Finished the full cardiac rehab in early May. It got tougher and tougher, as the rule seemed to be that I do a little bit more every day without increasing my heart rate over the resting plus 50 level. It certainly was tough going, but I could feel the improvement as each week went by. It was also interesting to watch other patients start in the weeks after me – some looked like they wouldn't make it back the following week, but they went from very weak to stronger and stronger. Reviewing my own data showed the same story. I felt I was at a 7 out of 10 in difficulty after the baseline week, but that same level was only a mild warmup towards the end.
I'm now walking 3 miles a day in under an hour for at least 4 days a week. It wears me out a bit, but I know that intensity is getting the heart rate up and it is continuing to get stronger. Of course, I'll be checked regularly for about another year, but I think I'm doing well. It was certainly different to the GAA training protocol of "No Pain, No Gain", as any pain meant I had gone over the limit. Finding out how much "huff and puff" is needed for a beneficial workout is the key, and to hold all activities, including working, at/below that level.
There are still tests and so on to make sure the heart is working well and a minor procedure may be in my future that I will detail in August if it comes to be.
I still have my full schedule of colon tests to get done this summer. If all goes well, I may be discharged as a cancer patient and returned to the 5-year screening protocol. It certainly has been a long road for me since my initial diagnosis in 2019.
As a frame of reference, when I was first diagnosed Tipperary were the hurling All-Ireland champions.
Don't forget to schedule screening if you are having even the mildest of symptoms or are in the age or genetic areas that cause concern to the professionals...it can be a life saver. If blood is noticed anywhere it shouldn't be, then it's time for an appointment to be made - nothing to be frightened of and you'll be glad you did.
Enjoy the Championships.
I'm now walking 3 miles a day in under an hour for at least 4 days a week. It wears me out a bit, but I know that intensity is getting the heart rate up and it is continuing to get stronger. Of course, I'll be checked regularly for about another year, but I think I'm doing well. It was certainly different to the GAA training protocol of "No Pain, No Gain", as any pain meant I had gone over the limit. Finding out how much "huff and puff" is needed for a beneficial workout is the key, and to hold all activities, including working, at/below that level.
There are still tests and so on to make sure the heart is working well and a minor procedure may be in my future that I will detail in August if it comes to be.
I still have my full schedule of colon tests to get done this summer. If all goes well, I may be discharged as a cancer patient and returned to the 5-year screening protocol. It certainly has been a long road for me since my initial diagnosis in 2019.
As a frame of reference, when I was first diagnosed Tipperary were the hurling All-Ireland champions.
Don't forget to schedule screening if you are having even the mildest of symptoms or are in the age or genetic areas that cause concern to the professionals...it can be a life saver. If blood is noticed anywhere it shouldn't be, then it's time for an appointment to be made - nothing to be frightened of and you'll be glad you did.
Enjoy the Championships.
