“If I could give someone advice, it would be to think about your
heart when you open your mouth (to eat).” Those were the sentiments
of Ken Warren, a former Mile Bluff cardiac rehabilitation patient.
Ken’s Mile Bluff journey began when he had his sore knees examined
by Dr. John Horan in the fall of 2017. Ken was told that he would need
surgery to replace both of them. Two days after the surgery, Ken experienced
a heart attack while in recovery at the hospital. He spent the next few
weeks in the hospital and at Fair View Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
After being discharged, Ken started physical therapy at Mile Bluff to help
him recover from the knee surgery. “Megan ‘MJ’ Spears
was my rehabilitation specialist, and she was absolutely wonderful,”
exclaimed Ken. “I got through the program very well and she helped
me meet all of my goals!”
A short time later, Ken’s doctor referred him to the cardiac rehabilitation
program at Mile Bluff. The program is specifically designed to meet the
needs of people with heart disease, to improve their heart health. Patients
who participate in the program receive individualized assessments and
monitoring from registered nurses, registered dietitians and a respiratory
therapist. The cardiac rehabilitation team members work closely with primary
care providers, cardiologists and heart surgeons to ensure that all patients
are receiving the appropriate care for their specific needs. The team
also provides counseling, education and support to patients as they make
lifestyle changes that will help reduce their risks for experiencing future
heart issues.
“Sue Fabian and the rest of the cardiac rehabilitation staff were
so nice and caring,” explained Ken. “The regular exercise
I was getting was the most impactful part of the program for me.”
At the time, Ken was still teaching at the Juneau County Adolescent Needs
school in Necedah. He appreciated having the care close to home so he
didn’t have to miss any work. “I was able to go in before
school to do my therapy, and still make it to work on time,” said
Ken. “Going in and weighing myself every day was a great way to
help me stay on track with my recovery.”
Ken’s final physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation goal was
to be able to hike five miles in the mountains. That following summer,
he and his wife accomplished that goal together when they hiked the mountains
at Glacier National Park in Montana. “I was tired, but my knees
did great and I had no chest pain,” recalled Ken. “Thanks
to MJ, Sue and the entire cardiac rehabilitation team, I was able to achieve
my goal.”
Now retired after 20 years of teaching, Ken still enjoys doing some tutoring
and part-time teaching through the CESA 5 program. After hiking in the
mountains in Montana last year, he and his wife are already planning a
camping trip to Nova Scotia this summer to hike in the Highlands. “All
of the individuals at Mile Bluff have been very helpful and friendly,”
added Ken. “Without them, I wouldn’t be nearly as healthy
as I am today.”
To learn more about cardiac rehabilitation, call 608-847-1845. For physical
therapy, call 608-847-1422.