Week of April 27th

[Colleen-NC]

The other thread was 2 pages so I figured I'd start a new one, even tho its a day late!

18 min @ 1.4 on the treadmill - tried the cool down button, it brought it down to .5 mph and I just can't walk that slow LOL !! (to make 20 mins.)
4 mins. on the Armogometer
8 Mins. on the Nu step

I have been avoiding that darn bike, I will get on it Thursday, maybe LOL I really don't like it!

All & All a good day.

[merryfl]

Good job Colleen!! You are coming right along.
Yesterday I walked 15 minutes at 2.0 and 15 minutes at 2.1, so I am now past the 1 mile mark in 30 minutes!!
Leg press: 3 sets of 6 at 110 lbs
Leg extensions 3 sets of 6 at 60 lbs
Leg curls: 3 sets of 6 at 50 lbs

No PT today. ;D But we did walk the dog tonight for 20 minutes, plus had to go to the hospital pharmacy for refills this morning (walk through parking garage, cross street, walk through hospital, visit pharmacy, reverse process) which was a pretty good hike.

[Colleen-NC]

Must feel so good to do it without being SOB!!

[willomar]

Colleen, way to go.
Merry, tears of joy for you.
Adina, Sue, Mary and Everybody else, where are you?
As for me, well no tai chi class today, due to cold weather. Poor excuse but its the best one I have so it will have to do. Practiced at home and did a few dozen laps around the house all day while chasing dust bunnies, labrador and my own tail.

[merryfl]

I guess I'm the only one who worked out today. Shame on you all!!
I only did 15 minutes on the treadmill today at 2.1mph. Then did all the same weight stuff as listed above. Then the therapist started me on the upper body machines. I don't know what they are called, but there were 3 different machines. One you start with arms overhead and pull down, one you pull like rowing a boat, and one you push away from you. They were all on very light weight (around 10 pounds, I think) because of my incision, but I could still feel them working. I haven't done much in the way of upper body work in years except with very light dumbbells (3#) so I may be a little sore tomorrow. We'll see.

[maryaz]

Hi Merry; Glad you are doing well. I was suppose to get back started today but got sidetracked. My husband is building a wall across a big room to make 2 rooms. I was sorting a bunch of stuff for garbage and garage sale that was stacked (unorderly) on a big bookcase in one of the rooms. I got a lot of exercise I think. I know I was not breathing good. I was picking up a lot of heavy books. Was just something I felt I had to do to contribute. He is not even up to what he is doing. I will be back.

[blondie]

I went to the craft class today. I'm still working on my new hobo bag. I moved my arms alot, does that count..lol Just thought I'd throw a little levity in there...Pat

[merryfl]

Well, since we are home now, I had to go to the grocery store today and to the drug store to get some refills for DH. That was a pretty good workout for me. I haven't found a gym yet. The one here in town is closed -- due to lack of interest, so I have to look further afield.

[adina]

Hi all, I've been feeling a little depressed as I have not yet been able to get back to where I was before that fiasco with theophylline, and it's now been 2 1/2 weeks. Everything just seems to take SOOO much effort that sometimes I just feel very worn out. I did the TM on Monday, skipped Tues. and Wed. and did it again today. I did 30 minutes both days, and Monday I didn't have to stop at all, but today I had to stop a couple of times. I did the first 15 minutes at 1.3 mph and the rest at 1.2 mph. Before I went on the theo, I could walk w/o stopping for 30 minutes at 1.5 mph. I have an appointment with my doc next Wed., so maybe he'll have some insight.

Merry, every time you post your progress I am just thrilled for you! Keep up the great work! And now the upper body exercises - way to go! I do hope that you can find a place to exercise now that you're home, though.

Colleen, I KNOW you'll get to that bike... yes you WILL! Great job with the TM (you've been going a little faster and a little longer!), Ergometer and NuStep! On second thought, why do you HAVE to do the bike? When I was in rehab I would spend my time on the three things you do, and they didn't care because I was getting a good overall workout.

Willo, you're too funny! So, what's your excuse today, girl?! lol

Pat, I know you were being funny, but I think what you're doing actually DOES qualify for what the Cleveland Clinic would call upper arm endurance training. Keeping the upper body active and toned, as you know, is a big help in keeping us as independent as possible.

MaryAZ, the same goes for you, especially with the books. That could qualify for some strength training, actually. Not an easy task.

OK... Sue, where are you? Yoo-hoo!

[maryaz]

Adina, sometimes they just don’t know what is going on with us. I hope maybe your doctor will have some idea. So many factors to take into account when we are different from day to day and often it is just something like the weather, or even an unknown.

I have been struggling the past couple days. I just realized tonight I needed my 02 turned up. I usually turn it up if exercising. I forgot that lifting heavy books and such is like exercise.

Your depression or frustration I feel I understand. I have been there and still get there. I am starting over again. For 2 days I promised I would start back diet and workout and has not happened yet. It is interruptions or important things going on and I get sidetracked. Today was strange day.

When I had a regular routine at rehab I too would do 3 things. I would do the TM and the Nustep and then switch between either weights Ergometer. I wouldn’t do the bike anymore. I didn’t like it and the seats were awful. Sometimes if early enough I might do all four.

Joe just moved a recumbent cycle we have back where I can use it again. It is not hard and I can watch TV while doing it. We have a 3 bedroom house. My Mom has one bedroom and Joe and I each have one since I was diagnosed. He would never have gotten to sleep with me the first couple years. You can imagine with 5 people how we keep shuffling things around here. My bike ended up in the living room (a bedroom plus now). Tomrrow is another day. I will try to get here. Altho, I know my SIL is coming over tomorrow morning to sort thru stuff of my MIL's. We will see.

[willomar]

Hi Everyone. Went to tai chi class yesterday but barely made it through. Today I'm coming down with whatever Adina has. Feel like I'm dragging a weight and when I looked behind me, it was my butt! Maybe its the weather, kind of rainy today. My exercise bike is in the living room so will plan on riding that while maybe watching a video later.
Blondie, tell me more about your craft class and about your hobo bag. I'm envious because my craft class was cancelled the other day. It was a card making class and when I showed up, no one was there. Instructor was ill but someone forgot to call folks. Oh well, gave me an excuse to browse around the craft store.
Mary, schlepping books is definitely a workout!
Merry, there's no place like home. Do you wear the mask when you go out still? With all the flu fear, you will just blend right in.

[merryfl]

I went to the drug store yesterday to pick up a prescription, and people looked at me very strangely with my mask on! It wasn't so unusual in Gainesville - I was one of many - but I haven't seen anyone in the stores here wearing one. They will just have to get used to me, 'cause I'm supposed to wear one the rest of my life any time I'm in a crowded place.

[Colleen-NC]

It'll be like getting used to the 02, pretty soon you won't be bothered by it!

I can only imagine how good it feels to go out and walk around without the SOB!!

[sue]

This was my long week at work, so did cleaning. I didnt get out and walk the last few days as it has been rainy. Oh, I did walk some today when I took my one daughter grocery shopping, I'll count that. I did good tho at work today and didnt eat breakfast as it was french toast and then wouldnt you know it, my hubby had a taste for pancakes so guess what he made for supper??? Lol. I didnt eat that either. So if nothing else, I did good on my eating today. Tomorrow is suppose to be nice so will try and get out and walk.

[adina]

Mary, I'm sorry to hear you're struggling again, too. And like you, I sometimes forget to turn my O2 up for work around the house. Hope you were able to use the recumbent bike today.

Willo, not YOU too! Gee. It must me something going around. Hope you're feeling better this evening. Sorry your craft class was cancelled.

Merry, just play it like the Lone Ranger, so that whenever you leave someplace, they'll ask, "Who WAS that masked woman?" LOL

Sue, work and grocery shopping definitely count - especially if you hate grocery shopping as much as I do and, therefore, go as fast as I can (which isn't very) to get done.

I'm getting concerned now. I did CALL my doc today and he started me on a 10-day Prednisone taper, starting with 50 mg 2x day, 40 mg 2x, etc. This should help, but I've been recording my exercising since I started up in earnest again at the beginning of Feb. At that time, in spite of being more than sporadic at exercising for at least 8 months, I could go a full 30 minutes straight at 1.6 to 1.8 mph, no problem. I have been slowly going downhill since then, in spite of another round of Pred at the end of Feb./beginning of March. For awhile I was going 1.5 mph, then I started to slip further, and today I could only manage 1.2 mph for about 15 minutes and 1.1 mph for another 16 min. I had to stop twice to rest for a minute or 2. I have an appointment with my doc next Wednesday, and maybe we can find out why I'm on this steady downward trend. sigh..... sniff...

[willomar]

Hi Everyone.
Mary, can I trade you my regular exercise bike for your recumbent bike? Those are great.
Adina, this backsliding stuff is pretty frustrating isn't it? Here's my latest strategy to build strength in my poor legs. Have you ever seen those weights that wrap around one's arm or legs and fasten with velcro? Well, I got a set of those and using them while sitting down. I'm hoping it will help. So you hang in there, too.

[blondie]

willo, the craft class is held in my apt complex every Thursday afternoon. 1:30 to 3:30. We have a craft and arts classroom. The gal who instructs us is a teacher at Mt Sac. (short for Mount San Antontio Jr College). She's very nice and she liked my hair so much she wanted my hairdressers location. She went and got her hair cut. My gal was too busy to do her hair, so she had someone else cut her hair. I hope Robin never leaves. She's good and very patient:)

Adina, maybe you are reacting to seasonal changes? Plants, trees, grasses and all are beginning to come out of hibernation from the winter. I have terrible allergies right now because the Wattle tree's are in bloom and many other flowering trees. Beautiful, but they drive my nose nuts...I hate to see you go on a pred burst. Those are high mg's...Take care and you'll recover...Pat

[maryaz]

Sue; I think that is you at Teepee, am I correct? Pancakes are not so bad in the calories but it is the ‘stuff’ we pour over them. ;D I sometimes will eat a pancake with nothing or peanut butter on it if we have them leftover.

Adina; I think I will be fine. I spent more of today getting me cleaned up and ‘tweaking’ my calorie counting. My SIL was here yesterday and brought me a bunch of weight watcher literature. Sounds like we are rebuilding our house around here, hammering and drilling all day.
I love your comment about the Lone Ranger.
Grocery shopping and guilt. I stood in line at the grocery store one day and commented to the lady next to me that “I sure don’t like to shop but don’t know how I would ever get out of it”. Wellll, She very nicely said to be “My Mother always said to me that I should be thankful that am able to buy these groceries”. I had to agree and I had a huge basketful which I normally did. Every time after that when I started to feel that way while shopping, I remembered exactly what the lady said to me. When I was no longer the main grocery shopper in our house, you can imagine how I felt. I am glad she said that and I really appreciated my shopping after that. You all know what I would give to be the shopper again. If only no COPD. Got long but wanted to tell that story.

You are going down. I have been only starting my Preds at 30mg the last few. Is there any chance of anything about that glue stuff in your lungs from the BLVR that could have effect. When did you get scanned last. I hope things can be found and fixed. I am so glad you are back. Does this dr you are seeing Mr McGorgeous know about your past.

Willo; My best friend makes cards. It involves stamping (can get very expensive) and cutting and pasting. Someone gave me this bike. It is not like the cycles at my rehab nor like a nustep. Here is what it looks like but this is probably a newer version. Let us know how that works for you on your legs. It should build up strength.

Merry; You can decorate your mask. I saw several on the news. Fancy ones, paint them. Probably can soon buy them ready made that way if all this flu keeps up. Of course you might not want to breath in any lead paint.

Pat, I never heard of a Wattle tree. I keep following the girl that cuts my hair. She has moved twice since 2002. Before that she was at the same spot for many years.

I will try tomorrow. Think they are sheetrocking tomorrow. Have a good weekend. Merry, did you ever consider traveling by a horse. You could save on gas and pollution.

[Colleen-NC]

I haven't been posting here. Did shopping on Friday which for me is a workout. I didn't go to rehab Thursday, wasn't in the mood for it.

Cleaned my bedroom and the Bathroom yesterday with lots of other picking up. don't know if it counts but stayed moving for a while!

THEN ..................I took a nap LOL!!

Adina, hopefully McGorgeous will be able to help you, can be very frustrating.

[Colleen-NC]

Mary, that sheetrock is so very dusty, be careful!!

[blondie]

Maryaz, I looked up Wattle trees and I realized the tree's aren't wattle trees. I don't know what they are, but they sure are beautiful. I'll have to ask my brother if he knows. Sorry for the confusion. BTW, Australia has wattle trees..lol Pat

[sue]

Mary, yup that is me over at TeePee. I want to learn how to make graphic/sigs along with messing around with photos if I ever can figure out at least one of the several photo editing programs I have, lol.

I've been doing good with my eating for the last few days now. Coming down with a cold so I cant taste anything/hence not much of an appetite helps too, lol.

Yesterday, I was bored so drove my Amy and her 2 to the Madison Zoo and walked around there for an hour (it is a small zoo).

Speaking of shopping, anyone ever been to a Trader Joe's? I passed one and wondered if they have good deals there.

[merryfl]

Mary - my daughter heard (in a round-about-way) about a woman who'd had a transplant. She bought masks on line that were all different patterns and colors (florals and graphics), and always wore them coordinated with her outfits. I have been looking, but haven't found a source yet. I hope I can find them, cause all the drug stores carry are just plain blue or yellow. Boring!

[maryaz]

Colleen; I will be as careful as I can when they sheetrock. Didn’t do it today. Joe is overdoing and he is trying to be the guy he always was. I cannot slow him down. Today he went to Costco though and Jessica went with him.

Pat, I think the Wattles are trees. I found surprising that one place said “TREES - Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)”. I was wondering about “Pyracantha” and looked it up because we have had them before. They are different but look how close those 2 words are in spelling and yet different. Like, this really is not important. I just get curious. They were pretty. This is interesting site:
www.aussie-info.com/identity/flora/wattle.php

Sue, I have never learned the graphics, other than I can add a name to them. Arti cannot be on right now as she has problems at home but from all I know she is a very good teacher. I know she is my favorite person that makes them. Cheryl is sure doing a great job. She caught on quick.

Merry, the designer masks sound like a great idea. That way too, it might become a conversation rather than a stare. You should make some and patent them. You could put up a website and take in a little extra income. I believe word of mouth is the key. I regret not starting something back in 1992.

With all the conversation out of the way here, I wanted to share the fact that sometimes it just takes the big ‘first step’ to get going. Welll, I decided to quit trying to figure out my new way to diet and workout and just get on the TM after doing warm-ups and start. Then can tweak it all as I go. HOWEVER, first off, I had to wait for someone to get out of the shower this morning. Then as I was about to start, the power went out. One thing led to another and I gave up for today. Tomorrow is a school and work day. I will start if all is equal to today.

Adina; Will be waiting to hear what doctor says. Everyone keep up the good work.