First of all, I bet I am not the only one here to buy a piece of exercise equipment with all good intentions of getting healthier! Several years ago I did just that, went down and bought one of those fly wheel exercise bikes and spent two great weeks using it every day!!! And then I had a day of enlightenment and decided it was much better at being a dust collector!! So much for good intentions. But, I kept it, you never know, a miracle might happen!!! LOL!!!
Well, a miracle happened. My physical therapist took one look at that bike and told me that it was better than the automatic exercise machine they use at the hospital and it could replace at least four of those boring exercises that I have to do, and count repetitions! Ahhh, the miracle!!!!! I can sit on my ass, put my feet on the pedals and go as slow as I want and watch TV!!! If I need a little more resistance, slide my foot back, if I need more resistance, tip my toes forward. For the first time in my life, my bike is my new best friend!! I like being lazy and not feeling guilty at the same time!!!!
Yesterday was a big day for me. I had to go to Eugene to find out about the heart problems they found the day after my surgery. I was a little concerned about the small heart murmur they found but even more concerned about the leaky heart valve that showed up, especially after hearing that Barbara Walters is going to have to have heart surgery for a leaky valve. Well, I get there and after a little chat with my new heart doctor, he asked me if I know why I am there. I mention the murmur and valve and he says NO! It was about the concern for my very fast heart rate! I told him my home doctor changed my blood pressure medication and that had been corrected. We discussed that for a bit and he was pleased and then I asked him about the other issues. He proceeded to tell me that what had happened, was that I had gotten terribly dehydrated and my heart shrank up and kinda folded over itself and probably caused a temporary murmur and a little leaky valve. Because I had an echocardiogram just 2 months before surgery and it was perfectly normal, he felt confident that everything was temporary. I will be having another echo on the 20th, just to confirm all is okay! I have never heard of a heart shrinking up!!!
Well, I am one happy camper right now! No serious heart problems and my therapy is going well. Yes, there is a lot of pain with some of the exercises and pushing the knee to bend more but not nearly as bad as I feared. Now, if I will just stop doing stupid ass stuff and pushing it too much and having little setbacks, it will be good!
I got so stressed over the pending surgery and fear of recovery that I went into major anxiety mode. Lets just say that I had two solid weeks of nothing being solid and everything leaving my body as fast as I took it in! It did not get better until I was home from the hospital for a couple of days.
This caused sever dehydration, even though I was taking major doses of potassium and fluids.
Not to make light of your health issues. I am very glad to hear you're not looking at heart surgery for leaky valves or treatment for heart murmur etc. A shrinking heart? WTH? Learn something new every day.
LOL! Tonight there is some pain, I must admit. And it is plenty
May 12 2010, 11:12 PM
painful when pushing for more flexibility but at least the bike does about half the work. I am surprised that I can now walk without assistance, but have to be very careful about it. By the 26th of May I am suppose to have 100 degrees of extension, and I am now at 98 degrees and I should be at about 120 degrees of bend, and I am now at 103 degrees so I am doing pretty good. I still have to take the stairs by always leading with my bad leg going down and good leg going up. My PT says when I get to 115 degrees, I should be able to walk the stairs one foot after the other.
you have been thru a lot and much of it sounds scarey and taxing. I had only heard of a shrinking heart when my 1st boyfriend broke up with me. haha! j/k. I had heard anerxic kids hearts shrink. I guess for the same reason.
that sounds so scarey.
I love the imagine of you pedaling away watching BB and other shows.
thanks again for checking in and the very best to you and your new knee.
