Sunday 10th March
After my last blog entry on 1st March I decided that I would take a few days off rather than regale blog followers with mundane tales on my gradual recovery from open heart surgery.
What I had not expected was that my temporary silence would set off alarm bells with some readers who had begun to wonder whether the Obese Ferret had disappeared down his last rabbit hole!
Well, I am pleased to report that my recovery is progressing as expected, made all the easier by the continued support and interest from so many family members and friends.
I now have to follow a very strict Home Exercise Programme which includes such gems as Neck Side Bending, Neck Rotation, Shoulder Circles,Shoulder Rotation,Trunk Rotation and last but not least Neck Flexion and Extension. I am hoping that the last-mentioned will enable me to reach the height of 6 feet to which I have always aspired!
These exercises are coupled with increased use of the 3 Triglow balls which I have to suck up gravity feed channels and hold them aloft for 3 seconds. ( a bit like the Tatts Lotto draw on TV )This has to be repeated 5 times every hour and Craig has set up an alarm on my I phone as a reminder. Fortunately, I managed to persuade him that it only needed to apply from 9 am to 9 pm and that I was allowed to take a break during the night. All jokes aside this exercise is critical as I left hospital with some fluid still on my lungs and this gadget is designed to improve lung capacity.
I am now coming to the end of Week 1 of the Home Walking Programme and as from tomorrow I have to walk about 500 metres on level or gently sloping ground twice each day. This distance will gradually increase over the coming weeks.
After working your way through that load of useless info you are probably starting to say to yourselves ” we should have let sleeping obese ferrets lie!”
One thing I have learned is that patience during this recovery is an absolute virtue and one can never afford to be complacent with cardiac issues. A good day is invariably followed by one which can make you feel a bit down, both physically and emotionally, but what is undeniably true is that, even with this roller coaster, I am making some real progress.
During the past week Gail has been able to take me out in the car to view different parts of Perth and to call on some good friends, Ben and Tric Neale. This has provided a welcome change of scenery and as Ben has undergone one hip and two knee replacements over the past 12 months it has been good to discuss the relevant merits of the two surgeons!
It has also been great having Craig close at hand and he now realises what a considerate old dad I am to have my arteries clog up while he is in WA rather than USA or UK.
I will try to keep everyone posted on any new developments eg. if I suddenly become incapable of keeping my balls aloft for 3 seconds!
Cheers
The Obese Ferret ( BTW I have put on 1 kg and am up to 65.5kgs. Apparently almost all patients put on weight while undergoing heart surgery but obviously not yours truly.)
2geonomads 
I think that any comments relating to the use of Triglow Balls need to be restricted to your “R” rated website. I’m worried that my daughter might read about them!
At this stage I’m starting to really worry about your handicap!
Well Dave I put on 10 kgs and dropped them afterwards!
Keep up the good work – there is one guy here who is walking the same path as you.
Sean
(Cardiac Ward Cell Occupant)
I told you, you were stealing all my food during our time in the cell!
Dave