Deena's Guestbook

Deena Royal  Thank you Sandy! I am at peace and know God is wth me and will give me the strength I need to heal.🙏🏻❤️

Deena Royal  Hi David,
I would appreciate the details of your goals and methods.😀
I am feeling confident with the team at UofM and glad to hear your positive note about your surgery. Thanks!

David S  Hi Deena,
Here are some details. As you will see, there is nothing complicated.
First, I set out to only have daily goals, and mostly focus on improvements from one day to the next. I had my mind set on not thinking about what I had lost, or how hard it was since these are not controllable factors. Prior to surgery, I had also decided to not use a phone or a computer for 2 weeks so I could focus with the help of family at home. I had no visitor either, which of course these days is obvious (my surgery was one year ago).
Walking: shortly after I was home, I started walking, focusing on distance and not time. I wrote down my "performance", although I had never done this before. I graphed the distances/day. Deep breezing and slow walking quickly became the best moments of the day: the pain subsides, the mind clears. The next day, I could do a little more, just focusing on distance. I walked more than once per day as soon as I could. It helped sleeping and finding a rhythm.
Pilates: I have done Pilates for many years. If you don't know the movements and breezing method, that is fine. The goal was to re-discover good posture, help shoulder pain, and eventually regain core muscles. I set 1 year to return to pre-surgery level but it took about 6 months. Once I could, I used the kitchen table (the floor is too low) with pillows to be on my back and move legs and arms very slowly to stretch (very slowly, very gently). Breezing here is critical. Sessions were no more than 10 minutes. I don't think you could see my movements initially, they were so small. But the position feels very good. If you try to have left and right balance and let go of tensions, soon everything stretches. After a little while, I could remove one of three pillows, then two, then I could go from 3 to none and be flat for a few moments, and then start other movements, always centered on breezing and core flexibility.
I am not suggesting times or distances, everyone is different. I am just describing the first few weeks, but the rest is just more of the same. And these are the general ideas in the hope you can find your own tricks and choose what works for you. Of course, I did not do this alone: my wife and children gave it all they could.
If you need further details, let me know.
Best, David.

Deena Royal  Thank you Lisa! I am feeling positive about the surgery, but getting nervous about what to expect after. I like what you said about "care for the thoughts in your head' statement. Would love to learn how you challenged the bad days/thoughts. Thanks for the well wishes and hope to chat soon after surgery!

Kerry McNutt  I started rehab 4 weeks after surgery. Went to the hospital’s cardio rehab 3x week for 12 weeks. Time well spent! I go for graduation and my final consult tomorrow!!

Deena Royal  Thank you Thomas! I have suspended my membership at the YMCA till Jan 2021 due to surgery and covid, but will definitely do what I can at home to get back in shape. Thank you!!

Theresa LoMonaco  I wish you the best, Deena. I highly recommend cardiac rehabilitation. I started it 8 weeks after having an aortic valve replacement 8 years ago. I started back to work 7 weeks post-surgery. It helped me regain my strength and it helped prevent post cardiac surgery depression. I went 3 times/week before work for two months. I’m doing great and I’m much older than you. I can work out harder now without risking heart issues. You will do well. Adam’s book and blog gave me good information and support. Love to you. Theresa LoMonaco 💗

Deena Royal  Mine will be open heart and yes please share any/all information...it is greatly appreciated! 😀 Thank you for the prayers too!🙏🏻

Deena Royal  Hi Jackie!
They changed my date of surgery to 9/22. Unfortunately they will be opening the chest to repair my mitral valve, possibly my tricuspid, and a little hole in the heart. I am staying positive. Glad to hear you are feeling better after two weeks. It gives me hope! I plan on not over doing it but it will be hard not to.😀 Thank you for the uplifting words!