Progress Update after 9-Days back home & “Hi” to CANOECOPIA Folks!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Hi All:I’m ROCK’N thru this thing! At the 7-Day Post Opt Check-Up, Both Doc’s; Cardiologist & Surgeon, have given me the Thumbs up to push Aerobic Exercise as hard as I want! That is to say, primarily walking. They figure that if I push too hard one day, the next day I’ll know it, and it will be up to ME to back-off. The constraints on my recovery-routine are that I’m not allowed to drive a car for 1-Month; and I'm not allowed to lift more than 5 lbs for 2 months…pretty cool! It’s up to me now, and I plan on lots of walking, not pushing too hard, but eventually shooting for some kind of training effect none-the-less.
The Medical Team's take is that “The Plumbing Job” (Removal and Replacement of my Aorta) is 100% in tact and doing well. However he “Cracked-Open Sternum” will need a full 3 full months for bones to knit back together. Hence the no lifting anything heavier than 5 lbs and also no Fun-Stuff like Kayaking, Lifting, Rope Climbing, Mt Bike Riding, etc till then.
Also, during the “Rib Stretching” Program carried out in surgery…(one of the more gruesome aspects of my surgeon’s job), one of my Upper Ribs evidently broke, (whoops!), instead of "bent", so that’s a bit painful just now. Blood Pressure, Sleeping and other body-functions are still in flux, which limit what I can do day-to-day as well, but for the most part I’ve avoided any “additional complications” of surgery. The Domino-Effect of surgery had always been one of my biggest concerns going into this thing, and now that aspect looks to be behind me, and Man, that's a huge relief!
I can not say enough about the quality and expertise of The Staff at Stanford Hospital! My Hat's Off to each and every one of them. Thank You Stanford!
TO ALL MY FRIENDS HEADED ON THEIR GREAT HOMAGE TO CANOECOPIA, MADISON WISCONSIN: I sure wish I was going to be able to see you all this weekend! DARN, missing last year was tough enough, now with this set-back....Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait until Canoecopia 2011! Have a BLAST at the Expo this weekend and know that I'm there In Spirit!
Thanks again for all your Love and Caring. Brent
