Warrior Mode Activated

  Let me start off with a brief update on the Cardiac Rehab thus far. I had a bit of a scare a couple of weeks ago. My heart rate went crazy and it felt a bit like my heart was flopping around in my chest. I have had a few instances of this in the past, but nothing to this magnitude. I was a little worried given that I do have some heart damage from chemo, so I called the nurse who then sent me to the ER just to be safe. After many tests and about 6 hours, I was finally released to go home. My cardiologist believes it was due to my potassium being low. I will see him again on the 23rd of Dec. so that he can "remedy this issue and talk about the implications". As of now, I am feeling much better and all my Cardiac Rehab Sessions have gone very well. The nurses seemed pleased with my progress. Hooray! Now on to the celebrating!! Today I have officially hit the 2 year mark!! On this day two years ago, the last of the cancer was removed from my body! I remember my Oncologist sayi...

 I arrived on time for my 2nd session and was very pleased with myself.  The gym is on the top floor of Cape Fear Heart Associates.  When we first arrive, we go in and retrieve our clipboards and, if there is a yellow mark on our chart, we have to get weighed. I was told this is because we either have or are at risk for heart failure. Any sudden weight gain is troubling as it could mean a worsening of the condition. There on my chart was the dreaded yellow mark. That was a bit of a reality check. I do not have it, but I am at risk due to the damage done to my left ventricle by the chemo.  We then go sit in our assigned chairs (about 8ft apart) situated around the gym and wait for the nurse to come by and take our vitals. I find myself sitting there reminding myself of my weight over and over again because we were asked to remember it and tell it to the nurse when it's our turn. I'm afraid I'm going to forget, so I just keep repeating it to myself in my head, LOL....

 I had my first session of Cardiac Rehab yesterday afternoon and it really didn't go as planned. To begin with, I got the start time mixed up. I think it was because my original orientation appointment was at 3:30 and so from that point on in my brain I thought that was the start time. Nope. It started at 3:00! So on my very first day, I was 30 min. late! UGH! I couldn't understand why everyone was already there and exercising when I arrived. So, they  took my blood pressure then  put me on the recumbent  bike. At exactly 3 minutes in, the elderly lady on a bike near me began feeling faint and then passed out. Thankfully, a nurse was close by and was able to help her before she fell. So, the gym was cleared. We all had to exit into the lobby and sit for about 10 minutes while they tended to her. Two ladies seated near me decided to discuss (loudly) the different places their cancer had come back. One lady said she had lesions on her brain and that she knew two others...