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Post by maryaz on Sept 13, 2007 22:40:49 GMT -5
Hi Joyce, I am still enjoying every word you write. I hope many people can one day see this. You hit on something today that I think is important. This quote below is what you wrote. I know a lot of people that seem to reject rehabs. I think many of them have a picture of rehab somewhat like you said and that is why they do not want to go..
When I started Pulmonary Rehab, I had never in my life worked out anywhere or anyhow. It is work to us but it is not what 'well' people go thru at the gym's for workout.
Keep up the good work. You have a good attitude. Thank you,
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Sept 14, 2007 8:04:27 GMT -5
Joyce this is great! And; it's working just fine this way.
I'm gonna copy and paste (then print off) each of your Rehab days (for me) Also; I'm going to copy and break out each of your seperate "days" and put them under the sub heading so if folks want, they too can just print them off. (I'll lock them so that no one can post on them; they can ask questions of you in this main thread)
So; just keep doing what and how you're doing it.
Your writing about it is great and your attitude is wonderful.....WTG gal!
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Post by Joyce7 on Sept 14, 2007 12:06:16 GMT -5
Thank you and Jackie, that sounds like a good idea to me. Tomorrow is Saturday and I am going to the mall with my daughter. While she shops, I'll walk, then rest, then walk again as long as I feel comfortable and not sob. This will be the first time I have gone to the mall wearing my oxygen on a weekend when I probably will run into people I know. It is time. I am grateful for the oxygen and don't plan on hibernating the rest of my life to avoid questions. I am accustomed now to wearing it out during the workweek but tomorrow will be my first weekend out with it where all can see and "nothing hidden." Why should I hide something that has helped me so much, and to let my use of oxygen keep me from not going anywhere would be a shame and not healthy for me. My helios portable will be like my watch which I always wear and since my watch goes with me to church and shopping and everywhere else, so will my oxygen. TGIF everyone....Joyce
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Post by Joyce7 on Sept 18, 2007 16:39:07 GMT -5
DAY 4 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION I always look forward to rehab days, and today was no exception. I couldn't get to sleep last night for some reason, so this morning I was a little tired and yawning as I left for rehab. It has been a beautiful day here though...cool and brisk, and a good breathing day. Much better than the past humid, hot days. I arrived early as usual and wanted to talk with one of the Respiratory Therapists. Last year after my hospitalization, I was sent home with a plastic bag of things which I didn't know what to do with, so I put them in a cabinet. I pulled them out the other day and the bag contained a Spirometer, a Flutter and another thing which I don't know the name of which I was to blow into while in the hospital. So, I took these with me today and the Respiratory Therapist explained each one to me and how I was to use them properly and what they meant. I'm so glad I found these items. Prior to my warm up exercises, they checked my blood pressure and oxygen saturation and said that my blood pressure was somewhat low, so they checked me a lot today but it did become withing normal limits as time went on. I know I didn't sleep well last night, and I'm sleepy today, so maybe that affected it. I don't know. I do know that after I found out I lost three pounds, I celebrated by eating more and buying a bag of Dove chocolates. I ate it all unfortunately. I gained two and one half pounds, so overall I have only lost a half a pound instead of three pounds. I can only blame myself for this, and I am disappointed, but those chocolates were sure good. I won't do that again...I hope. Who am I kidding?? I'm sure I will slip up and goof up, but my goal is not number one...to lose weight. My number one goal is to become more healthy and strengthen myself physically and mentally, and I have no intention of letting this splurge of chocolate ruin my enthusiasm nor make me feel bad about myself. When I do things like this, normally I feel like a failure. But, the people at rehab don't look at it like that at all. Each day is a new day, and yesterday is in the past, so always move forward, not backward. I will just know that I enjoyed that bag of chocolate to the fullest, it was great, and now I am back eating healthy again taking one day at a time and not beating myself up over a mistake. There is a little routine we all go through preparing to warm up which we do each time we come. We check in, put our personal belongings away in a locker, hook up to one of their oxygen tanks and proceed to wait to have our blood pressure taken and our oxygen saturation. After that, we all begin our warm up exercises. I confessed to the RT about my chocolate binge and how I am hoping to one day have a flatter stomach. He told me that the secret to that is not more intense exercises nor crunches nor any type of sit ups, but the length of time exercising. He said it doesn't take a lot of strength to develop muscles where there once was fat. It only takes time. It takes exercising at a good rate for a longer period of time per exercise. I didn't know that. He explained to me that it is much healthier and easier on the whole body to take the time to do it correctly rather than to warm up the body and then put the body through an intense workout. This may be just the opinion of the RT's where I attend rehab, but this is their way of doing things, so it will be mine too. For example, my legs will become stronger walking at 2 miles per hour for ten minutes as I'm doing now, then upping it bit by bit, longer to twenty or thirty minutes and with an incline at some point in time. This is a 36 week program, and progress takes place slowly but surely. I walked my warm up walk rather briskly and quick this morning. I didn't mean to or intentionally walk fast but it seemed comfortable for me to take larger strides in my steps when walking. I noticed this right away and was pleased. I did my stretching exercises slowly though because I can tell that my muscles can't be stretched too far or too much without it hurting, so I take my time and do each one slowly. Doing it slowly, I usually can get a farther stretch and do it in a more relaxed manner. It's easier too. I rode the bike today for 12 minutes at a level of approximately 6 or 7. I sure could feel those thigh muscles pulling for those two extra minutes. When I say the word "pulling", I don't meant hurt nor pain, and even now, my thigh muscles are not sore. I have heard the phrase "no pain, no gain", but that isn't true in my case nor the case of others at rehab. I have gained in strength and ability to do certain exercises without one bit of pain. I also did the two minutes of bicycling without peddling. Since they won't let me do the theraband exercises without seeing my doctor first about the pulled muscle (or whatever I did to it) in my arm, so I did make an appointment to see my doctor about my right arm tomorrow morning. I will post what he says. I walked on the Treadmill at 2 miles per hour for ten minutes. I thought they had increased it, but my card hadn't been changed. So, Thursday I will walk on the Treadmill for eleven minutes at 2 miles per hour. By the time I got around to warming down, the sleepies had set in due to my bad night's sleep last night, so I slowly walked the walking track twice, did my stretches and sat down to wait on the RT...yawning the whole time. All was fine, so I left for home. I feel lucky in that the hospital where I do my pulmonary rehabilitation is only a fifteen minute drive from my home. I can honestly say however that if I had to drive an hour for pulmonary rehabilitation, I would do it. It is definitely worth it in every way. After I arrived home, I ate lunch and took a long nap. It is not abnormal for me to have difficulty going to sleep. I tend to "think" too much and plan the next day or worry, etc. That's a bad habit I need to work on. I mention this because I want to assure you that it has nothing to do with rehab. I have had this problem of going to sleep for many years. Actually, I bet I'll sleep good tonight. It could be the lack of exercise in the past that makes me feel sleepy but not be able to doze off. I don't know, but I will try to keep track of how I sleep after my rehab days vs non-rehab days. I do know that on rehab days, I feel more alive, normal and a part of the regular world of people than I do on the days whereby I sit around my house or just do my errands alone. Being around other people has been very good for me. I am feeling better physically and mentally, and it feels good. Until Thursday---Joyce
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Post by Joyce7 on Sept 20, 2007 13:28:15 GMT -5
DAY 4 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION It sure seems as though this should be more than my fourth day of rehab, but I must remember that I didn't count the two pulmonary classes nor the Interview or Orientation. It was a good day today although I gained another 1/2 pound. I must remember though that instead of working a full time job, I am not on medical leave of absence, and am not moving as much as before even though I am now exercising. There is a lot to say for all the getting up and down from one's desk and walking down the hall many times a day for this or that. I am more sedentary now, and should not have thought that two days of exercising meant that I could eat a lot more without gaining weight. I did lose weight at first but celebrated my weight loss too heartily. I'm finding that being "healthy" is includes so many things...proper and consistent exercise, eating healthy, and many mental things such as not rushing, positive thinking and having something to look forward to. I'm learning these things in rehab. My exercises went well today. My time and level on the bike will remain the same for this coming Tuesday, but my speed on the Treadmill will increase. Today I did 11 minutes on the Treadmill at 2 miles per hour. Today seemed to be quite a social day for my group. People are feeling more comfortable with each other now and asking each other's names and talking more. Many people don't or can't talk while they exercise, so they just come out and say, "I can't talk and walk at the same time." Some do, and some don't. I tend to do better not talking while exercising but do talk in between. Today I met a lady and a man who are mother and son. They both have COPD and decided to go through rehab together. Each one encourages the other. The mother seems to be somewhat physically stronger than the son, but they each go at their own pace. I find that I get very thirsty when in rehab and exercising. Thank goodness they have a big tank of cold water and paper cups for us all to use. I always take bottled water with me, but it ends up in my locker, and their water is really cold and tastes good. Also, standing around drinking water while warming up or cooling down is a social event for us, and we talk about our week and how we are doing. I write this because I find that rehab involves much more than the physical aspects of COPD. So many of us copders are somewhat isolated or are in the house most of the time, and going to rehab is something I look forward to. Everyone in my rehab group has been wondering about the other machines located around the walking track which we see being used by some people but not us. None of us has asked yet but today we decided that maybe they have "graduated" and we have not. That's our best guess but I'm sure one day someone will ask. This past Tuesday, I noticed some recipes printed out on the table but today they had all been taken except for one. Apparently, they print out recipes from the Virtual Grocery Store from the The American Diabetes Association website, so I thought I would post it below for those who want to view it and/or try some of the recipes. Click here: VGS - Recipes - American Diabetes Association vgs.diabetes.org/recipe/index.jspWhile at rehab, I saw a poster advertising a headband for use by people who use oxygen and have problems with it moving upward or making their ears sore, so I have posted below the link for the headband. A man at rehab today was wearing one. oxyband.net/Apparently the Respiratory Therapists decide when you can up your rehab days to three days instead of two. I talked with a man today who said he was told he could come three days a week but for now he has decided to just come twice a week. If I am given the chance to come three days a week, I will do it. I find that I am more motivated in a group setting than if on my own. That was it for my rehab today, and it was another good day. Today I especially enjoyed the interaction of all the people. We motivate each other. I would highly recommend to anyone that if given the opportunity to attend pulmonary rehabilitation, take it and go with it. If I can do it, anyone can, plus, it's fun and not hard. Until next time...Joyce
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Post by morningstar on Sept 20, 2007 16:02:55 GMT -5
Joyce,
You are doing well. In these 3 days have you felt yourself starting to not be as stiff and sour. And things are a little easier to reach and such?
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Post by bobbioh on Sept 20, 2007 16:16:37 GMT -5
Joyce you bringing all my Rehab memories back to me I miss it!. We have a dinner in October at a local resturant For a Annual thing. It will nice to see the people from it. Im looking forward to it alot. Keep up the good work and remember dont beat your self up over a few pounds, Your getting alot of benifit thats the goal. The weight will come off soon or later Still waiting on mine to get off . bobbioh
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Post by Joyce7 on Sept 21, 2007 7:21:07 GMT -5
Thank you, and I am seeing the results. I can tell that my legs are stronger when I go shopping or do things around the house. I have a bit more stamina and do not get short of breath as quickly upon exertion. In reality, I have not been on an exercise program since the 1980's, and it's hard for me to believe that I didn't take better care of my body, but that was in the past, and now I am moving towards the future and a stronger body. I'm not hoping to ever get into a bikini ;D, but want only to build as much strength and muscle and endurance as I can. If I have a set back, then all these things will count a lot towards my recovery, plus my day to day living will be better. Hugs to all...Joyce
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Post by Joyce7 on Sept 21, 2007 14:40:01 GMT -5
PS: Yes Rose, very much so. I am not at all sore, and what I am finding is that I can walk farther and walk more without my muscles becoming tired or cramped feeling. For example, I stopped by a clothing store to find a few loose fitting tops to wear to rehab, and I walked all over that store without my legs starting to ache along with my back. I find that I am more conscious of my posture also...not all the time, but more now than before. I found that standing straight as I can on the Treadmill made it easier to walk on it and off I went. So, in the store I did the same thing. I walked slowly, didn't rush, but held my posture in good form as best I could and of course I was using my oxygen, and the end result was that I lasted longer shopping without leg and/or muscle pain or discomfort. At the end, when trying on the clothes, I did become tired at that point and made my selections and came home. I didn't want to push my luck, and it was the best thing. I had a few new items, and I wasn't exhausted. I was tired but not like before. Sometimes it's in the little things that I notice a slight change such as when getting dressed. It's still a chore but is getting easier. Also, when showering, I always have to rest (or recover) for quite a while after showering and then trying to blow dry my hair. I still rest between the two and I do get tired, but I recover a little faster and can last at an activity a little longer. So far, so good..Joyce
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Post by maryaz on Sept 21, 2007 22:52:40 GMT -5
Joyce, You are still doing great and I am still enjoying your writings. With certain areas of working out my showering did improve. It is still the hardest thing I do but better.
I come out of the shower better than I used to. If I take a shower in the morning before going to rehab, it is more difficult than if I take a shower and am going nowhere. It might take me one hour to get ready. I can go into the bathroom 1 1/2 hour before we have to leave but it seems like an anxiety level is there. I don't know if you ever tried it but with me I am much more relaxed if I just shower and not going out or doing anything. I don't really feel rushed but seems there is some unconscious level of thinking.
When I do the best in the shower is when I really work my PLB and I breath in and then breath out twice as long. Also, if I can get the diaphram breathing working, I really do better. If I put my hand on my abdomen, sometimes I can get it going better. I can do it okay laying down but get all mixed up standing. It helps me too on TM but I work too hard trying to do it. I always get mixed up which is in and which is out until I get it going.
It was the weights or the ergometer (arm machine) that helped build my muscles to reach 'up' and wash my hair without getting exhausted. If you have a light weight terry robe or a shower wrap with velcro closure you can try sort of sit and dry off some.
I have a chair to sit at in front of the mirror and I do my hair dryer and everything sitting. Just some ideas.
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Post by Joyce7 on Sept 22, 2007 16:32:06 GMT -5
Showering and washing my hair is also for me an extremely difficult task. It's like a days work at times. I do have a heavy, terrycloth robe which helps a lot but I don't have a shower chair nor a reacher yet. I need to contact my insurance co about those items. I don't know if they cover them or not. It would sure help since I live alone. I hope to take a walk tomorrow..Joyce
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Post by Joyce7 on Sept 25, 2007 15:30:43 GMT -5
DAY 6 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION
Today was the first day of rehab whereby I was feeling sluggish. I knew these days would come at times, but this was the first since starting rehab. Some days are just better than others, and I have no special reason for this being a sluggish day but it was. I slept fairly well but became sleepy about 10:00. My rehab starts at 11:00. I wanted to see all the people but just didn't want to exercise for some reason, but I went anyway.
I noticed that when doing my warm up walking and exercises, I did them with my head sort of hung down and wasn't giving 100% of myself but forged on.
Maybe the warm up exercises got "my blood running" or something because when I got on the bike, I did feel more awake and alert and not as sluggish as before. I did 12 minutes total on the bike at a level of 6-7. The last two minutes seemed long to me but I just told myself that today is not one of my best days and I might be sleepy but exercise is important, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do it, and finished those last two minutes.
Of course, I don't want to forget to say that my stats were taken frequently prior to, during and after exercising.
I had no problems on the Treadmill today. I did 10 minutes at 2.2 miles per hour. Last week I did 11 minutes but they cut it back to 10 and upped the miles per hour. It went well, and seems so far to be the most enjoyable and easiest exercise for me to do.
I may have mentioned earlier that I pulled a muscle in my right arm, and the RT's have not been letting me use my right arm until I saw my doctor. I saw my doctor yesterday, and he doesn't think it's a torn rotator cuff. He thinks it's an impingement, so now I am going to an outpatient rehab clinic for shoulder/arm rehabilitation 2 times a week for one month. They, hopefully, will get me started on Theraband exercises, and assuming all goes well, after the month ends, I can then do more upper body strengthening at pulmonary rehab. My upper body is quite weak along with my thighs, and I want to strengthen both.
I noticed that some people (not from my original group but others who have been coming prior to my group) have progressed to other machines. I hope I can progress to other machines also.
I have gotten in the habit of coming home after rehab to eat a light lunch and then taking a nap. This seems to refresh me for the afternoon, and I think it does me good to nap. Some people don't like to nap and say they feel groggy the rest of the afternoon or evening, so I guess people are just different in their needs and likes and dislikes.
I have now had my first experience with a day of rehab whereby I felt too tired to attend, but I will say that after exercising, I felt better. I want to remember this not only for other rehab days but mainly for times here at home when I might feel sluggish or a little tired. Possibly getting up and doing something productive or just light exercises would make me feel better. Normally, if tired, I wouldn't do anything....just sit around for most of the day or nap off and on, watch TV or get on the computer. It surprised me that I felt better after exercising than I did prior to. A lesson well learned.
Until Thursday---Joyce
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Post by bobbioh on Sept 26, 2007 6:10:25 GMT -5
Way To Go Im so glad you went anyways. And Im glad youre doing so well, Im sure you will get your shoulder healed up in no time. bobbioh
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Post by cocojax on Sept 26, 2007 10:52:54 GMT -5
Way to go Joyce, you are doing fabulous..The shower thing really got me too, there were glass shower doors here when we moved in, and since I tend to be claustrophobic this added to my shower woes. We removed them and just put a shower curtain on. I have a shower head that comes off the wall, so I shower first, get out towel off and because our toilet is close to the tub, or you could use a stool. I sit down and wash my hair that way...You would think it would take longer to do it that way, but I found I do not get SOB and the anxiety is taken away...
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Post by virginia on Sept 26, 2007 13:11:01 GMT -5
Joyce, I love reading about your rehab. Admire you so much!!!!
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Post by Joyce7 on Sept 26, 2007 17:48:19 GMT -5
Bobbi, Ellen and Virginia--Thanks so much for your responses and the shower/hair washing ideas. I am open to any suggestions or ideas.... Joyce
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Post by Joyce7 on Sept 27, 2007 11:49:53 GMT -5
DAY 7 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION I was a little forgetful today for some reason, however I felt more energetic today than on Tuesday and after having my stats taken, I took off to the walking track to warm up. I became short of breath on my second round on the track when I then realized that I had not turned on the oxygen. I didn't tell anyone about this mistake of mine because I felt embarrassed about it. After walking on the track, I headed directly to the bike and was almost on the bike when I realized I had also forgotten to do my stretches. So, I sneaked back to the other room and did my stretches and then got on a bike. This just wasn't my day!! I didn't look at the card they gave me from last week, so I rode the bike 10 minutes instead of 12 minutes at a level of 6-7 with only slight shortness of breath. The Treadmill went fine, and I was on the Treadmill for 10 minutes at 2.2 miles per hour without any problems and hardly any shortness of breath using Pursed Lip Breathing. When cooling down, I decided to walk 3 laps around the walking track instead of two and finished with my stretches. Stats were taken off and on as usual, and I was fine in that area. I noticed that a Tai chi class is being held tomorrow and asked about it, but they want me to attend my arm rehab and see how that goes before doing Tai chi. I noticed one lady who has always spent her whole rehab time riding a low bike, today had progressed to a very slow walk on the Treadmill. I was so happy for her. I'll be honest in saying that they didn't weigh me today, and I didn't weigh me today. They probably will on Tuesday. For next week, starting Tuesday, I will ride the bike for 12 minutes at a level of 6-7 and walk on the Treadmill for 12 minutes at 2.2 miles per hour. As I looked over my card, I realized that I am making progress at a very slow rate. My only real increase for next Tuesday is on the Treadmill increasing from 10 minutes to 12 minutes, but I remember that I started at 5 minutes that first day, and I believe it was at 1.2 miles per hour, and I am now at 2.2 miles per hour. My cup is half full...not half empty. I am beginning to see that it is important that I exercise at least once between Thursdays and Tuesdays. I did walk this weekend, but I feel I need to do stretches and walk a bit more. I find that I am less energetic on Tuesdays than on Thursdays, and I think it is because I am not doing enough on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. It true in that if you don't use it, you lose it. I lost it and am inching my way back to using it again. I may be slow as a snail but I intend on reaching my goal. Until later----Joyce
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Post by bobbioh on Sept 27, 2007 12:12:43 GMT -5
Joyce your doing great we all have bad days. Your next time at Rehab may be the best yet. Keep up the good work. bobbioh
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Post by maryaz on Sept 27, 2007 22:05:56 GMT -5
all; I have not been posting of late but sure didn't miss Joyce's posting. Still going good and even on down days. It is okay. You have a great spirit and attitude Joyce. I will be around a little and then off again. You mentioned a heavy terry robe but for some with severe COPD a light robe can be helpful. I have a terry wrap. One I can wear like you would put on a vest and then it closes with velcro. I have one that is no straps. Once I started working in rehab good and I asked what I could do to strengthen my arms so I could shampoo my hair, showering improved some. The argometer works some muscles and the weights work others. Forget which one I had to concentrate on for the shampoo. I couldn't keep my hands raised above my head well until then. I do not use a chair. There are some really down days that it would help. It is easier to stand. To do that, is where Phil comes in. Phil's breathing methods really helped me go beyond just the simple PLB and I finally could do the shower better. I still have good and bad days in the shower but have come a long way. Anxiety and stress are important. If present, I struggle in the shower. I have a chair at the counter to sit and put on makeup, dry hair, etc. Joyce, I find for me that working out 3 days a week could be acceptable at a minimum but that 4 days a week is better. I personally think 7 is too many. I would like to work 5 days a week but will go for 6 until I lose weight, if I can lose. You do need to get one day in there in addition to rehab. You can lift weights with soup cans. Therabands are great at home too.
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Post by Joyce7 on Oct 1, 2007 4:22:39 GMT -5
Hi---I did ask when I could start coming three times a week instead of two, and they said they'd let me know. However, they are now letting me exercise one day on the weekend. They said I could do my stretches and take a ten minute walk or two ten minute walks on the same day. I feel confident that they will move me to three days a week at rehab and then eventually exercising at home. This will be a busy week with pulmo rehab Tuesday and Thursday, and arm rehab Wednesday and Friday. Once my arm is OK, then I can do the theraband exercises and Tai Chi...I sure like all the Halloween nametags and snags, Joyce
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Post by Joyce7 on Oct 2, 2007 16:03:15 GMT -5
DAY 8 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION
I can't believe this is only my eighth day of rehab. I am finding that our mental state of mind has a lot to do with how we feel as well as the condition of our bodies physically. For example, I may have previously mentioned a lady named Carol whom I work out with at times. Prior to doing our warm up exercises, she told me that it had been a terrible weekend for her. Her sister had moved in with her, and there were problems with that, etc. She was fit to be tied. When our stats were taken prior to warm up, her pulse was very, very high and so was her blood pressure which is unusual. They kept making her rest between exercises, and her stats were above her normal the whole time. She said she felt tense and stressed out, and she felt as though her stress was the reason for her high stats. I believe so too. After rehab, she was more tired than usual and left prior to completing her cool down exercises. Before leaving, she told me that she had no idea the stress she had been under the past few days would affect her body and physical well being so much. Today, I learned a good lesson regarding stress.
For me, this was a good rehab day. I felt good this morning and looked forward to my time exercising. My oxygen level prior to exercising was 97% with good pulse rate and blood pressure reading. I walked briskly around the track twice making fairly large strides and with little if no shortness of breath. I was pleased. After stretching, I sanitized my hands and headed to the bike.
I peddled the bike for 14 minutes at a level of 6-7. I was pleased. I did have some shortness of breath, but not much, and my oxygen saturation was 96% mid-way through the 14 minutes on the bike. I also walked on the Treadmill for 14 minutes at 2.2 miles per hour. I became only a little short of breath toward the end, but my stats were fine.
I found that when walking the track during my cooling down time, I believe I walked it faster than before. Normally I drag that oxygen tank behind me like an anchor, but today, I strode along, slowly but not like a tired snail. My cool down stretches went well also, and my stats were fine.
Some of the people in my group have now begun to do more upper body strengthening exercises, however due to my arm injury (impingement), I can't do that yet. I start rehab for my arm tomorrow morning. I wish I could move along with the others in the upper body strengthening area, but like they told us in the beginning, I'm not going to compare myself with others. So, I'm happy with what I did today, and they seem happy with it too.
I spoke with the RT before leaving, and she wants to keep me at this same level for Thursday's rehab. She said if I do as well Thursday as I did today, then they will increase my time or levels of exercise. I do feel as though I can do more, but I have found out that doing it their way...the slow way...is the best way.
Instead of tiring me out, I think rehab refreshed me today. After rehab I went by my sister's for a brief visit before coming home. I haven't even had a nap today. This is something new. I'm not exhausted at all. Right now, I feel tired, but a good tired...not fatigued and not exhausted...just a sleepy type of tired. I believe I will sleep well tonight.
Bye for now---Joyce
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Post by bobbioh on Oct 2, 2007 17:54:17 GMT -5
Good Job Joyce keep- up the good work and thank you for posting. bobbioh
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Post by cocojax on Oct 2, 2007 22:16:20 GMT -5
Joyce you are doing so well, you seem to be well aware of the hazards of stress. I love reading about your accomplishments each day, they send such a positive message to people that exercise, eating well and mentally dealing with issues, is the only way to go. We can have full, happy lives. When the Dr. from the transplant team at Toronto General Hospital asked me how I manage things like housework. I told her what I used to be able to do in one day, now takes me a week. But I can still do it, and for that I am very proud....Modify, modify.. . One more thing about washing our hair, I find towels generally are too heavy, the perfect solution for me is a baby bath towel. Way to go Joyce....
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Post by Joyce7 on Oct 3, 2007 5:48:22 GMT -5
I really appreciate all the shower and washing hair tips. It's a difficult task! I can see where a lighter robe and lighter towels use less energy, and that's important since saving energy when bathing leaves more energy for other things...such as breathing and tasks...Thanks, Joyce
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Post by Joyce7 on Oct 4, 2007 16:38:21 GMT -5
DAY 9 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION I think I had an excellent day today. Of course, I'm worn out, but that's OK. My stats were good, so I took off to the walking track with three other copders. I know we aren't in competition with each other, but when we all start our warm up walk at the same time, we do notice who is first and who is last. I've always looked at the walking track as sort of a raceway and us copders as the horses, so off we went with one male and one female far ahead of me, and one male at my heels. I came in third, and I think we all overdid our warm up session, but we had some laughs and all did our stretches together. All the bikes were taken by the time I finished my warm up. They told us to always do the most difficult exercise first, so I always ride the bike first. But, I ended up starting out on the Treadmill since all the bikes were in use. I did 14 minutes on the Treadmill at 2.2 miles per hour. Most people are walking for 17-20 minutes, but we each are different, and they have me at 14. At the last session on Tuesday, I walked for 12 minutes, and I could tell the difference between 12 and 14 minutes, but it wasn't difficult. I found an unused bike and climbed on and set it at 14 minutes at a level of 6-7. That last five minutes was a push for me. Normally, I do the bike first when I have more energy, but today did it after the Treadmill, and I could tell that my legs tired more easily. However, I did complete the 14 minutes, and when I got off the bike, I felt as though I had ridden a horse and was still on it. Those bike seats are not very comfortable. Needless to say, my cool down walk was a slow one, and I did make sure to stretch very well after my walk. I have noticed that on rehab days, even though I am never sore, sometimes at night my right leg will be "jumpy". It's hard to explain. It's not a muscle spasm nor a cramp, just jumpy feeling. The RT told me to be sure to stretch out that leg well at the end of my workout, so I did make sure to do that today. Since I am not yet doing as many minutes on the machines as most others, I am one of the first to finish and leave. I wonder about their physical condition, and why they can do more than I do, but it is not a worry of mine. I know that my copd is severe. I know that some people there have pulmonary hypertension. Some have pulmonary fibrosis, and others have a combination of pulmonary and heart problems. I don't have any heart problems yet. I see that I am progressing, and that makes me feel good. They weighed me today, and I have not lost any weight. Even though I lost weight at first, I now have gained it back. I am a snacker at night, and I am going to cut back on the evening snacks and also my sugar. I am not diabetic. I love sweet tea and drink a good bit of it during the day, and I also put sugar in my coffee in the mornings. Since I don't like sugar substitutes, I am going to put only a small amount of sugar in my tea and coffee and drink more water. It's easy for me to reach for a glass of sweet tea instead of water, and I just forget the health benefits of water and my bodies need for it. Today I weighed 169 lbs., and if I remember correctly, they set a weight goal for me of 158 lbs. After realizing that I am very close to that 170 lbs. mark, I came home and ate some tuna fish on lettuce and drank a big bottle of water. Actually, the tuna fish tasted better than it sounds, and I must remember that eating healthy and good nutrition is something I need to do each and every day...not just on rehab days or days when I've gained weight. A healthy diet both in quality and quantity and exercise have to be a daily goal for me. It's important that I exercise and be as active as possible each day. It is not something I can ever take for granted. I had fun today at rehab. I worked hard and increased my minutes. I also am making new friends and finding out that we each carry our own burdens both mentally and physically. We all set goals...some we reach....some we do not reach...but we always keep trying, and in rehab I often hear the words, "Never give up." It's been an excellent day. Until next time---Joyce
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Post by maryaz on Oct 4, 2007 22:33:46 GMT -5
Hi Joyce, Again, you are doing great! I read about nutrition and attended classes since having COPD. I also recently started reading about Diabetes diets due to my husband. I am convinced, in general, that people can eat most anything if done in moderation. We need to change our habits and maybe stop a few things, like white rice, white bread, etc.
I don't think it has to be drastic as long as the person is able to work out to work off some calories. You are getting there on the workouts.
I mainly wrote this to ask you if you are aware that muscle weighs more than fat. I am not exactly sure your conditioning when you started working out. You may be building more muscle by this point and so your weight might not be quite as bad as you think. Just a thought.
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Post by Joyce7 on Oct 5, 2007 17:17:08 GMT -5
Hi Mary--Thank you....thank you Maybe I am building some muscle. I have been told that muscle weighs more than fat...you are certainly right. I also agree with you that portion control is very important along with exercise. Together, the two can help us lose weight and keep our bodies conditioned well. Prior to rehab, I have been bad physical shape. I haven't had a consistent exercise program since the 1980's, and that's the truth. A lot of what used to be muscle is now fat, so I have a long ways to go. I don't expect to be 25 again in any way, but my muscles need a lot of toning and stretching. I have very poor upper body strength, but that will be worked on also along with my legs. I hope one day to be able to do some tummy/stomach exercises, but for now, the RT's say no. It took me a long time to get this out of shape, and it will take me along time to get back into good shape or at least the very best I can all things considered...Joyce
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Post by morningstar on Oct 5, 2007 17:28:13 GMT -5
Joyce,
I just wanted to thank you for honest way of telling you Rehab on a daily bases. You are doing great and I am so proud you don't need any or us there everyday telling you what we would do. You have common sense and I believe that is also a good thing to be shown in things like this. Thank you again for doing this for our site. It means so very much. God we with you each step of the way.
Happy Trails.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Oct 7, 2007 12:50:24 GMT -5
Joyce I've not been reading as much of this as I could or should but what I have been reading has been WONDERFUL. Hon; you have a FANTASTIC attitude.
Thank you for sharing with us, thank you for the ease of how I can seperate it out and the great way your putting it down for e'one.....
d**nit woman; just plain THANK YOU!!!
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Post by Joyce7 on Oct 8, 2007 5:25:44 GMT -5
And I'm enjoying every minute of it. I may never run a marathon, but who knows...maybe one day I will walk one... ..Thank you, Joyce
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