ONE YEAR ♥️-aversary

One year post Open-Heart surgery

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My open-heart surgery was ONE YEAR ago on July 25, 2023. And I am still here! and continuing to LIVE and ENJOY life.

And to celebrate, I purchased my domain name ATYPICAL AORTA and started an Instagram page. You can now find my blog easily at atypicalaorta.com! and you are invited to follow me on Instagram.

The past year has been full of challenges and triumphs. Gut wrenching, grit producing, challenges that were overcome with digging deep for strength, lots of perseverance, patience, (and lots of encouragement from others).

I have learned so much about myself, the human body, my spouse, my family, how people respond to crisis, the power of prayer, resilience, hard work and friendship. So many people poured into me - family, friends, nurses, doctors, hospital staff, and therapists. Without everyone's support I would have been in a very dark place.

I spent time in the ICU, specialized respiratory hospital, inpatient rehab hospital, intensive day rehab, outpatient rehab, and cardiac rehab. I had to relearn breathing, swallowing, sitting, standing, walking, showering, dressing, doing stairs, talking, and navigating life in general. And I am proud to say that one year later I am back to a functioning person who is somewhat independent. (Although my family and friends still take great care of me).

Here are examples of things that really made an impact:

• A friend sent me a note or card once a week for over a year and got me a reservation at Gordon Ramsay's Naperville restaurant in Naperville the night before surgery.

(this same friend also came and weeded our side yard)

• A friend came to visit me at every hospital and always brought me flowers to brighten my room (or Legos).

• A friend who came to the house and fed the dogs dinner and put them out for weeks while Jeff was at the hospital with me.

• Friends who brought girls night to my house.

• Friends who brought craft projects for us to do together.

• A friend sent me notes, cards, and the people magazine with Gordon Ramsay on the cover.

• An ICU patient care tech took extra time to "wash" and comb out my matted, knotted hair.

• My physical and occupational therapists at the specialty hospital who got me moving again - got me to take my first steps, took me outside and me brush my teeth over a sink.

• My physical therapist at inpatient therapy was so kind, quiet, and encouraging and got me out of my wheelchair and back up on my feet.

• My inpatient therapy team who were encouraging, supportive, and patient with me as I worked to recover and relearn how to be a functioning human.

• Facetime calls with my family in South Dakota and were my biggest cheerleaders.

• Everyone who made a trip to a hospital to visit.

• Everyone who sent notes, cards, flowers, and gifts to keep me positive and smiling.

• Everyone who sent food and gift cards to make sure my hubby & son were well fed.

• Everyone who sent gifts from my wish list on Amazon.

• My church family who provided a motorized recliner (that can tip you out as well as recline).

• Friends who own a small business that provided lawn mowing for us.

• Friends and family who are extremely patient and understanding as I learn to navigate outings and social events.

• My son who came to visit, called, texted and kept our house running and cared for our dogs.

• And of course, my sweet hubby who was with me around the clock in the ICU, from 8A-8P at the specialty hospital and then by my side at inpatient rehab during visiting hours. (All while doing his normal "paying" job remotely). He also had to dress my wounds, shower me, cook, do the laundry, and take care of me once I was back home.

A few examples of things that were not helpful:

• My hubby (the caregiver) needed more support - a few people checked in with him, but he really could have used someone to just sit with him at the hospital, especially the ICU.

• Empty promises.

• Long visits from people that drained me physically and emotionally.
  

I understand that everyone deals with crisis in different ways, and I respect that. I am committed to learning from both the helpful and not helpful parts of my recovery to influence how I show up for others in crisis.

I recently had appointments with my cardiologist and cardio-thoracic surgery team who are pleased with my recovery. My aortic valve replacement is functioning well. The new aortic graft has acclimated well. My stamina and endurance are continuing to improve.

There are, however, lingering issues that continue to provide challenges. My subclavian artery has been compressed and "does not communicate". My right coronary artery bypass is no longer functioning. My right vocal cord is paralyzed. And I am still dizzy often when going from sitting to standing.

The subclavian and coronary bypass issues are stable and will be managed medically. The vocal cord has been injected so that I can produce voice and will be re-evaluated in the Fall. The dizziness continues to plague me. It has been called Vertigo, orthostatic hypotension, and now we are calling it autonomic dysfunction. I have done PT, tried compression socks, eliminated blood pressure medicine, increased my electrolytes, hydrated, and so on - with no resolution of symptoms. Most recently I started a new medication that can help with autonomic dysfunction. I have yet to see any improvement. My family now asks if I need to "calibrate" when I stand up and have been very patient while we stand in hallways, parking lots, and other strange places while I get my bearings. I do venture out on my own occasionally - and have been able to manage and navigate all sorts of environments successfully.

I am continuing to LIVE LIFE. I have traveled, celebrated 25 years of marriage, moved my son out of the dorm, enjoyed time with friends and family, taken pottery wheel classes, attended a wedding, learned to crochet, volunteered, attended Chicago Fire games and done some side gigs. I am grateful for how far I have come and continue to look forward to even more progress and healing.

Thank you for being a part of my journey!