Two Year Anniversary is near...

March 14, 2008 marks my two year anniversary.

Not for a wedding. Heck, I can't seem to date a guy for two days! Yet, that's another entry. :) Nope--this anniversary signifies the second year of my open-heart surgery. The kicker is, I'd not been a hospital patient since I was born--literally. I still had my tonsils!

That Tuesday, chilly March 2006 morning paramedics transported me to a sister hosptial where heart surgeries were done. As I waited for them to lift me into the ambulance, I sucked in the morning air. It was my first swallow of fresh air in two weeks. I didn't care if it was laced with exhaust.

I had mitral valve replacement surgery. Until then I realized I never paid too much attention to junior high life science class. Mitral valve? Huh? Endocarditis, a disease I never heard of-caused it. An infection settled in my valve, and devoured it, like I devour onion rings. So the surgery was scheduled.

The attending nurse said, I was the first person that tried to wake up so fast from surgery. I guess, I thought I had things to do. Four days later, they said I could go home. I was glad, because I had two cats to love on.

Now, it's two years later. I've had no lapses. I pop coumadin daily, because I have a mechanical valve. I get my blood checked at least once a month. And pretty much regulated. I still walk. There are times, I think, "I had heart surgery?" Then my scar might itch for moment. I might get tired for a bet. Yet, I take a rest, then get up and go on. I just remember sitting in that hospital room, wondering how my life would change. If my life would be any good?

Two years later---I can say my life is blessed.