Keep On Keepin On
There are a few people that I consider my angels throughout this whole experience. The ER nurse that took care of me the night I went in when my throat was closing, the doctor on call that night, my respiratory therapist and my cardiac rehab nurse. If the staff didn't get stuff done right away that first night, I would have been way worse off. And, the RT and Cardiac Rehab Nurse that I see three times a week keep a very close eye on me. I will never be able to thank these people enough. They truly are the best :)
Today I had a follow up appointment with my doctor and things look great, even though last Sunday night I ended up back in the ER with breathing troubles again, I am doing MUCH better today, Friday October 18th. Tomorrow marks exactly 2 months since I had the breathing tube taken out and I am happy to say that today at cardiac rehab I was able to lift the 50lb requirement to be able to go back to work. Although, it wasn't the actual test (I do that Monday), it still felt good to know I was able to do it! I like being able to go to cardiac rehab. They hook me up to a heart monitor to make sure they keep an eye on things while I am exercising, and it is fun to see my progress. When I started I was only able to go on the treadmill at about 1.3 or 1.5mph for about 6 minutes. Today I did 2.2mph for 10 minutes, and did the bike on a level 4 with hills for 10 minutes.
I also graduated from Occupational Therapy today, which was exciting! That therapists did some tests that I took the first day also and those were really fun to see my progress. Remember I said how weak I was and they thought I possibly had a stroke. Well when I started OT after I got out of the hospital they do this test to see how many pounds you can squeeze with your hands and I was only able to squeeze about 20lbs, today I was able to squeeze close to 70lbs! What a difference. I was also able to move my arms in all directions!
So, as I said I had a follow up appointment with my doctor today. He told me he is leaning towards a possible diagnosis of tracheamalacia. If this is what I have, the one thing that will prevent exacerbations from happening is loosing weight. Big surprise, so easy right? Well I'm here to tell you that I HAVE to do this, because I definitely don't want to end up back on a ventilator or worse found dead in the house. People, my doctor bluntly told me I should have died. I am so lucky. If any of you gain ANYTHING from reading these posts I hope it is to listen to your body and to take care of it. If you feel you are sick and think oh I don't need to go to the doctor, but aren't getting better....go in! Get yourself healthy, not only for you, but for your family! Tonight Jackson said to me "Mommy, please don't get sick again, we need you, we need two parents, you and Bud". Wow, did that hit home! Also, my mom had told me that when I was still on the ventilator and they were discussing doing a trach on me, my mom said I would NOT want that done. Well, Dom pipped up and said "I don't care what my mom has to have done or what she looks like, I just want my mom to be alive." Holy cow. My poor 13 year old had to make a decision like that?
So, that's where I am at right now. I will know more Monday after I do the lift test. But, now that I need to eat healthier, please comment on here with some of your favorite healthy recipes! Some that also may be kid friendly! Please help me with this transition as it isn't going to be easy!!! Thank you in advance, and thank you for reading!!!! I will update more YOLO....make it count! :)
Today I had a follow up appointment with my doctor and things look great, even though last Sunday night I ended up back in the ER with breathing troubles again, I am doing MUCH better today, Friday October 18th. Tomorrow marks exactly 2 months since I had the breathing tube taken out and I am happy to say that today at cardiac rehab I was able to lift the 50lb requirement to be able to go back to work. Although, it wasn't the actual test (I do that Monday), it still felt good to know I was able to do it! I like being able to go to cardiac rehab. They hook me up to a heart monitor to make sure they keep an eye on things while I am exercising, and it is fun to see my progress. When I started I was only able to go on the treadmill at about 1.3 or 1.5mph for about 6 minutes. Today I did 2.2mph for 10 minutes, and did the bike on a level 4 with hills for 10 minutes.
I also graduated from Occupational Therapy today, which was exciting! That therapists did some tests that I took the first day also and those were really fun to see my progress. Remember I said how weak I was and they thought I possibly had a stroke. Well when I started OT after I got out of the hospital they do this test to see how many pounds you can squeeze with your hands and I was only able to squeeze about 20lbs, today I was able to squeeze close to 70lbs! What a difference. I was also able to move my arms in all directions!
So, as I said I had a follow up appointment with my doctor today. He told me he is leaning towards a possible diagnosis of tracheamalacia. If this is what I have, the one thing that will prevent exacerbations from happening is loosing weight. Big surprise, so easy right? Well I'm here to tell you that I HAVE to do this, because I definitely don't want to end up back on a ventilator or worse found dead in the house. People, my doctor bluntly told me I should have died. I am so lucky. If any of you gain ANYTHING from reading these posts I hope it is to listen to your body and to take care of it. If you feel you are sick and think oh I don't need to go to the doctor, but aren't getting better....go in! Get yourself healthy, not only for you, but for your family! Tonight Jackson said to me "Mommy, please don't get sick again, we need you, we need two parents, you and Bud". Wow, did that hit home! Also, my mom had told me that when I was still on the ventilator and they were discussing doing a trach on me, my mom said I would NOT want that done. Well, Dom pipped up and said "I don't care what my mom has to have done or what she looks like, I just want my mom to be alive." Holy cow. My poor 13 year old had to make a decision like that?
So, that's where I am at right now. I will know more Monday after I do the lift test. But, now that I need to eat healthier, please comment on here with some of your favorite healthy recipes! Some that also may be kid friendly! Please help me with this transition as it isn't going to be easy!!! Thank you in advance, and thank you for reading!!!! I will update more YOLO....make it count! :)
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