i've been told by a certain friend -- whose name rhymes with boysenberry, sort of -- that i need to update the blog. for the record, i was already aware of this. i was just being delinquent. and, to be fair, i warned you that i would not be as diligent as mom.
breathing continues to improve every day. im still working out in my head how to exactly describe the difference in feeling. it doesnt feel quite as "foreign" as it did at the outset, but it doesnt jive with my feeling of "normal" either. for the most part im feeling stronger every day, but by about 3 oclock every day i am pretty exhausted. and after dinner, due to various stomach/bowel issues, i usually feel kind of miserable. i need to eat smaller dinners.
thursday was the third and final day of the first week of rehab. the deceptively and demoralizingly simple rehab is every monday, tuesday, and thursday morning for two hours. thursday went something like this:
1. walk for 30 minutes at varied speeds averaging 2 mph; (time will be increased gradually to 45 min; then speed is increased)
2. take these pink 3-lb dumb bells and do really simple arm and chest building exercises, 2 sets of 10 for each arm; (weights will be gradually increased, i suppose, but because of the sternum cut, i am not supposed to lift anything over 5 pounds for a few weeks)
3. strap these 3-lb weights to your legs and do half a dozen different leg lifts and step exercises, 2 sets of 10 for each leg.
i couldnt help but think back to high school gym's weight training class as i concentrated on the reps. that was probably the last time i actually worked out in a gym.
despite the simplicity and the light weights, my legs are sore and my feet are starting to swell again. im not looking forward to tuesday's rehab, which will come without any luxurious days off beforehand.
mom i s back in town for the weekend. today we went to the reading terminal market and picked up lots of local, fresh food, and some much needed and delicious coffee and coffee beans at old city coffee (thanks for the rec, kowit). mom and dad are cooking up the tuna and scallops now. which will make the smaller dinners thing difficult. again.
of course, i totally forgot about the crowd restriction while at reading terminal. because of all the immunosuppressants, i am not supposed to be around crowds, especially indoors, for a few weeks. we tried to go before the lunch rush hour, but took longer than planned. dad managed to avoid freaking out about it though, which was nice. and we got out before it got too too crazy. death by the common cold averted. for now.
in more important news: go USA! i hope you all watched the US v Algeria game on wednesday. it was pretty intense. tomorrow i will be plopped in front of the tv (sadly must avoid the crazy soccer bars, thanks to aforementioned crowd restriction) with a whole gaggle of friends. dr. h cleared me to consume a beer or two in celebration if the US advanced out of the group stage (yes, i asked this specific question at my appointment on tuesday), though i'm not sure ill take myself up on the offer. we shall see.
tomorrow: official transplant beard pictures before i shave it off to begin the rehab beard.
down with ghana.
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