No place like home

Hello MN.  I arrived home last night about 7 PM and was greeted by 2 hours of rush hour traffic.  Wait, I thought I left LA behind:-)  I had my final clinic appointment the day before and it went well.  I had a little rejection again, 1R, but the doctors said don't worry at all.  Totally normal.  The rest of my tests were totally normal and my cardiac function was spectacular again.  I have started running since I last posted.  My doctors told me the week before to go live my life.  Shower, swim, run, lift weights, whatever I want to do.  I started to run on the 21st and all I could muster was .5 mile.  I didn't have any expectations, or I tried not to, but I admit to feeling disappointed.  I walked a 0.25 mile and then ran a 0.25 mile.  The next day I did two 0.5 mile runs.  Two days ago I ran 1 mile without stopping twice.  I won't beat anyone any time soon, but it doesn't matter.  My legs have been very sore.  I guess I lost muscle not having run for 3.5 years, but it feels like it is coming back quickly.  I am getting stronger every day.

It feels weird being home, not having been here for the past 5 months.  At the same time it feels great.  One fun thing I did last night was throw away all my old VAD accessories.  Things like harnesses, holsters, etc. that I wont ever need again.  Didn't feel bad at all!   I can't wait to play my guitar later today, no hum or buzz from my pump ever again.

5 Weeks later...........(Act of War by Brad Thor review)

Tomorrow makes 5 weeks.  I have one week until I reach the magic 6 week mark.  At 6 weeks my sternum is considered healed and I can start cardiac rehab and run.  I have not run since about a month before I got my LVAD.  At that point I couldn't run for 5 minutes without have to stop because I thought I was going to pass out.  Yesterday I walked 4 miles on the treadmill in 57:30.  I think it's pretty good that I am one month out and walking sub 15 minute miles.  I feel like I could run now but I don't want to risk anything at this point and jeopardize the gift I have received.  My first refill of pills came today.  The box was so big I thought someone shipped me a basketball, lol.  I had heard horror stories of  post transplant taking 70 pills a day.  So far I am taking about 15 twice a day.

I finished "Act of War" by Brad Thor last week.  True to form 5 pages in I was hooked.  I love Brad's books because they are realistic, informed, relevant, and as a veteran I relate to his views and perspectives.  I am so thankful that Brad mailed me a copy of this and I hope that he and I connect during my last three weeks here.  I highly recommend this book and anything Brad has written.  Can't wait to read the next one.