Well today has been a rubbish day. Went to my 2nd cardiac rehab class today (I am 3 months on but lots got in the way of earlier classes). I did ok although I’m extremely hard on myself and struggle with acceptance still of what has happened. Before the first lockdown I was attending 6.00am Bootcamp every day and it was tough but I loved it. I was lifting weights around 25 kg and there I was today sweating and taking a breather and struggling to do bicep curls on 1 kg. And I was the youngest there! I am wallowing in self pity and I hate it. Every part of me aches. I went back to work this week doing 4 hours a day and I’m shattered. I have so much nerve pain still in my chest and I’m fed up of popping pills!
So now I’m having a self pamper evening and will take myself off to bed early!
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Achingheart
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Yes, it's not fair at your age. Glad you can do rehab, they are great, and the oldies mean well, but they used to outdo me as well. Try to stick with it, go your own new pace! Not old pace. I started this journey at 56. Not exactly the road I would have chosen, but I'm still here, every day a bonus. Take care. Moni
Reading this tells me how proud you should really feel of yourself, you have only just started on your recovery & already lifting weights albeit a lot less than you were so far. I'm sure those watching are willing you on if they know of your battle! Best wishes & don't beat yourself up you are still here!
6.00am boot camp everyday.😣
Don't worry you'll up your pace and catch the oldies up soon....
Everyone has these type of days during recovery, even super positive me.
Tomorrow is a new day and one closer to normality.
Hi Achingheart - 3 months is not long in the scheme of things. You’ve gone through a huge operation and your body WILL recover and catch up - just probably not at the speed you wish! I know it is frustrating but take it slowly and steadily and you will get to your optimum fitness again eventually. And you’ve had going back to work to contend with too this week as well. You’re doing so well. All best wishes
Hi aching heart I do hope you feel better soon I just wanted to send my best wishes to you it takes time to get better think we put ourselves under stress thinking we have to be at certain levels but I’m sure you will get there take care 🙂x carry on pampering!!!
ANY operation can take months to recover from; heart even longer. When I had a straightforward hysterectomy I was told no lifting for 6 weeks at least and to expect 6 months before I was back to normal. I felt fine so after 4 weeks I moved house and cleaned from top to bottom. HUGE, HUGE mistake- totally wiped out. I Just couldn't believe it would take so long. I felt fine so why not? Well, 33 years later I'm still suffering from the damage I did. Go easy on yourself and allow your body to heal. It's not you that's failing. It's your body needing time to recover and it really does take much longerthan you would expect . But it is temporary. You will get there.
Don't beat yourself up about it. I've been the youngest one in the 2 courses of Rehab classes I've been to and felt a fraud. Keep going it's worth it to your physical and mental well being. xx
I remember doing my rehab classes and the ages ranged from 91 right down to 28. I was 68, so certainly wasn’t the youngest but we managed to laugh.I am 5 years post AVR and bypass, as others have said you are not very far down the heart mended road but you will get there, building up our stamina after a heart op takes time more time than we would like.
You are too hard on yourself- you’ve just been through a life changing event and your world has been turned upside down. Yes, it is so very hard to accept when you’ve worked so hard to get fit but you just have to, for the moment.
I had an AVR two years ago and was as weak as a kitten after my surgery. I actually enjoyed cardiac rehab, embraced the exercise and surprised myself at the end of the 6 weeks. I was offered further rehab at my local gym and enjoyed that too although the social aspect wasn’t as good as at hospital. By three months I felt a bit more like my old self and at 6 months I felt like Wonder Woman ! I went back to pilates and yoga, got stuck into sorting out the allotment and actually enjoyed cleaning the house!
Good rehab takes time but it’s so worth it. Be patient and kind to yourself, speak to your cardiac nurse tell her how you feel.
Hi achingheart. I can only echo what everyone else has said. However, for me, I have never been to cardiac rehab after any of my surgeries. I have done everything at my own pace, pushed my self as much as I could/wanted to and just listened to my own body. Have just got through my 5th surgery, I would expect to feel physically weak for several months. However, the biggest thing for me was the mental weakness. You go from being thankful you’re alive to wondering what you did to deserve this. Give yourself time. Short walks. Stop and listen to the birds, breathe in the air. Let rehab not only be about deep breathing and exercise but about reassessing your life generally. Now, im definitely more of a selfish person in that I do what makes me happy and not other people. Take this time to enjoy a more relaxed pace of life. Wishing you well and gives us updates on your journey. X
I feel for you, at 31, I'm incredibly disappointed with my physical decline post surgery. I turned up to rehab and was told to go home and to the GP because of my low blood pressure and dizzy spells- was running 5k before the op. It's a longer, more bumpy journey than anticipated but it will be okay. I hope you can feel better with the self-care today
You've also had a rapid increase in work hours, that's a bunch of weights in itself! Lots of really kind messages on your post which I'm taking something from too
Don't be so hard on yourself. It will take time for your body to repair itself. I understand your frustration, but try and focus on the positives, everytime you do that bit more be pleased with yourself. Recovery is baby steps. I am two years post heart attack and stent. I am back to doing my long walks with the dog and have been doing couch to 5k which I have loved. The new challenge has given me a real buzz. You will get there just be patient x
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Supra ventricular tachycardia 
