In 48 hours, it will have been three weeks since I sought medical help for my left leg, which had been troubling me for a week and a half. The swift diagnosis of the blood clot was unexpected and more than a little unsettling.
Besides the anticoagulation shots that began immediately through the weekend, it was Saturday evening when they began; I have been on a regimen of anticoagulation pills since then. In addition, I received directions that the only exercise I could do was walking inside my home every one or two hours. I lasted until the following Friday. That is when I did a small walk of just over one mile into the basin area of Mount Helena City Park in Helena Montana.
Tomorrow, it will be two weeks since I began walking again. Walking? More like an easy stroll. For most of that time, I have kept my heart rate below 130 BPM. The last two days I have kept it beneath 137 BPM. The route I have been walking for five days has a distance of 3.65 miles in an ascent/descent of 850 feet. It takes me approximately 1.75 hours to complete— yes, an easy stroll.
The only adverse effect I have felt during the walks is a tiredness in my left leg. It is my understanding that is a side effect of the blood clot. For some people that condition appears to be permanent. I am unsure whether it will be for me.
What is certain is my increased tempo beginning tomorrow. I will be adding another mile and 600 feet of ascent/descent to that easy stroll. I will also take my maximum heart rate up to 140 BPM. Since medical personnel have not sanctioned my exercises, if this turns out to be my last blog, then apparently I suffered the consequences of strolling a little too hard.
