I had a Telehealth appointment with a cardiologist! I actually saw a real live cardiologist, well, through the phone!! LOL. He said that I’m doing great from the surgery. He did say that I have what they consider long Covid, he said that my heart is functioning 100% normally now, although it is smaller than it was before the heart attack and surgery. I am at a higher risk of another heart attack during this first year of recovery, but my heart has healed beautifully, and is functioning properly. It is scary, though, thinking that I am at risk of another heart attack.
My heart rate covers a wide range during a day, with the low going into the low 40s, he is going to have me wear a heart monitor for 5 days to try to determine what is causing such a swing, and then decide what to do about that. He is having the monitor mailed to me so that I don’t have to go into to the office to have it put on. He said that a lot of their staff is out with Covid and that Covid is just rampant right now. That’s why they changed my appointment yesterday to a Telehealth appointment.
I knew without him telling me that I have no muscle mass left. I have sat on my rear for most of the last year and not been able to lift anything, so I had started gently, every other day, getting on my bike trainer for a few minutes. The doctor wants me to use the trainer and hand weights 4-5 days a week now. I'm up to 10 minutes at a time on the trainer and I will be adding 5 exercises with 3 lb weights to start with. I was a bit surprised that he was going to increase it right now by adding the weight session immediately after getting off the bike. But, okay. That's what I will do. He is putting in an order for me to start Cardio therapy at the Heart Center once Covid lifts some, just in case I feel like I need a professional to guide me.
I think those are the highlights of what he told me. I really like him, and I was right—he actually said it——no doctor knows now what to tell me about what happened to me or what to expect from here on out. He said that any data on this was pre-2000 (the year) and pre-Google because every one dies before they can get help. So strange. Oh and I had a TeleHealth appointment with the GP, and she said that I have Hashimoto’s Thyroid Disease, and that there is nothing to be done about that. My thyroid levels are stable and she won’t change the medication. That just means that my hair will continue to come out and that my skin will continue to wrinkle and dry out excessively. Lucky me, right? LOL
4 comments:
Hey there, Angie, sounds like you are doing so very well in your recovery, aside from Covid issues lingering, I recommend attending the cardio rehab that is offered as soon as you are able. It was a great help for Tom and set him up to continue on stronger and happier since his heart attack. Getting out of the house and having help and encouragement helped a good amount as well. He finished rehab just before the beginning of Covid but ran into some issues during the shut down order for other medical needs, although he was able to do video visits and as soon as testing began he managed to get in for needed procedures. He has an ICD Unit that has kept track of everything and continues to keep his heart rate up and paced where it needs to be. He’s also taking numerous drugs to keep him alive and well. He is doing so well and at 69 is pretty strong again. If you like to and can find a place to swim and take water exercise, this is a good way to build up strength and endurance. We still use the virtual visits as often as we can as it cuts down on travel expenses and now risk of picking up a bug. I hope your possible long lasting Covid symptoms resolve. We’ve been vaccinated for everything we can to help us stay healthy but right now we are staying home more again and wearing masks when out in close quarters with others. The highest number of people getting sick (here in MN) and dying, are still those who are unvaccinated for Covid, sounds like this is the case across the country. RSV is running high right now as well and that’s really tough. Tom and I both picked that up 14 months ago and we were terribly ill, so we got the new vaccine when it was offered this year!
Sounds like you're doing very well and I sense a strong spirit. If you do get down once in a while, though, remember that that is only temporary, and another day you will feel lighter and stronger. And may your recover continue apace!
You've been through so very much but it sure sounds like your still a major miracle woman who is doing great considering the long covid....wow!!!
I'm glad your report was so positive (well, other than the hair falling out and the wrinkly, dry skin--oh, and the heart rate all over the place). ;)
And that is a big plus that you like your doctor.
Hope they can get your heart rate stabilized. You will regain your muscle mass before you know it. You are a wonder woman!
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