Cue up “Pomp and Circumstance.” Today was my last day of cardiac rehab. I even received a nifty certificate of recognition for completing the program.
Three months. Twelve weeks. Thirty-six visits. A necessary physical and emotional adventure filled with lots of sweat, some tears of joy and a lasting sense of accomplishment.
Back in August, when I began this rehabilitative journey, the view from my treadmill was hundreds of trees in full bloom. Birds swooping under bright blue skies held my attention more than daytime TV or an iTunes playlist titled, “Rehab.”
My initial pace of 1.7 mph with 0.5 (barely) elevation was painfully slow. I know that now because I tried it again today, my last day. Yet on my first day, walking in place at a turtle’s pace proved to be more than moderately difficult. Plus, I was tentative and afraid of falling. How silly all of that seems now.
On this final Friday, those same trees are bare, stripped of the leaves that absorbed blazing summer sun, turning from all shades green to red, yellow and orange hues, and then falling to earth one by one from their strong branches. Unlike the dried-up dead leaves, I am alive, having successfully returned to my better self, regaining strength and movement I once took for granted. Surpassing my rehab goals, I can have a conversation while walking briskly on the treadmill at 3.1 mph with 3.0 elevation – a 95 percent improvement from Day One.
Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without the Troy (Mich.) Beaumont Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation staff. Their encouragement, support and occasional gentle “nudge” to do better got me through the early days when I was tired, weak and just plain over it. They were young professionals well-versed in treating ailing people with kindness.
Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you can’t help but develop a bond with perfect strangers. This was one of those times. I’m speaking of my fellow cardiac rehab pals, most of them 10, 20 and 30 years my senior. The majority of them have already “graduated.” I hope they’re serious about staying in touch. I know I am.
Somehow it seems fitting that I’m ending my recuperation from open-heart surgery as we begin November, the month of Thanksgiving, a time of gratitude, appreciation and faith. That will never be lost on me.
Meantime, here’s a tip: If your doctor suggests cardiac rehab, go. Don’t hesitate for a second. You won’t regret it. You’ll feel better. And you might even make some new friends.
(Copyright 2018)
