All systems are go for my return to work tomorrow.
Had my thread mill stress test today which I aced. I must admit that I trained for it.
Ran a 5K on Saturday, did a 5 miler on Sunday and 3 miles on Tuesday. Everything looked good and my Cardiologist gave me the green light. My INR is finally in range at 3.2. I knew it was going to be a good number when they pricked my finger and they did not even have to squeeze my finger to get plenty of blood for the test.
I still don't have my FAA medical so I can't go back to flying but that is only part of my job so I guess I will be flying a desk for awhile. This will be the first time in my 37 year career. Undecided on how long it will take to get my medical back. My FAA doctor, which I see next Wednesday, does not think it will take long but others feel it might take 3 to 6 months. Don't see what the hold up could be since my old valve was not doing such a great job and as long as I was not having any symptoms they let me fly. This one is doing great but maybe it is the old stop and start the heart thing that has them concerned. No big deal I will take it all in stride.
The count down continues for the Berlin Marathon in September, 66 days to be exact and now the training begins in earnest. Good thing for me since I have already done 52 of them I don't have to do the dreaded long runs. Eight mile will probably be the max and maybe I will throw in a half marathon sometime between now and Berlin just for the fun of it. Already planning on another Marathon in October. Des Moines should be a good place to visit that time of the year.
It is funny to realize that I really have nothing on my calendar after January. Maybe it was because I was not sure I was going to be around then. Now that everything is looking good health wise it is time to put a few more great adventures on the calendar.
I have managed to keep some sort of exercise going so far this year. We are on day 204 in 2014 and I have managed to get in at least 30 minutes of some sort of exercise each day. That would entail 310 miles walking, 440 miles running and 81 miles on my bike. That would include 98 miles walking 33 miles running and 11 miles on my bike since my operation 6 weeks ago.
The only other thing left to do is to get my own INR testing equipment. I have a letter from my Cardiologist saying that regular testing is a requirement so I hope to convince my insurance company to bypass the 3 month waiting period and get a unit right away. Right now it is taking about an hour out of my day to get it done in the doctor's office. Speaking of insurance it looks like the final bill is going to be around 150K for the valve replacement. Not meaning to get into a debate about insurance but can't imagine what my choices would have been with out health insurance.
I have heard it be said that the filter between your mouth and your brain has a tendency to malfunction from time to time after open heart surgery. It seems to be working fine now but I will put it to the test when I return to work tomorrow. I was pretty outspoken before hand so no telling what is in store. I am sure I will always treat others as I want to be treated. That is how my Mother raised me and in her memory of her passing a year ago this past Sunday I will try my best to think about that before I open my mouth.
Tony
No comments:
Post a Comment