Cardiac Rehab

So far I have attended three cardiac rehab sessions.  Given this disease, I am not aloud to participate in any strenuous activity.  Johns Hopkins spoke directly to my nurses and doctor at Cardiac Rehab to discuss my parameters.  They decided that I am not to lift anything heavier than 10lb hand weights and that my heart rate should not exceed 120bpm.

The first session went well, I spent the first half hour speaking with the doctor about my health issues and the second half hour walking on the treadmill for 2.7mph.  It was a good start.  The second session I was able to get in a full hour of exercise.  I started on the stationary bike for 15 min and then I walked on the treadmill for 35min at 2.8mph.  This past session, my third one, really wore me out.  I spent the first 12 min on the stationary bike and rode 2 miles and then walked on the treadmill for 25min at 3mph, which was really tiring, and then went back to the bike for 10min and rode close to another 2 miles.  While walking, my heart rate rose to 114bpm, which is normal but a bit nerve wracking.  I just don't know how much more exercise I can do if I'm not aloud to get my heart rate above 120.  But it's good to know my heart is staying strong, even though the reality of never being able to participate in sports again is very heartbreaking.

I do indeed love going to rehab.  All the fellow patients look after me, are very friendly, and very very chatty.  Rehab lowers my anxiety giving me confidence in myself and in my health by being able to see my heart react to the exercise. This may not seem like much to most people, but it is a tremendous step for me.  Being shocked by a defibrillator really takes something out of you, it takes your strength and confidence, it can make you fear life and fear all the small things, and most of all it takes your peace of mind.  Every night as I try to fall asleep and I feel my PVC's (skipped heartbeats) all I can focus on is the fear of getting shocked.  Everyday I think about getting shocked, every single day.  So this rehab is not only to regain my confidence and rid myself of anxiety, but to find some sort of peace of mind. That's what I truly want, Peace of Mind.


Health Update:
I went for a check-up with my Nephrologist, my kidney doctor, and he informed me that my carbon dioxide levels are low.  I've been getting my blood checked every month for about 7 months now and every month the CO2 levels have been low. This is due to my kidneys malfunctioning.  If the levels of carbon dioxide become too low and remain that way, that will cause the blood to become very acidic which could eventually start to corrode the bones.  So once my stomach issues are solved I will have to start taking a baking soda pill to keep those levels under control.