4 minute read
Never Too Late
Never
TOO LATE
Masonic Village at Elizabethtown resident Jane Madio used to not think much about the importance of taking care of her heart, but this drastically changed when she had a big health scare.
“I was having this shortness of breath back in September, and the doctors discovered that I was in the 90th percentile to have a heart attack,” Jane said. “It was mind boggling to me. I knew this was a huge wake-up call about my health.”
After she had undergone testing, it was determined she needed two stents in her heart. What she initially thought would be a quick hospital visit turned into an extensive stay. “I went in thinking I was coming home for lunch, and I ended up having this surgery and staying there until my heart had regulated with the new addition to my body,” Jane said.
Fortunately, Jane’s medical team caught her condition in time, however, surgery wasn’t going to be the only fix. She knew she needed to make some lifestyle changes, so she started with the Baird Wellness Center.
“My doctor wanted me to go through his cardiac practice, but they didn’t have an appointment for me for two months, and I knew that if I didn’t start doing something right away, the shock of my scare would be over, and then I wouldn’t do anything,” Jane said.
Her journey at the Baird Wellness Center began with wellness specialist Lydia Kraft. Lydia and Jane developed a plan involving a cardiac rehab-based workout five days a week.
After 60 days of remaining consistent with her workout routine, Jane went to her doctor for a follow-up appointment and was told her progress was so impressive that she was able to continue with her cardiac rehab at the Baird Wellness Center instead of an outside clinic.
“For cardiac rehab, my doctor said they ask most patients to do 36 sessions and go three times a week,” Jane said. “I have far exceeded that here. If there’s a day that I can’t go, I feel bad and like I’m missing something. Lydia gives me that accountability, too, and I can’t disappoint her because I know what we’re doing is good for my health.”
Since beginning her wellness regime in early October, Jane said she has already seen “amazing results,” and the quality of her life has improved significantly.
Additionally, Jane has made significant advancements with the equipment and exercises at the center.
“The leg press machine is my favorite, but I was terrified at first because I did not believe my legs and hips would bend to the extent that I could do it,” she said. “Now, they can, and I love it. I’m continuing to be challenged, and it’s a very exhilarating feeling just to know that I can do things I couldn’t before.”
The benefits of working out aren’t just limited to mobility and physical strength for Jane, however. She recently welcomed her first great-grandchild and said she wants to live “much longer” to see her as long as she can.
“When I wake up every day, I don’t always wake up eager to come [to the wellness center], but I think about the benefits of coming here or not coming here. All the benefits of coming far outweigh not, so that’s my motivation,” Jane said.
Prior to her health scare, she had “never seen the inside of a gym,” and didn’t think about working out in relation to her heart health.
“After having had an incident, I realized the heart is the major worker in your body, and if your heart isn’t healthy, you are generally not healthy,” she said. “When you’re not healthy, you’re limited in the things you can do. Being healthier has opened new doors for me.”
Though Jane said she wishes she started living healthier at a younger age, she emphasized that it is “never too late” for anyone.
“Some people say to me, ‘You’re going to the gym? At your age?’” she said. “Yes, I’m going to the gym because it’s making me feel better all over, and I can’t think of a good reason not to go. It’s especially important for us senior citizens.”
Luckily for residents, the Baird Wellness Center has an abundance of programs and equipment for anyone at any skill level. Jane encourages residents to visit the center to see the “state-of-the-art facility.”
“You also need to see and meet the staff. They are a very caring, kind and encouraging group of people, and even if you don’t want to do a rigorous routine or have some physical disability, they’ll find something for you to do that will keep you healthier while respecting any health problems you may have,” Jane said. Jane said she is thankful for the welcoming atmosphere and “unbelievable people” at the center. She is permanently committed to her lifestyle changes and is looking forward to continuing to see progress.
“It’s really the small things. I can’t say that I’ve done anything big, but it’s this accumulation of little things that I can see in my daily life that I know I’m truly doing something good for my body,” Jane said.
By Katy Shero, public relations associate/intern
