Tuesday 14 September 2010

Tuesday 14th September 2010

So here it is 14th September, my 37th birthday and 1st post MOAS. I feel like it should feel more important bearing in mind what I have been through this last year but if I'm honest it just feels like any other day. Perhaps thats a product of my current well being and good health.
Physically I'm continueing to improve although still not quite up to full speed and if I'm honest I wonder if I'll ever fully recover the high level of fitness I had prior to the op. I'm back to running now and going twice a week. I have improved in terms of speed and am up to 8 minute miles but only over a short distance at the moment. The most I have run distance wise is about three and a half miles but this ia also quite a hilly route and is a good challenge. In the next two weeks if all continues to go well then I will step it up to the four mile mark and throw in some more hills to build my stregth. As I start to push a bit harder I get various aches and pains. These tend to be centred around my core muscle groups as these have taken such a hammering. I get a feeling of bruising underneath the rib cage on the right side, not sure what it is but the only time I had any discomfort after the MOAS was a chest drain on that side that was in too far and had to be pulled out a bit. Whether its related or not I dont know? I have also found my lower back muscles are weak. They have had a good work out though recently as I have been digging out a garden pond!
My weight is pretty constant now and I'm probably a stone and a half lighter than I was. I havent found any restrictions regarding food and can and do eat just about anything. I have tried to start to impliment a healthy regime again ensuring I get my 5 a day and eating plenty of wholegrain too. This will hopefully not only compliment my running and training but help to protect my immune system throughout the winter months. In terms of colds I do seem to be picking them up more regularly than before. I'm on my second now and supping a Lemsip as I type! This I'm sure must be down to the lack of a spleen and I continue to take my antibiotics daily.

I have my first annual CT scan looming. It's planned for some time in October and is on my mind more and more. It'll be a tough few weeks awaiting the results, thats for sure. I do find myself contemplating what the future might hold more and more lately. How long have I got? Will the PMP return and if so when? In my mind I have set targets. If I can get the Mortgage paid off then great,the family will be OK financially. If I see my girls get married then that will be brilliant! If I see my grandkids then that would be fantastic!! Beyond that I really am not sure.... Just recently I am aware of a number of fellow sufferers that have lost their battle with PMP and I think thats what has made me contemplate things too. The constant reminder that this thing does kill. Its a reality check and to a certain extent keeps you real. Make the most of now,make the most of today, enjoy those around you and celebrate life.