I just realized that it is 13 months today that I had my culminating Round 3 event! Surgery!
I have to admit that post surgery, and I mean after getting all foreign objects removed (drainage, pacemaker wires, IV’s etc.), recovery was pretty straightforward - didn’t think that would be the case even though I worked hard to make it the case!
Surgery was on a Wednesday. Out of ICU Thursday morning. Walking on Friday. Sitting bath on Saturday night. Training (how humbling) on how to go up and down stairs properly (for the first few weeks anyway) Sunday morning. Home Sunday afternoon.
Walking only in the house for a couple days, then back to walking outside. A few laps around the park at first. Then one 1km walk in the morning and one in the evening. Soon, by six weeks after surgery, 4km in the morning and 4km in the evening.
I started to work again with clients in my second week post surgery, my wife took time off work to care for me and drive me while things continued to heal. Couldn’t have done it without her!
My first stress test, the one to enter cardiac rehab was November 8th. I took it easy. My second stress test to exit cardiac rehab was January 8th: 12+ minutes on the treadmill up to 95% of maximum heart rate - 162 beats / minute! All good!
By April I was riding 60 km road rides in the Milton area. I also got into real Mountain biking this summer at Albion Hills and Hardwood Ski and Bike - so much fun.
I started running outdoors shortly after starting to ride - my lungs and chest didn’t seem to like running much. So, I persisted. I’m not back up to half marathon distance yet, far from it. My longest run since surgery is only 7 km’s. So, I still have a goal to reach: I think I’ll be happy with 10 km.
Round three is long over now! How happy I am to be 100% again! Thanks to Dr. Steve Singh and his surgery team. And thanks to the Trillium Team, especially Monika, Reo and the rest of the nurses on the Cardiac Ward.
I was told in no uncertain terms while I was being re-trained to walk stairs, that there would be setbacks. I was determined there would be none. There weren’t any.
I attribute that to the above teams, the support from my family (even though I know they believe I pushed hard at times) and a very strong belief in what I was doing backed up by a life of fitness and health - the things I could control anyway!
Glad to be here. Looking forward to the next 46 years!