I met my scar. It was an accidental viewing. I had avoided looking at it all this time. Saturday after being admitted to the hospital again (I was released Sunday), I had been allowed a shower and as I stepped out, there was the mirror. At first, I didn’t really realize what I was seeing. Then I sort of startled[…]
On My Heart (A Series) … Another Round and a Shout Out to Nurses.
I am back in the hospital. I’m retaining fluid in my chest making it difficult to breathe, especially when lying down, in turn making it difficult to sleep. Some fluid has hung around in my chest since the surgery, but this past week it seemed to be getting worse. I sounded all the world like a contented cat making biscuits[…]
On My Heart (A Series) … The Good People in My Corner
I saw my surgeon yesterday. He seems to think I am right where I need to be. My healing is on schedule. I told him all my woes and while he didn’t look bored or roll his eyes, I could see he had heard all this before. There were a couple of concerns I had. There is some numbness and[…]
On My Heart (A Series)… The Stuff They Don’t Tell You
In the weeks leading up to my heart valve surgery, I was told many things. I was told what the procedure would look like. I was told that while the average hospital stay is 10 days and the average recovery time is 8 weeks, most of that was up to me and how I responded. I was told I would[…]
On My Heart (A Series)… Things to Look Forward To.
The sunrise through the blackjacks this morning was beautiful. The front of our home is made up entirely of windows and this is the view I see when I am pouring my coffee. Our usual herd of deer, four mothers and their babies, were grazing out front as the sun brightened everything with its light. The clouds added extra color[…]
On My Heart (A Series)… Finding the Sunshine
Battling the Depression Monster has been challenging. I want, I need to be outside playing in the dirt but my need for supervision and Charles’ job don’t always cooperate with each other. Plus, my upper body still does not have the range of motion that would allow me any digging. Yesterday, I was determined to do SOMETHING about the dark[…]
On My Heart (A Series)… The Depression Monster
They said he would show up, about this time in the process, and he has. Sunshine would probably help tremendously, but it has been chilly and windy here. I have been cautioned against being out in cold wind. I tried it once, it was hard to breathe. I am concerned about returning to work because of the cold wind issue.[…]
On My Heart (A Series) … Steppin’ Out With My Baby…
Melanie Moore as Scout and Richard Thomas as Atticus photo by Julieta Cervantes As I have started to feel better and, subsequently get bored, I have been accompanying Charles to his daily (often twice or thrice daily) trips to the large orange and blue home improvement stores. He gets me a cart and plants me in the garden department while[…]
On My Heart (A Series) … I Can’t Look
My bandage fell off in the shower this morning. It just let loose and started to slide down my front. I caught it before it fell to the floor. I’m not supposed to bend over to pick things up, and the one legged toe grab is probably not a good idea in the shower. I could not look down at[…]
On My Heart (A Series) … “I’m Glad We Did This.”
I had a follow-up appointment with my cardiologist, yesterday. Dr. P is the one who decided I needed the transplant, but not the one who actually did it. This visit was just to check my vitals and gauge my overall wellbeing. I will see Dr. H, my surgeon, at the end of the month to check on my recovery from[…]