Sunday, February 9, 2014

Recovering Quickly

I don't remember what day I went in the hospital with pneumonia. My guess is that it was 3 weeks ago today.

I did exercises in sets of 2-3 minutes several times today. I danced, I jumped, I did pushups (up to 7 now). I did some squats (with no weight). I did a little work on the car.

To put it mildly, I am surprised at my recovery. My lungs feel great. My stomach isn't all the way better. I had a mild tear, and I'm 52. That doesn't go away in a couple weeks.

Also, a few months ago, the ball of my feet started tingling and growing numb. Not long after that my feet and ankles were swelling up.

The doctors told me the neuropathy (I think that's what it's called) in my feet was the result of the steroids we transplant recipients take to suppress our new immune systems. They said the fluid buildup (the "edema") in my ankles and feet were also from the steroids. They never gave me any advice about what to do about it.

In December sometime, the swelling and a lot of the neuropathy went away.

I'm really hoping that as I get back into exercise, I'm also going to find out that my calves no longer start giving out about a hundred yards into a jog.

We'll see. I can't jog a hundred yards at the moment, but I'm sure I'll be able to next week. I don't have confidence, my calves will be better, but I do have hope.

Thank you for those who have prayed for me. I say that a lot, but I think it makes a big difference. Keep praying for others, too!

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for the update. I haven't been checking your blog lately, but I did today and was glad to see recent stuff. I read it to the boys, too. I hope the swelling in your ankles and feet goes down. I think my mother has been dealing with that, also. Another side effect to her chemo. Well, we love you!

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  2. I love you, too, Chavvah. I get to Selmer twice a week, so I see employees that are dear friends as well. I just don't get into the village much. I am going to have to do so on purpose as soon as I can get caught up from being out of the loop pretty much all of January. (Out of the loop? I should say, thrown for a loop!)

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