Sunday, November 25, 2012

Etc

Hope all of you had a good Thanksgiving with those you love.  I did.  My mother teared up and told me after all that's gone on this year, we could have had a bad holiday and that we have so much to be thankful for.  So true!  My brother and I both gave her a scare with our hearts.  He had more stents after having a heart attack.  He's doing fine now. 

I've been so caught up in my health issues that I haven't been in touch.  I miss y'all and will try to read your blogs regularly again and write on mine.  We managed to forge a bond that keeps you in my thoughts and holds you close.  Thank goodness for that!  I see some of you on Facebook and am in touch other ways, too.  Thanks for hanging in there!  Hugs!

On a lighter note, Tug asked why when I said this lingering cough (going on now for a month) made me concerned about my sternum.  Seriously?  I explained that it takes quite a while for that to heal and knit back together.  It's held with twist ties, which will remain there, of course, but is healing.  He said he just thought if they had me running on the treadmill at cardiac rehab, I was fine.  I explained how long it's been since I ran at all anywhere and that even if I could run, they wouldn't want me to risk it.  Duh!!  He said well they fixed your heart.  I said yes but not the rest of me and did he think I'd become instantly physically fit and younger?  What I do at cardiac rehab is WALK slowly on the treadmill with no incline (2.2 mph right now from slower and will increase speed) for 20 minutes, pedal the stationary bike for 20 minutes with no resistance, do the NuStep (sort of like a sitting elliptical) for 20 minutes, and pedal an arm thing for 20 minutes.  They increase our time periodically based on our heart monitors and blood pressure readings before during and after rehab each time.  I go three times a week.  It's helping. 

This was a rough surgery and takes about a year to fully recover from, I hear.  Hope I never have it again but glad it fixed my problem.  There is still pain on the right side of my chest where it feels as if a rib is loose and not back in place.  Our ribs aren't meant to pull apart in that direction.  I have an appointment with my cardiologist in a couple of weeks and will ask him about it.  It hurts and also has a burning sensation all across that rib and under my arm.  Someone said that might be a nerve.  Whatever, it's still uncomfortable, and I want it fixed.  Not with surgery though!! 

Well, OK.  Let's carry on! 

9 comments:

the dogs' mother said...

Glad to hear from you and yours and happy tidings.
Eldest knows the whole sternum thing. They cracked his, pulled his ribs out and put a metal bar behind it.
We were concerned he would set off every airport device but he makes it thru all the stuff they have so far.
Take it easy and I do think of you a lot :-)

Joy said...

I think about you often, too. Yikes about GB!! How long ago was that? And why? You've said, I'm sure, but I can't remember the reason.

the dogs' mother said...

Eldest (not GB :-) had a sunken chest and multiple collapsed lungs starting at age 17 and multiple surgeries. He decided to have the chest fixed to see if it would help. Since the big chest surgery (age 21) he had another collapsed lung, ran a marathon and had his (hopefully) last lung collapse in South Korea last year. Supposedly it is a problem with some tall thin males and gets to be less of a problem with age. He is 27 now. It was encouraging he came thru the truck accident recently with no collapse as his seatbelt was across his right side which is the bad lung side. He took a blow and the lung stayed up.
Humans are amazing :-)

Sam said...

So tell me again. How far do you walk at 2.2 mph? I thought maybe you were walking at a faster pace say 2.5 mph. Seriously Joy. Twist ties? Lol
Yes. I really thought you were in a serious training regime and were being forced to run.
I'm so thankful you have recovered so quickly and I now Know you will take time to heal.
Xoxoxo
Oh. There is a senior triathlon being held in Boston things spring. I think you could win it!!!

Joy said...

K - I knew about the collapsed lungs but somehow forgot about the origin of all this. Yes, it's wonderful how much better he's doing now. He's been through a lot.

Sam - Ha ha!!!

Bob said...

I'm just glad you're on the mend .... but running? Oy!

Jackie said...

Hi Joy,

Glad you're doing better. Sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was mercifully quiet. I'm glad you're on the mend.

Ken Riches said...

Hope you can make the exercise a habit, I know my mom (congestive heart failure) needs to walk 45 minutes daily (she started out that way, but is now down to 3, but going back to five).

Hope the healing continues.

Miss Ginger Grant said...

Auntie Flame I am SO GLAD you are up to blogging again! I fear it is becoming a "lost art" like oil painting macrame!! I'm also glad you are on the mend and that you had a great holiday!! Love you bunches!