Michael's Journal

Meredith Bray  My legs are giving me fits, also. Apparently I blew out a valve in my vein, and have to have a procedure done. Be careful with those clots, no heavy lifting ;)

Michael Poe  Thank you Meredith and Bob for your kind words and advice. I'm sure I will pull through this alright. I have faith and I am not worried although I should be, I'm not. Many thanks, Michael

Eleanor R  I am glad you went to the doctor Michael. Imagine if you didn't, you could have had a stroke. Best wishes on your leg surgery, I hope that fixes the problem for you and that you get back your mobility. Good luck to you and Sandy. Eleanor

Meredith Bray  Yippee! About the lifting though...I'm 9 months post-op, and I still get twangs and twinges when I lift boxes at work. So if your employer says no heavy lifting, enjoy it while you can! Hope you have a great holiday season :)
-Meredith

  Go easy when u return. Good your not lifting right away. That will come with time, and then it will be like nothing happened.

Terrie Syvertsen  Hi Michael and Sandy. Sounds as if you are doing all the right things to improve the work situation and I hope for both of your sakes things resolve in your favor. The two of you have been through a lot and it can add so much pressure to a relationship when job problems come into play. Wish your boss would be a little more helpful and your company would come through for you. I hope the stress levels go down as that is so hard on your still healing heart. I wish you luck and that something toes your way soon. Take care you two. Terrie

Michael Poe  Thank you Terrie, we are thankful for the support from this site. I have been pretty busy filling out forms for this and forms for that. I been taking phone calls and putting people off for as long as I can. I explain to them I have no money coming in and they say they will either wait for me to contact them or they'll call back in a couple of weeks. So I am still waiting to hear back from unemployment about my case. I guess if I had not wrote an email to my Veterans Rep. I might not have gotten a call as soon as I had. It may still be a little while before I know I was hoping I'd have known by last Friday but it has come and gone. Well hopefully this week. Michael

Pat B.  Michael, sorry to hear about the other anxieties but glad your moving forward with your recovery and re-building your strength. Hope everything works out...

  I'm with Meredith. Dust off that resume.

I left my job in August, it was a place that sounds as loving and supportive as you describe (yours, not Sandy's). I was getting hassled about my doctor's appointments and being pushed to work unhealthy number of hours and the nastiness was unbelievable, which was making me sicker. There are some places of employment where the only thing that matters is what you do for them. You're not a "person", you're a "performer" and when you are unable to perform, you might at as well not exist to them. That's my experience with that type of boss and co-workers. Maybe it is time, as Meredith said, to dust off the resume. With the clearance you received, with the 10lb restriction, interviewing would fit right into that. I feel for you Michael. I'm sad for you. Thank God for Sandy and her love. And kudos to her boss and co-workers. They are real people, human beings. Hang in there. Put your recovery first. Don't hurt yourself to accommodate selfish people. It's not worth it. THEY are not worth it. Karen

Ruth Valenzuela  That is so sad. I doubt they even realize all you've been through and the seriousness of it all. If they do realize it, then Meredith's suggestion is a good one! Will be praying for you!

Terrie Syvertsen  Michael and Sandy-I am so sorry that you are in such a sad state but it is understandable. Also, no apologies needed for what is neither a rant or rave but an expressing of your feelings and thoughts which is what this community is here for, right?
We have all done it one way or another and isn't it good to just let it out to people who get what you are saying? Know where you are coming from? I have counted many times that I have read about people who have encountered the same type of responses from co-workers and bosses who just haven't a clue how upside down your life has been and no idea, absolutely no idea of your recent or continuing heart journey even though you would love for that to have been the case. As it is, as soon as the scars start to heal people tend to forget that the emotions and process of the body healing is all within where they can't see-You probably look ready to resume all duties to them at work because you are one of those people they count on day in and day out but apparently don't have enough sense to acknowledge at a time they should have. You have a right to be sad and a right as Meredith says "to Dust off that resume" and find a place to work where the environment has a group of workers who would not have let this happen. The most important thing right now Michael is to keep up your strength and push the thoughts of these people behind you for now and let yourself shine in all that you have done together. You and Sandy. All of the time spent learning and getting ready and going through the surgery and coming out the other side for a second chance at life which does not perhaps include a work place such as the one you have been in. One other thing to consider is that like any major illness that one has, some people in a workplace just don't know how to approach someone else as bottom line they are thrilled it isn't happening to them!!!! I think I would be tempted to send a card to your plant manager thanking him for all of his support of you and Sandy and let it go. Might make him think. Who knows. If you are going to want to stay at your job it might not hurt to mention your feelings down the line of being rather abandoned (ya think?) by them and since your wife's workplace reacted differently you have to hang on to the fact this was the case and just be grateful for that as this was great! I am used to working and having it just Gary makes things tight for us during any financial "surprises" so I realize it is hard with the one income but you will work through the unemployment and get back on track so hang in their Heart Brother as the stress is interfering with the great job you have both been doing climbing up and over the mountain and it is still your healing time. Together. You have to forget those who weren't enlightened enough to "have a heart" even if for only the reason that they probably didn't know what to say to you as what you have come through is "HUGE" and HEY DUDE, LOOK AT YOU!!!!! I can't believe that me, a 65 yr. old heart sister with her own incision in the center of her chest is calling you a dude, chuckle, chuckle. I guess I am wanting to just vent FOR YOU TOO!
Anyway, I am going to close as I have written so much on this post "Adam" is going to have to find a new place to navigate to just for me!!! You take care. Just know we understand and are rooting for things turning around for you. Give Sandy a hug!

Virginia (Ginger) French  Yes, Yes, Yes! Michael, I totally agree with Your Heart Brothers and Sisters above. There are workplaces who are with it and back their personnel and there are workplaces that are, face it, just clueless (or at least the people who interact in any way.) I had a head/brain injury years ago. My wise father called and talked to my husband about two weeks after the event (I was on my back in the bed in a DARK QUIET room that was spinning around me, with constant migraines, nausea, vomiting, and....enough of that!) and asked if I was able to talk on the phone. Dad was in management for a seven state area for a large national corporation. He negotiated with the union and had a ton of life experience. He said to me, "Ginger, this may be hard to hear right now, but I know you well enough to know you have the same drive that your sisters and the rest of the family do. Right now we don't know how much of this injury you will recover from. But I want you to give this some thought. There will be people out there who see you and think you look fine. They have no idea how you feel or what you have gone through. And knowing you, you will put up a pretty good front. Some people cannot empathize with another worker unless they are bleeding, have a bone sticking out, or are projectile vomiting. Take my word for it. There are all kinds out there, and I have met many of these folks. Be who you are and don't feel like you have to make excuses. The details of your health is none of their business unless you choose to enlighten them. The sensitive/intuitive ones will figure things out and be on your side. The others are either too afraid to even mention what you have been through or just can's accept it." And that was exactly what I found.

Hang in there, Heart Brother. Keep your integrity and pride.

You may want to get your restrictions in writing from your physician. Employers will NOT press the issue if a doctor is clear.

One time during a flare up of my head injury, I was home in bed for about 5 days. My doctor sent my boss a Fax saying I would be out until at least the beginning of the next week. My boss was stunned! She asked me later Why the fax? when I was back. I said apparently my physician was concerned and knew I needed quiet. She felt strongly enough about it to send the fax. My voss asked me to please ask my doctor never to fax her again! I loved it. Instead of whining about how I was having a problem and missing work, she was walking as though the floor was covered with eggshells. I just went about my work. Twice that day she checked back just to look in the door of my office at me. Big deal!

You and Sandy have just gone through and survived a life threatening health event. That's why it's so nice that you have family here on the site who understand and support and encourage you.

So do what you have been doing, which is taking good care of yourself so you will have a full recovery. Keep your integrity and provide written documentation you bosses do not dare to countermand. And be pleasant, even if they are not. (It just makes them all the smaller!)

My mother, who was incredibly bright and funny, but also a true nurturer, would sometimes say to us, "Remember girls, some people only have a brain the size of a pea !" So instead of getting upset we would all be laughing.

We are here for you and Sandy and praying for you and we have journeyed paths very similar to the one you are on.

Maybe we should check about having a posting on each of the main section pages that says: WARNING! Honesty freely expressed! Encounters with ranting and raving may be encountered. Proceed at your own risk!

Thank God there is a place for this. I went through most of the early days of my head injury along those many years ago. This site helps to mend minds and bodies and hearts in more than one way, and we are blessed.

Hugs to both of you! Ginger

  Oh Ginger, I am going to remember that line about some people only having a brain the size of a pea. I laughed out loud when I read that.

Eleanor R  I agree with the advice, to get something in writing from your doctor. Call the nurse, and have her fax the restrictions to you, you can then fax them in. You are dealing with people who clearly do not understand heart surgery. Makes you want to send them a download of an open heart surgery from youtube! Best wishes to you. Eleanor

Michael Poe  Thank you everyone for the great support and advice. I have a letter from my doctor it is short but here it is: To whom it may concern: It is my medical opinion that Michael Poe may return to work on 10/15/14 with the following restrictions: no lifting, pushing, or pulling greater than 10 pounds. This restriction will be in effect until 12/2/14.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call.
So in a nutshell I have the letter. It is a liability issue as to why I can not go back to work.

  I would say the letter is quite clear. With those restrictions in place, you may return to work but if those restrictions can not be agreed upon by your employer then you can not return to work until 12/2/14. That's their loss. The ball is in their court. You can not return without the restrictions. They can either agree to the terms or not. You can't risk undoing everything you just worked so hard to repair. Your life is the priority here.

Michael Poe  Yes Karen I agree and I also forget that I am the priority, not the job. Although it would be nice to have some money coming in. It is the policy of my company that if I have a restriction that is not workman's compensation related that they have to put me on medical leave. It's aliability thing CYA.

Maryellen LaGarde  I sent you a message today, sorry I was so late responding but I kind of got lost in the site. I have been rather busy too. Hope all is well going back to read your post. n
Maryellen LaGarde

Jeff Wagley  Rock on ! You are progressing really well. Work hard at your rehab that will be a huge benefit. It's been 8 weeks for me and lifting 3 and 5 pound weights and walking my butt off! Keep up the great work. Good to hear from you

Meredith Bray  I was out for the full 12 weeks. I have a CDL and had to pass a DOT physical after i was released to work. It's been almost 7 months, and I still feel the occasional sparkle around my incision. Cardiologist told me yesterday that's normal. G;ad to hear you're doing well!
-Meredith

Eleanor R  I am sorry you had to go back into the hospital to get the Afib under control, but the good thing is it seems to have worked rather quickly. Your poor body was resenting more probes and lines and IVs. I, too, had a brief trip back to the hospital exactly one week after coming home. I was there overnight, so of course all the probes and stickers and everything. Turned out to be nothing, nerves knitting themselves back together in my case, causing numbness in the left hand, apparently quite common, but the surgeon's office wanted to make sure. I came home with a lot of bruises, but not the soreness you are experiencing from the drip. The bruises took forever to go away, some where more sore than others, and the visiting nurse did say to ice the one that really ached, ice one and off for a while. I never did it, just took a Tylenol and hoped for the best! I wish you good healing and a great recovery, and best wishes to Sandy too. Eleanor

Lillian Mark  I have those types of symptoms in my drip sites in the past. In my case it I usually turned out to be that it was an IV site that was used too long for me. Other times it has been irritation from a missed attempt to start the IV, sometimes very close to the site that worked. I have also had drips that were too fast. ALSO IT is common for me to be colored and sore just due to the trauma of the needle and line.All issues resolved them self over time. I hope any pains and discomfort are subsiding. 💗

Angelo Varrone  Michael, Amiodarone is a strong medicine. I had a sizable lump develop at the IV site when I was in the hospital. It took several days to dissolve. The nurses explained that it's fairly common and comes from a not perfectly inserted IV needle.

Mary Myers  Michael, glad you got the Afib under control. On day 3 in the hospital I started with Afib. My heart beat went up to 200 beats per minute. It was scarey. In had seven different episodes. Eventually the doctors got my heart to stay in sinus rhythm. So far so good. But am on a few medicines for rhythm. I had a stress test today, and should start cardiac rehab soon. You are progressing well, keep positive. You are on the road to a healthy life with years and years of time. Do not push yourself to fast. Take care my heart brother. Mia

Eleanor R  I know that must have been scary for you Michael, and maybe even more so for Sandy, I'm sorry for that. These things do happen, as our bodies adjust to the surgery and do their job healing back. The last place you wanted to be was back in the hospital, but I imagine you also felt "safe" once you were there and with folks who knew what was happening, and how to fix it. I am glad the rhythm came back and that you are home. Best wishes to you as you recover. Eleanor

Nancy D  My A-fib started on day 3 post op but wasn't as fast as yours. The cardiologist made rounds and ordered the usual IV meds, and by infusion 2 of 3 my heart rate converted to normal rhythm. It did have me stay an additional day to be monitored coming off the IV and taking the blood thinner and pill to regulate my rhythm once home. I understand those two meds will continue approx. 3 months depending on how I do! I too was told this is the most likely of post op issues that occur mainly because of the heart being irritated from handling and surgery. I hope yours stays in a regular rhythm and you have an uneventful rest of your post op course!!
Stay well, and positive.....
Nancy D

Michael Poe  Thank you everyone, I was on an IV with two different meds. I am currently taking a med to keep my heart in rhythm and an anti-inflammatory. The doctor's both mine the PA and Cardiologist who shocked my heart back said there is a very minute chance that it might come back but they doubt it. I am home and continuing my recovery. Today was busy went to Walmart with Sandy walked a bit sat for a bit walked some more so doing good. Sandy decided that she needed to stay home with me today and tomorrow, which I love and appreciate too. I went to the local coumadin clinic got checked 3.5 I've been taking 5 mg my surgeon office prior to this had me take 2.5 Monday 5 Tuesday 2.5 on Wednesday. The clinic has me on 2.5 for the rest of the week I go back in on Monday. My arms are sore from all the poking and prodding while in the hospital but finally starting to subside now. So on a side note has anyone heard anything about Tom? I have not seen any posts?

Jeff Wagley  Michael your thinning umbels are awesome. It does take a lot of back and forth. I can relate to soreness in the arms and neck area. Sometimes I think I might be doing to much. You are sounding good and getting after it. Keep up the good work it only continues to get better .

  Wow Michael, it sounds like you are really doing fantastic. 5 days post op and you were at Walmart? Wow! Congratulations on all of the wonderful progress.

Meredith Bray  Oh the SNEEZE! I bet that woke you up, eh? 6 months out and I still cringe when I inhale to sneeze, even though there's been no pain for several months. SANDY, GET SOME REST! :)

Eleanor R  Isn't it funny how we can get tired, very suddenly, and by doing nothing much at all! Your body is healing and you're doing well with just a few days after surgery. You and Terrie now have to work out how you handle being home alone, with your spouses back at work. Your work might be even harder, to heal, walk, breathe, rest, keep up with the house to the extent you are able. Lots of things to do, but remember to rest as well. Best wishes, Eleanor

Eleanor R  You have done really well Michael. I think you are now part of the "Alumni club" who would say the actual surgery is not as bad as our imagination. Continue your healing, and resting, I know you will sleep better at home than in the hospital with so many interruptions. Keep healing! Eleanor

  Wow Michael, you are really doing great. I'm so happy for you. How wonderful that you will be going home tomorrow already. Your recovery is fascinating with how fast you are progressing. Good for you....that's fantastic. Have a safe trip home tomorrow.

Michael Culpepper  Michael, sounds like you are on a similar track to what I experienced. Keep at it brother. Stay as active as you can without overly tiring yourself. Your body will love you for it and you will recuperate more rapidly. stay with it and best wishes.
Mike

Eleanor R  Love that the chest tube is out, and they are beginning to remove drips and other equipment, sounds like soon you will be heading home. Great job so far, seems like you are a good patient. Keep it up. Eleanor

Michael Poe  yes I am progressing right along. The staff here is surprised at how fast I am able to adapt to post surgery.Thaey are also surprised at how much I know about my various conditions and how Iam Dealing with my various conditions and how I am able to treat them properly. I've told them I joined this site and have gotten a lot of great infomation from here. They are like yes you have. So a big thank you goes out to Adam Pick and all those who have followed him. Thank you all my Heart Brothers and Sisters send Love Prayers and speedy recoveries to all of you.

Meredith Bray  Yippee! I had difficulty waking up also - and I suffer from sleep apnea. My cPap made it so much easier to breathe that day -- I think I wore it for about 36 hours straight, with oxygen added. Isn't is nice how educating ourselves about our own health makes it easier to deal with? Glad you're doing well.
-Meredith Bray

Michael Poe  Thank you Meredith, yes it is. I am not useing my CPAP machine not for awhile now I was finding it hard to breath with it on. I was having problemsout of surgery because I was not able to stay awake. Iplan on going back to my machine once I am futher into recovery, Michael

Eleanor R  That is great that you haven't had much pain, you're quite a trooper looks like. I hope your wife is holding up also. With the breathing tube, until we're awake, which does take a while doesn't it!, and breathing regularly on our own, with a good oxygen content in our blood, they don't wean us off the ventilator, so I'm glad it went ok with you. What a relief, right? Good for the drat spirometer, that does take an effort, but it helps get your lungs open and able to help you breathe deeply. Sure hurts the chest though, that and coughing, and of my, sneezing. You will have some days that are really good, then another day when you feel more tired and "blah" than before, but know that it is all progress, moving ahead and before you know it you will be walking as much as you want, going up and down stairs, and won't even realize how much you have achieved until you stop and think about it. I'm at week 8 post surgery, and am doing great, ready to start cardiac rehab next week, I hope. Best wishes to you and Sandy. Eleanor

Michael Poe  Yes Mia I know, I just feel so good and blessed to be alive again. Full of enegy.Yes I'm doing good with the spirometer between 1500 and 2000 on the scale. I had my fist walk today right after I gotto my room with one more sceduled for later today. I'm readinng over the journal entries now and will respond when I can. Many thanks to all of my Heart Brothers and Sisters. May God bless each and every one of you. Michael

Eleanor R  Oh, my goodness, 1500 and 2000 on the scale and just out of surgery!! I must be a real lung wimp, for even now I am not able to get it consistently up to 2000. Hurray for you Michael! Eleanor

Meredith Bray  The worst part is over - no more waiting! :) G;ad you made it. Keep breathing! Keep walking! Stand up as straight as you can! :)
-Meredith Bray

  Congratulations Michael. It's good to see things went well. I wish you well with your recovery. Karen Pineda

Mary Myers  Michael welcome to the healing side. So good to see you journaling. Keep strong . Make sure to rest, take pain pills as needed, and you will be ready to go home sweet home before you know it! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. 😆Mia
.
!

Michael Meyer  Michael:
My very best as you begin this journey. I will pray for a successful surgery, outcome and recovery.

Michael Meyer

Michael Poe  Thank you Marci, Sandy and I are reviewing the web site you gave us and it has been extremely helpful. Thanks again, Michael

Jerry H  HI MIchael, I saw your post on my entry last night. So, one of the things to talk to your doctor about is his or her philosophy on blood thinners. Don't let the drug manage you manage the drug according to your life. That being said if you are a professional knife thrower or a vegan who only eats salad or broccoli at every meal it's probably not a good idea to do the warfarin. I am obviously joking a bit, but seriously life is about moderation and balance. The list of things you can't eat or do is stupid long, but the thing to keep in mind is it is comprised of a list of things that people have reacted to while on warfarin. Everyone has a different body chemistry. If you are sensitive to meds in general you may have an issue. You are doing the right thing by looking into everything but make sure you get both sides of the story and put it all in context. Best of luck, if I can answer anything else let me know.

Michael Poe  That k you Jerry, that is what I am trying to do but I need to start somewhere and that is here. Michael

M Ratchford  Hi Michael - best advice i was given is blood thinners dont dictate your diet. just continue to eat what you would normally eat and the blood thinners are adjusted accordingly. in other words blood thinners dont dictate your diet. one thing to be aware of though is that some medications like antibotics can affect the efficiency of blood thinners.so go ahead and enjoy life as usual and blood thinners will adjust to your lifestyle not the other way round good luck.

M Ratchford  Hi Michael - best advice i was given is blood thinners dont dictate your diet. just continue to eat what you would normally eat and the blood thinners are adjusted accordingly. in other words blood thinners dont dictate your diet. one thing to be aware of though is that some medications like antibotics can affect the efficiency of blood thinners.so go ahead and enjoy life as usual and blood thinners will adjust to your lifestyle not the other way round good luck.

M Ratchford  Hi Michael - best advice i was given is blood thinners dont dictate your diet. just continue to eat what you would normally eat and the blood thinners are adjusted accordingly. in other words blood thinners dont dictate your diet. one thing to be aware of though is that some medications like antibotics can affect the efficiency of blood thinners.so go ahead and enjoy life as usual and blood thinners will adjust to your lifestyle not the other way round good luck.

M Ratchford  Hi Michael - best advice i was given is blood thinners dont dictate your diet. just continue to eat what you would normally eat and the blood thinners are adjusted accordingly. in other words blood thinners dont dictate your diet. one thing to be aware of though is that some medications like antibotics can affect the efficiency of blood thinners.so go ahead and enjoy life as usual and blood thinners will adjust to your lifestyle not the other way round good luck.

Meredith Bray  Hi Michael, I ahven't changed my diet at all because of the Coumidin. I am more aware of how much green food I eat, but since my INR levels have evened out I only get tested every 4 weeks. The only time my levels fluctuate is when I'm on vacation - less salad and more booze :) If you're happy with your regular diet, don't change it!
-Meredith Bray

Pat B.  Michael, consistency in diet is the key thing I've read which is what everyone above is saying. This short document has some good general information including a vitamin k food chart... best of luck

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hematology/anticoagulation/downloads/warfarin-patient-education.pdf

Terrie Syvertsen  Good that you were able to accomplish so much. Hope your wife is also feeling better about your upcoming surgery. It won't be long now and you will be on the other side of all of this! Take care and good night folks! Terrie

Michael Poe  Yes, thank you Terrie she is doing much better the day after. It was a lot for her to take in being the care giver and my wife. I am taking it all in stride. We received info from Marci about Coumadin dietary requirements and things are looking up. Michael

Terrie Syvertsen  Hello Michael and Sandy. Doesn't it seem a little less stressful when you become more armed with information and answers come to you that take a way the anxiety a little at a time. You are both very lucky to have each other as it is much easier having someone close by or family or good friends who can step in when needed. Some don't even have that and I wonder at the ones out there(and there are many) who just knuckle down, take any and all help they are given and still manage to do a damned great job of pushing through everything. All will work out as it is meant to be and you two start out with the strength of TWO! One suggestion I also have is make sure you have many sizes of clean pillows so you have a clean spot to perch or land while in recovery. Headed for bed now myself. Take care now. Terrie

Jeff Wagley  Michael, good that your thinking ahead. I was not big on any of the furniture but my parents along with my wife talked me into a recliner chair. My bed stayed the same . I just bought extra pillows to prop myself many different ways. My wife got a shower chair at Walmart for 35 bucks . Best thing one can get. Sitting up in The shower with the warm water feels great, was a two minute shower guy. I would recommend a good fan that moves air as well.

Mary Myers  Michael, I would suggest you get the power recliner chair. I ended up sleeping in the chair a lot the first two weeks. A shower chair comes in handy. A big body pillow really helped.
Try to relax these next couple of days. Focus on positive things and enjoy each day. You may want to go into my journal and read some suggestions that I have. Look forward to hearing from you. Your heart sister. Mary (mia)

Michael Meyer  Michael, since I had the robotic surgery did not have issues with the chest incision. I used lots of pillows in bed. I spent a lot of time in my recliner downstairs especially for naps. I transitioned to showers standing very quickly. Have a great weekend. Relax this weekend prior to the surgery on Tuesday.

Michael Meyer

Eleanor R  I didn't rent a hospital bed, but I did rent an electric power lift recliner, and I've been sleeping in it since I got home. It is almost seven weeks now, and I really do need to get back in bed, but the recliner is next to my bed and so comfortable that I've not given it up. I did try the bed in week two or three, but it is not comfortable and at that time I was not able to move around too much, as you can't push or pull with your arms for the first three or four weeks. I still use the shower chair, just because it is so relaxing to sit under warm water, but I stand up now too. At the beginning, there was no standing, and you need to have someplace to sit down when you get out of the shower. I have a nice space between the shower and the tub, but even a towel on top of the toilet would be fine, just to make sure you have a safe landing place while you dry off. You will get tired easily the first couple of weeks. Make sure everything is within reach, or maybe you will be lucky and your wife will be home with you to reach for you. I had my adult daughter staying with me, which was a real comfort. Best wishes to you, Eleanor

Meredith Bray  Hi Michael. I used an electric recliner. It was handy for the reclining function, and I didn't use it too many times to assist in standing up. Maybe 10 times teh first week? I got impatient after that because it moved so slow, and just stood up on my own. If you practice now, it'll be easier afterwards!