first day back

[marni]

today I took Dad into the gym for his usual 2x week workout and while he was working out, I did 45 minutes on the recumbent bike at irregular resistance intervals,at a moderate pace.

It wasn't too painful, but my cardio and breathing are totally shot. After 20 minutes my heart rate was shot and I was panting. Sad to see how fast it has faded.

Still it felt good to have done something, even though the sweat stung like the dickens.

The drainage is decreasing so fingers crossed for it coming out this week.

Then begins the long grind back.

I was so worn out today that I took a three hour nap this afternoon.

marni

[Blueberry]

Hang in there, Marni! Hopefully it will come back quickly. Your attitude is amazing - it has to help!!

[OakLeaf]

Way to go Marni. Welcome back.

Don't forget that your body is still under an enormous amount of stress. That takes oxygen, protein, all the same things that vigorous exercise does. And even if you aren't really aware of it, there's a huge amount of pain in the background, and that's a stressor, too. It's no wonder you had to work extra hard to do things that might've been easy before your surgery. It hasn't "faded."

Rest and smile.

[jessmarimba]

Marni that's wonderful!

Don't stress about your cardio. Some people can take weeks to completely flush anesthesia from their system...I wasn't able to test things after my back, but it took me 6-8 weeks to recover and get back into running shape after a very minor procedure about 3 years ago. Your body is just stressed and you'll improve exponentially as things start to heal and get back to normal.

You got this!

[Bike Writer]

Marni you have an amazing attitude and fortitude to boot! Be kind to yourself, your'e body has had a major shakeup and a lot of stress, you are bouncing back stronger and faster than you think. It's never fast enough for us when we want to be back to "normal" but think of how far you have come in just a short time.

You've passed through the hardest part. Push yourself when you know you can and be kind and gentle when your body tells you to.

[roadie gal]

Good for you for getting out there and doing some exercise. Don't beat yourself up for not being "up to snuff". It takes a long time to recover. Take your time and let your body heal in its own time.

[indysteel]

You're amazing, marni! But as others have said, be gentle and patient with your body, too.

[maillotpois]

What others have said - it is probably more that you are still healing than that you have lost that much fitness. Healing is your body's #1 goal right now. Good to be active but don't push it. Take care.

[Tri Girl]

Yay, Marni- you're back, baby!!!!
It will be a tough road back, but you're on the mend and back in the saddle. Woo hoo!!!

[MomOnBike]

What others have said about flushing all the anesthetics, etc. out of your system and being kind to yourself.

I look at it this way, the reason that getting moving helps is that with the increased blood (and perspiration) flow, you are helping your body flush the Stuff out. (NB: not scientifically proven) You will get back to normal more quickly, in other words, if you move now.

Oh, and good job. You are an inspiration.

[Bike Chick]

Hey, good for you, Marni! It's a start and a good one at that. Keep taking good care of yourself. You're amazing.

[ivorygorgon]

GO MARNI!

I just want to add that I had a LARGE breast reduction a few years ago now. I started back about two weeks after the surgery with the stationary recumbent also. For me, the fatigue wasn't so much that I lost fitness so quickly, it was because my body was putting so much energy into recovering from the surgery that there wasn't that much left to go around. I know a BR isn't the same as what you had done, but I just wanted to give you some encouragement. You haven't lost that much fitness, it will come back very quickly. YOU ROCK!!

[malkin]

Nap happy, sweetie!
You earned all the naps you need.