Friday 29 April 2016

Uplifting ups and depressing downs

I am baffled by good and bad days.  I asked around in rehab, and it seems to be a common experience.  Three days ago I did my usual round the block walk.  Hard work from the start; soon I was puffing, and try as i would could not beat 15 minutes.  No obvious reason; there was a bit of a cold wind, but no more than usual.

Then yesterday, encouraged by grandson Tim, much better, around twelve and a half minutes.  Today I did the best sit/stands for ages, X 35 and then X 40, with a minute to get my breath back.  No-one seems to know why patients get good and bad days.  I suppose it is not a topic for research.  Which is a pity: we know there is no cure for heart failure though one can improve with medication.  If only we could mange more good days and less bad days it wold be a huge boon. In my book, research to solve this problem would be worth a Nobel prize.

Wednesday 20 April 2016

My heart history

It's a little over six years since my heart attack and subsequent triple bypass.  With attacks of atrial fibrillation and a bad chest infection, the last few months have been depressing.  But now, with sunshine, things are at last looking up.  Better day today,  managed round the block  (about half a mile) in approximately 13 minutes.  No big deal for most people, but when last two walks took 18 and then 15 minutes, progress indeed.  Even managed some two hours pottering in the garden.