I Actually Have Something to Write About
As of today, I am no longer in CHF (Congestive Heart Failure). I am all dried out. There is no more fluid around my heart, in my lungs, in my digestive area. (I am officially 8 lbs lighter than I was 3 months ago). I cannot imagine that it was all fluid related but it was.
However, I am not out of the woods yet. (I am getting there folks).
Let me explain.
My heart is still enlarged. Not as much as before. Although, my values are still a little leaky, my heart is able to manage the fluid, with a little help from the medications. What does this all mean? I have a little ways to go on recovery. My EF (how well my heart pumps blood throughout my body) as of October 12, 2009 is 25%. When my condition started back in July, my EF was 21.7%. So, I have come a long way baby in just three short months.
Now here is the deal.
If, in the next three months, my EF gets to 35%, I will not have to have a Pace-Marker placed in my chest. Although, that might be just a little cool to have something kick start my heart back to pumping just in-case I put too much stress on my system...lets say during skiing, surfing, or sky diving.
So what does this all mean?
I will have to stay in Seattle for a few more months and continue to follow the doctor's orders to the letter (So, not good news for my husband and I).
A Few Updates
Couple of days before Halloween, I baked 60 cup cakes and a small 1st birthday cake for a new friend. They were delicious! I am so glad that I can still bake. I have to confess that the first batch didn't turn out perfect (12 cupcakes) but, who could tell but me. After that, the rest of the 48 cupcakes turned out great. Now, this did take a lot out of me. In fact, it took so much out of me, see the note below.
Halloween day, I was rushed to the hospital. Apparently, my heart could not handle the pain that "the time of the month" brings and all of the baking that I did the two days before. So, I spent a few hours, in the ER, getting juiced up with morphine and resting.
That following Monday, I decided to fly (Dr. Yeoh said I could) to San Diego to get a little sunshine and enjoy my hubby's company (he was there on business for a few days).
I relaxed, got my toes done, and received a wonderful circulation massage from Phillip. Great hands Phillip!
Although, it was scary to fly (my CHF specialist was not crazy about me flying), I felt that I needed to take a chance. Life is increasingly becoming too short for me not to take a risk once in a while, to spend some time with my hubby and visit some of my favorite places on the planet.
Now that I am back, I am done with flying for a little while. It did take a lot out of me. But, I guess my doctors could say, "We told you so."
Upcoming weeks
Tomorrow is my last day of cardiac therapy. Although, I never reached my goal of losing 15 lbs, being about to lift more than 8 lbs, being able to jog a mile, or get on a stair-master, my heart function did improve and I can at least play Wii Fit Plus (love this game, everybody needs to have this game!) for about 36 minutes at a time.
I will continue to work out twice a week for the next 5-10 weeks at the cardiac center, on my own, with a little bit of supervision (they will continue to check my blood pressure and monitor my progress but, that is about it).
Let me sum up
So, folks, I am still recovering. Slower than I thought but, I am recovering. Now that I am coming out of my dark and grumpy place (I have gained some perspective on my condition and now I am in a better place ;-)) I will continue to update you on the condition of my condition.
Love you all for your support and prayers
HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY
