My Pulmonary Rehab Journey

[bobbioh]

Very good Joyce and it sounds like she needs a good support group good thinking. bobbioh

[cocojax]

Joyce you are doing so good, and it sounds like you are having fun. There is such a change in you since you first started rehab..way to go...Do go ahead and mention it to her, watchers are welcome to, some people like to remain in the background for awhile, and that is okay. Take care Joyce, again you are going great...

[Joyce7]

TAI CHI

Hi Everyone--I attended my first Tai Chi class today. It was quite interesting. There were seven of us attending. I was the only "pulmonary" person there. The rest were "cardiac." However, they welcomed me and my portable Helios with open arms.

The lights were dimmed and the music started. It was a very soothing atmosphere. We did a good bit of deep breathing while standing. We did different arm motions (swirls, circles, reaching out and pulling back in, etc.) and learned when to inhale and when to exhale.

I thought I would be able to do Tai Chi without using my oxygen, but raising my arms up often, even if slowly, and moving them around did require a good bit of energy, so I decided to put my cannula back on.

Most of the movements were upper body movements and strengthening of the upper body rather than the lower body. My arms tired easily, but I did complete the session.

After the class was over, Mark, the RT talked with me about how to do Tai Chi at home. I can do it standing or sitting. Also, he is aware of the difficulty of raising the arms for people with pulmonary problems, and he told me to go very slowly when doing the movements. If some of them are too strenuous, then don't do them now, but wait until I have gained more upper body strength. Also Mark stressed the importance of proper breathing and how after inhalation, I can exhale completely and rid my lungs of empty air (I think that might be what he called it.) Trapped air might be a better term.

For me, I would prefer to do this in my own home rather than in a group. I believe I would be able to relax more and move my arms with more fluidity if alone. I see how Tai Chi can be very relaxing and calming.

I'm so glad I attended the class, and I can attend with the group anytime I wish. It was fun, and I learned something new. Every little thing helps when it comes to proper and good breathing and being able to stay limber, flexible and as strong as possible.

Bye for now---Joyce

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce; Your post was very interesting. I attended just one class and it was probably less than what you got. It did seem very relaxing what they have you do in the way of exercising.

Breathing properly is going to be important for everything we do. It is harder to get more o2 in if we have air still trapped. I think that was something Phil was always trying to emphasize in the exhale.

We are doing some Yoga like exercises at rehab and I don't do any of them good in a group. It helps me to be alone when you are to quiet your mind. Maybe I am too easily distracted.

I would like a reasonable CD to show Tai Chi but the guy who came had them for $35 and up and that is too much. I have several soothing CD's for background. I have one really good one but forgot what it is. I need to work on this stuff more.

Joyce, Do you ever work on the erogometer or lift weights to strengthen your arms. I cannot remember which does which but one of them is better for strengthening the muscles to reach. My brain does not remember. I used to ask in rehab how I could do certain things better and then they would point me to what would work. Shampoo my hair was one.

I wanted Tai Chi for the relaxing and relieving stress part. The exercises do sort of just 'flow'. Sounds silly, I guess but cannot word it. Take care, Thanks for sharing.

[Joyce7]

Hi Mary--I have a "Tranquility" tape here at home which I purchased at Wal-Mart for about two dollars and will use that when I do these relaxation exercises. I also have one red theraband with instructions for strengthening my arms. I have a very hard time when showering and washing my hair. My arms are raised for washing, rinsing, conditioning and rinsing again, and then to blow my hair dry and use the curling iron. It's a day's work almost for me. I'm always tired afterward. But I hope to strengthen my upper body and arms and also get a shower chair which will help.
I feel sure at pulmonary rehab that they have the machine you mentioned (erogometer), but they only have me doing the bike and Treadmill. I will ask if they will let me use the one for arms. They may not without an "OK" from my doctor but I will ask. Thanks for the tips and information and also your experience with Tai Chi and arm strengthening. Have a good day..Joyce

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce; When you ask at rehab, also ask them the difference of working out with the weights or the erogometer. Each does something different for the arms. I am not sure but think it was the machine that helped the strengthing.

We used to have a really good guy at our rehab and he was the 'exercise specialists'. I called him that because I could never remember what their fancy name was. Think it is a phys. . . .? He used to help me a lot if I asked.

I struggled a long time with being able to keep my arms up but now it doesn't bother me. You are doing great. Keep it up.

[Joyce7]

DAY 19 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION

Everyone was in a very good mood today at rehab..some talking, some telling jokes and others just laughing. It was just one of those uplifting days. I was a little tired today, and being with my rehab friends was refreshing.

I took my walk around the track, did my warm up exercises and waited for my stats to be checked. Everything was fine, so I headed for the bike. Today I rode the bike for 17 minutes at a level of 6-7, and I think Thursday they might up me another minute. I will know when I get there. I was slightly out of breath riding the bike but not enough to slow my pace.

I walked on the Treadmill for 17 minutes also and again was slightly out of breath, but, I completed the full 17 minutes.

I then walked the track twice slowly and did my cool down exercises and proceeded to take my seat in line for my stats to be taken. They keep oximeter's (more elaborate ones than I have) on the chairs along with blood pressure cuffs, and most of us check our own oxygen level and just tell them what it is, and then they check our blood pressure. My oxygen level was only 87% and I had on my oxygen. My pulse was higher than normal too, so they had me just sit there for about ten minutes. I think my pulse was 98 at first, but finally after resting, my oxygen level came up to 98% and my pulse dropped to 94. The RT said that 94 was higher than they would like to see but that I could go ahead and go home. Thank goodness. Aside from being a little more tired than usual, I feel fine.

I will keep a close eye on my oxygen level today and also my pulse rate, just in case. It was a good day today. They do have an ergometer (sometimes written ergo-meter or just ergo meter) for upper body strengthening. Below is a link showing a picture of the machine. If for some reason the link doesn't work properly, please let me know, and I will put a picture of an ergometer in my photobucket and post the picture. They have several there but only have me on the bike and the Treadmill at least for now.

I took with me to rehab today some print outs of several things such as "Sick Lungs Don't Show" and information as to how to do every day tasks, but the lady I was going to give them to was not there today. I will give them to her the next time I see her at rehab.

groups.msn.com/saleandbuyusedexerciseequipment/ubesergometerpicture.msnw

Until next time---Joyce

[bobbioh]

Joyce good work but the rehab day is 19 today I fixed it where I moved it I will let you fix your post here bobbioh

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce; Glad you were able to ask about the ergometer. We only have two of them. We have something new that is sort of like it but more and I know nothing about it.

If I am on the TM and I can pretty well tell when my sats are below 90, I check my oximeter, and start working my PLB and diaphram breathing more and usually get back up. Your numbers run a lot better than mine.

Many days there is no explanation to what goes on with our breathing. Often just the environment. As long as we are okay then we just credit it to 'one of those days'. Glad you are doing well.

Have you ever checked to see if your town has a Better Breathers Group. Often listed with American Lung Assn on local level. This is not always correct info in Arizona I know. If one met once a month or like that, it would give good contact. We don't have a good one here yet. Just thinking of how helpful you are and continuing to be around people who understand.

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce, I have to add something to my post above. After posting I looked at your link. That picture of the ergometer is the 'new thing' we have. The two older ones just sit on a table and you just go round and round with your arms. No leg part.

Someday I will look at the newer one but usually someone is on it. Our rehab is so crowded because we are in a facility that is not big enough. At least we have rehab.

[Joyce7]

Hi---Regarding a "Better Breather's Club", a couple of weeks ago one of the RT's asked me if I would be interested in participating in a Better Breather's Club if we had one. I said definitely yes. She stated that she is contacting the other hospitals in the surrounding area to see if they have people interested. Since then, I haven't heard anything more about it. I do know that we have a Pulmonary Fibrosis group that meets but they don't want to make it "all pulmonary patients", just pulmonary fibrosis. I will ask on Thursday. Thanks and hugs to all...Joyce

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce. Your post sounds good. Nice to know some people are trying to help our cause. If they ever start one, you might post it on the forums because sometimes you just might pick up one more person.

I am only guessing but the Pulmonary Fibrosis people might not want to mix, in that the COPD may overtake what they are trying to accomplish.

I don't agree with cardiac and pulmonary really together if working as a group. They are a different group of people. We all know that we are not going to improve or not much. Cardiac often need conditioned and get back to life about like previous. I am only saying this in general and know not apply to everyone.

Bronchiectasis patients are included in COPD but often left out of the conversations and their disease acts differently. I have seen this more than once with the Lung Assns.

[Joyce7]

DAY 20 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION

I had some errands to do this morning and ran longer than expected, so I slid into Pulmonary Rehab this morning just in the nick of time ;D

My stats were good and my warm up walk and exercises went well. I always try to do the bike first since it is harder for me, but today all the bikes were in use, so I walked the Treadmill first. I walked for 18 minutes at 2.4 miles per hour. That went well, and I was able to catch up on the news by watching the overhead TV while walking.

The bike was next, and I really had to push myself toward the end. I completed it and rode the bike for 18 minutes at a level of 6-7. I was tired but glad that I had been able to do 18 minutes on both machines.

My final stats were taken, and they were good. I'm glad because Tuesday my oxygen level was lower than usual, but today it was back to normal.

I took the print outs of "Sick Lungs Don't Show" and also "Around The Clock With COPD" to one of the ladies in my group. She had to quit her bike exercises early today. She said she just gave out. She has both pulmonary fibrosis and copd. She really appreciated the print outs since she doesn't know how to use a computer. I'm going to look around for other information for her also which would be beneficial.

I have mentioned to many people at rehab that I am a member of a copd online support group and told them how helpful it has been for me. I have not yet run into anyone who says they are a member also of an online support group. Most of the women say they don't use a computer or have one. That surprised me, but I will be glad to give them any information I can that might be helpful.

No word yet as to whether or not we are going to be able to get together a Better Breather's Club. They are still working on it. I hope so. That would be good for everyone.

Next week is Thanksgiving, so I will be attending rehab Tuesday but not Thursday since that is a holiday. I will post my Tuesday rehab as usual. I'm going to have to make myself get out and walk after Tuesday because I don't want to go a whole week without walking and exercising. So, I will do it on my own. Also, this time of the year when many of us celebrate and have big dinners and more desserts, it's easy to gain weight, so for me, it's especially important to exercise not only for strength and endurance but for weight issues also.

Until later---Joyce

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce. Your rehab is really good. Mine is set up somewhat different. Everyone does do one hour exercise. I usually do mine 11 AM to 12 AM. 10 AM to 11 AM is class time, whatever the class is for the day, on Tuesdays. People who chose to exercise at 9 AM hour or 11 AM hour often do, so they can attend class. Thursday that time is generally Harmonica practice. Whoever chooses attends 10 to 11 AM. That includes me and some that have been there almost as long as I have, along with newer people who come and go after their initial stretch.

By stretch, I mean whatever insurance allows and pays for them. We have a self pay and it is just over $50 per month. We just don't get checked during our workout but we do our own numbers before and after and get our blood pressure taken. This is just Pulmonary.

The reason I explained is to tell you about our holidays. We used to be better covered and could use rooms in the hospital but those days are over and things got changed. Think money entered the picture. We also had them in rehab room in PM. Think you could call that political business or such. Anyway, we generally do things for holidays. Small ones like Halloween just bring cookies, candy whatever for the hour during whatever the class is. Some did dress up this year. I missed but seen some pictures. Funny! I have some great memories form the first few years.

We have a collection can and this one man gets a cake once a month for all birthdays of the month. We are doing something new this year with our Thanksgiving. It is like potluck and workout will be 10 to 11 Am and the earlier hours. We will have a buffet from 11 AM to 1 PM. That is the staff lunch and what is usually our exercise time. This so we can visit more. I am just sharing how they can be different. We are probably a smaller group, not sure. Tuesday and Thursday and except for lunch I think people come in most hours from early morning until late afternoon. Hope this is clear. Tuesday we are having Turkey and Roast and all the trimmings.

You are right about walking and also about the weight gains.

[muffin]

Joyce you really are doing great! You cover so much more than we covered in rehab it is sad to think the one I went to is accredited for TX & LVRS. It doesn't come close to what you do. I went 1 hour 3 times a week for 6 weeks I believe it was, and never really did anything but the TM, bike, and some cool down. The decongestants & antihistamines I took for many years for allergies, but since diagnosis have not taken any and really you should not as they do dry you out. Water is the best expectorant, but for people with a real problem, like my uncle has he has to take mucinex a lot of times as it is worse at times, and he drinks plenty of water every day. My understanding is that it does not really do any good for someone with E, however with my sinuses I have taken it many times. Say you keep up the good work you have come a long way and have learned so much. I have gotten a free rehab session from you. Blessings & You go girl!!!

[Joyce7]

Thank you so much for your comments. I believe the cardiac group is very large but the pulmonary group which I am in is smaller. The idea of social events like dressing up for Halloween and a Turkey dinner sound like fun. When I was at rehab yesterday, I picked up a few flyers and am posting one below which I am going to place on my refrigerator as a reminder.

DIET TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Be Realistic--Weight loss over the holiday season may be a tough goal. Instead, try to strive to maintain your weight but be prepared for that New Year's resolution to continue your weight loss goal.

Balance Your Meals--If "part-eating" is on your agenda for the holiday season, make sure to consume smaller, lower-calorie meals during the rest of the day to avoid over-doing your energy intake.

Have a Snack--Before a party, it may be a good idea to have a low fat snack such as a piece of fruit, a small bagel or even a half of a sandwich to avoid extreme hunger that may lead to over indulging. NEVER GO TO A PARTY HUNGRY

Avoid Rushing to or Hanging Around the Food at a Party--Prevents unconscious nibbling.

Drink Sparkling Water With a Twist of Lime, Club Soda or Diet Drinks--This can help avoid those excess calories from alcohol or soft drinks.

Make Only One Trip to the Party Food Table and Use a Small Plate For Smaller Portion Sizes--Choose only the foods you really want. Keep portion sizes small as a taste of food may satisfy a craving. Avoid seconds.

Choose Lower-Calorie Party Foods--Choose items such as fresh vegetables or plain baked breads instead of fried foods, cheese balls and other high-fat snack items.

Serve Yourself ad Plan Responses to Insistent Hosts--Serve yourself to limit portions. To hosts say, "No thank you. Everything was delicious, but I am stuffed." Don't give in or back down from your reply. Eat slowly to aid in avoiding the pressure for seconds and to avoid overdoing intake.

Make a Heart Healthy Dish to Bring Yourself--This way you will know of at least one heart healthy item that you can munch on.

If You Do Enjoy Those Special Holiday Foods, Do So in Moderation and Jump Back on Your Healthy Eating Plan After That Splurge Session--Splurging on occasion is OK. Don't feel guilty and give up the healthy diet plan that you have worked hard to achieve. Enjoy your splurge but remember the diet plan the next day. To limit splurging, choose only the foods that you consider an essential part of the holidays and cut back on others.

If Entertaining, Choose Healthy Menu Items For Your Guests--Serve smaller portions of high fat items and larger portions of lighter foods. Prepare most tempting foods last to minimize exposure. Most guests will not be able to detect a low-fat item. Give away leftovers.

Stay Active--Continue with your exercise program to burn calories and aid in minimizing holiday stress.

Have Fun, Be Safe, and Have a Great Holiday Season!

[Joyce7]

DAY 21 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION

It was a quiet day at rehab today without as many people in attendance. This Thursday is Thanksgiving for us, and many people are traveling or have family coming in for the week.

I am sure my rehab notes are very redundant, but that's the way they do things. Every pulmonary rehabilitation class lasts no longer than one hour, so once a person can do 20 minutes on both the Treadmill and the Bike, and when you include the warm up exercises and cool down exercises with stats taken, that takes up the hour.

Today my stats were good, and my warm up walk of two times around the track and exercises went well. I rode the bike for 18 minutes at a level of 6-7 and walked on the Treadmill for 18 minutes at 2.4 miles per hour.

I did my cool down exercises, and my stats were taken. I have noticed, and so have the Rt's, that my oxygen level is fine after rehab but it takes me longer than most to get my pulse rate down to what they want. Normally, I just sit a little longer than the others, and it always goes down. I weighed in today at 173 on the dot.

Being a smaller group today gave us the opportunity to talk more with each other. I now know that one lady and I see the same doctor, and she talked on and on about how nice the doctor's nurse is. The nurse happens to be one of my best friends since the latter 1970's...so it is a small world after all. We all found out what each other was doing for Thanksgiving and general chit chat. This must be a popular time for the RT's to take off being a holiday, and they were short staffed today. It was no problem though for us, and it gave us a chance to talk.

Thursday is a holiday, so rehab will be closed. The RT's previously gave out several flyers. One I already posted, and I have another one entitled "Tips for Surviving the Holidays." It is not lengthy, and I will post it another day.

I feel I am doing well and would be able to do more easily if I could lose some weight. Their weight goal for me is 158 pounds, so I have some work to do on my weight.

Bye for now---Joyce

[Joyce7]

TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS

1. Take time for yourself.

2. Try practicing deep breathing exercises when you feel
stressed.

3. Don't set yourself up for disappointment by placing unrealistic
demands on yourself.

4. Don't aim for perfection, enjoy the imperfections.

5. Don't try to lose weight or stick to a highly restrictive diet
this holiday season.

6. Enjoy your favorite foods in small portions

7. Drink plenty of water.

8. Spread out meals.

9. Don't overdo it with alcohol or caffeine.

10. Don't set unrealistic exercise goals. Aim to exercise 30
minutes a day, even in divided sessions.

11. Create new, more active traditions, such as walking after
dinner.

12. Laugh!

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce, I don't know if you saw the post that Chris put on the board. Check this out. there is the ergometer in the picture like I was trying to describe without the pedals. I thought of you as soon as I saw the picture.

Hope you had a very good holiday.

www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=21fc36cf-b385-42a6-bc32-12e29212a2c0&p=1

[Joyce7]

I see what you are talking about now. Thanks Mary. I didn't see one of these at rehab but I am learning how important upper body strengthening is. My upper body strength is not great but I am working on it. I still have more rehab sessions to attend, but I think they are concentrating more on lower body exercises to keep people walking. They haven't mentioned anything to me about the upper body except in the Tai Chi class I attended. The article is good too, and thank you for posting it. I can tell my legs are stronger and I can walk farther at a better pace without becoming exhausted. It has made a big difference in my ability to do things...espcially stay on my feet for longer periods of time and walk. I am working out on the theraband for my arms and posture also. I am going to ask at rehab Tuesday if there are any machines they will let me use for upper body strengthening. However, since they are a hospital, they probably will need a prescription but maybe not....Joyce

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce; I think the scripts are just for 'rehab' and not the machines in particular. Different everywhere, obviously.

If they will listen, try to talk to a Respiratory Therapists and explain (actually they should know this) that once you have COPD, at least at a certain level, and you are deconditioned, reaching and lifting are also very important. It is not just about walking.

Walking is very important but we are trying to learn to live with a disease in the most normal way we can. We compensate by building endurance and strength and slowing down, etc. We learn how to breath while doing things. When to exhale and when to inhale. We had classes on stuff like this. Unfortunately I just realized since we changed RT's we don't have the same classes.

I think you know what I am trying to write. Wish someone would come along and say it for me.

[Joyce7]

DAY 22 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION

For all of us who have never been in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program before now, we learned a good lesson from last Tuesday until today. That lesson is as follows: If you don't use it, you lose it when it comes to exercise. I, along with many others, did some exercise over this past week, but not as much as I am getting in rehab. I could tell a big difference.

I started off fine with good stats, two brisk walks around the walking track and my warm up exercises. I set my bike for 18 minutes at a level of 6-7, and when I was half way through at 9 minutes, my legs were aching and I was feeling short of breath. I heard other people on the bikes next to me talk about how tired they were having not exercised for a week and how hard riding the bike seemed to be and how their legs hurt. I felt the same way, and although I was able to complete the full 18 minutes, I did rest before heading to the Treadmill.

I walked the Treadmill for 18 minutes at 2.4 miles per hour. I did notice that I was somewhat short of breath. My stats were fine though on both machines.

My cool down walk and exercises were done very slowly, and I was still a little short of breath when I sat down to wait on my stats to be taken. My stats were fine, but I did gain weight. I now weigh 175.9 pounds.

The two things which made rehab so difficult for me today is that
(1) I did not get enough exercise this past week, and (2) I ate too much. It was our Thanksgiving Holiday, and I ate too much food, too much dessert and took home too many leftovers. I did not use portion control. I have to ask myself if it was worth it, and I honestly can say that it was not worth it. All that good food tasted so good at the time, but with Christmas coming up, I am going to remember that maintaining my weight and my exercise routine is much more important that enjoying those few days of over eating. There is a price to pay down the road.

I did have to find this out the hard way. When there is a holiday or an event where there is a lot of company/activity and food, and reducing my exercise and/or overeating is tempting, the resulting fatigue and weight gain are a set back and not worth it.

It was good to see everyone at rehab again, and to find out how their week went. We have become like a family, and I will miss them when rehab is over. The RT's are still working on getting a Better Breather's Club started.

Until next time----Joyce

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce. As usual you did good and provided an informed report. Thanks for that.

Natually, you are not going to pass every cookie on the plate but don't have to overeat them. Probably more than on a normal week but just not the whole plate. .

What you do to compensate is to get the exercise. You ate and did not exercise. Be sure you exercise and maybe you will work off what you ate and manage to maintain your weight.

My experience is that I can pass and pass and then after so long it is like "I want a piece of cake". One piece often starts to be more and more. We need to be conscious but not enough to spoil the holiday.

One other thing is that you could fix a treat that is not so fattening as cookies and cakes and stuff and yet that you don't fix a lot of the time. I like Tri-bean salad and we don't fix it often and that is a treat.

If you have to take a walk, tell yourself you are going out and look at xmas decorations or something other than the trying task of 'just walking'. Good luck and enjoy the holiday season.

[Joyce7]

Hi Mary, You are so right in that I didn't get enough exercise, and I am going to remember about portion control. The holidays are a time when food and candy are offered constantly, and there is a huge difference between accepting one cookie to munch on verses five. Thanks, Joyce

[stargazer]

I enjoy reading your Rehab Journey, my hubby is also going to rehab. They have made a video of the exercise classes but we haven't seen the final version yet. I go with him twice a week but only get to go into the education sessions which have been great. Learned alot and have met some outstanding people that you look forward to seeing each week. Our rehab program here runs 12 weeks so we will be finished in mid January then we're on our own!

[maryaz]

We talk about conversing with others that understand and relate because they have the same problems, This is why support groups would be so good for us. Everything else has them, such as, Heart, Diabetis, Alzheimers, Alcohol, Drugs, MS, Gambling and on and on.

The relationships that you form can continue then. I have been in my rehab for over 5 years. Some do just the initial program and don't join in the "self pay" part. I think if we had a good support group in town (and this is a very big town with millions of people) many of them would have joined the support group at some point. Some cannot make the payments on their own and some are just not that interested.

There are still a few of us left from 5 years ago.

[Joyce7]

DAY 23 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION

Yesterday was a busy day with other appointments along with rehab, and I'm sorry I wasn't able to post my rehab until today.

I, along with many others at rehab, am still recovering from our Thanksgiving holiday. I did better than on Tuesday, and I think it might take two weeks to catch up after being lazy for one week.

They still have me doing the same things right now. My stats were good and also my warm up walk and exercises. I pushed it hard on the bike to make my 18 minutes at a level of 6-7. I don't know why the bike is so much harder for me than the Treadmill, but it is, so I give it my all.

The Treadmill went well with the same 18 minutes at 2.4 miles per hour. The time went by quickly though since the man next to me started up a conversation, and talked about 10 of the 18 minutes which was fine with me. The time flew by. It was interesting talking with him since his mother and sister died of copd and he now has it also. Several months ago he was hospitalized with pneumonia and was on the ventilator, but now is back in rehab. His mother and sister never smoked, and although he did smoke, he wasn't a heavy smoker. I am going to ask him next week if he has been tested for Alpha 1. It is so interesting getting to know my rehab group of people.

My cool down exercises went well, and I think next week, I am going to ask if I can up my time to 19 minutes.

I am so glad I have had this experience to get to know my fellow copders and other people with pulmonary problems. We talk and we share, and we know we are not alone. If you aren't there at rehab, you are missed and asked about. The RT's spend part of their time giving us updates on why so and so isn't here and when they might return and how they are doing if sick. It feels good to be so comfortable within this group of people.

The "Talk" at rehab right now is how to maintain our weight over the holidays and also maintain our exercise program. It is tempting to set aside exercise thinking that if we are out shopping....that will be our exercise. Always be mindful that our muscles need the exercise along with activity and good nutrition. We got into a discussion about how much more susceptible we might be (along with others) to getting sick during a holiday time due to poor nutrition, less exercise and increased stress. Then flu season comes along, and we need to be not at our weakest level if possible but at our strongest level. Preparing for the flu season and holiday season is like preparing for a race. Eat right, exercise and pace ourselves for preventative reasons. It makes good sense to me.

The RT's encouraged me to exercise more at home, so I will be doing that.

Until later---Joyce

[maryaz]

Hi Joyce, Good post. Keep reminding us. I have to get started again. I was struggling for couple weeks and no rehab at all this week. Finally feel better today. When I am worn down, then I have trouble going out and also working out. These were Dr, Dentist, MVD and things had to do

People often think they don't have to exercise if they are running around but what you stated is correct.

Even without the flu, there are colds being so many are shopping, watch when you are out and try to have hand santizer. I have used it quite a bit this week as we have been out.

[Joyce7]

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

[maryaz]

Good job Joyce. I know what you mean about leaving the people. I have spent over 5 years at one rehab. I self-pay now and it is about $55 month. It is worth it for us. I have often thought of leaving but that wouldn't be good. In my state it could be depressing. It is sad seeing some of them go that don't stay on.

I missed the first get together of some people last week but even in my absence I guess I got involved in our forming of a support group. I don't know how this is working exactly but I know we can have the benefit of the professionals behind us. The RT is with us on it but not a part of starting it.

I guess I was volunteered to do the newsletter. I don't know about doing it but can contribute a lot. I tried to explain that I write like I talk and that doesn't come out well in newsletter. I am sure I can contribute a lot and I could prepare it if someone shows me how.

The group of Pulmonary Drs where I go are involved in things too. One of them was at the recent Lung Assn Summit. I guess I wanted to share this to say that good things are happening. I know they are. I keep seeing more and more. Five years ago I dug and dug and couldn't find much of anything positive. Keep us posted on your group as it develops. Good workout.