week of August 18th

[sue]

guess it is ok to start a new week.......
Alright, I walked for 90 minutes at our local fair today. (they arent "officially" open yet, so it was free, and took a couple grandkids to see the animals, etc. and the 4-H projects).

[merryfl]

Wednesday

OK - where is everyone? Have we all been bad girls? I had a Tropical Storm to worry about, but I'm back and ready to roll.

Went to Pulm Rehab today. She walked me on the TM at 1.5 mph with 0% incline. It was very comfortable. Boy, I wish my TM would go below 1.5 incline. It made a huge difference. I also used the arm pedaler thingy (don't know what it's called) for 10 minutes (5 as a warm-up and another 5 as a cool-down exercise). I didn't get to do the leg press today. We'll start that Friday. I'll be going Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30am. I guess it's better to get it out of the way early, rather than interupt the middle of the day.

[Colleen-NC]

Sue, thats great, our Fair starts next week and I hope the weather is nice so I can go.


I have been lazy, I have not been on the tm since last week. I have been out walking the stores 3 times but I don't think that really counts LOL !!!! Merry, could you put some 2X4's under the rear of the TM to combat the incline? I have spent the day cleaning and was just too tired. I will do better. Haven't heard from Mary in a while, hope she is OK !

[sue]

Colleen, I count walking in the stores!
I took a granddaughter out for a half hour walk yesterday (I pushed her in a stroller). Did my usual stuff at work. Tried out the new TM there for 10 minutes also.

Where has Pat been?

[Annb]

Hi Merry, I also just started pulmonary rehab on Aug 12. I was not lucky enough to find a rehab facility that does pulmonary rehab three times a week. I had to search and search to find the facility that still does pulmonary rehab at all.

I even went for my second visit in the rain and strong winds on Thursday. I lost my power from 4 PM to 11 PM on Monday and it is still raining here on the SE coast of FL, but I will be off in a few minutes for my third session.

I posted about my first day on a different forum but I though if you all don't mind too much guest posting her experience that I would repost it here. Historically this site has not been welcoming to non members.

"Yesterday (8/12/08) was my first day at a pulmonary rehab facility doing the rehab required prior to having LVRS. It is an approved facility (http://www.aacvpr.org/certification/program_cert_search.cfm) and not too many miles from my home I think of Wes and Larry all the time now that I am doing this, they so encouraged and helped me and put up with so many of my questions, I wish they were here to see that I am finally on my way. I miss both of them

I was there about 90 minutes. First I did the Nustep for 15 min. They had it set at the lowest setting.

Then I did that arm thing where you sit and pedal with your arms, again, set at only 2 for 15 min

Then they did a six minute walk. I walked 840 feet. I don't know it this is good or bad

Then 10 minutes on the treadmill set at 1.5

Then a few...very few...reps with a two pound weight.

This rehab is only two days a week and my HMO only approved 12 sessions, obviously not enough rehab. I am taking one day at a time.

Today I did 30 minutes on my treadmill at home and went 75/100 of a mile. This was a real accomplishment because I don't have air conditioning and the heat index today was 98F/37C, but the humidity was low at 42.

I have been trying to find a facility in Florida to do the surgery since early 2004. It has been a long difficult search. I could not afford to go to Pennsylvania or North Carolina.

My first PFT was 9/30/03, at that time my FEV1 was 19 pre med, and 22 post med, my DLCO was 44%, and my RV was a whopping 301%. I weighed 120 Pounds and I was still smoking

My last PFT was on 4/22/08. My FEV1 was 21 pre and, 24 post, my DLCO was 33%, and my RV was 223%. I weighed 146 and I had quit smoking in Oct of 2003. As you can see a combination of not smoking and inactivity cased quite a weight gain. Actually at one point I was up to 165 pounds!!

When I read the numbers above, I wonder why I use any medication, I don't seem to get much of a change after using the inhaler. Right now I just use Duova from ADC once a day. Duova is a combination of Spiriva and Foradil in one capsule.

I am extremely short of breath and it is my personal, non medical, non professional, opinion that RV has more to do with how sob I am rather than my FEV1

And finally......... I am 75 years old, so maybe this long rather boring report will be of interest, or motivation to someone that reads this far"

[Colleen-NC]

Ann, we will welcome you with open hearts. I do not have a problem with guests posting as long as there not here to start trouble. I am so glad you found a rehab and hope you do well with it. Looking forward to your posts.

I walked in the store for 50 minutes this morning, does this count??

[merryfl]

Ann - it is nice to see you, and we are thrilled to see posts by anyone who is friendly. How can you possibly exercise without A/C? It sounds like your facility gave you quite a workout. I am not familiar with the Nustep...what is that? You are doing great work, especially considering your age - you must stay very active to be in such good shape. Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

Colleen - walking in stores absolutely counts!!

My therapist does not want me to walk at home for a while until she gets a good sense of how I am progressing under her program (go figure!). So I will alternate walking at rehab (M-W-F) and lift weights on Tuesdays and Thursdays at home. And take the weekends off. It's funny because the last time I was in a rehab program (7 or 8 years ago) it was 2 days a week and we were required to report the exercise we had done on our off-days. They called it our homework. So, I did my weights today....Of course, I also went grocery shopping and had to run into Walmart for a couple of things, so I guess I walked anyway. ;D

I can really tell a difference in how easy it is for me to get around at the stores since I started walking regularly. So much better.

[maryaz]

I made it to rehab today and that was a big step. Physically didn't do too well but emotionally was a very positive thing for both Joe & I to see friends again.

I did 4 minutes on ergometer @ 2.5 setting. I did 4 minutes on NuStep at 3 setting. Did all my warmups. TM was 4 minutes at 1.2. I felt it. I took a nap and when I got up I still felt it. That tells you how out of shape I am.

A couple weeks ago I was doing better than that. So quick we lose it. My stomach is still bothering me. If not cleared by first of week will have to look into what the problem may be.

I am not bragging but I went. It was a 'feel good' day for both of us tho. Big step.

[sue]

I did my usual work stuff and walked 5 min on the TM at 2 setting. Wore me out, Im out of shape.

[blondie]

I got motivated today to exercise. I ordered ABBA from Amazon and it arrived today. Happy music.. Oh my, it motivates me to get up and move with the music, which is what I did. I think music is the key for me in home exercises. I did pretty much non-stop moving for 1/2 hour and then when something comes on I love, it's up and moving again ;D I also used my theraband while I moved around.

Sue, as long as you keep moving, that's a good thing..IMHO..

BTW, a Nustep is something you sit in like for rowing and you grasp the handlebars and pump back and forth with arms and legs...It's pretty nitfy..Pat

[merryfl]

Mary - glad you're getting back into rehab. It will help with your state of mind.

Went to rehab today, myself. The air is so heavy from Tropical Storm Fay, everybody was having a hard time breathing. Had to bump my O2 up to 4lpm, and I never run it above 3. Did the TM at 1.5. Then some guy named Jim took me to the gym and put me on the leg press. I did 12 @ 70#, 10 @ 75#, and 8 @ 80#. Wasn't particularly difficult, but my legs are still shaky. Guess it is working my muscles! Then he had me do sit/stand/sit/stand, 2 sets of 5 while holding a 2 kg medicine ball to my chest. It was a pretty good workout.

Pat - dancing is such good exercise! and fun at the same time. Good for you. I love ABBA songs, and know it's hard to sit still when they play.

Sue - 2mph is a pretty high setting on the TM. Maybe you could cut it back a little.

[sue]

Thanks Merry, I'll do that!

[merryfl]

My legs hurt so bad today from the leg press!! It's all I can do to get in and out of a chair. It's a good thing he didn't make me do any more weight than he did. I'd be in bed... LOL I took some Tylenol and stretched and that did help. I'm sure I'll be some better tomorrow. Then I can do it all over on Monday.

I lifted weights today, and did my stretching. Went to the mall to get some new walking shoes, but didn't do any extra walking while I was there. Just in and out, because it is still so humid and tough to breathe. I like my new shoes!

[lyn]

i started pulmonary rehab a couple of weeks ago,i think it is a good thing. since i haven't been since thursday(we go mon,wens and thursday) i will just put what i did today. i walked on the tm at 2.o for 30 minutes at grade 1.5. this is something i do most everyday. including the days i go to rehab. i started doing this a couple of years ago and just kind of stuck with it. my problem about the tm is it is downstairs,14 steps down and back up. pretty hard to do somedays. i think this is a great sight and will look forward to getting to know everyone and hopefully watching our exercise improve. lol
take care
lyn

[sue]

I would like to see my exercise improve too Lyn cuz I like to be lazy when I can get away with it, lol....I didnt do alot today, but got a 10 min walk in last night. And Lyn, I would count doing stairs myself ;D

[merryfl]

Yeah, Lynn -- those stairs are a good part of your workout!
My legs are still sore today - but not quite as bad. I stretched again and walked on the TM for about 10 minutes. That was more than enough for my poor legs.
I am with you Sue - I find every excuse in the book NOT to exercise. That is one reason rehab is so good for me - I don't have a choice and I can't talk myself out of it.

[maryaz]

I had to stop again but will start tomorrow, hopefully. Good job ladies.

Lyn; You walk really well. You keep that up and you should do really well without losing much lung function. The other big thing to watch is not getting sick. If we get really sick then it can be harder to get over an illness and sometimes take a toll. That is usually if you get like pneumonia.

I don't think there is anyone on this board that is walking what you walk. "i walked on the tm at 2.o for 30 minutes at grade 1.5."
WOW! There may be but not the ones posting here. Keep up good work.

[sue]

I cant do any kind of incline, that does me in. Good for you lyn!
Last night at work I mopped all the floors, then this morning I washed the outsides of 9 big windows (took a half hour). I didnt get on the TM, I figured I did enough lol.
Merry, hope your legs feel better today.

[thomwest2634]

Annb - I'm 75 also and would really enjoy the pulmonary rehabilation program as I see you outline - are they all over the place? I can google this area, I suppose. What a great surprise for me tonight. Thanks - hope I see you again. Thom