Heather's Posts

Recovery is a long, long road. It seems like everyone agrees, but I have a few accomplishments that I want to share. On the first day of Cardiac Rehab, there was a man moving fast on the elliptical. I thought to myself, "one day, that will be me." So they put me on a bike so that my sternum could heal more. Within the next weeks, I walked the thread mill. But today..... I ran the elliptical for 20 minutes. I also regularly lift 5 pound weights in each hand. I know that does not sound like a lot, but it is good for me. I also work my core and alternate legs and arms. Small but steady successes. My sister visited the Northwest for the first time and I really needed her visit. We went across the bridge of Gods to Mount Hood, up to Timberline, down to Hood River and over to Multnomah Falls. No snowboarding yet, not much hiking, but I kept up. Although I was tired this week, I truly enjoyed every moment. Her visit reminded me of why we moved to Washington and how much I miss snowboarding. It's a goal that I have now. I will be back on the slopes before I know it. The clicking is still really annoying but the pain is manageable now finally. I miss my friends at school but I will be back before they know it:)

5 weeks out from surgery. I have started cardiac rehab and all I can say is Holy Moly, Batman. Activities and exercises that I have been able to do all of my life for long periods of time, really really push me. I just can't do them today. Before surgery, I think most people would agree that I was a fast walker. And I loved to walk. Nope, not anymore. I lasted 15 minutes and it was slow. Then the bike, I lasted 7 minutes. Are you kidding me? That is nothing compared to how I felt afterwards. I felt like another bus ran over me. Also, the wires under the incision seem to poke out randomly and man, they hurt. I go to cardiac rehab twice a week and the second day this week I did last a little longer. 30 minutes, bike only. I admit it is frustrating but everyone seems to say that it is always frustrating in the beginning. There was a gentleman there today who was running. He was really running and said he looked similar to me when he got there. And today he was running. I am making that my goal in the weeks to come. I guess I will go back next week.

I would describe myself as an optimist. My mom always said that "if i did not have anything nice to say, then do not say anything at all." So, last week I kept my mouth shut. Everything bothered me. My back, the clicking, the pain from the wires, my appetite, my lack of sleep, my energy, etc. Then Sunday, I delayed my Tylenol (not on purpose) and that put me in more pain. I say all of that because on Monday, I went for post op appointment one month out and was reassured that I should have all of the feelings that I do. It's normal that I am hot one minute and cold another. It's normal that I cry easily. That I doubt myself. It's normal that the clicking keeps me up up at night and I could take a little melatonin . It's normal for my tastes to change. It's okay if I still can not wear a bra. It will be another 4 weeks before my sternum quits cracking. And the nerve endings are trying to grow back and it REALLY hurts. Still, when I am ready, I could start trying a bra and start driving and I could keep the pillow between me and the seat belt. So, I felt reassured. Tuesday was the worst day yet because I could not pass my bowels. Anyone that knows me knows that I have extensive issues in that area. But I made it through. Then, Wednesday, I drove my family to the store. I wore the pillow to separate me from the seat belt. And I was very tired so Kevin drove home, but I did it. Then Thursday, I drove myself to the anticoagulation clinic. I texted Kevin before I left, I texted him when I got there and he followed me home. I did great. Speaking of them....... I am practicing patience with myself. My INR level is clearly not regulated. I usually run high. 3.9 was my last check but everyone states it will eventually level out. I start cardiac rehab on Monday and I hope that helps me build my stamina and confidence. I also meet with my new cardiologist and my PCP. Hopefully, I will have a lot to update you next week. Thanks for all of your words of encouragement. It really helps to bounce thoughts off of people that have been through this process.