Plumo Rehab Day 16

[bobbioh]

DAY - PULMONARY REHABILITATION

I had a very good day at rehab today. It is about midnight as I type this, so I don't know if this will show up as a Thursday or a Friday posting, but when I say today, I mean Thursday.

I arrived early, and since I was not able to attend rehab Tuesday, I made sure I did a few extra stretches when warming up. Also, I walked the track three times instead of only two. By the time they took my stats, I was limbered up and ready to go.

I thought they were going to increase my "machine time" today, but the RT changed her mind. Today, I did 15 minutes on the bike at a level of 6-7. I think I may have set my expectations a bit too high. I expected by now that the muscles in my thighs would be quite hard (as if I were age 25??), but that isn't the case. I mentioned this to the RT who is about age 25, and she just smiled and said that my goal is strength and endurance and not muscular thighs.

The RT did raise my speed on the Treadmill. Today I walked for 15 minutes at 2.4 miles per hour. I could tell the difference in speed but it wasn't uncomfortable. She assured me though that in time my time on the Treadmill would increase along with either the speed or the angle.

I am learning that when my mind thinks "I don't think I will be able to do that", within a week or so, I do that. For example, right now I am thinking that I do not want to attempt to walk uphill (at an angle on the Treadmill). I would rather increase my speed. It seems to me that uphill would be very difficult. However, I know that one day I probably will be walking uphill. without difficulty. I know this because, as I look back, I remember when I thought walking five minutes at 2 miles per hour was a difficult thing to do, and I was short of breath and my leg muscles hurt. I have more to do and more progress to make, but I have already made a lot of progress. In other words, I might be a snail, but I am convinced that I will succeed and reach my goal.

Until next week---Joyce