9wks and one day post op, in the waiting room

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC2Xf_Rthv0&feature=youtube_gdata_player Omg, funny as anything!! sat in the waiting room of the surgeon, sweating my socks off (didn't actually have socks on but was the nicest possible saying I cud use) and realised... Ta daaaaa, I know, I'll do my blog... So click on the link above for a laugh. Xx

9 Days post Open Heart Surgery

Hi everyone,

Ive managed to unconfiscate (is that a proper word?) my car from my father's house now, and its now sat on my mums drive.. woooo, one step closer to freedom!! Ive had some Darlo plates put on it so thought id send you a little image of it!!

Right, post op recovery...... not going that well!! Ive picked up ANOTHER!!!!!!! bug. Ive had a temperature of 39/40 for past day or two and feel like crap, but nurses have said it is viral and so should settle down on its own, so plenty of... guess what....... REST!!!!!!If I rested anymore id be constantly asleep!!

I thought i'd include a cheeky scar shot, but hopefully it gives you a good idea of the recovery and heeling of the scar.
I started my cardiac rehab programme on Monday, and it was so motivating to hear how I will be able to move forward once ive managed to get rid of this infection and also taken off the antiobiotics. The only concern she has is my blood pressure being too low and how that will impact my training, so im not allowed to do any unsupervised sessions as yet, and no interval or intense sessions for a few months. Im going to start some work with the resistance bands in 2 weeks to help the muscles begin to strengthen before I start doing any true resistance work.
I have any appointment tomorrow with the surgeon so I will update the blog then.

Ta ta for now xx

8-weeks and 1 day

Hi everyone

Well..... before I begin bloggin, here is one of the fitness articles I wrote. Let me know your views.
http://www.virtualmag.co.uk/index.cfm?client_id=9&fuseaction=Magazine.ShowArticle&article_id=912&ID=193

Im 8-weeks post op now, and to  be honest, not feeling great. Im having a nightmare with the betablockers im now on and they are not agreeing with me, so Im getting hardly any sleep. But hopefully, discussing this with my surgeon next week.

Walking mileage has increase to 5-8 miles per day (over 2 walks). I will be re introducing my Pilates workout next week. Il be starting with a ten minute programme, to be repeated 3 times per day. And will aim to record this so you can join in too!!!

Clean eating is kind of on track and I have be re-inspired by Jodie Marsh in the USA documentary last night documenting her and her journey to becoming a body builder over there. Fair do's she does work hard, and I cant wait to get back on the weight training!!!!!

Heres a few sample meals from the past 3 days

Here's and picture of me and gorgeous mum!!! Before a not so clean eating meal out to Pesto a couple of weeks back. (note I had to take my shoes off so as not to be towering over her!!)

6-weeks & 4 days post op

Well, this week has certainly been a roller coaster week. I had been building my walking up to 3 miles walks twice daily and following the clean eating programme fairly strictly. 6pack had actually started to show. I was amazed!! I had been to hospital 5 weeks post op and had blood tests taken and when phoned for the results Monday, the surgeons secretary had been very Cagey, saying she couldn't give out such information. When the nurse finally called me, 4 days later my infection levels had risen...arrrggghhhhhh... I could see it now.... A vision of the camera down the throat to look at the heart appeared!! So they informed me I'd have regular blood tests taken once a week. So, I was soooooo good. Didn't go anywhere, or see anyone.... Erm, wel... I did go into Chester on Tuesday to meet up with 2 friends for coffee, but also, to get a handbag from Kate's wedding. But to be fair, it did wipe me out, so didn't do anything else all week! The results came back and it was all good, infection levels had come back down...... I guess with having no spleen, my life will always be like this, as I have no immune system. So that was Tuesday, O yes, Tuesday evening, went to a land auction in kelsall! We ended up wining the auction and purchasing 2.5 acres of prime Cheshire land. It was ace..... I'm off to a fine arts auction in a couple of weeks and gonna start wheeling and dealing, ducking and diving in the old antique business!! Ha ha... Do you get fed up with my change in career paths all the time?? My family do!! Lol. Actually,it's gonna be a hobby, collecting vintage jewellery and other items, I think ts steamed from being in hospital and being forced to watch theings like Dickinsons deals ha ha. I actually haven't seen that one, but there's loads of similar tv programmes. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday went by, had a few friends bob over to see me, which was lovely.a friend who is growing her own quinoa, she had a very interesting story to tell me about her new product!!my other friend lizzie came up to manicure my nails, so all in all a great week. And to top it all off, Kate's wedding...... Omg, it was amazing!! I didn't sleep the night before as I was soooo excited!april did an amazing job of my hair, and for the first time in weeks I felt like a proper lady!! Got to the queens hotel, which I have to say, I was sooooooo impressed with, and we were shown to our seats in this lovely boutiquey room. Then in walks the bridesmaid Jen, she looked amazing in a long black dress, she was clearly emotionally and that set us all off, then in walked the beautiful bride and her father... Well that was it, tears were streaming down our faces, she looked fab!! They said their vows and then had loads of pictures taken, by a great photographer who got some very unique shots of us all. The wedding breakfast was gorgeous and the company was great. The day do melted into the evening do seamlessly and before I knew it I was being picked up, at 10 pm. It was so nice to see all the girls and catch up. It was reassuring to know that actually, I can have a couple of drinks as long as I'm careful and today, being Sunday, I'm now going to rest all day so I don't become I'll. This is my slow journey to full health and u fitness peeps better be ready for the bionic woman!! Cos she's slowly getting there!! He he he...... Xxxxx

5 weeks and 1 day Post Aortic Valve Replacement

Hi guys


I hope your well. Please copy and paste the link to see my video blog for today. Im having such an off day, but I summarise it all in the video blog. Ive now decided to take a break from facebook for a few weeks as I try and focus on recovering and as you will also hear over the next couple of days, were going through a tough family time, so just to really help me focus on my family, im taking some 'quiet time' away from it, but will look forward to getting back on the old facebook wagon in about 3 weeks. (This is gonna be tough for a facebook addict!!)
Thanks for all your amazing support everyone.
YOUR THE BESTEST!!!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=e_Z_Nj2EzM4

5-weeks today

Hi everyone,

For my video blog, please copy and paste the following link!!!! (im still not quite there with the computer whizz stuff)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9SGHo3vAF-Q&list=UL9SGHo3vAF-Q





Well, what a wash out with the weather!?! I know us Brits do tend to focus and talk too much about the weird weather we experience but I couldn't help feel sorry for all the people who had organised, various Jubilee parties over the weekend!! did you see the Jubilee celebrations for the queen? Was anyone lucky enough to experience it first hand? If so, get your piccies into me and I'll put them on here. I thought the concert was pretty spectacular, especially the fireworks. I was watching it from in my bed with the windows wide open and it didn't half make me fancy a nice cold beer as it was a gorgeous night...

 Hmmmmmm, that brings me to.....clean eating.....gone wrong!!!! Now, it just shows...even your local fitness expert can slip up!! I continued with the healthy clean eating on Saturday and actually whilst I think on, Richard Wilding who is located near the Fishpool pub( currently undergoing a massive refurbishmen, and looks like will be an amazing pub, near Delamere) has the bestest asparagus for sale. It's organic, freshly cut, and is sooooo good for you. I had it with lamb, new potatoes(grown in my dads garden) and carrots. Was such a lovely meal nd all part of the clean eating diet. Asparagus is great for detoxing the kidneys and may leave you with a slightly peculiar smelling pee. And the added bonus is of course...... It's an aphrodsiac! Which for me at the mo, bears no relevance ha ha. The rest of the weekend though slipped progressively from bad to badder and although my portion sizes were small, a few more treats such as Hagen daaz ice cream were introduced( thanks Colin) and few crisps here and there. Yesterday I had my first afternoon out with a few of the girls and we w ent to the Boat house Chester and had a panini, erm, with chips, but then came home and had 4 chocolate fingers and a Viennese whirl!!!!WTF.



So I'm up bright and early. Just weighed myself and indeed I've put on 2.3 kg over the weekend. But today is a new day, fresh start! I'll be having 2 boiled eggs, the whites only, 1 apple and 1 banana for breakfast, poached chicken fillet rolled in Cajun spice and broccoli for lunch and sweet potato and cottage cheese for dinner. Il send some pictures through tonight along with a video blog, showing you my new hair colour!! Today, I'm off to see the surgeon today, it's 5- weeks post aortic valve replacement, and to be honest, this weeks been a bad week. I've experience much pain in my ribs ( probably too much Pilates and lifting too soon) so I stopped the Pilates from last Friday, as it was p,acing my rib cage under too much stress, but when you have a good day you feel your doing the right thing, just slightly pushing forward, introducing a few, what before the operation would seem like exercises for an elderly person, actually, I can't even do 2 or 3 of now!! It's frustrating as anything. I've managed to walk a bit further each day and am now enjoying walking a regular 2 miles 3 times a day, albeit it in 200m stages whereby I rest and bring the heart rate down. As well as the rib cage hurting, I've developed a chest infection, which I can't for the life of me work out where I've got it from, as I've not been anywhere, but try having yoUr rib age opened and then coughing ouchhhhhhh. Just come back from the hospital, which was a complete waste of time. They took blood samples but that was it. About to have dinner, chicken and tomatoes and then do some studying.


Just before u go............. Please please please can u let me know ur thoughts on fake tan and what products u like to use as I'm launching a mobile fake tan service in approx 4-6 weeks. Ta ta for now everyone.

Just a quickie for the ladies!!!!!! and lads il promise to include one for you tomorrow!!!!

Fit or not!!!! Your thoughts and comments please!!??!!

Day 30 Post Op

Heidi hi campers!!!

How are you all?Any gossip for me? April, my haidresser has found my hair extensions!! yippeee, we thought they had been burnt in an awful fire that she had in her kitchen, but obviously I couldnt act too dissapointed cos the poor girl lost her kitchen and the whole house is a smoking mess now, and shes been working hr ass off to clear it all up. But shes just called to say they were in the shed!!!!whooo, so hair in, nails on this coming Tuesday... Glam Claire is on my way back!!!!!!
Micheal McIntyre is on at the Laugh Inn this weekend and guess who may have a cheeky little pass??!!! But will have to see how the old heart is on the day...

DID YOU KNOW??? my heart valves have been constructed from the outside of a cow's heart!!!!!! so if you find me in a field munching grass, do not panic!!!! ha ha ha

Ok, the diet has slipped up today!!
I had 20 raspeberries, then went for a walk then the nurse came here early, and threw my routine out, and now my friend is popping over fro a brew, so Ive just had a slice of seeded toast!!!! GRRRR, annoyed with myself.
Will get back on it this afternoon....

well what a lovely surprise!! This has just arrived, a flower card. I havent seen these before. Have you? Top idea... I tell you, its hard to think of new inventions these days as everything been done!!!!!!

Right.. update on valve situ!!!Gosh, muscles have gone into spasm in my back and around my ribs, I couldnt sleep at all, it makes it uncomfortable to move or breath and ya wana try coughing!!! blooming heckey thump!!!!!! Not good.

Been for a 2 mile walk, going to do that 3 times today, so Im well impressed. No Pilates due to ribs hurting. Please send me your pictures of the Jubilee weekend to. claire@chestefitness.co.uk


Have I told you Im planning a cheeky trip to the US of A?? Im going with a good friend Cassie, and she's been looking for the ideal car for us to hire. Weve both agreed on this one!!!! Ur thoughts!!??

Were meeting up with another couple of friends whilst were there so, it should be amazing, and of course, updates will be kept on the old blogspot!!