Penny, haven�t forgotten you. There hasn�t been much to report for the past few weeks but now I�m beginning to make some progress.
Limitations are no driving for 8 weeks and no lifting anything over 10 pounds. I retired in May this year so the no driving isn�t a problem.
Feeling stronger everyday but still week in the knees. Had six visits by a physical therapist and she had me doing a number of non-strenuous exercises, riding my stationary bike and walking through the house. Weather has been great and I was able to walk around the outside of my house without O2. The good news is no extreme SOB. I did get �winded� but the therapist told me this was the result of my weakened condition and not a pulmonary issue.
Saw my doctor yesterday and got a good report. Chest xray was very good and indicated my lungs are expanding into the areas which were removed. I was able to walk slowly from the car to the radiology department and then to the doc�s office with no SOB. It was a fair amount of walking.
I was getting somewhat antsy with what I thought was slow recovery but the doc told me LVRS needs 3 to 6 months before I get back to �normal� and my progress to date was excellent.
The doc wants me to begin rehab at Temple within the next few weeks. The rehab will be somewhat mild in view of my weakened condition but it�s a start. Also gave me a scrip for regular rehab after I get more strength back.
Penny, the 3 months of rehab Dr. Cooper recommended will certainly improve your condition. When I started rehab, I was barely able to do 10 minutes on a treadmill at 1.5 miles per hour with O2. A week before the surgery, I was up to 40 minutes without stopping at 1.5 miles per hour with O2 and that�s was with emphysema. In my opinion, the rehab will help if they want to retest.
