Greetings to all you fans out there,
I must be getting better since I now have enough energy and focus to write an update. I have made slow but steady progress since the blood transfusion. The latest theory is that I had something described as periocarditis. It is a syndrome that results in some people post heart surgery. The symptoms include but are not limited to fatigue, muscle cramps and aches. I had many of the symptoms but not all. The prognosis is good expecting to get past it within a couple of weeks un-aided. The treatment is cortisone treatment. I chose to not fill the prescription for a couple of days after the doctors visit to see if I showed improvement. I hoped for 10% improvement each day and felt like I achieved that goal. As a result, I have not taken any cortisone, and I am making consistent daily improvements albeit slower than I would prefer.
I am continuing to sleep less, and have even gone two days without a nap. I am walking 45 to 50 minutes per day, mostly on flat ground, but with a few hills here and there. My sleep patterns are still far from normal, but they are acceptable. My appetite is still smaller than I am accustomed, but is slowly improving. My weight continues to hold seven pounds below my pre-surgery weight. My mental state has improved dramatically over the last several weeks.
Thank you all for your interest and support in this adventure. I appreciate all the warm wishes and visits.
