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[…]
On My Heart (A Series)… Starting Recovery
It is my third full day home. It has been a good day. Nights are still hard. I still have nightmares. The dreams are vivid and violent and full of every awful thing. They are like a data dump of horror. I hope they go away soon. The pain medicine wears off like clockwork at 2:30 a.m., about a half[…]
On My Heart (A Series)… Back Home
I was released to go home yesterday, October 5. Unlike my usual experiences with hospital discharges (both my own and those of loved ones), once the announcement was made, I was out in a just a few hours. Charles drove by the pharmacy to pick up the sack load of medicines I would be taking and I was home by[…]
On My Heart (A Series) … Meltdowns
I had what my surgeon said was the first of many meltdowns on Monday. He was correct, of course. I had many more on Tuesday. I have been in the hospital, post surgery, for nine days. The days are all very similar filled with people whose job it is to help me heal and leave. There are people on the[…]