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Heart transplant: recovering but steroids are affecting behavior
Transplants | Last Active: Dec 21, 2020 | Replies (91)Comment receiving replies
This was a long process that will last my lifetime. Here is what I have done and continue to do, to the best of my ability. When I first received my heart in April of 2015, people around me could hear my heart (it was loud). Trust heart: I live to live, sure I have bad days, live in a high drama setting. I am also a step-parent to Pam’s seven children, grandparent to five. Work part time, college, nothing that I can think of would be a bridge I have not crossed. Physical: I need clearance to join the YMCA other than that I feel the limits. I lived with a VAD for two years I pushed myself each day. Recently I was talking to my Orthopedist, I asked him my I am always sore, he replied welcome to 58. In my four years, I am in position to attend the YMCA on a regular basis. This is the hardest thing for me, adding another aspect, create an exercise routine, I just keep trying to create space from the hospital. Not that I know of.
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@mlee1969 You sound as if you are doing great, that’s wonderful, and it sounds as if you are keeping very busy.
Your orthopedist’s comment reminds me of my PCP’s comment when I told him I am tired and sometimes I take a nap in the afternoon. He said, “what’s wrong with that?”.
Joining the Y to exercise is a great idea as long as it’s approved by your doctors. We know more and more these days about how important it is to stay physically active and it helps us not just physically but mentally also. I belong to a health club and go there very frequently - generally 6 times a week varying what I do. It is difficult to get started but maybe you could get some help from a trainer there, or even from a physical therapist on what the best exercises would be for you. I have had physical therapy a few times and I pretty much stick with the exercises recommended for me. I really want to do some yoga and Pilates but so far I have not gotten involved in a class. Those are both supposed to be very good for your core, and for balance. Yoga was recommended by one of my doctors because of the balance aspect. As we get older our balance can suffer and that can help. Thankfully that has not been a problem for me yet, but I want to keep it that way.
Looking forward to hearing what you decide to do at your Y, maybe I’ll get some new ideas.
JK