Plumo Rehab Day 31

[bobbioh]

PHASE TWO

DAY 31 - PULMONARY REHABILITATION

I am now entering Phase Two of my Pulmonary Rehabilitation program. There are three phases, and I am told there is a maintenance program also. I asked the RT today exactly how many days of rehab I have left that vocational rehabilitation has agreed to pay for, and she said seven. So, with seven more days of rehab, I will do my best and hope that I can do more after that. It all depends on finances.

The RT's were reminding everyone that the first Better Breather's Club in this city will be January 15th at lunchtime. That is perfect for me since it is a Tuesday. I will be able to participate in rehab and then attend the Better Breather's Club meeting. I will post all about the meeting on this thread. My Pulmonologist was scheduled to be the speaker, however I was told that he canceled due to high patient load, so a Pulmonologist by the name of Dr. Sharma is to speak at the meeting.

I did purchase two two lbs weights, and I have a theraband, and am going to continue to exercise at home using these.

Everyone including myself was working very hard today with most having gained weight over the holidays. I did not weigh myself today. We were huffing and puffing our way through our routines which made me realize how quickly I can lose the strength I have worked so hard to gain.

I pushed it hard through my 20 minutes on the bike at the same level of 6-7 and 20 minutes on the Treadmill at 2.4 miles per hour. I know that I need to be challenged, so on my next rehab day, I plan to ask the RT if I can increase the Treadmill time. I will also discuss with the RT (I meant to today but forgot) about the machines for upper body strengthening.

I would like to mention several people's reason and/or driving force behind attending rehab. Some have attended for quite a long time.

One man has been attending for approximately three years. He told me today that he tends to sit in his recliner too much, and this rehab program has kept him in shape and to maintain his strength.

One lady has been able to go from having to use a mask over her nose and mouth to obtain her oxygen to using the cannula as I and others do.

Another man has early stage copd, and he comes twice a week. He really flies on the Treadmill at an angle, and I wasn't sure at first why he was there. He seemed so healthy. But, he told me he came because he wants to "keep it that way"....early stage.

One man is a cardiac and pulmonary patient, and he attends three times a week. He attends the Cardiac rehab one day a week and Pulmonary rehab twice a week. My understanding is that he has been attending for quite a long time. It seems to be working well for him.

I will post again on my next rehab day. Bye for now--Joyce