|
|
Post by bobbioh on Dec 5, 2007 7:00:03 GMT -5
DAY 24 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION
I worked really hard at rehab today, and it went well. I arrived a little early, and had time to sit with the others and drink decaf coffee and talk.
My stats were good, and today I walked my warm up walk around the track with other people rather than myself. Normally we each arrive at a different time and get started at a different time, but today many of us ended up there early, so we walked together. Everyone walked at about my pace, so I was comfortable within the group.
I noticed that some people skipped the warm up exercises and headed straight for the machines, but I tend to obey instructions well, so I did my warm up exercises and grabbed a bike to ride. I decided to up my minutes from 18 to 19, and I did well but did have some shortness of breath.
I proceeded to the Treadmill and walked for 19 minutes at 2.4 miles per hour with some shortness of breath.
After completing my cool down exercises and weigh in, the Respiratory Therapist said that since this was my 27th day of rehab ( I guess they include the Interview, Orientation and Pulmo 101), it was time for a talk. So, we talked. He said I was doing well, and that he was not concerned with my weight gain as long as my doctor was aware of it. He asked me a lot of questions about my eating habits, and I was honest with him. I don't think my weight gain is water retention. I think that I am more sedentary since I no longer work, and that I need to exercise more frequently and cut back on snacking in the evenings. He encouraged me to walk in the mall on the weekends if possible since I don't have a Treadmill at home nor any other exercise equipment. I do not know if my insurance or Vocational Rehab will cover any further rehab expenses after the 36 week program, but I will check to see. If I can return, they would love for me to keep coming, but if not, the RT said he would go over with me specific exercises to do at home and how to maintain a home exercise program hopefully with good results. With a home program, it is important to keep exercise as a priority and do it consistently.
I feel a degree of sadness about the probability of my rehab days with this group of people coming to and end.
I have good news about my area. I was told today that a Better Breather's Club is starting in mid-January'2008. It just so happens that the speaker and the "ask a doc" doctor attending the first Better Breather's Club meeting is my Pulmonologist, Dr. Christopher Marshall. I know I will attend, and I am sure I will "ask a doc" something.
When I see my Pulmonologist in February for my normal visit, I do want to ask him if he will check me for Alpha 1 since my father died of copd at the age of 62, and now I have it.
I'm glad I was able to do 19 minutes today, and hopefully I will be doing 20 within another session or two.
Bye for now---Joyce
|
|
