Donna's Posts

It's difficult to believe that a year has passed since my surgery, but what a full year it has been! Life continues to be good, full of lots of activities, long weekend trips, travel, family gatherings, even a 50 year high school reunion thrown in for good measure! Retirement was definitely the right decision, and no surprise, my stress level practically disappeared! I miss my patients, who had been in my life for nearly 15 years, and also my coworkers, who are an awesome group. I stay in touch with several of them, when we meet for walks along the beach, or for lunch, coffee or dinner. Santa Cruz is a small place, so I also encounter former patients occasionally, in one of the local markets, or about town. Until the surgery, I truly didn't realize how much my mitral valve regurgitation was affecting my life,. My energy level and physical stamina have improved so much. I now walk as fast, or faster than Jack, instead of lagging behind. I'm walking daily, doing qi gong/tai chi twice a week, yoga, water aerobics, and zumba once a week, and core strengthening exercises. I'm BUSY! We returned to Maui in November, where all of my symptoms began in 2010. I was able to swim and snorkel without any problems. What a joy it was! Three of us have left the SC Women's Health Center in the last 7 months, and we all were perinatal providers. I've recently been hired to work 2-3 hrs a week doing a refresher course and clinical practice with one of the recently hired NP's. She's excited and eager to begin. The SCWHC will also provide a new service for postpartum patients-home visits during the first week, for assistance with breastfeeding and general newborn care. I'm going to provide this service in an ongoing basis. It's exciting to be a part of this new program. Not only will it be interesting work, but also is in my area of specialty. The home visits will be infrequent, and on my own schedule, so it suits me well. I didn't plan on this journal entry to turn into such a long one, but there it is.

Today was the 4 month follow up visit with my cardiologist. He said I was doing great, and don't need to see him for a year, when he'll do another echocardiogram! I'm feeling great, and am still doing cardiac rehab exercise classes twice a week. My strength training is progressing, and I can now lift and carry my grandchildren without any problem. As of June 28, I'm officially retired. It's a wonderful feeling to be "free". No more alarms, or trying to fit vacation time around my work schedule. Life is good!

It has been 3 months since surgery, and my follow up echocardiogram results just came in. My valve is working perfectly, and my heart enlargement is gone! I'm really happy about this news. It confirms the way I've been feeling, now that my heart rate has self adjusted. My blood pressure is normal and heart rate in the low 70's. Cardiac rehab classes continue to be fun, and my endurance improves each week. Upper body strength is also improving, along with less chest soreness. The biggest news is that after my return to work last Tuesday, it was clear that I no longer want to be there. After 4 patients, and 6 1/2 hours, most of that time spent sitting at a computer, the thrill is gone. Electronic medical records have killed it for me. My retirement will be the end of June! My life has a different focus. So many things to do, so many places to go; grandchildren to savor, flowers to tend, piano to practice, hikes to go on, etc. Happy, happy, happy!