Goal!
I want to crow like Peter Pan (Err...Errrr...Err...Errrrrr) about some happiness that happened this week! February 9th I started doing cardiopulmonary rehabilitation to improve (or maintain) aerobic and muscular health. Well, TaaaaDaaaa! I had set a personal goal of doing the treadmill for 20 minutes. This week I finally made that 20 minutes plus 3! Goal reached! 23 minutes on the treadmill. Can I pat myself on the back? You bet I can! I'm not a slacker either. I did 21 minutes on that puppy the next session. There's some history here too. I did a rehab program last year where I was thrilled to add the treadmill partway through the 18 sessions insurance granted. I left having accomplished 6 minutes. All in all I've come a long way in a positive direction.
I just have to give a shout out: Thank you to the PeaceHealth SW Medical Center Cardiopulmonary Rehab team in Vancouver, WA! These folks are professional, dedicated, intelligent and passionate, This team simply goes above and beyond creating a caring workplace. ;p
Why do I look forward to going to rehab so much?
Rehab allows me to get out of the house without imposing on Stacy's schedule. Medicaid provides transportation for most medical appointments. Getting out and about keeps cabin fever at bay.
Rehab let's me socialize with other people who have lung disease. Some folks will use tanks, masks, or wheelchairs like me. They are a wonderful mix of personalities that keep me smiling and motivated. There is music and laughter and grumps and groans. Socializing helps keep depression away and maintain conversation skills.
Rehab gives me a safe environment to exercise. The staff includes respiratory therapists, nurses, and other professional titles I don't know. They monitor oxygen saturation, weight, and blood pressure. They can provide triage if needed and transport to the close-by emergency room. I can set the equipment at no incline/resistance and at a minimum pace. There are oxygen tanks available on carts. The area is climate controlled. It's doable. At home I try to walk outdoors. There I tackle a low incline to the front sidewalk, gravel in the driveway, and carrying a 5lb. oxygen tank in whatever weather is present.
The rehab staff guides me through progressive effort with a crosstrainer, treadmill, or weight exercises. On a typical day I do 2 of the 3 activities. Rehab folks report my session data to the UW Pre-Lung Transplant Team weekly to help them monitor my status. Rehab allows me to fulfill UW recommendations to maintain my acceptance on the waiting list.
I also attend education sessions an hour a week. I always learn something new. Both staff and visiting presenters are amenable with ongoing questions during their presentations. It frequently includes dynamics of a support group.
The rehab staff inform me about how I can safely continue stretching and weight exercises at home. The stretching has already paid big dividends by giving me enough shoulder/thoracic range of motion to get into a CT machine for a diagnostic procedure this week. The weight training helps with all motion now. It will also pay off in the future as I continue improving muscle tone and mass. I'll try to write more about how very important that is for me in a later post.
That's my chatter about pumonary rehab. This Thursday is my last session covered by insurance. I'm looking into some way to keep it going. They have a "Stage 3" program that's a bit different as we're ready to be more independant. My challenge will be working out transportation without insurance assistance. It'll happen. Stay tuned because you can be sure I'll set a new goal!!!
