FEBRUARY IS HEART MONTH: During Heart month, Paul Blauvelt
reminds us all to take good care of our bodies, especially our hearts.
He is pictured here with Phelps Memorial Health Center Cardiac
Rehabilitation nurses Janell Huston, RN, and Laurie Hohman, RN,
following a workout at PMHC Cardiac Rehab. Paul credits the teamwork
from his primary physician, through the cardiologists to the
Rehabilitation work with getting him back in shape following his heart
surgery a few months ago.
After heart surgery, it was a long road to return to 100 push-ups, 300
sit-ups and power walking, but Paul Blauvelt is living proof that it can
be done.
"At first I had to convince myself and get my mind set to exercise and
watch what I eat," he said. "The main thing was I had to convince myself
to go to Rehab."
Paul Blauvelt, heart patient, and power walker, was having a routine
physical when Dr. Scott Ehresman, Family Medical Specialties, said
something just didn’t look right. He scheduled an appointment with Dr.
Clyde Meckel, cardiologist with Bryan Heart Hospital, who sees patients
in Holdrege once a week. The following week, Paul met with Dr. Meckel at
Phelps Memorial Health Center.
Paul ended up with cardiac bypass surgery, which was just the beginning
of the story. He said he had been feeling fine, and was surprised when
Dr. Meckel and Dr. Ehresman explained how serious his condition was.
"I was very clogged up in the big artery, the widow-maker," he said.
"After the initial diagnosis, I was off to Lincoln to have the surgery
done. Then when I came home, I was so weak; I couldn’t even lift a 5
pound weight."
"I can’t thank all the people enough who have helped me through this,"
Paul said. "We are so blessed with the medical care that we have in
Holdrege."
"Once I was cleared to begin Cardiac Rehab, I learned that it was just
amazing. When I first went to Rehab, Renee (Johnson) listened to
everything, and she understood my needs. I decided to let Rehab lead in
my recovery and they went with it. Jenny Spalding was as super as she
can be, along with Laurie Hohman and Janell Huston. They always kept an
eye on me. They were always concerned and continually monitored the
heart on the screen."
"The rehab nurses are good with everyone. They push a little. They are
friendly. Some of the exercisers come for the companionship to make them
feel like they want to do the exercises. The rehab team always advises
walking," he said.
Paul said they also met with Phelps Memorial Health Center Dietician
Karen Bunnell, who spent several hours working with them on their
dietary changes. Paul credits much of his improvements to his wife,
Linda, who took notes during the meetings and kept him on track.
"We shop together, it takes longer now, but we are smarter and wiser
about what we eat and how we prepare it. Karen took the time to explain
so many things to us," he said.
He also credited yoga instructor Jan Ericson with excellent classes she
presented on stress management.
"Jan got me started listening and got the ball rolling to become
healthier," he said. "After the stress management classes, I understood
that I was an important part of improving my health with the help of so
many other people on the health care team, and it takes teamwork."
"The way the whole operation at Phelps Memorial works is just super. The
people offer moral support, education, incentives and help you know what
to expect. It just makes you feel 'yes, I can do it!"
At 67, Paul said he is now in better shape than when he was 40. He has
his own daily routine for exercise, which he calls PED (Paul's Exercise
and Diet).
"I'm working toward participating in the Silver Run," he said. "But, I
just wanted people to know what a wonderful job everyone in Holdrege
healthcare did for me. We are fortunate to have such fine facilities."
"If I can help even one person, it will be worth it," he said.
Paul advises people to do several things about their health
1) Have a check-up, don't self diagnose yourself. Had he waited until he
felt symptoms, it
could have been too late.
2) Listen to the advice medical people give you. Everything they said, I
listened
3) Don't be a couch potato, to be healthy you have to pay your dues,
(exercise
and healthy eating)
4) Make your mind up to make your body healthier
5) Set goals and work hard to reach them.
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