The exercise has been going well. Sunday I opted for walking around the Sharks Tooth Festival instead of the treadmill. Granted the cinnamon glazed, strawberry topped funnel cake did nothing for my cause :) But was it ever good !
I'm also noticing a slight increase in my energy level too which is a Blessing. Oh! and I finally tackled the multi-station gym ! Not much, just 2 sets of upper body weights, and I came to another realization. I am weak. The time for getting serious has long been waiting.
I know the strength training is crucial. Especially since my transplant cocktail includes the dreaded Prednisone! (Holds fingers in the shape of a cross and gives a hiss) Prednisone has many medical uses, helping prevent organ rejection is a great reason to keep it around. The side effects of long term use are no walk in the park either though. It loves to slowly chip away at bones and muscle, so strength training is important. My doctor once said "one week missed exercising for me was similar to a healthy person missing 2 months " !! *groans & hangs head* I have a lot of catching up to do.
I still firmly believe that since Prednisone has been around since the dawn of time they could've made it taste better! Have you ever had that tiny pill stick to your tongue? Or worse, the roof of your mouth? OMG! Nothing gets rid of that taste!
Since my IV stopped Saturday my cough is slowly returning as I knew it would. My vicious circle of survival :) but now the vertigo has reared her wavy head too. This morning I sat on the bed as the room spun a few times and considered calling out "Auntie Em!" Toto!" I'll up my water intake and see if it helps. If not, at least I won't be dehydrated-but possibly feel like the Titanic. ;)
Errands today and orders to finish and water to drink, my day is planned. Hope yours is happy and productive too.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
A Slow Journey
As a kid I always heard you have to put one foot in front of the other before you can get anywhere. Meaning you must take that first step.
Having mentally psyched myself up all day Friday to hop on that fiery steed (treadmill) & ride into battle, I did just that after the evening walk with the boys. Dreading the plantar fasceitis pain in the morning I was determined to try again. Plus I was hoping to regain that blissful sleep I longed for from released endorphins.
Nook ready I began my walk. Was this only 2.5 mph? I was walking that post transplant. Wow! I realized my endurance and stamina had taken a seriously long vacation and left me to pick up the pieces. Armed with a good book, I walked 30 minutes. All the while reminding myself I used to hit 90 and reset the timer.
I jumped the first hurdle ! Now to continue! Day 2 I rode my stationary bike, which is like taking a spear to the knees, but I jumped that too ! I took my IV out yesterday so now I'm looking at the multi-station gym with squinty eyes hoping to scare it into submission.
It's taken a longtime to get here, so the climb out will be too. But, to keep honoring my donors and their families, it is a mental must for me.
Having mentally psyched myself up all day Friday to hop on that fiery steed (treadmill) & ride into battle, I did just that after the evening walk with the boys. Dreading the plantar fasceitis pain in the morning I was determined to try again. Plus I was hoping to regain that blissful sleep I longed for from released endorphins.
Nook ready I began my walk. Was this only 2.5 mph? I was walking that post transplant. Wow! I realized my endurance and stamina had taken a seriously long vacation and left me to pick up the pieces. Armed with a good book, I walked 30 minutes. All the while reminding myself I used to hit 90 and reset the timer.
I jumped the first hurdle ! Now to continue! Day 2 I rode my stationary bike, which is like taking a spear to the knees, but I jumped that too ! I took my IV out yesterday so now I'm looking at the multi-station gym with squinty eyes hoping to scare it into submission.
It's taken a longtime to get here, so the climb out will be too. But, to keep honoring my donors and their families, it is a mental must for me.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Finding Myself
I am once again sitting upright in my recliner (since 2AM) with the boys trying to yet again stop coughing. My lack of sleep does give me a bit of thinking time.
Looking back I seem to have left "me" somewhere. I can just see myself at a roadside rest stop patiently waiting for me to come to the rescue.
I always had such determination, where has it gone ? My health has always been my health#1priority, but now I'm just tired.
I realize it's a culmination of events, and finding a way to jump the hurdle. 2002 was my 2nd lung transplant, giving me Blessed freedom from oxygen. But I came home from the hospital knowing I would need a new kidney.
November 2004 I got the fistula placed in my upper right arm in case of dialysis (which was looming on the horizon. ). Taking 6 months to heal and "cure" put a dent in my exercise routine.
Just as it healed, May 2005 I got a new kidney!
My right abdomen groaned with each step.... no treadmill..
Many of my meds to protect my kidneys were now stopped, which created that heart disease rearing to be noticed. I got a pacemaker. No lifting, exercising, etc for awhile. Then came SVT ....and heart ablation. Again no exercise.
What followed through the years was a series of at home IV infusions for Pseudomonas in my right (old transplant) lung, ending with spending 9 months taking Levacquin 750 mg & Keflex 500 mg daily. Both causing insomnia to the point I thought I was dreaming I was awake !
2012 was a bad year. Picc line for more antibiotics, plus more Levacquin (wonder if I glow neon in the dark yet ). Then a port to make IV's easier. And just when I thought it was now MY time here comes Keratoacanthoma and 3 months wait to have it removed. That is healed and in the past-so guess what is visiting now?
Most of my days are spent in a routine.
1. drink a bottle of water fast and hug the porcelain throne hoping to bring all this gunk out of my right lung, so I don't cough continually all day long. And it's one of these gut wrenching coughs, causing teary eyes and abdonimal muscle cramps.
If I don't get it loose and away, it blocks my airways and at times making me gasp for air and choke. It doesn't help my biggest fear is suffocating. Not a good feeling to wake from a nice, peaceful REM sleep to gasping the rest of the night.
The loss of my lil Dibs has created another chasm to jump. My lil guy has been with me through it all, on my lap or laying next to me. 8 weeks and it feels like forever. I tear up just trying to type his name :(
So here I sit, close to 5AM now, thinking how to reclaim Me again..
My middle man cuddled up close (a first, making me smile), I take a sip of lukewarm coffee, 30 minutes and my morning IV will be ready to start. I 'll trudge to the counter, holding my left side-diverticulitis has chosen to pay me a visit, grab the syringes and IV and start my day.
Looking back I seem to have left "me" somewhere. I can just see myself at a roadside rest stop patiently waiting for me to come to the rescue.
I always had such determination, where has it gone ? My health has always been my health#1priority, but now I'm just tired.
I realize it's a culmination of events, and finding a way to jump the hurdle. 2002 was my 2nd lung transplant, giving me Blessed freedom from oxygen. But I came home from the hospital knowing I would need a new kidney.
November 2004 I got the fistula placed in my upper right arm in case of dialysis (which was looming on the horizon. ). Taking 6 months to heal and "cure" put a dent in my exercise routine.
Just as it healed, May 2005 I got a new kidney!
My right abdomen groaned with each step.... no treadmill..
Many of my meds to protect my kidneys were now stopped, which created that heart disease rearing to be noticed. I got a pacemaker. No lifting, exercising, etc for awhile. Then came SVT ....and heart ablation. Again no exercise.
What followed through the years was a series of at home IV infusions for Pseudomonas in my right (old transplant) lung, ending with spending 9 months taking Levacquin 750 mg & Keflex 500 mg daily. Both causing insomnia to the point I thought I was dreaming I was awake !
2012 was a bad year. Picc line for more antibiotics, plus more Levacquin (wonder if I glow neon in the dark yet ). Then a port to make IV's easier. And just when I thought it was now MY time here comes Keratoacanthoma and 3 months wait to have it removed. That is healed and in the past-so guess what is visiting now?
Most of my days are spent in a routine.
1. drink a bottle of water fast and hug the porcelain throne hoping to bring all this gunk out of my right lung, so I don't cough continually all day long. And it's one of these gut wrenching coughs, causing teary eyes and abdonimal muscle cramps.
If I don't get it loose and away, it blocks my airways and at times making me gasp for air and choke. It doesn't help my biggest fear is suffocating. Not a good feeling to wake from a nice, peaceful REM sleep to gasping the rest of the night.
The loss of my lil Dibs has created another chasm to jump. My lil guy has been with me through it all, on my lap or laying next to me. 8 weeks and it feels like forever. I tear up just trying to type his name :(
So here I sit, close to 5AM now, thinking how to reclaim Me again..
My middle man cuddled up close (a first, making me smile), I take a sip of lukewarm coffee, 30 minutes and my morning IV will be ready to start. I 'll trudge to the counter, holding my left side-diverticulitis has chosen to pay me a visit, grab the syringes and IV and start my day.
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