Yay?

Went back in for my semi-regular protime blood test at the doctor's office (my PCP, or GP for you Commonwealth peeps) and was happy to say I am actually pretty stable at this point (2.5 INR). At this stage I've been pretty good over my last couple of tests, so no more blood work till 6 weeks from now. Not sure how comfortable I am with that, seeing as how I am only 4 and 1/2 months out, and things are still changing as I continue to rehab: 6 weeks seems like a long time. However, insurance only pays for so many tests based on how stable I am, and they don't want to contribute towards any home monitoring, as I don't meet the criteria for needed weekly INR testing. I guess that is a good thing, will just have to wait and see. I've been pretty good about keeping things in my diet pretty stable,  and exercise levels are also pretty consistent, so here's hoping INR-wise things stay stable without too much drama till my follow-up....

Overall though, it's nice to finally be in a pretty consistent range that also meets with where my surgeon wants me to be. Honestly, for all the bad rap that coumadin gets, it really hasn't had that much of an effect on my lifestyle: I can eat and drink what I like, and my doctors just adjust the dose to match my lifestyle. The trick is is to be pretty consistent; have a consistent amount to drink (alcohol-wise), if you like greens, eat 'em, just keep the amount you eat over several days pretty stable, without wild swings back and forth. You need or like to take supplements/multivitamins? Take them too, just take the same thing every day. Not rocket science by any means, but it does require some discipline. Nice thing about all this is 1) I still get to drink, I just drink less. This means I can afford to get the good stuff :) 2) As part of getting in Prison Quality Shape/PQF (minus the jailhouse tats or actual criminal record) I have to watch what and how much I eat, which segueways nicely into monitoring what I eat as far as coumadin/wafarin goes. Not too bad.

Rehab Update

Been very busy with work and travel, hence the lack of updates. Good news is, besides being busy, my overall health has been great! With a trip to Paris and Stockholm that was fun, but involved a ton of walking, as well as long days at work, plus trying to be consistent with exercise for rehabbing, I was pretty concerned I was going to either overdo it, or in other extreme, not be rehabbing effectively. Seems like things are on track for the middle path, where strength and energy levels are returning, even faster than I was expecting.

Besides the Bataan Tourist March I felt like I was on overseas (which was good, since I got to see a ton of great stuff) swimming has been about 4 times a week, at least 20-25 laps each time. HR has been at 120-130 peak during the swims, and it hasn't been the repaired heart slowing me down as much as the muscles in my arms and chest and especially my shoulders. I'd like to add more laps, but have been finding the muscles don't really want to cooperate at about lap 26 or so.

Honestly, the biggest part of my rehab so far has been my back and shoulders, rather than the chest and heart. So energy-wise I feel about 80 plus percent most days. Strength and muscle-wise I'm still pushing about 60 percent. But that's why they call it rehab, isn't it?

Week 10 post-op update

Well, went in to see my cardiologist today, and the news is pretty good: I'm finally cleared to easing back into the gym. Nothing too dramatic, mostly swimming to begin with, and he wants me to avoid consecutive days of exercise at this point. Basically, the typical post-op credo: don't overdo it. Pleased to say I've stuck with that 99% of the time, although it's been borderline stir-crazy here, sitting around, slowly getting better. On the flip-side though, I've seen and read about too many people who have gone overboard in doing too much way too soon, and the problems that have been the result. Of course you have the inspirational stories about people like the US soldier who ran/swam/biked a triathlon around 5 months post-op from aortic valve replacement. Impressive, but atypical. Most of us, even the fitter, younger ones, and especially the ones who have had re-operations, are more likely to have a longer recovery curve. Frustrating, but beats popping wires, clicking sternums, and going into a-fib. 

That being said, tomorrow is the first step on my plan to get build some prison quality fitness into this body. 

Slowly and responsibly of course......