Week of April 6

[adina]

OK... where IS everybody?

I walked .75 miles in 30 minutes on the TM today at 1.5 mph. I ALmost made it with no brief stops. I USED to be able to walk at 2 mph, so after resting for a couple of minutes I thought I'd just TRY it, and I was able to do 2 minutes and 53 seconds at 2 mph. So, that's something to shoot for. I added some strength training today: did six different arm exercises, 10 reps each, using 2 lb hand weights. Whew.... the rest of my exercise today will be dancing...... as in watching "Dancing With The Stars." ;D

[merryfl]

Here I am!! I'm like a bad penny...always turn up eventally! I wnet to the gym today and was moved up to 1.2 mph. Three sets of seven minutes with good rests between. Then I did the leg press - three sets of 6 at 65 lbs. I have a lot of swelling in my legs from the prednisone when makes them very heavy...makes the walking harder. I guess, in a way, that helps build up my strength!

The RPT who runs the gym says they can't push me to get stronger until my chest tubes are out and my incisions are totally healed. Until then it will be very gradual - spent more maintaining what I have than trying to build up more. So, I have to be patient. So far, everything has been just right in my mind -- nothing hurts to do, but I can tell that it takes an effort. I guess they have my number!

[adina]

Wow, Merry, that's GREAT! I think you are doing just wonderful! Isn't your chest sore from the surgery? How does that affect your exercising? Thanks for being such an inspiration!

[maryaz]

Adina, you are doing great. Don’t push it up too fast. You might feel it in a day or so. Don’t be too anxious to increase. Go Slow. I know you know. Just a friendly reminder. I would get your distance you want and then add the speed.

Adina; I don’t know about Merry but when they cut Joe to remove the 2 lower lobes of his lung, it was a large incision and like an ‘L’ shape. Then he had the 2 tubes for drainage also. He never really complained badly of pain EXCEPT where they cut the ribs to go in. To this day he can still complain of some feeling there. With the cancer surgery they were always saying ‘to stay ahead of the pain’ as for taking the pills. This is pounded into you.

BTW Adina, I love the bunnies on your posts.

On to me, I did warmups and I did the TM and planned to go back and do again. However, I have started clearing closets of things to get rid of. You would not believe the books in our house. BIG, heavy books. My husband was gone and so I pulled lots of books out of a closet. I realized I was really getting exercise. These were heavy. That was more exercise. Lifting. If Joe was home he would not let me do it. I do go a little too far with it.

TM 8 minutes at 1.1-1.2

[merryfl]

Hi troops! Today, I did the same on the leg press. They changed the TM a little - 2 sets of nine minutes at 1.2 mph. It was a little shorter time total, but doc says the longer spans are harder work than the short spans, so it evens out to about the same amount of work.

And Mary - Joe's right. My incision is like a clam shell from under my shoulder blade around to under the breast. I had 2 drainage tubes both on the right (got one out today). The only pain has been in the incision and tubes - mostly when I cough. Which I do alot I have not needed any pain meds since 10:00 last night, so there is a big improvement. And since the tube came out this afternoon, I have not worn any oxygen. My chest moves when I BREATHE!
I feel great!

[Colleen-NC]

Merry, your doing great!! Must feel good to tget one of the drains out, that seems to be the biggest complaint.

I didn't do so well today at rehab,was late. My wonderful son took my phone charger and I ran to 3 stores trying to find one. I need to upgrade my phone.

I went 4 mins on the bike at 20 watts
10 min on the nustep, started at 2 worked up to 5
Did the arm thing for 6 minutes at 5 watts.

Then went to 3 store and bought 2 pairs of shoes, and a new pair of pants.

I am incredibly tired!

[adina]

MaryAZ, point well taken on not pushing it too fast. Sometimes we need those reminders. Good job on the TM, Mary, and I honestly think that lifting those heavy books definitely qualifies for strength training. That is HARD work! Thanks for the compliment on the bunnies!

Merry, I didn't know they could do a TX that way, so that's wonderful. And you're coming along so well with your strength training AND the TM! And I'm glad to hear you're able to get off the pain meds so soon. It does my heart good to hear how well you're doing.

Colleen, you showed up and you DID the work! Good for you. The NuStep is one thing I miss from Rehab. Shopping and trying on clothes is exhausting; it is also hard work for people like us. Good going!

I was able to do my full 30 minutes on the TM, but it was sure more difficult today. I sure wish I knew exactly what causes a down or "bad" day. I think it could have been the weather today... very cold and snowy. Anyway, I did the first 10 minutes at 1.6 mph, then had to stop. I did the next 15-17 minutes at 1.5 mph, but I had to stop a couple of times for a couple minutes. I finished up at 1.5 mph, for a total of .76 miles. I still feel more SOB this evening.

[maryaz]

Merry, you are so inspiring. Always have that smile on your face when we come in here to see you. ;D You are for sure moving forward.

Colleen, hope the pants and shoes were for you.

Last week the RT sent me home with some exercises to start doing at home at regular intervals to get me built back up. She only named them and when I got home I couldn't figure exactly what she wanted and had to wait until today to find out. One is a set of Theraband and she had me doing them and wow did I get worn out. I did the nustep but was doing the theraband the proper way that got me. I could feel it. I am so out of shape.

TM 10 minutes at 1.1 - 1.2

Not sure if it was both the TM and the exercises or just really the exercises but something got me. I probably should keep my TM at 10 minutes for a bit.

[adina]

Mary, I can empathize with you, as I'm just getting RE-started again, too. But you got to rehab, did your theraband exercises, plus, AND the TM, so BRAVO!

My workout went a little better today. I was able to do my .75 miles on the TM without stopping today, but I had to go down from the 1.5 mph I did for the first 27 minutes or so to 1.3 miles an hour for the last 3+ minutes in order NOT to stop until finished. Total time: 30.5 minutes. Did 6 sets of 10 upper body strength training exercises with 2 lb. weights. It's sunny today, not too windy, so I'm going to get out and do SOMEthing! lol

[merryfl]

I am very proud of you gals! Especially all that shopping, Colleen! What hard work you're doing. Oh, yeah -- and that exercise stuff is pretty cool, too.

I went to PT without O2 today. Scarey thoughts!!! Did 2 sets of 10 minutes at 1.2 mph, and then 3 sets of 6 on the leg press at 75 pounds. Apparently the PT doc is a liar, and he has every intention of making my work harder --- I knew he would! Anyway, my sats never went below 89% while I was walking -- and I was talking to another lady the whole time.

Another good day.

[sue]

Well, I got my behind outside for a 20 min walk last night. I saw some daffodils in bloom, some crocus and lily of the valley leaves popped up, and tiny green leaves on a bush, so spring is finally trying to show up here.
I'm going to try for another walk today.

[merryfl]

Did everyone take the day off? Come on you guys!!
I went to PT again today - no rest for the wicked! Walked 11 minutes at 1.3mph, then walked 11 minutes at 1.4mph. The did the leg press: 3 sets of 6 at 75lbs. Was tired at the end, but it was a goood tired.

Remember when you were a kid and you'd go outside in the winter to play. You'd breathe in all that cold air and it would make your chest burn. I've been experiencing that. I guess I'm getting in so much more O2 than I've had in a very long time - my body is not quite sure what to do with it.

[maryaz]

Hi Merry, You are putting us all to shame. That is OK, just keep doing it.

I didn't get to rehab today. I did no more than my warmups tonight. Tried to do TM about an hour ago and just could not. I am not really having a breathing problem as I am sinus/allergy. I slept over half the day. Just could not get motivated. Our air quality is yuk now too. I think of Ken all the time when we are having bad days. We did go get haircuts yesterday and was out and in the salon for over an hour. That may have had some effect too.

I will be trying to really get it done tomorrow. On the plus side, I have not messed up my diet that started on April 1st. Been watching calories and marking them.

[adina]

Looks like it was a slow day for many.

Sue, a walk outside in the spring is "exercise" for the soul, too. Good going.

Merry, you are doing SOOO well! We're proud of you, and pulling for you as our exercise. LOL

Mary, I sure understand the tiredness. I know you'll get back with it.

I didn't do any "formal" exercise today either. But I did clean.. ran the vacuum. Oh, I did go for a brief walk outside. I can't go nearly as fast or as far as on the TM, but at least I got out and did a little.

[adina]

Oh good grief! I don't know what the heck is going on... maybe (Hopefully) it's just the darned weather. I am much more SOB today and was only able to go 11 minutes on the TM at 1 to 1.2 mph, when I can usually go 1.5 mph. I'm going to try again later to do a little more.

Where IS everyone?

Merry, did you get situated in your condo today?

[maryaz]

Adina, we are not working together here. I am doing fine today. Lol! Yesterday I was like you sound today.

I am finally starting to feel I am back into this. I did good today on TM. I can feel it now. I wanted to go one more minute but I just knew I shouldn't. I played around trying to figure out some of these new theraband exercises my RT suggested I do. I don't have them right yet. She told me, I BETTER do them in front of a mirror, meaning I have a ways to go to get them right. Keep arms at side and stand up straight, things like that. Ha, ha.

TM 14 minutes @ 1.1 to 1.2

My Pulmonary Dr told me one time that sometimes you just don't know why the breathing is not our normal. Hope tomorrow is better Adina. Merry, I am thinking you may have had a tiring day moving today. Take care,

[maryaz]

WOW! I get to talk to myself. ;D ;D

I had a difficult day trying to do my TM. It has been raining all day. I suspect that may be the problem. I did 10 minutes and just had to stop. HOWEVER, I went back a while ago and did 5 more. I really wanted to do the same as yesterday. WELLLLL, guess what, I only did 14 yesterday. Oh Well, I am at 15 now.

TM 15 minutes @ 1.1 to 1.2

Been nice talking to you Mary.

[adina]

Oh, Mary, you're SO funny! Now, the only problem with talking to yourself (as I see it) is if you ANswer yourself. lol

I'm sorry you struggled so today, but you ended up doing a great job in spite of it. So congratulations on uping your time and doing 15 minutes! Bravo! Terrific!

I did a little better than yesterday, but am still struggling. I managed a little over 10 minutes at 1.3 to 1.4 mph for about .225 mile. The weather was better--sunny and a little warmer--so I don't know what's going on. I started taking theophylline on Wed., which is SUPPOSED to help, not make things WORSE! I'll see if I can get a little time in tomorrow.

[adina]

Well, I finished off the week with a total of 25 1/2 minutes on the TM, but I had to break it up into two sections--one about 11 minutes, and the other of about 14 1/2 minutes. The first section I managed to start at 1.4 mph but had to lower it to 1.2 mph. The second section I had to stay at 1.2 mph. I walked a total of 1/2 mile. I'm going to have to call my doc tomorrow as I've been steadily going downhill all week, and it's been since I started on theophylline on Wed. Sigh..... Hope everyone had a nice day.

[maryaz]

Adina, HAPPY BELATED EASTER!

I took the day off. I usually take Sunday off. I stopped by here because you came in.

I did go off my diet for today. I have been dieting almost 2 weeks and it is working for me BUT, I did excuse myself today and had the special meal with my family. I did watch that I didn't eat a lot of seconds. Notice I said 'not a 'lot' of seconds' Lol!! One cupcake could have been enough but gosh it was a holiday. Two were better. OMG Lol!

Seriously though, I did watch everything else during the day. I had no extras except that. I think Xmas, Thanksgiving and Easter would be the only times I would do that. Thanksgiving would be bad, real bad for me. I like that dinner.

Adina, best get on top of things. It seemed like you were struggling. If I feel okay, I can usually stay were I am at, at least on the TM. Let us know after you talk to the doctor. Hopefully we can find out Merry's story. Maybe no hookup for Internet and may not see her for month. Hope she is okay though.