SUSAN's Posts

It has been a little more than 5 months. I started rehab late, but am up to 10 minutes on 3 machines and starting the weights. Walking around in Manhattan with my briefcase has gotten much better. I used to look for red lights to stop, but now I dodge and weave like a native again. I do find if I exert too much I may feel a little bushed that evening or the next day, but who wouldn't? I am using silicone strips and mederma on my scar- just wish that would get better so I can stop wearing crew necks or button up shirt! Also coming up on 6 years cancer free- I have a lot to be grateful for. live, laugh, love susan

I am so sorry it has been over a month since i wrote! for 3 months post op, I am feeling good I had a bad cold- in bed for 3 days- the cough is still lingering- will go for a chest x-ray if not better soon I also have gotten and will sign up for Cardiac Rehab I wish I had started about a month ago! I am envious of all of you who exercised so early and are so much stronger than me. I hope you are all geting stronger every day Live laugh Love susan

Boy- have I learned a lot in the past few weeks! 1. What a difference a week makes-Between week 5 & 6 my energy got better- only problem was my stamina did not keep up! Week 5 I went to work and it was hard. Week 6 I was walking around Manhattan and it was so much easier- even got up a hill I COULD NOT have made before the surgery. 2. Driving long distances is tough_ I am surprised by this but do find if I do a lot of driving I feel it in my sternum. 3. The sternum takes a long time to heal-I am still having some pains- the fact that I had my echo cardiogram and kept my arm lifted, used a shop vac outside to clean up broken glass and have washed my floor a couple of times can all be reasons why I am healing slower than I would like 4. I still need to rest when I push too hard. 5. THE VALVE IS WORKING PERFECTLY!-This was the best thing I learned this week. Had my echo-I am not a doctor but could tell immediately how different it looked this time- no floppy leaflet swinging, blood colors stayed on 1 side of the vale, not all over. Doc confirmed YEAH All in all I am feeling great, meds are lowered, I am off coumadin. Just still some discomfort in the chest and side sometimes-Tylenol takes care of that. also, if I push too hard, I get wiped out- everyone keeps reminding I had MAJOR surgery less than 2 months ago and it will take a while As my cardiologist said, I have gotten through Cancer surgery and chemo, and major heart surgery. When I look at it that way, I have lots to be Thankful for . I know life has a lot in store for me ahead and I look forward to it. Live Laugh Love