Ann has been talking to several BMT and CBT survivors lately and after making a comparison between their stories they have one thing in common...excercise. It seems that the survivors that had the quickest recovery spent a good portion of their time post transplant doing some sort of exercise routine to build their strength up as quickly as possible. It also turns out that while in the hospital transplant patients are "encouraged" quite strongly to walk around as much as possible.
Exercise inside the hospital is no problem. Its a protected environment, with lots of professionals on site if something goes wrong. But what about post transplant? Walking is OK, but doing so at our apartment complex is asking for trouble that we certainly don't need. The solution is the stationary bike that we got. It allows Ann to get a workout, at her own pace, in the relatively safe environment of the apartment.
Today Ann did about 4 miles on her new bike in about 45 minutes. She was really proud of her accomplishment and I was thrilled with her effort. Considering the amount of muscle atrophy that she has suffered over the past 124 days, she really had to set her mind to the achievement.
Tomorrow Ann has her 11th Lumbar Puncture. I think the stem cell clinic is doing it just to be on the safe side considering all of Ann's other LPs have come back clean. However, it means that Ann will get a big'ol bag of Ativan and then it will be nap time. Its hard to believe that Ann has 4 days before the mobilization chemo begins.
More tomorrow
5 comments:
If there was a stationary Tour de France, Ann would win. I'm sure of it.
Hi Ann and Chris -
You don't know me, but I grew in Baton Rouge and moved up to Northern Virginia about nine years ago.
I have been keeping up with your courageous fight for the past few months. I linked to it from the local Baton Rouge paper while I was keeping up with Lauri Smith-Anderson's battle against colon cancer. I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you both and wishing you all the best. You are both so lucky to have each other! Your story is an inspiration, Ann, and I hope you realize how many lives you've touched.
Kindest regards,
Melissa S. McConnell
Ashburn, Virginia
Sounds like things are moving full steam ahead! Hooray!
Way to go, Ann! I don't even think I can do that! :/
- Paige
That's four miles more than I've ridden or walked in the last year... :( oink. Okay. okay. So I've driven farther than four miles! lol Pat asked about you tonight when we snuck into Jasons for an ice milk. yum. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Sweet dreams.
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