Week of July 22 - Tuesday and Thursday

With the help of my daughter's mother-in-law Gail, I went back to pulmonary rehab this week. I am so grateful for her time and effort to get me into the building so that I can begin to recover from this most recent exacerbation. The long walk surely would have discouraged me from going.

Just entering into the rehab room was wonderful! Seeing everyone after almost 2 months was so comforting to me. The welcome back was sincere, and I had such a feeling of belonging that is hard to describe. I sat at the table and just looked around for a few minutes. Then I checked my BP, 159/92. This isn't good. My pulse was 98 and my O2 sat was 92%. The numbers showed that I wasn't in good shape but I had expected that. I have to start somewhere.

I went to the Nu-step and worked for 10 minutes on Level 5. I was able to complete 870 steps. My sats didn't rise above 92%. I was disappointed but I know that this will improve and I have to be patient. Next I tried the treadmill. I was only able to walk 5 minutes at 1.0mph before I was gasping for air. My oxygen was up to 6L but I just couldn't continue. Another disappointment. Again, my sats didn't rise above 92%, but at least they didn't drop either. I finished the session on the UBE, and did 10 minutes. I went to sit again at the table and I was really tired. This little workout was tough. But I felt that it was a good start and I wasn't as bad as I could have been, given the pneumonia that accompanied this exacerbation. My ending sats were 92%, BP 141/84 and pulse 96.

Thursday came and I was quite breathless in the morning. My shower was difficult and hard to complete. I think that the shower will be my guage to determine my progress. I hated showers and they were the single hardest thing that I ever had to do with COPD. But eventually they became easier and I was really enjoying them again. Once the shower becomes pleasurable again, I'll feel that I'm making good progress. It is amazing to me how quickly we decompensate during an exacerbation! I've bounced back very quickly in the past 2 years, but I think that this time the pneumonia was what did the damage this time around. I need to remember that it will take time and patience to work back up to my "normal" again. But I'm willing to do the work!

Today, Thursday, I started out with a BP of 150/83, pulse 72, O2 sat of 96%. Aha! A sign of improvement! I went to the UBE first and did 10 minutes. My O2 sat ran 96%. Next I attempted the TM, and could only get to 6 minutes. I was ready for a nap after that! My O2 sats ran around 95% for the 5 minutes I walked. I am taking this as a big improvement because last week, my sats would drop when I got up and moved around the house. This week they are staying up. I finished up on the Nu-step and did 12 minutes at Level 5. My sats were 96% and my pulse ran 96.

I am optimistic that I will be able to see an improvement next week, and I am determined to have a good attitude no matter what I accomplish! I am motivated and I am very fortunate to be able to exercise at all!

I learned today that our little friend Audrey, who had a double lung transplant, just had a checkup and her fev1 is 100%!!!! Way to go, girl!

See you next week!

~Eileen

The storm is over

I haven't posted in a while, and as usual, when I let it go, there's lots of information to share. I've been sick with an exacerbation and pneumonia, but on the mend now.

I had been treated with an antibiotic (z-pack) and prednisone when I first starting feeling more short of breath, and started coughing up some green mucus. I was doing what I usually do, jumping right on an infection as soon as it started. I started feeling better within a couple of days, and figured the meds were working their magic. But after another week or so, I still didn't feel like I was bouncing back like I usually do. Instead of calling my doctor to let him know, I rode it out, thinking each day was going to be better. And sometimes they were. That was what was confusing me - some days I actually did feel good.

But by the time the 11th rolled around, I was feeling awful. I was so short of breath that even a step or two left me gasping for air. I couldn't cough hard enough to bring anything up and I was really getting scared. I spent the night before just praying to make it til morning and I promised myself that I would call someone to help me. I had been able to make it to work that week, but when I got home, I would just crash and burn. My chest hurt, my ribs hurt and I was barely moving due to the sob. I have no good reason why I didn't tell my doctor sooner. I guess I just didn't feel I was "bad" enough yet.

So on the 11th, I called my daughter and asked her to come take me to the ER. Even on the way to the ER, I was telling her that I felt guilty because I really didn't think I needed urgent care. Denial is a powerful thing and we can delude ourselves so easily. But I also think that in the back of my mind, I was remembering previous hospitalizations and being on the vent, and perhaps I was afraid of being so out of control of the whole breathing experience again. Not that I had any control at this point!

In the ER, the doc told me that he didn't hear much air movement. I had blood work, a chest x-ray, arterial blood gases and an immediate 1 hour treatment of albuterol and atrovent. When they do the 1 hour treatment, you have to be hooked up to a heart monitor to watch closely for heart problems. I also got a dose of IV steroids.

The next time the doctor checked my lungs, they weren't much better and I got the news that it would take many more treatments and steroids to break things up. I also had a pneumonia in my left upper lobe. The good news was that my blood gases weren't that bad, and at least I wasn't in respiratory failure. The doctor made it a point to tell me that while it was obvious that I have a problem with CO2 retention, my body was compensating pretty well. To that, I attribute the good breathing techniques that I've learned such as PLB and diaphragmic breathing. I thank God daily for showing me the way to Jane Martin's website and the education and support that I receive there daily.

I was admitted to the hospital and stayed there for 2 days, getting round the clock IV steroids and every 2 hour nebulized breathing treatments. By the second day, I was so loaded with these that my heart was pounding all of the time and I was so jittery! I also didn't sleep the whole time I was there. But I had promised my daughter that I wouldn't argue about going home too soon, and I endured.

I was released on Friday the 13th and settled in at home to recover. I was feeling better except for the pounding heart and of course I was still pretty short of breath with any movement. But I managed to overcome my aversion to asking for help, and allowed those around me to run errands and help me around the house. My daughter's mother in law is one who made it very clear to me that she "needed" to help and that it made her feel good to be doing something for me, and it got her out of the house for much needed breaks in her day. I gratefully accepted her help and she is going to be bringing me to pulmonary rehab until I'm strong enough to walk the distance from the parking lot to the rehab room.

I had a follow up appointment with my PCP this past Friday and it was very encouraging. My lungs are clear and heart rate is down. All of the labs taken in the hospital were good, like cholesterol. I am actually quite healthy except for my lungs. My fev1 dropped from 34 to 26%, but I'm hopeful that I can work my way back up a little. My doc took his time and we talked about so many things. We are convinced that my usual treatment plan is working well for me as I hadn't been hospitalized in almost 2 years. I know, too, that I need to be in touch with him sooner when I don't think things are right, in order to prevent a recurrence. I left the office with a big bag of free meds and a spring in my step.

I am starting back at pulmonary rehab on Tuesday, the 24th, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back to where I was pre-pneumonia and exacerbation. There's something about being in that room with others in the same or similar experiences and feeling all of their good energy that is so inspiring!

I hope if you have any questions or suggestions, that you will write in the comment section. I would love to hear from you.

Until next time!

~Eileen

Thoughts

June was not a stellar month for me. While I tried to keep up exercising at home, I didn't make it many days to rehab. Oh, I had a million excuses not to go. All were legitimate, but you cannot imagine the guilt that I heaped on myself! Well, maybe you can. But I'm going to let the guilt go, and write about my feelings, Deep Thoughts, as Dee would call them.

I've been thinking a lot about the toll that COPD takes on us: emotionally, physically and financially. I feel that I am blessed and I feel that I am cursed. Most days more blessed than cursed. But it's a balancing act to maintain an equilibrium with illness and health.

I've always been a very active, healthy person. Even now, I am in good health , except for these lungs of mine. Oh, and my weight, but that's another story: I have terrible eating habits. Over the years, as my work life became more stressful, my exercising fell by the wayside. I was exhausted at the end of the day and I would want nothing more than to read a good book or watch TV to be distracted from what were becoming very draining days emotionally. I wish I knew then how important exercising is to both lung health and stress. But, I didn't, and I think that contributed to my lung decline. I certainly have to make exercise a major part of my life now, to be able to have a quality of life that I can live with. Exercise also helps me to beat depression, which is what I would surely be all the time if I didn't get my endorphins moving around that brain of mine.

So these are the kinds of things I've been thinking about. I miss going to rehab and plan to get back into the routine this month. Another balancing act is looming as I try to fit in the rehab program and my work schedule. I work part-time, and some months are busier than others. July brings a new class of nursing assistants for me to teach, and for them to teach me that I can still be a meaningful member of life, which is more blessed than cursed.

See you at the gym!

~Eileen

Week 18 - progress

I am finally feeling back in the swing of exercising again. It doesn't take much to get me off track and I really have to dig deep sometimes to make myself go to rehab. But I know that being able to have a life means that I have to work hard for it so that has been my motivation. It's a rare day anymore that I stay home and don't go out and do something, even if it's just to go for a ride and enjoy the air.

This week I had a problem with my back. I was in a lot of pain on the treadmill and on Tuesday I was only able to do 5 minutes! I got a burning pain in my lower back and cramps in both my calves so I had to stop. I tried today to get on the TM, but the same thing started so I again stopped. I have a history of herniated discs and surgery, so I am hoping that a little rest and some gentle stretching will help it improve in a few days.

However, on Tuesday I did 15 minutes on both the UBE and the Nu-step. And today, I did 20 minutes on each! That included 1,750 steps on the Nu-step. I am a happy camper today because despite the set back with my back, I was able to make progress overall with my endurance times.

My blood pressure was a little high this week but it did come down after exercising. My O2 sats were good, between 95 - 97% and my pulse ran around 116.

The rehab room was very quiet this week. Only 5 or 6 people showed up for our sessions, but we had some great conversations about oxygen providers and insurance/medicare coverage. Next month there is going to be an open house for home oxygen users at our local oxygen provider's site. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know and I'll try to get them answered. I know I have questions about Medicare and liquid oxygen systems.

See you next week!

~Eileen

Week 17

Here we are, another week gone by. I didn't go to rehab on Tuesday. For some reason, my breathing was awful, as I was trying to get ready to go. Throughout my shower, I was very short of breath, and couldn't seem to recover. It was getting late, and I was trying to hurry and that made me more short of breath and that made me more anxious and that made me more breathless - and on and on. I felt so guilty for not getting to rehab that day!

On Wednesday my breathing was much better and today I got to rehab okay. The hospital where the rehab is held is undergoing much construction and my main route in was not available. I trekked throughout the hospital corriders completely lost and it took me 15 minutes of walking just to find my way, and I used to work there!!

There were 11 of us today and it was a rowdy good time. Libby was back to her cheery self and I discovered that 2 of the ladies are also nurses. Janet is still having pain in her ribs and Cheryl still hasn't come back. The time flew by with all of the conversations going on and all of the joking and laughter that went with it.

I did 10 minutes on the TM at 1.2 and plan to be up to 15 minutes next week. I did 15 minutes and 1, 365 steps on the Nu-Step (still wishing I had one at home), and I did 18 minutes on the UBE. My goal is to get to 20 minutes on each.

There's a Better Breather's meeting next Tuesday after rehab and I think it's time for me to join. There are speakers each month and I hear that things are pretty lively there, too.

See you next week!

~Eileen

Week 16 - Thursday

Thursday was a good day at rehab. I did 10 minutes on the machines and 1000 steps on the nu-step. Next week I'll get back up to 15 minutes on each. I'm going to try to increase by 5 minutes the following week so that I will be doing 1 hour of exercises each time I go.

I read an update on Audrey's care page and her fev1 is up to 81%! She is really doing so great. She is an inspiration to everyone to do our best! She's walking a lot and going to rehab. There's a walk this weekend to benefit Cystic Fibrosis. Rose, our therapist, is one of the walkers in that.

This is short and brief today. I am off to pump some iron - hehe - I mean to work with my 3lb weights...

See you next week!

~Eileen

Week 16 Tuesday

I feel the effects of the inconsistencies of my workouts - more trouble breathing, inability to walk as far, lack of energy. So it is with renewed commitment that I went to my pulmonary rehab maintenance today.

After catching my breath, I took my BP and O2 sat. My blood pressure was up there at 178/91. Yikes! After the walk in, my O2 sat was 97% - confirming the theory that movement is GOOD.

I went to the UBE first, and did 10 minutes. My biceps and triceps burned! But it was good to get back into the swing of it all. As I was pedaling my arms along, I was checking out the room. It was filling up with new faces. My how things have changed in a week! We wound up with 9 people exercising today.

After a rest, I went to the treadmill and did 11 minutes at 1.2. I was struggling at 10 minutes, but I decided to push myself one more minute - sort of my salute to renewed motivation. After I was done on the TM, I sat at the table, had some water and visited for a while because I was waiting for the Nu-Step to be free. My BP was down to 125/74 and my O2 sats were 97%. Silently, I said way to go!

On to the Nu-Step and I did 10 minutes before I was completely wiped out. I was only able to do 880 steps. I just could not make my arms and legs go on any more. Back to the table for more rest and water and conversation.

I really enjoy sharing conversations with fellow COPDers and others who attend. I've said before, some have cancer and a multitude of additional illnesses, and their spirit always humbles me. I felt particularly bad for Libby today. She usually comes in with a big smile and lots of laughter but she was subdued today. I asked her if she was ok and she told me that she had been up all night with knee pain. (If that was me, I'd still be in bed whining!) She also told me that her brother, her last sibling, died on Saturday and she looked so sad that I could have cried. But she was there today. If I hadn't been motivated before, I was most certainly motivated now.

There was a sweet bouquet of flowers on the table today. Some lilacs, tulips and a couple others that I can't recall their names. But there were also some white bleeding hearts. They were so delicate and beautiful! Can you believe that I've never seen them in person? What a day!

Week 15 ~ Thursday

Another good day at rehab! I consider them all good days, even when I don't perform as well as others, like today. I don't know why, but I just couldn't do as well as Tuesday.

I did 15 minutes on the NuStep and 1,330 steps at level 5. Not bad. Then I did the upper body ergometer and did 10 minutes with my upper arms at a burn when I finished. Hmm, not sure why, but maybe I overdid home exercises yesterday. Then I went onto the treadmill and set it a bit faster than Tuesday and had to stop at 10 minutes because my calves were cramping. I should have known better than to increase the speed until I had the distance back up to what it was. Lesson learned (yet again).

It is beautiful out today. It's a pleasant 65 degrees with a slight breeze and lots of sunshine - a wonderful day to be outside. Pansies are my favorite flowers and I saw lots of them.

Libby made me laugh so much today and Janet is still perservering despite her broken ribs. Cheryl, the lady with cancer, was supposed to come back a couple of weeks ago but we haven't heard from her lately. Audrey, the 13 year old with CF who got the double lung transplant is doing great. She exercises alone, later in the day, because of the potential of catching an infection. One of her favorite exercises is the hoola hoop! I used to be a master but that was long ago and far away! I don't even have a waist anymore to swing it on! LOL

See you next week!

~Eileen

Week 15 - Tuesday

I skipped a week due to an intestinal virus and I'm so pleased that at rehab I did better than I had expected. I cannot stress enough how much consistent exercise, even just twice a week, has helped me. When I get sick, I don't get as sick as I used to and I don't decomensate as quickly so that when I feel better, it is not such an effort to get back in the swing of exercising.

I did 15 minutes on all of the machines. My O2 sats remained 96% throughout and my blood pressure was pretty stable at 130/70. When I walked to the rehab room, I was able to get there without stopping to rest somewhere along the way. If you'll remember, in the beginning, it took a stop or two to catch my breath as I walked from my car to the rehab room.

On the NuStep, I did 1,250 steps. This is fewer than I had been able to do but I am satisfied that I was able to accomplish an average of 80 steps per minute.

Janet, one of my exercise partners, broke 3 ribs last week coughing! She said she was just eating toast and inhaled a tiny piece of bread, which sent her into a huge coughing fit. Ouch, ouch, ouch!! But her doctor told her she should continue to exercise, (kudos to the doc), and God bless her, Janet did her best. Remember when we used to be put on bedrest for back injuries and other injuries like broken ribs? They've found out that staying active is a much healthier alternative.

I am looking forward to Thursday! See you then!

~Eileen

Week 14 - Thursday

My little friend Audrey went to Boston this week for a follow up visit post double lung transplant. A couple of weeks ago her fev1 was 40%; this time it is 78%!!! Last weekend she went sliding in the snow, something she hasn't done in a couple of years. Her 13th birthday is next Sunday. What a great birthday present - the ability to breathe again. I am so proud to be one of her supporters!

It was tough going to rehab today because it was so nice out. The rains have stopped, the sun came out and the temp was in the low 60's. But I went and did 15 minutes on each of the machines. My O2 sats remained in the 97% range and my blood pressure is back down again.

I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't get to 20 minutes on the machines. It's been a struggle to get to 15 minutes and I guess my body just isn't ready yet for more. I hope by next week that it will happen.

A couple of the regulars weren't there for various reasons, but we still have quite a group. We have great personalities and they are fun to be around. That helps to make the exercise time go by when the machines become boring.

See you next week!

~Eileen

Week 14 ~ Reflections

Well, it's been about three and a half months since I started back at pulmonary rehab maintenance. This has been such a positive experience that I have to share with you how much it has meant to me.

At the end of last year, I was staying home way too much. I didn't have the energy to go anywhere or do much of anything. I did what was absolutely necessary to get by and nothing more. I needed money and went to my part time job but wasn't really getting into it like I wanted to. I cancelled on a couple of classes because I didn't feel well. I was very depressed and thought I was quite the failure and thought alot about my life and how disappointed I was that it ended up with a chronic disease and nothing to do about it. I didn't stay in touch very well with family and friends and I even didn't attend a family wedding. I knew that if I could just get motivated, maybe there was hope for me to have a better life, but didn't persue it. I made half-hearted attempts to exercise at home but never followed through. I lived in my mind and that was a horrible mistake because I always saw the cup as half empty rather than half full.

When I was at my wit's end, I contacted the pulmonary rehab that I had attended in the past and asked if I could come back in the maintenance program. I didn't think it would be a problem but I was told that all vacancies were filled and that it would be quite a while before any spots would be open. I accepted this and it fed into my defeated attitude that I couldn't get better.

BUT, I got a call at the end of December that a new program was being added for the folks who were on the wait list to get pulmonary rehab maintenance. It was to start January 9. The news hit me like a ton of bricks - a second chance! I savored it. I looked forward to it. I saw it as a new beginning and a way to be accountable to someone or something like I couldn't be to myself.

The past 3 months have been slow going but with phenomenal results for me. I feel better, I want to do more, I CAN do more. The more I accomplish, the more I want to go forward. As I feel better, I get out more, and that has been instrumental in lifting the veil of depression that has clouded my mind for so long. I see family and friends again and I haven't cancelled out of one session in the last class of CNA's. I am more involved in life around me and want to do more to give back.

I cannot say enough for pulmonary rehab and an exercise program. For me, it was life altering. I look forward to each Tuesday and Thursday when I can join other people like me who need exercise to live. My comrades, mes amies, my lifeline to hope. I cherish the hope that I can be better, live better and be a better person.

I found all of this at pulmonary rehab!

~Eileen

Week 13 - Thursday

I argued with myself for a long time before going to rehab today. It was sleeting and raining out and I wanted to go but was thinking maybe I shouldn't go out. But in the end, I knew I'd feel worse and be kicking myself for the rest of the day if I didn't go. So off I went and I'm glad I did!

Usually I have a hard time breathing when it's raining out but today wasn't too bad. I think it's because of the prednisone I'm on. But I was quite short of breath when I arrived and after a short rest, went to the UBE.

I did 20 minutes on the UBE!! Wow! What started out as a torture machine for me has turned out to be one of my favorites. It helped that Libby sat next to me. She is the most pleasant person I have ever met and she loves to talk! I love to listen to her and we wind up laughing and having a great time. So she can work by my side any old time!!

After a rest, I went to the Nu-step. I did 15 minutes and 1,380 steps. Just a little improvement on the steps but I just wasn't feeling the love enough to extend the time today. Next I went to the TM and did 15 minutes at 1.2 mph.

By the time I was done, I was exhausted! My calves were killing me and I was so tired. But my blood pressure came down from 170/90 to 147/70 during my time at rehab today. And my O2 sats stayed up at 97% throughout.

Between machines, I was talking with someone who didn't know about alldaychemist.com and I was happy to share information about it with her. She also didn't know about WalMart's $4 perscription program. Speaking of alldaychemist.com, I finally got my order yesterday and not a minute too soon! My order had been delayed in customs, but not stopped.

Keep moving and see you all next week!
~Eileen

Week 13 - Tuesday

I am always amazed at how quickly a bug will hit me and make me feel so lousy but I am so happy that my body responds so quickly to meds. I am feeling much better this week and back at it!

Walking into the rehab room is always such a pleasure. It's funny, but I never felt this way before when I attended. It was always a chore to get over with as quickly as possible. This time around, I look forward to going, taking my time and really do enjoy it. I "get" the connection between exercise and breathing.

My O2 sats were low, around 91%, when I first got to rehab. But they gradually came up to 94-95% after working out. I imagine that they'll get better as the week goes on and I feel even better.

I tried really hard to progress a little this week, but just couldn't. Maybe Thursday I'll get to 20 minutes on the machines but for today, I stayed at 15 minutes on each. On the TM I continued at 1.2mph, on the UBE I did 16 minutes, and on the Nu-Step I did 15 minutes and got to 1,365 steps, which was a bit of an improvement over last week.

Audrey, our 12 year old double transplant friend, has been coming to rehab twice a week and is doing great. It's hard to believe that only 3 weeks ago she had such a major surgery! Let's all keep her in our prayers for continued recovery.

Cheryl, the lady who has COPD on top of cancer, has been out for a while. She started on a new chemo regime that left her pretty wiped out but she will be coming back this week. I am so humbled by her courage and determination. She is pure dignity in the face of her challenges.

See you Thursday!
~Eileen

Week 12 ~ Tuesday/Thursday

This week I went to rehab both days and have maintained 15 minutes on each machine. I've increased the speed of the TM from 1 to 1.2. Considering how I felt this week, I have to give myself a pat on the back for making the effort.

I felt feverish and starting coughing alot as soon as I started moving around this week. By Thursday I called my doctor and got started on an antibiotic and prednisone and within 24 hours started feeling better.

This week was hard for me and I'm happy that I perservered and made the extra effort to do more than I thought I could. But it took all that I had to do it and left me feeling tired, depressed and frustrated. I hate that my mind says I can do things but my body just doesn't cooperate. I was so angry at my COPD this week when I couldn't walk without getting short of breath and it was so awkward dragging my tank around because I was so clumsy with it for some reason.

But I calmed myself down, cut myself some slack, asked for help with chores around my house, and now that I'm feeling better, I'm feeling better about everything around me. A few good cries and a few temper tantrums didn't really hurt any and probably helped some, things got done, and I'll be ready for a new week. And definitely ready for a new attitude. I hate feeling so down and defeated! That's really not my nature and it takes so much more effort to support that than it does a positive attitude.

~Eileen

Week 11 ~ Thursday

I am red-faced as I report that I didn't go to rehab on Thursday either. A whole week. I really had to weigh my options this week and it was very hard to balance what I needed to do. But I did what I did and next week won't be as hectic and I won't have to make such hard choices. Right now I can honestly say that at least I know how important exercise is in my life. I guess I wouldn't agonize over missing it, if I didn't know that it is allowing me the ability to do more with each passing week.

We just finished writing a grant to get some funding to develop a pilot program to provide free home visits for patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) who fall between the cracks of Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances. I am so excited about it and hopeful that with this program, we will be able to provide important education and support to allow patients to be more proactive in the management of their illness and increase the quality of their lives.

Audrey has returned home from her double transplant and is doing very well. She is just 12 years old and a hero to all of us who know her. She and her family have been through so much and to now be on the other side of the transplant after waiting for 4 long years is so heartwarming! Go Audrey!

I'd like to mention here that your comments are welcome here. I would appreciate any comments, suggestions, support, questions etc that you would like to make! The more the merrier!

See you next week!

~Eileen

Week 11 ~ Tuesday

OOPS! I did it again. I overextended my day with work and appointments and didn't make it to pulmonary rehab. Again. The last couple of weeks have been hectic and since I need money, I'm torn about this. But work just cannot remain an obstacle to getting my exercises in.

It's a viscious circle for me. It's due to the renewed commitment to my health that allows me the ability to do more work. Now, due to the increased work and related researching, meetings and classes, I am having trouble fitting in the thing that I feel is so important. But work and purpose are important to me too.

I didn't sleep a wink last night worrying about this and how to handle it. I can't rest today because I have a class to get ready for, I have a doctor's appt, and class tonight. Tomorrow I WILL go to rehab. Period. I've had this conversation with myself before.

Geesh. I wish the oxygen guy would get here so I can take a shower. If he doesn't get here soon, I'll be rushing to take it and we all know what happens then.

I never had these problems when I just sat around on the couch with the remote in my hand...

See you Thursday!

~Eileen

Week 10 ~ Thursday

I finished off the week doing 15 minutes on each machine. Next week I will work up to 20 minutes. My blood pressure has been good and O2 sats as well. I'm looking forward to 'kicking it up a notch'. I've also started working with therabands at home and they are really fun!

We had some rain and my breathing was worse before and during it. It is so frustrating to know I can do something and the weather dictates whether or not I can do it on any given day. We are expecting some snow tonight and I just can't do anything without getting excessively short of breath. Tomorrow will be better.

Audrey is managing well without oxygen and they are working on discharge planning with her and her family. She takes all of her meds by mouth now and hopefully will have the last of her chest tubes removed soon. Go Audrey!!

See you next week!

~Eileen

Week 10 ~ Tuesday

Today I had a meeting to work on program development for our CNA class, and although I said that I had to leave early for rehab, the time ran on and before I knew it, it was too late to get in exercise. I am very disappointed in myself. As I've said before, work was always my excuse for not attending in the past and I didn't want it to ever be a reason for not going again. I plan to work twice as hard this evening to make up for it. I have weights and I have now got therabands so I have no excuse not to work out at home.

Our little friend Audrey is doing well and they think she might go up to a regular floor this week. I was doing a little research because I really don't know alot about cystic fibrosis, and the sad part is that she will still have the disease and these new lungs will last only about 4 years. The image at the top of the page is cystic fibrosis. I know she will be enjoying her new breath but my heart hurts that this will become something that she will have to endure again. What a brave child!

Week 9 - Thursday

I am a walking list of excuses. I can find an excuses to never do anything good for myself and I'm not afraid to use them. BUT, lately I am fighting back. This morning, I thought that I needed to spend my rehab time working on a project for work but realized that work had been my excuse for not attending pulmonary rehab so many times in the past. Time for a change! I overrode my own decision and went to rehab and I'm so glad that I did.

I finished out the week by continuing my progress. I'm doing 15 minutes on each of the pieces of equipment that I use. My oxygen sats remained at 97% and my pulse ran around 116 during exercise. My blood pressure is VERY good at 110/70.

I am going to go for 20 minutes on each next week. I feel really good and the more I do, the more I want to do. I have never felt such a sense of well being before. It took emphysema and a fight for my life to do it. I have been consistent and motivated and it has rewarded me greatly with a renewed lease on life. People around me see it and comment about it. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have another chance on making my life better!

See you next week!

~Eileen

Week 9 ~ Tuesday

It was back to rehab again today for me. I thought I did very well even though I had to squeeze in the session during a very busy work day.

I added another 5 minutes to the treadmill, so my time is 15 minutes now at 1.0 mph. When I get to 20 minutes I am going to start adding some speed to that walk!

I also went up 5 minutes on the Nu-step to a total of 15 minutes. Today I was able to get to 1,200 steps. When I get to 20 minutes on this, I plan to increase the work load.

I remained at 10 minutes on the UBE.

Throughout the exercising, my pulse ran in the 120's. My blood pressure remained pretty constant around 144/70 and my O2 sats ran 97%. After the exercising, my O2 sats remained at 97%. I am pleased with my progress and look forward to more.

Little Audrey is doing well. She has been getting up to a chair, her vent is out and one of her chest tubes is also out. They are keeping an eye on a small pneumothorax, but she is stable and her pain is being managed very well. Please keep Audrey and her family in your prayers.

~Eileen