Congratulations, Wendy. You're doing much better than I am
And IMO being in "better" shape will have a very positive effect on your recovery. It certainly can't hurt.
I used to be a runner but when I finally got pregnant with my twins after many years and many medical treatments, my doctor told me to stop running until after I gave birth. I had already miscarried once and since I was carrying multiples that took so much time, effort, and money to conceive the thought was "why take any chances".
Once I had my children and I went back to work full time I never had the time to take up running again. Although I was married back then, the kids, the house, the chores, and my job were all "my" responsibility. I thought as my kids got older I'd have more time but that hasn't seemed to happen. In addition to still working, I'm still responsible for the house and most chores, plus now I'm playing taxi driver and entertainment director on a daily basis
It seems the time I have to run is either very late at night or very early in the morning and I won't just leave the kids in the house while I run outside. Yes, I do have a treadmill, but I just can't motivate myself to get on it as I find running indoors extremely boring. When I was a runner, I used to run in pouring rain, shin deep snow, etc. So thus far I only have good intentions. It's taking a toll on me physically - I've gained weight and I find I'm more stressed out than I was when I ran.
I keep telling myself that now is the time to start again since my medical stuff (AN & BAHA surgeries) are over and the house is on the market, which were all major things I had to deal with. The only problem is, I keep telling myself this - but I'm not listening yet
Jan