@msfins -It will get better! I had a heart double lung transplant in April 2021. I was so weak I could hardly sit up on my own. When I was discharged from the hospital after 3 weeks I couldn’t hardly stand up on my own. I used a walker and had no strength. I started a journal the day I was discharged titled ‘small steps forward and smaller steps backwards’. At the end of every day I wrote down the steps forward-some were as simple as getting off the toilet by myself or walking down the hall alone. I also wrote down the steps backwards (leg swelling, tired, etc). The little accomplishments added up.
I also had terrible leg swelling-my legs were like tree trunks and I was of average weight and 5’4”. But with activity and lasix the swelling went down and walking and moving was much easier. I admit, I am competitive. So having short term and long term goals were also key for me. I bought a tshirt at Mayo that says ‘the comeback is stronger than the setback’ and went into full ‘comeback’ mode. There are tough days for sure, and setbacks, but I kept that journal every day for a year and by the end of the year the small steps forward greatly outnumbered the steps backwards each day.
I wish you lots of luck as you figure out what best motivates you on your journey to feeling better. My motivation was being able to ride my horse and travel again to see family and special events.
Hugs from Illinois!