“Just as I thought I had put the worst behind me, we soon learned that it wasn't.”
The first surgery was a daunting experience and lonely. The thought of having my chest opened, my heart temporarily stopped, and machines keeping me alive felt surreal. On an early morning in late December 2020, my husband and I walked into the hospital and although we never voiced the thought, I wondered if I would ever return home.The operation lasted several hours, during which the surgeon skillfully repaired my mitral valve, or so we believed.
Waking up alone in the ICU, I was greeted by the sound of monitors beeping and the dull ache in my chest. The recovery process was slow and arduous. I had to rebuild my strength, starting with small steps. Even breathing deeply was a challenge, as my ribs and muscles healed from the incision. Just as I thought I had put the worst behind me, we soon learned that it wasn't. After yet another round of invasive testing, loneliness and anxiety, we learned the repair had not held up as well as expected.
SERVICE MAGAZINE
39
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software