Mark Caudill: Thankful for getting through 12 weeks of cardiac rehab

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect.

I usually look back on the year during the last week of December, but I have been feeling contemplative a bit early.

I'm thankful for getting through another heart scare. This summer, I spent six days in the hospital and missed most of three weeks of work for a heart cath and a "coronary intervention."

It was a long haul, but I wasn't finished with treatment.

There was one more hurdle, 12 weeks of cardiac rehab. When I learned I needed to complete 36 sessions to graduate, I thought "no way."

I figured I'd go for four weeks, maybe six, eight at the most.

My decision to continue was partially based on meeting my out-of-pocket insurance maximum payment in early July, making the sessions free.

I also wanted to see the process through.

I haven't been in good shape in years. During my hospital stay, I lost five pounds, and I've been able to keep the weight off with the help of cardiac rehab.

I made it through 12 weeks of cardiac rehab recently.
I made it through 12 weeks of cardiac rehab recently.

For the most part, we had about 10 in our 2:30 group. People came and went. I imagine the staff sees a steady flow of newcomers as more people deal with heart issues.

Cardiac rehab group included several elderly people

Most of the people in my group were much older than I am. I imagine they were retired because they seemed to arrive for the sessions earlier than I did. I was usually scrambling to get there because cardiac rehab blew a hole in my workdays, forcing me to adjust.

Even though I didn't know most people's last names, I think a number of us developed a sense of camaraderie by going through a shared experience.

Everyone had to have their vital signs taken before exercising. We sat in a side room for a few minutes, making sure to apply those pesky electrodes to our torsos to allow staff to monitor our workouts.

Each person did 18 minutes on one apparatus, followed by 18 minutes on another.

Until the last three weeks, I started on a stationary bicycle, followed by a treadmill. I actually didn't mind the bike, but I have always found treadmills boring. Talk about a road to nowhere.

I chose a treadmill by the window, giving me a view and enabling me to watch the hospital employees going home. When I started cardiac rehab, the trees were flush with green. By the end, the leaves were gone.

For the last few sessions, an elliptical took the place of the bike. I learned the elliptical was not my friend. It seemed to affect my knees because of the bending motion.

My high school tennis coach once told me if I would bend my knees, I'd never lose a match. Needless to say, I didn't listen because I lost my fair share.

At 6-foot-3, bending is not that easy for me. I found exercise more desirable when I got to sit down to do it.

The music played in the gym was a curious mix with no discernible format or time frame. One day, Connie Francis sang "Where the Boys Are," a 1960 staple that is nobody's idea of workout music. I was befuddled.

Mike was the head cheerleader for our group. The staff member sported a mullet for most of my time in the group. He explained he hadn't gotten a haircut since the pandemic started.

There are cardiac rehab groups throughout the day, and I imagine Mike yelled himself hoarse by the time the 2:30 group rolled in.

During my early days with the group, I didn't understand some of the nicknames Mike gave people. One older man was "Angry Farmer." I never knew why.

Big occasions included two group members getting new teeth. I have a partial for two missing molars, but I stopped wearing it a year ago.

Now that I've made it through cardiac rehab, I need to keep exercising. I did nothing last winter, but I hope to walk a couple of times a week.

Uncertainties at work add to stress

I don't want to lose the progress I've made, and exercise helps relieve stress.

It's been a stressful time for all Gannett employees. Our company, which owns more than 200 news sites nationwide, cited "market headwinds" for cutting staff through layoffs and voluntary severance packages. I didn't opt for the buyout because I feel I still have a lot to give.

The rare laundry cat is shown in her natural habitat.
The rare laundry cat is shown in her natural habitat.

Katy the cat has been my constant companion throughout. My rescue cat has had health issues of her own this year. She underwent surgery for a spiky bladder stone in March.

Since not long after, Katy has consistently had intestinal issues. She at least has never gone outside of her litterbox.

Dr. Jordan at Phillips Animal Hospital has prescribed her a variety of medications. She is currently on four, while I take seven medications a day. Next up is a transdermal gel.

Together, Katy and I are a walking pharmacy.

All in all, I guess it's been a pretty crappy year, punctuated by missing out on my annual summer vacation at New River Gorge in West Virginia because of the aforementioned health issues.

It's a bit too soon to bid the year adieu, but we'll get there.

Happy Thanksgiving to News Journal readers.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: News Journal reporter thankful to get through cardiac rehab