The future is yours, grab it with both hands

[Candlewax]

Just finished my stint of 20 weeks Cardiothoracic rehabilitation follow a HA and 4 stents fitted. Started there a bag of nerves with emotions all over the place. Now I am new man, confidence has been restored after slowly working the gym under their advice and guidance. I am now moving onto phase4. I have bought a bicycle and walk 2 to 3 miles every other day. Without the rehab team I would have stayed indoors and curled up. I am so thankful that this professional team were there and they helped in every way. I still get a little tearful when I look back but that was because it was so close. The trick is lift up your head look forward and stare the future in the eye. Don’t rush it comes together in time. You really will reap the benefits.

[Urssy]

So positive!

Good to hear how the rehab helped and the journey. X

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

So worth describing this, your journey. I’m sure it will help others. Reminded me so well of my own crisis, now over 8 years ago. Thank you.

[Brokenheart19]

Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments. I had a HA 12 days ago was blue lighted to our local ctc and one stent fitted. My emotions have been all over the place - am usually very active so the frustration of not being at the gym is tough. Have been out walking, taking it steady. I have an appointment already with the rehab team and am looking forward to getting in the gym. It’s now about looking forward and being grateful for the opportunity.

I will be looking forward and looking life in the eye. Thank you for being so positive. Good luck to you.

[Candlewax in reply to Brokenheart19]

You’ll do ok under the guidance of the rehab team and you will enjoy it too. All the people there are in the same boat as you, and you will be surprised at how you are not alone and how encouraging they can be. You too will encourage others as you move forward. Onwards and upwards. My very best wishes (for what they’re worth) are with you.

[Speakeazi]

Well done! You are so fortunate to have access to this amazing rehab. Those of us who have Peripheral Artery Disease don’t have any NHS exercise provision despite it being a NICE recommendation.

So please, if you are offered cardiac rehab - grab it and just do it!

[Candlewax in reply to Speakeazi]

Hi, check with your local gym. They may have a program that will suit you. Failing that be guided by the health team with exercises and walks etc., if you are able to. The thing is to keep moving. Hope you get on ok.

[Shoshov]

great post candle wax. i’m stuck in hospital just now and will have to do rehab again and i can’t wait. like you i find it invaluable. have a great day❤️

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I completely agree with your comments. I've done 10 weeks in the gym twice a week with the Cardio Rehab Team, 2 weeks to go, after which they do a further 12 weeks once a week in different local authority sports centres.

They really are the un-sung heroes. They have been the greatest aid I've had to putting me back together again.

Sadly rehab is not available everywhere. If anyone on here is offered the chance to go to rehab please grab it

[thetidders]

I agree with your comments as well. I began cardiac rehab last year after a triple bypass complicated afterwards by a critical electrolyte imbalance which left me very weak & only walking with a walking stick. I had 22 sessions in the cardiac rehab gym (twice a week) & then 12 sessions of cardio fit in a local authority gym. I finished in the middle of March this year & have now enrolled at my local gym. I also walk as much as I can.

The cardiac rehab gave me my confidence back & showed me the way forward. I can’t praise it enough. I live on the Wirral, Merseyside.

Jean

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to thetidders]

Hello thetidders. Snap I live on the Wirral and am currently going to rehab in St Caths, they are excellent. I'm so impressed with the help they provide

[thetidders in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi, I thought it sounded the same as me. I went to St. Caths & followed on with cardio fit at the Concourse in West Kirby. I live in Upton so I was in between there & Leasowe. The staff were so caring & gave me so much confidence after the bypass at Broad Green & then being in Critical Care at Arrowe Park which as I said left me weak.

Good luck with the rest of your rehab.

Jean

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to thetidders]

Hi Jean. I've got 2 more weeks to do, then I'll be signing up to go to the Concourse, I live in Greasby. Will have to end that after 10 weeks as going back to Broad Green on 19th AUgust to have an ICD fitted as they think I may have an irregular heart rythym at some point in the future, so the ICD is, as they put it, the insurance policy. Once fitted I can't go to the gym for 4-6 weeks, but after that it will be back to St Caths for a further 6-8 weeks, then back to West Kirby for another 12 weeks.

Once i've done all that I'm going to enrol in West Kirby.

Prior to having a heart attack I had no idea that there was such amazing support to help you get back on your feet. We're so lucky to have such a brilliant facility like this

Best Wishes

Russell

[thetidders in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi my daughter & family live in Greasby, you’re not far from us, we live near Moreto Spur ( the Upton side).

I didn’t know anything about the cardiac rehab either until my op. That was a shock to me as well, I had an angiogram at Arrowe Park cos the I was diagnosed Angina & was referred to Broad Green with 3 blocked arteries, I thought my asthma was getting worse!

I think Wirral & Merseyside have one of the best cardiac rehabs schemes in the country when you listen to people on here.

We are very lucky aren’t we.

Going luck with the ICD, let me know how you go on.

Jean