It snowed most of yesterday but that didn't stop my daughter and I from going for our walk. At the hospital they told me that I should walk as much as possible. Hubby of course is supportive of this but was very nervous about me making the trek out in the snow(which was almost knee high) so he got out the ATV and flattened the driveway so a least I could make it up the drive and back.
I am a goal orientated kind of person. I decided that each day I would set a walking goal. Since my surgery I have walked every day. Some days I might have walked a little farther than I should, but that is me. Since I got home I have wanted to make it to the end of the road and back, and yesterday I achieved that. Not only did I achieve it but I did it in less time that I did the day before when I only walked half the distance. So giving myself the high five on that one.
You don't realize how fragile life can be until it hits you in the face. Kinda of like a huge wake up call. We all know we should eat right, don't smoke, get regular exercises, minimize our alcohol consumption and so on. Most of us try to follow those rules, some days are better than others. But even when we follow those rules there are things in our lives that are out of our control that affect our health.
For me that would be my heart. I have always been active....as most of you know I love to run....I enjoy yoga and recently started belly dancing. I have tried to live a healthy life style and yet I have been plagued with a ticker that sometimes just misbehaves. I told you all about my surgery in my previous post, and I have received some wonderful emails of support. One of the things they mention as part of the rehabilitation process after open heart is they say the person might go through episodes of depression. I am not sure that I have experienced episodes of depression as much as I get hit sometimes with the reality that my situation could have gone either way. It sounds so trite to say but I truly am fortunate to be here today.
I was speaking to my sister in law on the phone yesterday(she is also a RN)and she was telling me that she had a friend who is an OR nurse at the hospital where I had my surgery. My sister in law was telling her about my case, her friend told her that she was in the OR right next door to mine....she told her that it got rather cahotic once they a had nicked my aorta, rushing around getting extra equipment and such....yes the surgery that was to be 2 hrs ended up being 5 hrs.. After talking with my sister in law...one who understands the complexity of the situation and the way in which she explained what she had heard gave me shivers. Almost immediately after getting of the phone with her I went over to the couch and snuggled in the best I could to my hubby and just asked him to hold me....and told him how happy and fortunate I am to be here right now.
I have said this before, but now more than ever I realize that everyday is a gift....live it to it's fullest....take nothing for granted.....and hug those you love.....
10 comments:
Beautiful header! Is that your house? Take care of yourself!
It is only when things like that happen that you question your own mortality isn't it? Still you're hear to tell the tale m'dear thank goodness and from the sound of it improving every day. You keep it up and you'll be back running again before you know it! :)
Sound like your on your way of recovering.
Please be careful and don't slip and fall.
Coffee is on.
I'm glad you are doing a little bit better each day and I agree, you really do need to hug those you love. I try to do as much as I can, it feels so good...
(Hug for YOU)
~Michele~
I'm so glad you are back. What an ordeal. I'll be thinking about you and wishing you a quick recovery. You've got a great hubby and family - that's so important. -- Margy
Great words there, Mary Ann. You are so right that we all often do take things so for granted -just figure we'll always be here, be able to do all the things we want too and then, boom -life hits us full in the face, sucker punches us in the gut sometimes too.
The walking thing sounds like an excellent method to use to rehab yourself. It's about the only kind of exercise I can do although I don't do it except usually once a year for the Cure Autism Walk my kids and I participate in. Just can't drag myself out it seems to walk but I should. One of these days... you know how that goes though.
I had not read, until today, of your recent surgery... but I'm happy to read also that your recovery is progressing as well as it is.
Thanks for your comments on my blog. We have some things in common. My great-aunt lives in Lake Cowichan - don't know if you live anywhere near that.
My daughter is an RN - and I'm a RNA or LPN.
Your message in an important one - to live each day to its fullest. This is what I try to do in being a caregiver for my hubby. He has COPD. There are days we just despair - and other days we thank god we still have each other.
Hugs.
Oh Mary Anne, I wish you a speedy recovery. I know all about wonky tickers as you know. Mine started up again this past month. Now I'm going to try pills before I have another ablation. Keep on walking, I heard about all your awful snow. Keep well, hugs...ciao
Hi Mary Ann: I didn't realise you'd had your operation so I wish you a speedy recovery. Take care and most importantly stay warm!
Di.xx
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