bed Follow Your Heart Mari :)

Still feeling great and have been itching to get a pair of running shoes. :) I actually attempted to run today and found that my heart rate shot up instantly to 160+ but I wasn't even out of breath. I am under direction to keep my heart rate below 150 when I am exercising. My heart rate recovery was good and so there was no issue. Has anyone with AVR experienced heart rates that take awhile to slow down? This is probably my biggest and chief complaint now that all other aspects of the surgery are healed. I feel great but with a faster heart rate than most people I talk to. Follow Your Heart Mari :)

I am 9 weeks post-op today and have failed to share my recent milestones like driving and exercising...sorry for the delay :) I can't believe it has been 4 weeks since my last post...time flies! I started cardiac rehab several weeks ago and am improving all the time...I actually find it challenging to become out of breath...it just doesn't happen. I was so used to being out of oxygen that I didn't realize how you were supposed to feel while exercising. It is amazing!! I never knew how much I needed my valve fixed until recently. I can ride a bike...walk 2 miles without even blinking an eye...and I have my life back. Just in time to enjoy it as my boys become more active. Now I simply have to keep an eye on my HR...It can still creep up there and become a little fast. I have been told that my heart is used to compensating for a narrowed valve and with time it will realize it doesn't have to work so hard. Everything has been a wonderful success!! Follow Your Heart Mari :)