March 14, 2006 was Tuesday

And the day of my open heart surgery to replace my mitral valve.

On March 2006, morning the paramedics were late, at 7 AM, to transport me to the hospital where I would have the surgery. All of about a 10 minute drive if that. However it was the first time, in about two weeks, I inhaled the outside air. I did not care if it was laced with exhaust. I was outside. And free--if just for a few moments. I remember being prepped for my surgery. The preppers were all younger than me, yet I had to trust them. All nice tho. Then when whatever they completed what they completed a young man said, "Put her out."

***The next thing I knew, I woke up, with my arms tied down and a tube down my throat. Yea. I remember that REAL well. I wanted to yank that sucker out of my throat ASAP. I woke up sooner than they expected. Caught em off guard.

Good. It was almost 4 pm.

Anyway, I was taken to ICU. I dozed in an out. My feet felt containers between my legs. Of course, I tried to pull them out by my feet. Catheters. For my bladder and one for the incisions in my tummy for the fluid.

During one of my 'in' moments, I whispered to a nurse and asked what time it was. Twas a little after 7 pm. I asked her to turn the TV to "American Idol." Yep. You read right. "American Idol." I don't remember much of that episode. Yet I still was able to have some of my routine and watch one of my favorite TV shows--as I dozed in and out. My life changed six years ago that day -yet some stayed the same.

Just like tonight. Time for some "American Idol".

And I am blessed.

March 24, 2006 was Friday

On this day, in 2006, after 25 days I was finally released from the Hospital.

My souvenir of the said adventure was the scar on my chest. This was due to my little open heart surgery to replace my mitral valve with a mechanical one. And at the time there was a golf ball size bump at the top of my incisions, which eventually went down. I hadn't washed my hair in 3 weeks.

Before Movie Man came to get me, my Infectious Disease stopped in and said, "So this is what you look like in real clothes!" We both chuckled. Then when Movie Man came in, he was surprised how much thinner I was. Me too really. We were both glad I was out of the faded hospital gown. With Movie Man's carrying my stuff, a nurse wheel chaired me out of the walls I'd known for 25 days to Movie Man's truck.

That Friday was dreary and chilly. Yet, in my mind the sun's shine was everywhere! In Movie Man's truck, I sat in mostly silence. Just stared out the window. I realized I could have died 25 days ago.

Yes, the sun''s shine was there. .

Fast forward to this day in 2010. The kitty posted here who snoozes right by the monitor as I type this?

He ran so fast down the steps and meowed so loud, this day in 2006, when I called his name as I stepped inside my cluttered apartment. He jumped on the arm of the couch and head bonked me with meows so loud they rivaled the size of my tears.

I could have died.

I didn't.

Yes, the sun does indeed shine.

I am blessed.

Then

As I drove home, after pretty much planted in my work seat all day today, I knew needed to do something. I recalled my visit to my cardiologist a week ago, this very day, for my six month check up. After the pesky open-heart surgery, in 2006, things I never thought would ever be in my repertoire are now life long routines. I'll talk about all that, as the anniversary grows closer--not today.

My Heart Doc, is great. Love her. She's just a couple years younger than me, and has a 21 year old cat. Yes, we've bonded. Even if she's about a size 8, and looks like a young Susan Lucci.

I digress. So anyway, first thing Heart Doc tells me is, "You need to exercise more." I stare at her. How did SHE know I'd not being as religious to my exercise as I once was?

My ECHO (ultrasound of my heart), Heart Doc says, "It told on you." Went on to say, we need to make sure my heart muscle is as strong as it can be. I sat there, on the bench/bed thing, just furious at myself. Being the sweet person she is, Heart Doc tried to encourage me. God bless her.

I can only blame me for not walking the at least 5 days out 7, or the not biking, and let's not even mention racquetball or the dance classes I desire to take. Now, I've been doing my 74 ounces of water, however there's not been enough motion to eat up the calories, some good and not so good, I chow per day. I know better. I remember those IV's stuck in my hand. Can't blame anybody--'cept me.

So back to the main thought of this tale, hey, I know I get a bit long winded--it's the writer in me..:) And if anything I write makes you chuckle--I'm glad, because it's suppose to. OKOKOK, So as I drove home, before I even got home, I pulled into the park up the street from my house and parked.

Got out and walked around the park. No excuse since I had on my tennyshoes, and it is a nice path--inclines, flat, ducks, pond and trees-nice. Kinda chilly, so had my gloves on too. Scooted around the path. Felt good to do it. Needed to do it.

Already set tomorrow's date to do it again.

My heart deserves it.

Stay tuned.