Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
Comments
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Carol - my P.S. told me no elevated heart rate for two weeks after my surgeries and I had some healing issues after my nip surgery. I wonder if it is just a crap shoot.
Hope it gets better quickly! 0 -
Carol, when I was in Charleston after deconstructing and had my drains, I noticed that some casual walking - nothing remotely quick paced - helped keep my swelling down.
However, once I felt better, I started walking more and the drain output increased. I was walking five miles . . . I got reprimanded by a few here, but that was also to take it easy on myself for a number of reasons. I went back to slowly strolling and window shopping, no long distances (a quarter of a mile a couple times a day), and the output went down a lot. So I think a really slow walk, nothing involving swinging arms or near it, just to get up a bit was helpful. Of course, if you are unable to stop yourself once you get going, then it's better to just sit still. LOL!
Gma, you must be so frustrated by the leak monster! I hope it calms down soon.0 -
I forgot to mention we still have power and no major tree damage. What we heard fall last night was a medium branch from the neighbor's tree that didn't land near our house. We were lucky, as I understand a couple of other counties not too far from here don't have power. My arm and trunk are no longer aching now that the storm has passed.
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So his advice was to pick one approach and go with it, my choice.
YIKES!
I dont mean to rag on your dr. Carol, but really, it would be nice for some sound medical advice once in a while!0 -
purple, if I have learned one thing through this very long health journey, it is that medicine is more art than science. Yes, there is a lot of science, and praise be to all the researchers whose science brought some amazing cures and treatments for all kinds of ailments (obviously some of these come with some nasty collateral damage, as everyone using this website knows!). I witnessed a miracle not so many years ago, most certainly the product of science, when my son's quarter-sized hole in his atrial wall was fixed without open heart surgery, and he was back in school in ten days.
But even so, I have come to understand that the body is not a computer and it cannot be programmed to behave or to respond in some absolutely predictable way. I'd rather have a definite path to follow on this, but if there is no consensus, I am glad the PS was honest about that.
Heck, if 'they' knew exactly how to stop the leak...gmafoley would be back in business by now, probably running circles around her fabric store building!
I suspect that learning to live with this kind of uncertainty is character-building. And that makes us all quite the group of characters!
Tina, thanks for that bit of history, which cements my resolve to keep things very tame. And to think that a week or go or so, all I could whine about was worry about not exercising post surgery. Now I am worried about not having the patience to abstain! Crazy, crazy, crazy.
Carol
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My PT says the process is trial and error to figure out what works for each person. When I go back he will probably try something new again because I still have to wear a pad inside my glove or my hand ends up swollen. So frustrating. And am I the only one who has to wrap my hand then wear the tribute then wrap the outside of it with a bandage. Still better than the whole wrapping though.
I am still out of sorts with the storm. I promise to get back to exercising tomorrow though.
Hope both your leaks stop soon Carol and GMA.0 -
Carol - you are correct. Medicine is art and science. I have been in the medical field for many years and have learned that we are unique individuals and art, science, and research cannot address the variables each of us present. Even something like the common cold has a multitude of remedies and none work for everybody.
LE is a good example of the differences we experience. I can't believe Little Martha has been so happy with no swelling or pain during this storming weather. In fact, she is behaving well lately and I am just going to enjoy these days.
I saw my BS today. I'm three months post (last) MX and feeling pretty good. I don't have to go back for six months which means all things are going well. I never have asked how long I continue to followup with her - I like her and the staff so I don't mind going back indefinitely. Gonna miss them for the next six months.
I see my MO Thursday. Hoping for good lab results.
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carol - My mother was an RN and I totally believe that it is both an art and a science. Love your comment that our body is not a computer. We're each unique and our bodies all respond differently.
Tina - Glad everything is well at your place! Thankful.
Anyone heard from Kira ... doesn't she live in Jersey?
My body has been like a human wrecking ball ... in that I'm beating myself up pretty good. I cancelled my training session last Thursday and again today ... horrible headaches. I'm sure it's sinuses and these crazy up and down temperatures. My thumb is still bruised and my ankle that I turned (which is why I fell) hurts. I forced myself to go to the gym tonight and did some lunges, ab work and 30 minutes on the treadmill. I am so tired! On Saturday while cleaning out my cat's litter boxes ... the ironing board fell on me and hit me on my right elbow and the left side of my face. (I know ... that doesn't seem possible does it?). My elbow hurt all night Saturday ... when I got up on Sunday I finally looked at it ... bloodied and bruised elbow and the left side of my face ... along my jaw line is bruised.
I don't need a Halloween mask. 
Once my elbow, my ankle, my thumb and my face stops hurting ... I'm good to go. lol.Still praying for everyone in the aftermath of the storm.
When anyone hears anything about Kira ... do let us know. xo
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Dawne-hope, I did hear from Kira this evening, and she's well. She's right on the coast in RI, and they were smacked with 86 MPH winds, but happily her entire roof stayed on this time
(it kinda blew off in pieces last hurricane, and her sauna cover went flying out to sea). This time she didn't lose anything, and she even has electricity.
Plenty of people not so fortunate, so prayers on-going for all those affected by this confounding storm.
Also for you, Dawne-Hope. Ouch! Please take care!Oh, and for Dawne-Hope and all those of you who are runners and have a story you'd like to write about it, here's a call for submissions that you might be interested in:
http://www.literarymama.com/blog/archives/2012/10/call-for-submissions-and-i-ran.html
Go for it!
Hugs,
Binney0 -
I suspect that learning to live with this kind of uncertainty is character-building.
Oh sure Carol, I have felt that way for years, really- with my lung disease and many other ills too tedious to list all at once.I got over the initial shock and took control. In some ways, that was a very ' strong' feeling. Somewhat liberating actually. It did toughen me up some as well.
But I confess that lately, I find it can also be a bummer at times. Just a plain ole' bummer. I know the trick is to take one of those bad bummed out days ( or weeks!) and turn the corner from it, and just put one foot in front of the other. Just not always easy.
I am very happy for the miracle of your son!
Best wishes.0 -
Ohio--Glad to hear good news on your front.
Hopefully now that the storm has passed the LE blowups will decrease.
I did 45 min on elliptical yesterday and will do so today. Now am doing two MLD sessions a day as I am feeling barometric changes. It takes up more time.
Burned my hand on affected side yesterday so am having to watch that. Careless. Yuck.
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All I can say to all of us battered and bruised - Life happens, then we move on... We all need to listen to our bodies a little more, including myself - we all try to do so much and then we get hurt... I think that is the way our bodies get our attention... I'm still leaking but back to clear fluids - infection is finally gone... I walked a little yesterday and then I started leaking more again and breast was pretty swollen last night.. And then this finger thing... man... Lord, please give us all one day of positive happenings... please... and help all our friends on the east coast to be able to get their lives back together... Amen
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Becky - Sorry about the hand! Here's hoping to no big deal. xo
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Hope your hand is okay Becky. So far I have been lucky, had a few accidents on my hand, but all healed well. Hope that's the case with you.
I did 30 minutes on the elyptical today and my PAL exercises. I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as it is Halloween. Happy Halloween everyone!0 -
Yes, happy Halloween!
I'm still on leak patrol, so no exercise to report today. The leak (KNOCK WOOD ten times!) stopped sometime yesterday, but I decided not to tempt fate and stay still for another day or two.
I did get lots of hand/finger/wrist exercise today, because I wrote many, many pages of a work document. At least I stayed busy as I fretted about not exercising.
Kay, that's a great report, and hope you didn't offset the exercise with too much candy!
Carol
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Dawne, Oh my, you poor thing, I gotta tell you though I am the most accident prone person I know but you are a close runner up! Get better:)
Becky, NOT A BURN! how awful. Keep extra hydrated.
Tina, thanks for helping that girl on the other post with her possible LE issues. I hope she goes to SUSO.
Carol, You must have put a wine cork in that leak to stop it! Wishing you well.0 -
What, are we all a bunch of klutzs here? Feels like I am always knocking into stuff and bruising my legs or arms. With LE I have become more conscious and concerned about smaller things, which makes me feel more accident prone (although I've had my share of accidents and odd incidents as well). Becky, I hope your burn goes away quickly.
Carol, glad to hear the leak is healing and think you are wise to be patient. You can now call it the Leakless Monster. LOL!
Ladies, I am firmly on track with LE self care but slacking on the exercise. I got leery about doing weights when I was moving things around and out of the house, which I knew in my gut I needed to back off with that much activity. Then I got achy as the storm approached and was passing through so I still didn't exercise. I need to check my exercise sheet to see when I last did anything. It's been a week at least. For some reason, even though it is now cooler, I am not good at getting myself to walk. I need to drag myself to the gym and transition.0 -
Tina - If it is any encouragement ... I'm having a hard time getting to the gym too.
Wish I could be an encourager in the other direction.
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We will get back into it soon enough... Remember sometimes we just need to take a breather... We will get our priorities and focus back in due time..
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Just thought this fit us LE warriors!
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Good things come to those that wait. Not sure where that came from, but I've heard it somewhere.
LOL, Carol, I didn't indulge TOO much in the candy, just a little sampling to make sure it was okay for the kiddos. It met my high standards.
Going to the gym tonight, will just do cardio, no weights today. Yesterday was the first time in a long while I've done the PAL exercises Tina. I go to Planet Fitness and do their circuit once a week or so. I'm not sure exactly how close it is the PAL exercises, but it is so easy to just go thru the circuit vs. going home and getting the weights out and going thru the exercises. I will have to ask Dominick about it.
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I've also heard that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Maybe I will settle for something in between, as long as I know when it is prudent to wait and when it's time to go!
Kay, if I had to go to PF to do weights, I don't know if I would be nearly as consistent as I had been. I mainly belong to PF so I have access to aerobic equipment. Well, theoretically also for when my home weight exercises are no longer challenging for my lower body. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen for a while.0 -
Couple of random, funny things:
Every six months I have to have an assessment to keep my LiveStrong Trainer. I've had to set a few ground rules with them.
One of the things that they 'require' is a lift and carry with 10lbs in a crate. I told them no way. They've listened and we're good ... but something that always stops a new trainer in their tracks is when I tell them no to BP in my arms. Today was so funny ... I haven't read the thing on taking a BP on an ankle in a while ... and I couldn't remember ... neither could Chris ... so we're experimenting ... with socks on, socks off ... it was extremely low! ... like 113/51. Chris looked at me and I at him ... he said, "You told me you've been tired but that's not right!" 
No indeed ... so we put the cuff on my thigh ... THAT was really high 160/100. So ... I have hypotension and hypertension??!! While he was filling out paper work ... and as I sat ... I thought I remembered that you need to sit with your leg up for several minutes before you take it? I told him that and he took it again ... 115/67. That was better. But it was just funny getting there.
I've been a total lazy girl the last 10 days ... so very tired ... but my heart rate was the lowest it's ever been, it took 2 minutes longer to get to my target heart rate than ever before, I was faster on everything ... maybe I needed the rest!
I was encouraged.And exercise ... begets exercise ... after my assessment I went to the gym and did 20 min interval training on the elliptical, ran for 5 minutes then cooled down. I do feel better. Hopefully I can get and stay on track. I'll do MLD before bed. I haven't been doing well on my water consumption ... I'm going to brew a pot of rooibos (red) tea and drink a big pot before bed.
Sometimes our bodies do need to rest.
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Burn is okay now--seems to be healing okay.
Took a 4 mile rugged hike with my LE therapist yesterday. It was awesome. I am in the Smokey Mountains and the view at the top was beautiful. I have never climbed over so many rocks in my life. I wasn't sure I could do it but she was sure I could. I plan to go out to the dam today to walk and it will seem so tame as it is not hilly--just small inclines. I may have to do the 189 steps up to the dam several more times to get more cardio! Also plan to do weights today.
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Becky - Glad the burn is better!
The Smokey Mnts are one of the most beautiful places in the world. When I drove down to Florida last Nivember I wept as I drove through them. Their beauty....there really are no words. I'm a bit jealous!
You are a beast!
great job!0 -
Saw my BS this week - she is happy. Saw my MO - she is happy. No signs or symptoms of recurrence. Little Martha (LE arm) only had one whiny day this week, otherwise she is happy.
Went to Cleveland to meet friends and do some walking. Shoes I wore were not good for walking - knees are not happy at all. Logged 3200 steps for the day, not a lot but I'll take it. Did some Lebed, still have MLD before the night is over.
Looking forward to the extra hour sleep.
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Other than MLD & MLD exercises yesterday I walked all over Dollywood with my sister and 4 yr old great nephew. Beautiful day. We did mostly strolling as it was crowded. I did ride some rides with him. So no real cardio. It is out to the dam for me today! Hey everyone, use the extra hour you have to today to MOVE! (Hugz says it better than I do).
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OHio, Yippeeeee! OUt of BS, MO, Little Martha and the knees, if BS and MO are happy then well...LM and Knees are minor inconveniences and you are doing great, all in all!
Becky, you are so consistent, moving each day even if not every day is an all-out cardio day. Good for you on Dollywood, which must have been great fun.
I'm still being very cautious on exercise, trying to keep things very calm until I get stitches out on Tuesday. Then I'll experiment with more movement. So far this week, no leak, with apologies for gmafoley, because gma, I know you are off-the-charts frustrated with your leak. Sending you no-leak karma from waaaay over here in Michigan.
Carol
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Hey all you movers and shakers!, Just finished a half hour brisk walk. I will be sitting for 3 hours this afternoon so I figured that I should get my arm/trunk exercised before I sit so long. After the seminar I will walk another half hour and then Lebed opening. Sheeesh you really gotta keep on top of this LE stuff or it will prevail.
Carol, Glad you are healing.
Becky, Dollyworld is considered exercise as you surely are not a couch potato when you are stolling with kids. I know that you want to move most of your large muscle groups powerwalking at the dam so I hope you really shake a leg while there.
Ohio and Gma, Isn't it a bummer when your body won't cooperate with your motivation to exercise. Drats those dang knees and leaks!!! Drats my back and hip!
Tina and Dawne, Drop the fork right now and give me 20!........ thats 20 minutes of anything exercisey!
Everyone else, 5 slow deep breaths preferably with your nose stuck outdoors! Fresh air is good!
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I haven't checked in with my cork-tossing routine for a long time, so just want to say it's working out wonderfully for me. Jogging gets it done faster, but either way it's the best I've done in forever with consistent exercise.
In fact, I've even lost five pounds, which is so intensely encouraging that I've upped my cork count. Doing Lebed in the morning whenever possible as well--feels really good.
Today, besides my corks, I did a huge Walgreen's, Walmart, and IKEA, which is about a bazillion steps in all, not to mention that I managed to find the bed sheets I needed. Shopping with a couple of kids and service dogs it is definitely NOT a stroll. All good!
Binney0
