tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47474562541848634452024-03-06T12:02:16.344-08:00Confessions of a Recovering Couch PotatoHow to get back in shape when you are getting older every day.Anneke, The Little Red Menacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17416030232207131016noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-5825880466864995182012-12-27T15:03:00.002-08:002012-12-27T15:03:30.455-08:00Not Wind nor Rain nor...<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Christmas dinner will keep me from my training regimen for the Seattle Rock & Roll Half Marathon in June 2013. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Well...to be perfectly honest I did take 3 weeks off from training for various less than adequate reasons, but I am back on track now. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>On Christmas eve I ran 3 reps of 12 minutes followed by 1 minute of walking and finished up with a rep of run 8 minutes and walked the rest of the way home. Yesterday I upped it to 3 reps of run 15 minutes. Not too bad except for the 6 minutes spent running up a fairly steep and lengthy hill. My arms were swinging and my feet were moving but I am not quite sure you could consider it "running". </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>I can no longer use my out and back route, so will have to branch out to other neighborhoods. Problem is there are lots of dead ends and very little shoulder so running safely is a bit of a problem. Yesterday I added a new loop, and when needed there is one more loop that can be incorporated, but all in all it doesn't add up to more than about 5-6 miles. I guess when the time comes I can start running it twice. It is very hilly, making it necessary to find a nice flat route somewhere so I am set to run any terrain they throw at me. I am guessing the Seattle Half Marathon route will be hilly because it is after all...Seattle. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Now I need to get my diet in check and I should be in shape in plenty of time for June 2nd. </strong></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>To Gu or Not To Gu...That is the Question...</em></strong></td></tr>
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Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-15836986342513876352012-10-17T17:21:00.002-07:002012-10-17T17:48:30.466-07:00Ooooops I did it again...<br />
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I have, for the 3rd time no less, registered for a Half Marathon. It was originally my 50th Birthday goal, but that didn't work out. I signed up for the Seattle Amica Half in 2009 but missed it due to a bum knee...then I signed up for the BMO Vancouver BC Half in May 2010...which I also missed due to a bum knee. I did attend to cheer on my friends - some of whom were running their first ever full marathons. They did great and we had a wonderful time there.<br />
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Since then I have had knee surgery and a little brush with mortality, but I still want to do this thing! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>A little whippet puppy therapy after my knee surgery and before my PE August 2010</strong></span></td></tr>
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It has been 14 months and I think the time is nigh (<strong><em>and</em></strong> the Doctors have cleared me medically) so today I did something rash. I registered for the 2013 Seattle Rock & Roll Half Marathon on June 22, 2013. This gives me 8 months to either put up or shut up. <br />
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We all know by now that I get all hot and bothered about something or other and go full tilt until I don't. So how do I make this one THE one where I actually make it to the starting line ~ hopefully the finish line ~ and a big fat finisher's medal? Good question - and one I will need to ponder a little further. It is, after all, Fall and daylight is a little more limited each and every day plus I live in a very rural area where it is not safe to run in the dark.<br />
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Stay tuned for further details.....Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-15140475755309633212012-03-01T13:16:00.000-08:002012-03-01T13:21:27.431-08:00Can it really be March 1st already?<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time is passing so quickly I get dizzy sometimes. My health has been up and down, my weight has been up and down...nothing seems to change too much on those fronts. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week I have been "prepping" for a colonoscopy and so far it hasn't been too bad. Of course I haven't done the actual prep...that happens tonight when I get home. I am not looking forward to it, but it has to be done. I have chosen to use this week of leaving out all the different foods necessary for the procedure to go well as a week to start yet another healthy eating regime. I know I KNOW! But I have already lost weight cutting out the desserts, dairy (LOVE cheese), breads, and most especially Adams Old Fashioned Crunchy Peanut Butter. Sigh. Wish me luck, and while I am gone you can just relax looking at a beautiful photo...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbFJdqVaXlzvMRx6O53vImDJf8QplDO_eB5CWgWodW_gR_F0GsZwnQvbcamG7vUTz0Ecs5pNC-gw454wPsrSjKlSeQQN1JvvtjFZczarKZ8pHsnWm8LvnC16Kn9Er4Tk-nHp23c5b3A/s1600/Kirkland+Sunset+v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbFJdqVaXlzvMRx6O53vImDJf8QplDO_eB5CWgWodW_gR_F0GsZwnQvbcamG7vUTz0Ecs5pNC-gw454wPsrSjKlSeQQN1JvvtjFZczarKZ8pHsnWm8LvnC16Kn9Er4Tk-nHp23c5b3A/s320/Kirkland+Sunset+v3.jpg" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div>Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-70081870189637244092011-08-12T15:42:00.000-07:002011-08-12T15:42:16.981-07:00Now What Should I do?Now that I have the whole embolism thing behind me what should I do to keep in shape? I have decided running is not good for my health...so that's out. I have been walking a few miles a night with my dog, but the knee isn't quite ready for pounding yet - I have a tendency to walk really fast and my foot falls are very hard. The last 3 nights I have been riding my bicyle indoors on a trainer. That is great for my knee - but quite boring. I try to visualize the route I would be taking outdoors, but I always jump ahead and then skip over some parts. Riding a bike is the best thing for my knee, so I think this will be my participation sport of choice. <br />
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A friend loaned me a bike that I can use - or buy if I like it well enough. I did ride it one day and nearly killed myself. I ride like a little kid who just had the training wheels taken off! I was all over the road, afraid to go fast, and if I turned my head that is the way I went. YIKES! All the little kids in the neighborhood were laughing at me. Oh well, hopefully with practice I will be able to ride like an adult in the near future.<br />
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In the meantime I have started (re-started) a healthy eating regimine. I am actually eating vegetables (Oh the Horror) and lots of fruit. I just got one of those magic bullet type blenders and made a fruit smoothie last night. That was fabulous! <br />
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I know, I know! I have started and re-started the whole exercise/healthy eating thing many times in the last several years. But you gotta give me credit for coming back to it when I fall off the wagon. <br />
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Have a great weekend everyone!Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-38177298897710178002011-08-09T16:04:00.000-07:002011-08-09T16:04:29.875-07:00One Year Ago Today...I was in the ICU after a massive and bilateral pulmonary embolism after suffering a deep vein thrombosis. It was all very scary and I didn't realize at the time how close I was to taking a walk into the light. I spent a full 7 days in the Hospital and then went home to recuperate. It was incredibly difficult to be so slow! I could barely walk 10 feet before I was done in, and had to use a cane for my recently surgically repaired knee. The cane actually kept me on my feet when the embolism hit me - I leaned on it with both hands so I wouldn't fall down. <br />
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I did finally make it to my car or rather I got close enough to lean over and lean my hand on the back and then walk hand over hand to the driver's door and got in. My ears were ringing louder and Louder and LOUDER and it was going higher and higher up my body to my head - kind of like filling a vessel with water. The thought that came into my head was this "If the sound reaches the top of my head I will die". I didn't want that to happen so I willed myself to be calmer and slowly but surely the sound went down and eventually went away. <br />
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Me in ICU the second day. My friend Ceannie visiting and keeping my mind off things.<br />
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I thought about calling my roommate on my cell from the car, but then thought "No, I can make it back to the house". Luckily for me she had taken the day off. Her dogs were going crazy in the bay window overlooking the stairs and she opened the door to ask if I was OK. No I said. No, I'm not. I was standing with one hand on the railing, one hand holding the cane, one foot on the bottom stair, and my head hanging way down trying to breath. She told me to get in the car - so I walked ever so slowly over and opened the door. The seat was full so I just stood there in the rain, head hanging down until she came out and moved the stuff. Technically we should have called 911 and had the medics take me to the Hospital...but no...I decided I was better now that I wasn't walking around. So...off we went and the rest is history. Thankfully!<br />
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Swollen leg and foot...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU52FhGhyphenhyphenlNNbm_zDgaB13Z_PMjvy95-HFjS841fu0l20geSkbxq8KXYZfa8YxF5UUGT67cFCUSF2nctym1D04XCOkru4u5TSnh2vQQoHOo2lV2hipKerUoaXRMbYMm3rH2lJtk7QuHA/s1600/Swollen+leg+and+foot+08-08-10+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU52FhGhyphenhyphenlNNbm_zDgaB13Z_PMjvy95-HFjS841fu0l20geSkbxq8KXYZfa8YxF5UUGT67cFCUSF2nctym1D04XCOkru4u5TSnh2vQQoHOo2lV2hipKerUoaXRMbYMm3rH2lJtk7QuHA/s320/Swollen+leg+and+foot+08-08-10+edit.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Stupidly I had been ignoring the symptoms for about 4 days. First my lower leg and foot swelled up quite large, then I had trouble breathing, then I couldn't breath, and then it hit. I should have gone to the Hospital on the Saturday before, but my roommate had someone in town and was at a dog show. I didn't want to leave the dogs unattended and I guess I just didn't realize quite how serious my state of being was at that point. Funny thing was that the out of town guest is a Doctor and if I had just showed him my leg I'm sure he would have driven me directly to the Hospital without passing go or earning $200! <br />
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This is me from the Saturday before the embolism getting a little whippet puppy therapy. My leg was very swollen and painful...but I wanted to see the puppies!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkwUj2GzWB2hva3TtTbPXtopKSsAbSgqtQtD7Hc97UqPXo8-jF3TtR_tvUepe0aeiG28YyUrEi-oiid4xB4UE3lRdl6X8VfEzTi46Wk2mlwdF8Rw4ciYZ869R5ud92tuIbauAfGrCwQ/s1600/Whippet+Puppy+Therapy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkwUj2GzWB2hva3TtTbPXtopKSsAbSgqtQtD7Hc97UqPXo8-jF3TtR_tvUepe0aeiG28YyUrEi-oiid4xB4UE3lRdl6X8VfEzTi46Wk2mlwdF8Rw4ciYZ869R5ud92tuIbauAfGrCwQ/s320/Whippet+Puppy+Therapy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My Mom is still a little freaked out because on that first day I was telling them how the blood clot began in my leg and then travelled up through my heart and into my lungs. She stopped me and just kept saying "It went through your heart? It went through your heart? It went through your heart. Maybe I should have saved that for later?<br />
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Lovely flowers I received...I had to send them out to the Nurses station because I was allergic...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkmVkwXSXsOrHAD175h9tI3TEvjyqXO9uCxm-rd8IzI5Hk9EYixf4RRtzvTa0fnQZw7KvBi8fsAs6PyOQ8ZFVGCNSi4teNqR0T7V0ikDHeB8jMSUHVoqEMq8_Gi5_e3T-w7mGdrL73g/s1600/Arrow+Flowers+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkmVkwXSXsOrHAD175h9tI3TEvjyqXO9uCxm-rd8IzI5Hk9EYixf4RRtzvTa0fnQZw7KvBi8fsAs6PyOQ8ZFVGCNSi4teNqR0T7V0ikDHeB8jMSUHVoqEMq8_Gi5_e3T-w7mGdrL73g/s320/Arrow+Flowers+%25282%2529.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>Moral of the story honorable children friends...Listen to your body...it may be trying to tell you something. AND Listen to your Mom when she tells you to wear good underwear in case you end up in the Hospital. I had both very old undies and hairy legs when I got there...Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-1395266504061010432011-06-27T12:50:00.000-07:002011-06-27T12:50:39.747-07:00The times they are a changing...It has been quite a while since I posted anything to this blog...mostly because things with my knee were not going well at all. In the last month or so I started taking Aleve in the evening and that really helped. Yesterday was the first day since my surgery on July 27, 2010 that I have been able to walk normally - go through a full stride on my bad leg. THIS makes me very happy. I do not believe I will ever run again, but I do need to find an alternate so I can get back in shape. I am not much of a swimmer or bike rider...but I may need to learn to be those things. I can walk, so I can start there and build up miles and strengthen my whole body. HotRod will like that a great deal! He has been a very bored dog for months and months. Luckily for me he is a good dog and up until recently didn't get into any mischief. I did end up in the ER last week with swelling in my leg and foot, but everything turned out fine. No clots!<br />
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I hope to have more interesting stuff to talk about going forward - so stay tuned.<br />
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A little peek at life in the country...this is my back yard.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicPqsqA4x1Yo_VByh5NYw_l7l_yFWohFeuZA1zWq2NNyzejoXnqZtdsRSdDrTZIH1XJrRPFKBFjG5hKET-O4a1Zajt7Z5IXXFWWomi5sIhaXrqSOGkI5JI-fGE_GFFupPx7giUc0aNA/s1600/Doe+in+the+pasture+laying+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicPqsqA4x1Yo_VByh5NYw_l7l_yFWohFeuZA1zWq2NNyzejoXnqZtdsRSdDrTZIH1XJrRPFKBFjG5hKET-O4a1Zajt7Z5IXXFWWomi5sIhaXrqSOGkI5JI-fGE_GFFupPx7giUc0aNA/s320/Doe+in+the+pasture+laying+down.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-14777668427323441152011-02-10T12:37:00.000-08:002011-02-10T12:37:00.576-08:00Has it really been 6 months already?Yesterday was the 6 month anniversary of my pulmonary embolism. I can't believe it has gone by so quickly. <br />
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I have an appointment on the 21st to have a new CT scan and doppler/ultrasound of my legs to see if the clots are completely gone. On the 23rd I go back to find out if I can put all of this behind me. I am still seeing several Doctors, and having my blood clotting level taken every two weeks or so. Right now I feel pretty darn good, but I still get tired easily. That could be because I am not in shape as much as anything left over from my illness. I really REALLY want to stop wearing the anti embolism stockings! Those suckers are tough to get on and off.<br />
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I have started working out some and registered myself to walk a half marathon on May 8th in Kirkland WA. Just the right incentive to get myself in fit shape. I walked 8 miles a few weeks ago, so this 13.1 miles should be no problem. Running the half may have to wait until late summer or until I feel like my knee can really take the pounding. I will not have any more surgery...so if something breaks I will have to live with it. <br />
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I hope to be writing more regularly now that things are progressing so nicely...so stayed tuned...Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-32921165920712212132010-11-19T16:05:00.000-08:002010-11-19T16:12:19.728-08:00It's official...I have sleep apnea. I have now gone to the second overnight sleep study - which is where they have you wear the CPAP machine so they can fit the mask and determine the proper air pressure. I had no trouble with the mask, but my stupid chronograph watch alarm started going off about 1:30 AM and continued about every 10 minutes. I would just get to sleep and then beep beep beep. I would turn it off and then it would beep beep beep again. Finally the voice in the ceiling told me to take the watch off and she would come take it away from me. How embarrassing. Of course sleeping after that was even more difficult. <br />
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Now I am just waiting for my Doc to call in the prescription to a company that supplies durable medical goods and I can get started being a "hose head". I don't care - I just want to feel better and have more energy. That will help me get back on a good exercise schedule too. <br />
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Stay tuned for more exciting details...<br />
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Happy Turkey Day everyone!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6btbwMkC7HcA-Oye1X0Ts4z6P5leUbKp4mlu9ewpQL44OnbBXSFK8djoC4t4jaJXWDn-IBAmswpFdjcBQp3NKffUViBaCxVJkDJbTrUctvYT2YtpH-O9jqeVJ1R6bwTQWyHaAYblkbw/s1600/CPAP+Overnight+Study+11-16-2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6btbwMkC7HcA-Oye1X0Ts4z6P5leUbKp4mlu9ewpQL44OnbBXSFK8djoC4t4jaJXWDn-IBAmswpFdjcBQp3NKffUViBaCxVJkDJbTrUctvYT2YtpH-O9jqeVJ1R6bwTQWyHaAYblkbw/s320/CPAP+Overnight+Study+11-16-2010.png" width="240" /></a></div>Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-35812168451075696192010-11-08T12:20:00.000-08:002010-11-08T12:27:10.789-08:00Time Flies When You Are Having Fun....Didn't realize just how long it had been since I posted here. A lot has happened and all for the good! <br />
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The clots are gone from my lungs with very little left in one leg, the right side of my heart is back to normal, my lungs are back to normal per my pulmonary function tests, and I am exercising. I walked 4 miles yesterday...which is 3 times as far in the same amount of time as when I started after the embolism. Yay Me! When I can't walk I ride my bike indoors so I don't miss any time.<br />
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I am now taking steps to determine if my sleep apnea is causing me to still be lethargic, exhausted, and headachey all the time. I went thru an overnight sleep study last Wednesday night, and will get the results on the 16th. I am hoping they have found something specific that can be corrected. I would like to know what it feels like to wake up refreshed - haven't had that in my whole life. From what other people have told me using a CPAP machine can make a huge difference in your life - and that is what I am really hoping for now. I will try to post more often as I recover and get back to real training.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Check out this pic of me all wired up for the sleep study.</div><em><span style="background-color: #134f5c;"></span></em> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10Ib-GIdZ1C2JcsgJ3YJSInZUuoy9Z-Nx0_gCyEV8biZvNnrPZQDTwa044Y8VUue9jK3QYOorRMxoJset8rAm4KxdbpT6a_T4gHHwPJ6mSZWkoCfctG8vd8mlsjudC-OSz-yVcBMmpw/s1600/Copy+of+Wired+up+for+the+sleep+study+11-03-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><em><span style="background-color: #134f5c;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10Ib-GIdZ1C2JcsgJ3YJSInZUuoy9Z-Nx0_gCyEV8biZvNnrPZQDTwa044Y8VUue9jK3QYOorRMxoJset8rAm4KxdbpT6a_T4gHHwPJ6mSZWkoCfctG8vd8mlsjudC-OSz-yVcBMmpw/s1600/Copy+of+Wired+up+for+the+sleep+study+11-03-10.png" /></span></em></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #134f5c; color: white; font-size: small;"><em><strong>How's this for a scary photo?</strong></em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><em><span style="background-color: #134f5c;"></span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnV-V_y3SbvAKhV2_TAEQUo8TPH5rz3s5x1EfAlWrJVs2ptn2DgbQDqwV8_BSMmg5yvK6tXfH2udFQFL0kPZHFouDMcruIa0yNkIKw6C-aUMrPLi6V24ZoNFlYBTu8T3m209ZvfuOOg/s1600/Wired+up+for+the+sleep+study+11-03-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-18106974425614157582010-10-07T09:30:00.000-07:002010-10-07T09:30:08.676-07:00Aint that a kick in the head...What a week so far! Monday morning I ended up in the ER with symptoms like those I had before the pulmonary embolism. They ran a bunch of tests...CT, EKG, Doppler of my legs, blood, etc. All came out great - which is wonderful news, but we still don't know why I am having the shortness of breath, and extreme lethargy. I went to my cardiologist on Tuesday and they ran an echo...which also came out really great. Now what? I will see a pulmonary specialist on Oct 18th and see what, if anything, they can find. Maybe I was still feeling the effects of my head cold, or I became anxious because I was having the breathing issues and that made it worse? Not sure, but below are my results...<br />
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CT = no more blood clots in my lungs<br />
EKG = normal<br />
Doppler of legs = only very small clots that present no threat<br />
INR = 2.9<br />
Echo = heart is back to normal. Cardiologist said if he had not seen my first echo he would not be able to tell I had a pulmonary embolism! Yay for me!<br />
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My INR had dropped quite a bit when I was checked at the anti-coagulation clinic yesterday - down to 1.9. Need to get that back into the therapeutic range of 2.0 to 3.0.<br />
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Feeling better today - just having some allergies going on with a headache. I can live with that.Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-30627322247501663702010-10-02T12:40:00.000-07:002010-10-02T12:42:46.293-07:00Going backward a little this week...The last few days my breathing has been more difficult again and I am coughing a lot more. I will be taking it easy and hopefully this will get better in a few days. I have an appointment at the anti-coagulation clinic on Wednesday, so I will be sure to ask them about it. They did tell me I would have ups and downs, so I just need to go with it and try not to over do anything.<br />
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I am going to our local race meet in Roy WA tomorrow in order to see Anneke run the oval...but all I will be doing is sitting and watching. I won't be able to help anybody with their dogs. I know everyone will help me stay on the straight and narrow! I have some great friends in the racing community and I appreciate all their help and concern.<br />
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Still waiting until I get the results of my upcoming echo before I can really do much more than ride the exercise bike and walk a little with HotRod. I am getting a little antsy...but must follow directions to keep moving in the right direction. My goal is full and complete recovery. <br />
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Hope you are all having a great weekend out there!Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-55833926506902783232010-09-25T15:25:00.000-07:002010-09-25T15:26:54.444-07:00What a week...This week was very tiring. I had 3 different Doctor's appointments on 3 different days...and I still had my head cold. We also had a very stressful business meeting in the office on Friday, which had everyone on edge. <br />
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The Cardiologist doesn't want me to ramp up my exercise program until I have another echocardiogram which will happen in 2 weeks. This is fine with me. I am currently riding my stationary bike in the evenings, and taking little walks with my dog. The anti-coagulation clinic moved my blood testing from once a week to once every 2 weeks - and that is a good thing!<br />
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Today I had an appointment at the Y to learn my workout routine and get used to the machines. I am looking forward to really being able to work out hard, but for now slow and steady wins the race. <br />
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My knee is feeling so much better in the last few days, but my surgeon would have liked to see my recovery a little bit further along. But...I missed one full week while in the hospital, and it took another week or so to have the energy to do much of anything. I go back in another month and hopefully that will be it. <br />
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No appoinments next week!Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-32512180505360452912010-09-19T12:09:00.000-07:002010-09-19T12:09:32.847-07:00One step forward...two steps back...As if breathing wasn't difficult enough I developed a wicked head cold this week. I had some of the worst sinus pain I have ever had on Tuesday, and because of the Coumadin I need to be careful what I take for said pain. I did try a couple of things, but they didn't help. I decided I would just have to wait it out, and finally Wednesday afternoon the pain became much more bearable.<br />
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Here is it Sunday and I am still congested, froggy, and coughing. I am hoping I will be better next week so I can start making use of my Y membership. I'm even looking forward to using the pool. I'm not much of a swimmer, but it will probably be the best thing for me.<br />
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Hopefully I will be able to break out of this funk and get back on the road to recovery, but right now it just doesn't feel like it will happen any time soon.Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-16582458599204610922010-09-12T17:46:00.000-07:002010-09-12T17:46:26.745-07:00Better Day by Day...But it is really difficult to move so slow all the time. I no longer have to wear a brace on my knee or use the cane, and am trying to get back to being fit and healthy.<br />
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Thanks to a benevolent friend (Thanks Pat!) I now have a membership to the Y, and have access to all they have to offer. There is one about a mile from where I work, so I can either go before work or at lunch. I am looking forward to being active again...within the limits of my health of course. I think water aerobics or lap swimming will be good for me.<br />
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I am still very tired most of the time, but I am seeing progress. <br />
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I missed the one year anniversary of my blog back in August...what a year!!!Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-53592481318313901252010-08-30T07:47:00.000-07:002010-08-30T08:03:54.359-07:00Great Weekend In Squamish BC!<span style="font-size:130%;">First I want to thank all of my friends who were not about to let me do too much this weekend. You guys Rock! I did pretty well, but by the end of the day I was tired. Thank you goes to Craig Biggs for giving me a ride back to camp on the quad. Much better than the slow walk.<br /><br />I finally bought a blow up air mattress for sleeping in the car - and it made a big difference. I had Anneke sleep in the car with me and HotRod, and she just snuggled right in. Of course she took the best spot and HotRod was put out about it - he finally decided tojust lie down and go to sleep.<br /><br />The racing was HOT and the location was just as beautiful as always. I have always enjoyed racing there. Unfortunately for me Anneke measured out on Saturday, and tweaked a toe yesterday on her first day running with the adults. She looked good though, so I have high hopes for her career on the track. Her Bro, Milhouse won the puppy races on Saturday. Wahoooo!<br /><br />It is quite nice to just sit and watch a race meet rather than the running around you do when you have a dog or dogs competing. Thank You goes to Susan Heiniger for taking Anneke for the summer and racing her for me.<br /><br />All in all a wonderful weekend - of course today I am beyond tired, but it was worth it!</span>Anneke, The Little Red Menacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17416030232207131016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-27425219189834984392010-08-27T15:07:00.000-07:002010-08-27T15:13:35.001-07:00I'm going to Squamish BC...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwtcrv06AdPGBKdAsPoXCgOBfMMOgyw-Nm-0YMKRmJHJRTqg93FjIGwhZLp4NOlV9g3pLLSMOKs7FT9E3N8G14fawhG-7SkwZF6qokF4Ri48Xgj4xdnNp4REm_ca0vVILqnZ4s9lxfy1O/s1600/Anneke+and+Milhouse+ready+for+the+2010+Nats.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510216031739090786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwtcrv06AdPGBKdAsPoXCgOBfMMOgyw-Nm-0YMKRmJHJRTqg93FjIGwhZLp4NOlV9g3pLLSMOKs7FT9E3N8G14fawhG-7SkwZF6qokF4Ri48Xgj4xdnNp4REm_ca0vVILqnZ4s9lxfy1O/s320/Anneke+and+Milhouse+ready+for+the+2010+Nats.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I didn't think I would have the energy for the 4 hour drive up there and it is still a pretty short time since my pulmonary embolism...but I can't not go. My puppy, Anneke, turns 1 year old today and will be running in the races tomorrow. I really wanted to see her. Plus, there are going to be a great many people there that I have not previously met, so I want to go there just to hang out too. The picture is Anneke and her brother Milhouse waiting to head up to Canada. Run fast you two!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Some of my friends don't want me to drive up there thinking I haven't had enough time since I got out of the Hospital, but I can't just sit around. I will work within the limits of my energy, and if I get out of breath or tired I will just sit down. Nobody will expect me to help with their dogs, so I can just schmooze and watch beautiful whippets run all day long. They will help me walk HotRod as well, because he will pull me down if I try to walk him anywhere at a race meet!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Hope you all have a great weekend - I intend to.</span></div>Anneke, The Little Red Menacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17416030232207131016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-17457143272881003182010-08-24T10:31:00.000-07:002010-08-24T10:40:11.084-07:00If you run, bike, hike, etc you need RoadIDI needed to get a medical alert bracelet so if something happens it will be known that I am taking an anti-coagulant (Coumadin). This type of thing can be a life saver for anyone who will be out training or hiking or whatever. Take a look at the link on the top right side of my blog (or below) and check them out. I ordered the Road ID Classic and it arrived within 3 days and I love it. I just couldn't see myself wearing some dainty little gold thing - I probably wouldn't wear it all the time. Check it out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx?referrer=6562">http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx?referrer=6562</a><br /><br />I know it sounds a bit like a commercial, but I think it's pretty cool.Anneke, The Little Red Menacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17416030232207131016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-48595069331458331002010-08-20T12:30:00.000-07:002010-08-20T12:46:41.562-07:00Back at work part time...I have almost made it through 4 partial days at work, and really only had one where I wasn't feeling well. Now I just need to get used to the fact that I can't walk fast, can't lift much, have to use a cane, and will occassionally breathe really hard. <br />
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My family and friends have been fantastic throughout this experience so far, and I don't expect that to change. It is a little like having a bunch of Moms telling me what I need to get done and to take it easy. It is such a big mental transition from being able to just get up and go - and go quickly - and now moving at a snails pace and running out of energy fairly quickly. I am also very independent and not at all used to asking for help. My Moms are helping me get over that as well. <span style="font-size: large;">Ü</span><br />
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I have to set up appointments with a primary physician, my surgeon, a hematologist, and a cardiologist, as well as the anticoagulation clinic. I am going to be pretty darn busy with Doctors for the forseeable future. I also ordered a medic alert bracelet that says I'm on coumadin, and am going to ask my Doctor to sign so I can get a temporary handicapped parking placard. It nearly did me in when I went to Costco the other day!<br />
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I probably have not been as good about taking care of my knee...from the surgery that started all of this - so I really need to start some sort of rehab, but of course that will affect my coumadin level. Oh Well. At least I know what I will be doing for the rest of the Summer and into Fall.<br />
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That's all for now. I'll just keep on keeping on!<br />
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Here is a link to the bracelet I ordered - not your plain old medic alert type:<br />
<a href="http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx">http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx</a>Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-14074661802961881852010-08-16T20:33:00.000-07:002010-08-16T20:33:06.438-07:00I'm Home!!!I was released from the hospital this morning after 7 full days. I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS AGAIN! I intend to follow all of my Doc's instructions to the letter so I don't ever end up in there again. HotRod and Bella were ecstatic to see me home and are following me everwhere I go in the house. Right now they are both on the bed sleeping, but touching me. It's very sweet.<br />
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Thank You to everyone who thought good thoughts for me...I appreciate you all.<br />
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Tomorrow I go to the anticoagulation clinic, then I have to make an appointment with the hematologist, the cardiologist, find a primary care Doc, and then make appointmenst for a colonoscopy & mammogram...It's going to be a very busy few months.Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-17417002129100882072010-08-15T16:00:00.000-07:002010-08-15T16:00:14.451-07:00Bazinga! 2.6 today...It looks like I will get out tomorrow - one week after coming in to the ER with a PE. In a way I am a little bit happy because it is nearly 100 degrees out and I would struggle with that when completely healthy. BUT...the food is getting old and I want some chocolate and an iced mocha. <br />
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This week has had interesting ups and downs, and lucky for me I have actually had very little pain or discomfort.<br />
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One funny little story from early in the week...I had a visit from a man I know through whippets - and we have only met a few times. He was here while I was being transferred from ICU to PCU, and they had him push my stripper pole (I mean my IV pole). Once at the new room they shut the door, and told him to wait outside because I was on the commode. Really? Seriously? Then they started talking bed pans and stool softeners. Ceannie was great about it and told me a few fun stories about his stays in the hospital, so we are all good. You can see a pic of us taken in ICU in an earlier post from this week.<br />
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I have only had one day where I really felt a little bad - other than the initial incident of course. That wan't fun and I do NOT wish to repeat. There was another woman in ICU the same times as I was there, that had absolutely uncontrolled pain with her PE, so I count myself as very, very lucky.<br />
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I sell electronic components for a living, so I am getting real life exposure to all of the medical machines we sell parts for - and some work better than others. Everything is bar codes and computers and my wrist band does get scanned many times during the day. I am grateful they let patients use computers and cell phones in here...cause the alternative would be damn boring!<br />
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More tomorrow once I get sprung.Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-59045923186477625052010-08-14T13:42:00.000-07:002010-08-14T18:34:31.237-07:00Day 6 in the Hospital...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had anticipated going home today, but my coumadin (anti-coagulant) level dropped below the magic number of 2.0 to 1.9. It needs to be 2.0 for two days in a row, so I could be here another two stinking days. Luckily for me the food isn't bad and the nurses are all great. I trust my Doc, so will listen to whatever he tells me and follow the rules...which will include eating the right foods and steady exercise.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had a bit of a bad day yesterday - couldn't breath as well as nausea and a headache. I guess I was due since I haven't felt all that bad since the initial episode on Monday. I slept most of the afternoon and felt a lot better around 5:00 PM.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9Oa7FGMfJX5MSu9HsuMpPPeldMTtpwFRnIDotBL9yn_9pAYRYXOFCL1NlNOm6bS8Bks-FxuqPjc6Ypr3lnNDvwVigRC5rcjJ7Xvp-uKSKah6BLEaTNX3NT8ngLhCk3y0iP-Tp_fb0g/s1600/Big+Bruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9Oa7FGMfJX5MSu9HsuMpPPeldMTtpwFRnIDotBL9yn_9pAYRYXOFCL1NlNOm6bS8Bks-FxuqPjc6Ypr3lnNDvwVigRC5rcjJ7Xvp-uKSKah6BLEaTNX3NT8ngLhCk3y0iP-Tp_fb0g/s320/Big+Bruise.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I need to get up and walk around the halls...and get a shower! I am feeling & smelling a bit funky today. I have a fairly plush private room with a view of Mount Rainier, but I would trade it all for a few licks from my dog, HotRod. He is going to be so excited when I get home that I will need to protect myself a little. He likes to run straight at you and then center punch you in the gut with his front paws.Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-11624540993763894832010-08-11T08:41:00.000-07:002010-08-11T23:22:54.429-07:00Do you know what a PE is?Well...I had one Monday morning. It is a pulmonary embolism, which in layman's terms is a blood clot or clots in the lungs. It most likely started as a post surgery complication, and the clot went from my left leg up thru the right side of my heart to the lungs. Thank God my roommate had the day off and her dogs went crazy because they could see me staggering around the driveway trying to go in to work. Instead we went to the ER where a CT scan showed the problem. I went directly to ICU Monday morning, and moved to a step down unit last night. Looks like I will be here at least through Friday. They will not let me go home until I have 2 coumadin readings of at least 2. I will most likely be moved to the general floor tonight or tomorrow.<br />
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I have tons of friends and family sending me well wishes and visitors are coming by to entertain me. <br />
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Here is a pic of me and Ceannie taken just before I moved out of ICU. He really kept me laughing! More later...for now it is time to eat my breakfast.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC7gZH17y-m821DNcvuY_cxl-5xpDGHfZ0pJ-Oaultp6DIqt1Mr74o2YTeRTrA-bJ0IaiH5R7JxKFqPSVFH6IV4MPQKw7-_PgUdopkUg8kUZj6zPVIzbkq464NAALy_LetWoLJ98BTQ/s1600/Ceannie+and+me+in+the+ICU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC7gZH17y-m821DNcvuY_cxl-5xpDGHfZ0pJ-Oaultp6DIqt1Mr74o2YTeRTrA-bJ0IaiH5R7JxKFqPSVFH6IV4MPQKw7-_PgUdopkUg8kUZj6zPVIzbkq464NAALy_LetWoLJ98BTQ/s320/Ceannie+and+me+in+the+ICU.jpg" /></a></div>Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-33615733982809853332010-08-07T18:46:00.000-07:002010-08-07T18:46:43.358-07:00This week was....Exhausting. It takes something like 5 minutes just to get my socks and shoes on my feet, and by that time I am dripping sweat and don't feel much like going to work. Graduating from the crutches to an immobilizer brace has its own set of fun issues. I have to sit on the very front of my desk chair because the brace comes up high enough on my thigh that it hits the chair and forces my leg to go straight out in front. After a while this becomes...painful. Friday I just couldn't get comfortable and finally got out of my chair and told my co-worker I was going to lie down on the floor. Somehow that idea didn't appeal to her so she set up a bigger box under the desk for my foot to rest on. Oh yea...I took some pain meds as well. By the time I arrived home from work all I wanted to do was lie down and rest. HotRod had other ideas so we played fetch for a while, he had dinner, and then I just called it a night.<br />
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Today I took my first "longish" drive since my surgery (just under 2 hours each way), and by the time I arrived I wanted to smash that knee brace and I had a (gasp) cankle. I did get to see Anneke and had some whippet puppy physical therapy, so I was feeling better on the drive home. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whippet PT is just what the Doctor ordered. Just don't try to imagine what it took for me to get back on my feet after sitting in the grass. It was not a pretty sight.</div>Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-38670441532960768572010-08-02T10:16:00.000-07:002010-08-04T11:56:16.258-07:00Post Op Prognosis...Today is day 6 post op and my first day back at work. It took forever to get ready this morning - and I put a little too much pressure on the knee with all of my back and forthing. Another few days on crutches and using the CPM machine, and then I should be able to move on to just wearing a straight brace on the knee. This makes me happy since my right arm is killing me! I think I strained a muscle...and it hurts way more than the knee!!! <br />
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My Doc was nice enough to make a drawing while I was there for my post op appointment, and he was OK with my adding it to my blog...so here is what he had to say. It was VERY rough under the patella so he cleaned that up and did microfracture repair. He also did microfracture repair of the medial femoral condyle. The previous repair to the medial cartilage looked great and has about 60% of the cartilage remaining. I am to start cycling in a few days and will taper off the CPM. All in all it looks pretty good and Dr Rolfe feels I should be able to run again if I want to do so. I am not sure I will...but I have plenty of time to make that decision.<br />
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I would like to Thank Everyone for their support!!! Special Thanks to Gail Dunbar for waiting on me hand and foot and feeding me like a Queen...now I need to go on a bit of a diet but it was worth it. Also, HotRod was great therapy - always right there being a very good boy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rESHhKNtdVFDnElZ1THFIy7Ta7fDfZlDfL1B5YnC4QNpDlInGhV-gQ03UFnsQNSXEpdOEUsPOm-oYeKGJj8Fhx4XRYe8pgxAZ5L857xa_cFHRmYqAYSfuuhDGssCRsVC8HQ9cFv40A/s1600/Post+op+notes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rESHhKNtdVFDnElZ1THFIy7Ta7fDfZlDfL1B5YnC4QNpDlInGhV-gQ03UFnsQNSXEpdOEUsPOm-oYeKGJj8Fhx4XRYe8pgxAZ5L857xa_cFHRmYqAYSfuuhDGssCRsVC8HQ9cFv40A/s640/Post+op+notes.JPG" width="494" /></a></div>Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747456254184863445.post-53306180572572512662010-07-30T11:47:00.000-07:002010-07-30T11:47:55.688-07:00Day 3 Post SurgeryI am doing really well and still only marginal pain. I am up to 85 degrees of flex on the CPM machine, and I think 90 is where I am suppose to be for the rest of the 7-10 days post surgery. I watched my DVD today and it was very cool. You could really tell the spots that needed the microfracture repair, and the rest of the surfaces looked good. Loose pieces of cartilage and other stuff were vacuumed up and won't bother me any more, and the previous cartilage repairs are holding up nicely. <br />
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My surgeon says I will be able to run again once healed, but I am going to think about that for a while. I may decide to start bike riding instead ~ at least for the rest of this year. I intend to keep active...just need to decide in what way.<br />
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I would like to thank everyone who has been so supportive. It means the world to me.Confessions of a Recovering Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577474927085408554noreply@blogger.com0