Karen's Posts

Hi everyone- It has been too long since my last check in and update. I have been back at work FT since 7/17 with the exception of a week's vacation to the beach and a couple of 1/2 days to attend a friend's daughter's wedding and take a belated Father's Day trip (pic uploaded). I am feeling well and do not have to go back to cardiologist until Jan and surgeon until May unless of course I become symptomatic. I did my last cardiac rehab 2 wks ago today and miss the staff and fellow patients I met. Unfortunately I couldn't modify my work schedule indefinetly to support going to the classes. I still have an extra 8-10 lbs I need to work off so really need to motivate from that perspective. I have resumed most all activities, but still refrain from lifting anything more than 20 lbs or so and as we all know I can NEVER shovel snow again...shucks! I am so thankful to have a great, strong network of family and friends though I feel often times that our schedules don't permit us to get together as often as I would like. I am getting some blood work done soon (as soon as I get to the lab :) and one test will be BNP level which is what detected/confirmed my congestive heart failure. Since echos were fine after surgery and I feel well I hope these numbers are in the normal range. For those of you I have not caught up with on this site please know that I wish you well and look forward to your updates. For those embarking on your journey good luck, you can do this! Karen

Hi everyone--- It has been quite a while since my last post so I felt I was overdue to get back on and see what my fellow HVJ friends were up to. I returned to work 2 wks ago. Typical day is 7:30-4:30 or 5. 1st week I did 7:30-2 and this past week 7:30-3 so next week hoping to make a full day. Definetly more tired at day's end and hard to get up in the a.m. but that was to be expected. I am being sure not to push myself and my family, friends and co-workers reinforce that. I've been enjoying cardiac rehab and planning to continue that for 2 days/week as long as I can. My boss was agreeable to letting me modify my schedule on M & W to accommodate continuing this. So grateful to have a great boss and workplace. This whole experience has been an eye-opening one. One in that I returned to my faith after many lapsed years of religion in my life. This happened 2 wks prior to the surgery and I therefore don't feel it was a mere coincidence. I always thought I appreciated family and friends, but I don't think one can truly understand how much you do until you go through something like this. Adam has put together a great forum here for us. I truly feel that I have met a few of you that I may stay in touch with for years to come. I find this sight addictive when I do get on and will continue to check in as I am able (when I have a couple of hrs to spare to read and respond to your blogs:). In the meantime if any of you care to Facebook friend request me I am Karen Campo, Enfield CT. I wish all those headed into surgery, just out and those of us continuing rehab all the best. Surround yourself with family and friends, stay positive and thank God every chance you get! Karen