1 Pax showed up for cardiac rehab this morning (there were other people, but no one else from F3).  It is my new gloom.  It is well lit, warm and has a great support team of nurses, nursing students, exercise physiologists and a dietician.

The Thang:

COP

Tanner, one of the nursing students, leads the COP (although Tanner doesn’t even know that’s what it is called).  There are toe touches, calf stretches, a couple rounds of people’s chair (although, again, Tanner doesn’t even know that’s what it is called), air punches and shoulder rolls.  The mumble chatter is a mix of bragging on the number of stents we have, bypasses performed on us or complaining about how long it has been since we’ve had a steak or piece of pizza.  Another favorite topic is how many more sessions until we’re done.  I’ve completed 9 of 36 and we had two “graduates” today.

Mosey to exercise area for choice of elliptical, air bike, stationary bike or treadmill.  I’ve been doing the treadmill for 20 minutes at an 8:30 pace.  I think maybe the stents are helping the blood flow more freely than it had been.  I feel really really good after doing this.

Next is paddling time.  No it isn’t from a frat initiation out of Animal House.  But it’s still pretty cool.  One of the workers will take the paddles from a crash cart.  One is placed on your chest and one near your love handle.  Someone they get a pulse and a “quickie” ekg read out.  This is a crash cart as in “CLEAR” but they never push that button (at least not that I’ve seen so far thank goodness).

10 minutes of elliptical after that.  Level 10 and I output 175 watts.  I have no idea how that stacks up competitively, but I feel pretty winded after doing it. Plus there is a nice 5″ screen with a “scene” function.  I get to see the Golden Gate Bridge, some nature trails and probably the Rocky Mountains.

Tanner leads another COP for cool down.  After that, we mix it up a little. On Mondays we get some heart health education, Wednesdays we do some light weights and Fridays we go sit in a dark room and listen to new age music for 5 minutes.  I keep forgetting to bring incense but I don’t think it would be allowed anyway.

So much like the namesake of my F3 handle, I’m still suspended from “league play.”  I meet with the commissioner (cardiologist) on 3/23.  I’m hoping my appeal will lead to some limited activity outside of the cardiac rehab center.  Even if it doesn’t, the crew at cardiac rehab has been fantastic and I’ll be going through the entire program no matter what.

Today marks 30 days since my heart attack. All in all, it has been the best of a bad situation.  A long catheter through my wrist up to my heart and insert 3 stents, simple!  I know all the support I’ve received from my F3 brothers has helped me through it.  I’ve also been told by a couple of Pax that what happened to me really “freaked some of you out.”  Same here.  I’m still not sure what to think about all of it or what advice I have to offer (except if you suspect anything, get to the doctor or call 911; better safe than sorry).  However, if you have any questions or worries, I’m more than happy to talk about it.

I’m looking forward to van driving for the P200 next week and catching up with everyone. And I appreciate everyone at The Patriot looking out for Jeter as he continues to show up on Saturday’s (courtesy of his chauffer Chowdah).

Now the last time I wrote one of these things, I had a heart attack that night.  While there has been some confusion about what caused it, I’m hoping to rule out posting a back blast.

Boeheim

Aye!