DAYS 417 - 437 RECOVERY

I finally heard from the cardiologist's office regarding the results of wearing the 24-hour monitor to determine if my heart was staying in rhythm.  The result was that there were no results.  They said they experienced a technical glitch and lost the data from the monitor when it was being transferred to the computer.  They asked that I come back in so they could outfit me with the monitor to redo the test.  I asked them to transfer my medical records to the cardiologist in SC.   I'll be seeing him later today. 

Meds:   Amiodarone, Cardizem,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C

DAYS 414 - 416 RECOVERY

My biggest fear  was relieved on Tuesday when I  found there is no problem with my mitral valve.  There is some leakage, but it is still within acceptable limits.  I was disappointed that the doctor didn't have the results from the 24-hr heart monitor to determine if my heart has gone back into A-Fib (atrial fibrillation).  He was supposed to call me Wednesday morning.  When I didn't hear from him, I called his nurse.  She said the results hadn't come in.  I called back yesterday and was told the monitor still hadn't been read.  I've heard nothing today.  My patience is wearing thin.  Since I've had other issues with the support department of this medical practice, I'm considering switching my maintenance care back to the cardiologist in South Carolina who handled my case during the heart surgery.  I don't like to have my life put on hold. 

Meds:   Amiodarone, Benicar HCT,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C

DAYS 398 - 413 RECOVERY

Will see the cardiologist this afternoon for results of the heart monitor, which I had to wear for only 24-hours instead of 30 days like last year.  The echocardiogram report will show how well my mitral valve is behaving.  It was the source of my heart problems and was repaired during the open-heart surgery last year. That is my biggest concern, however I'm expecting good news because I've been feeling so much better this past week.  My body now feels sluggish from lack of exercise.  I'm eager for the doc to give me the go ahead to hit the road and treadmill again. 

Meds:   Amiodarone, Benicar HCT,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C

DAY 398 RECOVERY

The visit to the cardiologist today resulted in a change of medication for blood pressure and heart rate. They did blood work to check my thyroid and kidneys.  An EKG was done but nothing seemed amiss.  An echocardiogram will be done at the hospital next week to check the functioning of my mitral valve, the one that was repaired during heart surgery last year.  They'll also equip me with a 24-hr heart monitor to detect any abnormal heart rhythm. Until then I'm not supposed to exert myself, so only moderate exercise.  I wish I had something funny to say about all this, but nothing comes to mind.   

Meds:   Amiodarone, Benicar HCT,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C
 

DAYS 391 - 397 RECOVERY

With my endurance, stamina, and energy taking a nosedive last week along with a spike in blood pressure and shortness of breath, I saw the doc.  He sent me over to the hospital for x-rays of my lungs and a CAT scan.  The good news is my lungs were clear -  no blood clots or congestion.  Although I'm feeling much better today, I'm supposed to return to the cardiologist tomorrow morning to have my heart checked. 

Meds:   Amiodarone, Cardizem,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C

DAYS 364 - 390 RECOVERY

Reaching the end of that mountain road is still not reachable, but I'm working on it.  I upped the walking by not only walking the road with my husband and my goat, but I'm now walking a few times a week with a couple of neighbor ladies.  They do a solid 45 minutes at a fast pace up and down some inclines.  I struggle to keep up with them, but pushing myself is good. 

I feel the progress is slow, but it's still progress. My husband reminds me that I'm 71 years old, not 41, so perhaps I shouldn't be too hard on myself.  Last week I wore stilettos for the first time in over a year.  I didn't exactly dance the night away, but then I never do, but I didn't break anything.  Yesterday I got on a horse for the first time in several years.  Sometimes I feel like "The Little Engine That Could." 

Walter Wintle's poem comes to mind.  I think it applies to women too.

If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It's almost a "cinch" you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
For out in the world you find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.

Full many a race is lost
Ere ever a step is run;
And many a coward fails
Ere ever his work's begun.
Think big and your deeds will grow,
Think small and you'll fall behind,
Think that you can and you will;
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later, the man who wins,
Is the fellow who thinks he can. 


"I think I can.  I think I can.  I think I can."


Meds:   Amiodarone, Cardizem,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Calcium, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C

DAYS 358 - 363 RECOVERY

On my way!  Did a mile on the mountain road today.  That's half a mile up and half a mile down. Even ran a short, ok very short, distance. I'm feeling better, both physically an mentally, than I have in several years.  With the heart problems and other calamities going on in my life, I doubted I could ever feel really good again, but I do and I'm so grateful.  

Meds:   Amiodarone, Cardizem,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Calcium, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C, DHEA 

DAYS 353 - 357 RECOVERY

Yesterday when I returned to the orthopedic surgeon for x-rays, I finally heard the words I've been waiting five months to hear, "Your broken ankle isn't broken any more!"  The bone finally fused.  The doc gave me an A+ and released me.  Look out hiking trails, horseback riding, running up mountain roads, and wearing kick-butt stilettos.  Here I come!  Oh wait, he did say to ease into things. 

Meds:   Amiodarone, Cardizem,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Calcium, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C

DAYS 347 - 352 RECOVERY

On this date last year I was in South Carolina having my heart rebuilt at the Spartanburg Regional Heart Center.  Living with a faulty-functioning heart for several years was no fun so I was more than ready for a permanent fix. 

Little did I know how long and hard the road to recovery would be.  I couldn't have done it without my "nagging" husband.  I mean that in a thankful, loving and positive way.  It was he who cared for me day in and day out for weeks that grew into months.  When I wanted to give up, he pushed me to take another step, then another and another. 

My expected hospital stay of seven days stretched to a total of eighteen due to complications of blood clots in my lungs caused by two previously undetected genetic blood disorders.  Not being able to eat due to constant nausea from the boatload of meds I had to take caused my weight to plummet (not a good thing for me) and due to lack of activity my muscles atrophied.  Yes, I was a pathetic, sorry looking sight.  Because I see so many frail elderly people, I had my doubts that it was even possible to rebuild muscle, strength and agility at my age.   Walking was the best way to begin and in this I had no choice.  With my doctors, nurses and Darryl prodding me, I started walking the hospital corridors.  At first someone, usually a nurse or Darryl, would hold me up as I took baby steps before I graduated to a walker and then to just the handrails along the wall for support.   

Once home,  I began a regimen of walking a minimum of 30 minutes per day.  At first I could do only about five or ten minutes at a time.  It took 121 steps to walk inside our cabin  going from the front door, looping around some furniture, stepping into the kitchen area before making my way into and out of the bedroom and mudroom.  I walked that route over and over everyday.  Since I wasn't supposed to walk inclines and living on the side of a mountain where everything is at an incline, my outdoor walking was confined to the 30x40 ft area we leveled for the greenhouse and garden storage building.  It lifted my spirit to be outdoors on a warm winter day with Darryl and my animals (goats, cats, and a duck) following behind me as I repeatedly walked around and around that flat area. 

Next came the running tracks (walking, in my case) at the local grade school and nearby equestrian center.  With a pedometer tucked in my pocket,  I was now measuring distance instead of time.  On bad weather days you could find us walking the mall in a neighboring town, so I  had no excuses.  Even now, a whole year later, I get flashbacks when I drive past those locations remembering how, with every breath after only a short distance, my lungs would hurt so bad.  I'd lean on Darryl's shoulder frequently to catch my breath and wipe my tears.  With Darryl's prodding, I eventually pushed myself to walk over a mile at a time. Two months after the surgery I was allowed to begin cardio rehab. 

Darryl didn't have to nag me this time because I was already seeing the benefits of my previous labors.  I wasn't about to go there three days a week just to waste my time.  I had work to do and a mountain road to run.  The average improvement for cardo rehab patients is 20%.  Mine was 69.7%.  I was smokin' and I wasn't going to let anything get in the way of reaching my "Rocky Moment."   

The next month I broke my ankle.  Now five months later I'm still wearing an air cast/brace on my ankle because the bone hasn't fused. 

When I initially set my goal of running, not walking, one mile up that mountain road, I had no idea it would take longer than a year and that I would still be writing this Take Heart blog.  Ok, so I've had a delay, but I'm still determined to get there and I'm sure with Darryl's nagging, I finally will.

Meds:   Amiodarone, Cardizem,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Calcium, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C

DAYS 325 - 346 RECOVERY

I'm finally back on track to meeting my goal, but not on the track.  At the same gym where I did cardio-rehab I'm participating in the SilverSneakers program that focuses on muscular strength and range of motion.  I also spend time there racking up miles on the treadmill and on the body building machines.  My son fears I've become a "gym rat."  On the good-weather days I've started walking the road.  This is the same road where I plan to run a mile to reach my "Rocky Moment."  I still have a long way to go since I'm still in the walking stage, but I did make it to the first peak recently.  

Meds:   Amiodarone, Cardizem,  Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, B-12, L-Arginine, Glucosoamine, Calcium, Garlic, Aspirin, Omega-3 Fish Oil, Vitamin C