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.
This is good news, Uncle Mike.
Wow, 2 days without a nap;
I wish I could say the same!
also, I’d like to say I’ve walked as many minutes as you have.
Good job by you. It’s good that you have this log,
so you can see how very far you’ve come!
xxxsharron
Step by step—literally 45-50 minutes daily!!! Great to hear of your goal setting–so wise and then being able to mark if and when you’ve gotten there.
Your family loves you, your friends respect you and the little birdies sing your praises!! Love, Kim
Wish I were walking! It’s good to hear you’re able to focus/concentrate well enough to write. I think pain meds rob one of the ability to concentrate sufficiently to compose a reasonable narrative. The fact you’ve composed this nice note is very sweet indeed.
Mike, your latest update contains long awaited good news. Keep on keeping on, one step at a time. Healing takes place “in its own sweet time” as Tom Skerbeck might say. Cheers to you and your continued progress.