Well, it's official. I'm going to live. :) Today was my checkup with the cardiologist. All is well! Seems like I'm in good shape! Here's what he said...
The results from my stress test were rockin'! I ran on that treadmill forever! What does this mean? My heart can still work hard if it has to and my new stent is making itself at home. The test proves that it's healing up well. Thank goodness for that! How do you get it OUT if it has an attitude?!?
The grumpy news is that I'm going to have to carry nitroglycerin for a very long time and I'll need to stay on a bunch of medication for the rest of my life. I'll take it folks! It seems my heart has spasms and the arteries get squeezed. Ouch. That's the chest pain I've been feeling. It's called angina and I'll have to get used to it. Nitro does help greatly and with some medication tinkering I'll be fine.
What does this mean? When my chest hurts, I park it until it stops. That's it! I can live with this! With a good diet and if I keep ahead of the heart disease it won't take hold again. It's not a guarantee against another attack, but this REALLY ups my odds. Good, good news. It doesn't get better then that folks. Once you have heart disease you always have it. It's not something you can cure. What this news means is that we've turned the tables. Heart disease doesn't have a death grip on me. I have a death grip on it.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
How badly do you want to shave your legs?
Pretty bad. I'm a firm believer in if you look better you feel better. Even when I was in the hospital I wanted two things. My hair straightener and cute pajamas. Silly I know, but I feel a little perkier when I don't look like a sick person. It's a girl thing.
This week I discovered the other downside of Plavix and Aspirin. I nicked my ankle. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal. One hour, several paper towels and band aids, and bleeding through that glue stuff you use to close wounds it started to seem like a pretty big deal to me. By the time I got that itty bitty cut to stop I was seriously considering calling my doctor.
The next day at rehab I discovered something else new. Even itty bitty cuts can reopen and bleed anew. Into your sock. In the middle of your mandatory workout routine. Gross.
Seriously. Gross. The moral of the story is this. If you have to take Plavix and Aspirin listen closely to your doctor. Absolutely no unnecessary surgeries! Don't even get a cavity filled without talking to your cardiologist first. Your doctors can adjust your medication and monitor you closely if you have to have surgery so don't flip if you need something done. If you are unlucky enough to cut yourself, don't panic. The only thing that accomplishes is it makes your heart beat faster and your thinner, non clotting blood just bleeds more. Relax and if it looks deep, go to your doctor's office or the nearest ER. Tell them what medications you're taking and let them fix it.
Easy peasy. Most people only take Plavix for a year or two. We just have to hang in there that long right? No cuts, no dentists, no surgeries. Lots of bruises. It's a small price. Just be careful right?
This week I discovered the other downside of Plavix and Aspirin. I nicked my ankle. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal. One hour, several paper towels and band aids, and bleeding through that glue stuff you use to close wounds it started to seem like a pretty big deal to me. By the time I got that itty bitty cut to stop I was seriously considering calling my doctor.
The next day at rehab I discovered something else new. Even itty bitty cuts can reopen and bleed anew. Into your sock. In the middle of your mandatory workout routine. Gross.
Seriously. Gross. The moral of the story is this. If you have to take Plavix and Aspirin listen closely to your doctor. Absolutely no unnecessary surgeries! Don't even get a cavity filled without talking to your cardiologist first. Your doctors can adjust your medication and monitor you closely if you have to have surgery so don't flip if you need something done. If you are unlucky enough to cut yourself, don't panic. The only thing that accomplishes is it makes your heart beat faster and your thinner, non clotting blood just bleeds more. Relax and if it looks deep, go to your doctor's office or the nearest ER. Tell them what medications you're taking and let them fix it.
Easy peasy. Most people only take Plavix for a year or two. We just have to hang in there that long right? No cuts, no dentists, no surgeries. Lots of bruises. It's a small price. Just be careful right?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Guys
I got lucky with my rehab class. They're a great group of guys. They were my second try and I'm so glad I moved my class time so I could meet them. I moved my time because the first class I picked wasn't a good fit. The members had been there a while and I was the youngest by (seriously) 40 years. Ouch. Now I know it's very rare for a 30 year old to have a heart attack but how was I supposed to relate to a bunch of 70 year olds?
I didn't. The normally cheerful class was silent the whole time. I might as well have been the smelly kid in the playground no one wanted to play with. These guys had a party going in rehab and someone young enough to be their grand kid wasn't invited. I moved my class time that night and called my sister hoping for some sympathy. In that way that only a sister has, she had me laughing about being "unpopular" in rehab. It is pretty funny isn't it? I got booted out of my first class! WHAT the?!?
I showed us for my next class armed with her advice. "You're not there to make friends. Just do what you need to get done and get better!" I was expecting another round of semi hostile geriatrics. What I got was a whole bunch of honorary daddies and granddaddies. I love my new guys.
Once they figured out I had a "reason" to be there I was taken around and introduced to my new crew. They pointed out the repeat offenders (guys going through another round of cardiac rehab after another heart event) and the "pig parts" (the guys with valves replaced with pig valves.) I met guys like me with stents and was proudly shown bypass scars and one new zipper scar. They're boisterous, they're funny, and they were all more then willing to let a "sweetpea" like me tag along.
It's like walking into a new family. One minute you're the odd one out and the next you're fixing their cell phones for them. We trade recipes and horror stories and they show me the music on their iPods. There's always the joke about the fried chicken and pizza that they're going to bring... next week.
These guys make rehab easier. It's hard being in there and learning your limitations. With a fun, supportive group you end up with friendly competition and a better outlook. The guys "get it." They know like no one else does what it's like to have a heart problem. I'm a lucky girl to have found them.
I didn't. The normally cheerful class was silent the whole time. I might as well have been the smelly kid in the playground no one wanted to play with. These guys had a party going in rehab and someone young enough to be their grand kid wasn't invited. I moved my class time that night and called my sister hoping for some sympathy. In that way that only a sister has, she had me laughing about being "unpopular" in rehab. It is pretty funny isn't it? I got booted out of my first class! WHAT the?!?
I showed us for my next class armed with her advice. "You're not there to make friends. Just do what you need to get done and get better!" I was expecting another round of semi hostile geriatrics. What I got was a whole bunch of honorary daddies and granddaddies. I love my new guys.
Once they figured out I had a "reason" to be there I was taken around and introduced to my new crew. They pointed out the repeat offenders (guys going through another round of cardiac rehab after another heart event) and the "pig parts" (the guys with valves replaced with pig valves.) I met guys like me with stents and was proudly shown bypass scars and one new zipper scar. They're boisterous, they're funny, and they were all more then willing to let a "sweetpea" like me tag along.
It's like walking into a new family. One minute you're the odd one out and the next you're fixing their cell phones for them. We trade recipes and horror stories and they show me the music on their iPods. There's always the joke about the fried chicken and pizza that they're going to bring... next week.
These guys make rehab easier. It's hard being in there and learning your limitations. With a fun, supportive group you end up with friendly competition and a better outlook. The guys "get it." They know like no one else does what it's like to have a heart problem. I'm a lucky girl to have found them.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Don't feed the heart patient.
Ever see those signs at the zoo? Don't feed the lions! I need a t shirt that says don't feed the heart patient. Seriously. I do.
I know everyone means well but cardiac rehab patients are put on a very strict diet. The no salt, no fat, lots of whole grains kind of diet. It's designed to help with rapid weight loss and prolong our lives. Everything on the no no list directly relates to heart disease. Now if the cardiac rehab patient you know is sticking to the diet he or she is serious about living a long time. They're doing their part to fight heart disease. Don't try to feed them!!!
It's human nature. When someone gets sick family and friends break out the honey hams and casseroles to drop off with the family. They bring cookies and fudge baked with love and come to visit. Heart patients love the visits. We hate the food. When our diets start to work we're dropping weight. The same concerned family member that brought you the fat loaded tuna casserole will start encouraging you to put "some meat on your bones" and will encourage you to order fattening food at a restaurant.
I know you mean well, but heart patients know what they're doing. They're getting leaner and meaner to fight off heart disease and erode what heart problems that may remain. Cheats and treats are a miserly few and only your heart patient will know when they're due for one. Most times a loved one can do more harm then good.
Did you know chocolate is loaded with caffeine? Caffeine can cause a rapid heartbeat. This means that your heart patient you just brought fudge to knows how dangerous it is. You, unfortunately, do not. We may REALLY love your fudge recipe but we just can't eat it right now. I know you also may consider a "heart healthy" dish. The problem is the ingredients. Cheese, butter, eggs, and red meat can actually sicken someone who's become unused to eating them. Salt is a HUGE problem. Salt can cause heart patients to retain fluid. This may not sound to bad until you consider where it can go... into our lungs and chest cavity.
You're encouraged to not feed the lions at the zoo because what you give them may harm them. Unfortunately, the same rule applies to us. It puts us in a no win situation. If we don't eat it or accept it we risk hurting your feelings. If we do accept and eat it we risk harming ourselves. Can I make a suggestion? Try flowers or reading material when you visit your loved one. My absolute personal favorite is just bring yourself. If you feel like you must do something, make a donation to a heart related charity. I'd be THRILLED if someone donated to my cardiac rehab facility or the American Heart Association. Honestly, there's no greater gift then your love. It's plenty. I promise.
I know everyone means well but cardiac rehab patients are put on a very strict diet. The no salt, no fat, lots of whole grains kind of diet. It's designed to help with rapid weight loss and prolong our lives. Everything on the no no list directly relates to heart disease. Now if the cardiac rehab patient you know is sticking to the diet he or she is serious about living a long time. They're doing their part to fight heart disease. Don't try to feed them!!!
It's human nature. When someone gets sick family and friends break out the honey hams and casseroles to drop off with the family. They bring cookies and fudge baked with love and come to visit. Heart patients love the visits. We hate the food. When our diets start to work we're dropping weight. The same concerned family member that brought you the fat loaded tuna casserole will start encouraging you to put "some meat on your bones" and will encourage you to order fattening food at a restaurant.
I know you mean well, but heart patients know what they're doing. They're getting leaner and meaner to fight off heart disease and erode what heart problems that may remain. Cheats and treats are a miserly few and only your heart patient will know when they're due for one. Most times a loved one can do more harm then good.
Did you know chocolate is loaded with caffeine? Caffeine can cause a rapid heartbeat. This means that your heart patient you just brought fudge to knows how dangerous it is. You, unfortunately, do not. We may REALLY love your fudge recipe but we just can't eat it right now. I know you also may consider a "heart healthy" dish. The problem is the ingredients. Cheese, butter, eggs, and red meat can actually sicken someone who's become unused to eating them. Salt is a HUGE problem. Salt can cause heart patients to retain fluid. This may not sound to bad until you consider where it can go... into our lungs and chest cavity.
You're encouraged to not feed the lions at the zoo because what you give them may harm them. Unfortunately, the same rule applies to us. It puts us in a no win situation. If we don't eat it or accept it we risk hurting your feelings. If we do accept and eat it we risk harming ourselves. Can I make a suggestion? Try flowers or reading material when you visit your loved one. My absolute personal favorite is just bring yourself. If you feel like you must do something, make a donation to a heart related charity. I'd be THRILLED if someone donated to my cardiac rehab facility or the American Heart Association. Honestly, there's no greater gift then your love. It's plenty. I promise.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Well THAT'S reassuring!
Want to see what it looks like inside a cardiac rehabilitation gym? Sure you do! Wouldn't you rather see it on a blog then see it for yourself? You reeeeally don't want a membership at this gym. As exhibit A let me introduce you to the thing guaranteed to dampen even the most determined heart patient's spirit.
Tada! The crash cart! It's that blue thing on the left. See what's right next to it? Exhibit B, the scale! Every week you're required to weigh yourself while that crash cart leers at you. On my first day of cardiac rehab the crash cart was proudly pointed out by the staff. They told me it's only been used twice. Wow. Great. Really, thanks.
Now I'm sure twice is probably like almost never. To us heart patients sporting shiny new plastic pieces and pig valves, twice is hardly comforting. Are you seriously going to tell the guy with the pig valve twice? Seriously?!?
It makes no difference really. Everyone in the class has an unspoken agreement to ignore the cart. We give it a wide berth when we walk by and don't even look at it. The whole point of cardiac rehab is to teach us how to live long healthy lives. The guys and I tend to not linger on the thing that most points out our mortality. Working through the rehab is reminder enough.
I don't give that thing a second thought. I have to say though... I get a kick out of seeing visitors reactions to it. Maybe I'll even tell the next one it's only been used twice. :)
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