Weds, Sept 6

Hi there! Just thought I'd update a little. Tomorrow is the four week mark! While there is still a lot of improvement to go, I keep reminding myself that it's not even a full month yet. Yesterday I walked for 16 mins at 1.5 mph. Washed my hair today and didn't have to lie down until after I was dressed and hair dried, which is a big improvement from my first post-hospital shower. Then I put a robe on while wet and had to recuperate in bed for 45 minutes.

Sleep cycle still off. Still pain. Still short of breath on stairs, tired with exertion. But I noticed at some point today that I was sitting on the sofa with my legs crossed "Indian style". Now, that may not seem like much to you, but I haven't been able to do that or cross my legs in TWO AND A HALF YEARS!!! Because it affects pre-load and pressures in the heart, making blood return more difficult, after a few minutes of my legs being crossed I would get dizzy and lightheaded. It's the little things, folks.

CT is tomorrow, where I get to do a Valsalva so they can get the scan of my chest with the hernia popped out. That means bearing down as on the toilet, which means I hope nothing comes out that would be embarassing! I've been practicing, however. And I get to drive myself--with the addition of a big, red heart pillow shoved between me and the steering wheel. Vvroom, vvroom!

Laurie