Tracy's Posts

Today is my 1-year anniversary for my mitral valve repair. I had big plans for the day which unfortunately began with a dental appointment to get a permanent crown seated. After taking my antibiotics, I arrived at the dentist office & was told that the crown hadn't come in & to come back Thursday. OK, I can roll with that. I spent the morning running errands with my husband & then headed off to my 1pm appt for a massage and facial. Something I don't treat myself to very often, but was really looking forward to pampering myself on this 1 year anniversary. When I arrived at the day spa, the receptionist looked at me & told me that I missed my morning facial. Evidently she had me down for a morning appointment instead of the afternoon appointment I had written in my planner. There was nothing they could do about it & because I missed the morning facial, the lady that does the massages thought I was a no show and left for the day, so I was out of luck with no pampering to be had!! I escaped the spa before anyone could see the tears in my eyes. I know, I know it may sound so silly, but I was so looking forward to pampering myself and having a day of relaxation and I wanted it to be TODAY, not this weekend or another day, but TODAY. After all, I took off work for a "me-day" and it was a special day to remember. I balled like a baby all the way home. I used to not cry much, but sometimes it just does wonders and this past year has definitely taught me that. Some others things that I've learned over the past year: we all heal differently and at different speeds and that's o.k.; the phrase "don't sweat the small stuff" has new meaning - I no longer get upset when someone cuts me off in traffic; I've always appreciated beautiful sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, and nature, but now I take more time to soak up those sights; I appreciate gatherings of my family and friends more than I did before; I appreciate all the medical professionals and am so thankful for technology and the age we live in; I'm thankful for this website and the openness and support of this community; and I'm thankful to God for a path I wouldn't have dreamed of taking on my own, but that has offered unique insights. Even though physically I felt like I had been hit by a truck when I woke up in ICU on 3/6/2016, moreover I felt a sense of indescribable peace. Yes recovery had just started, but the surgery was over and I had emerged a different person and a better person, I hope, and I hope a more understanding person as well. As I'm sure others have felt, in some aspects the year has flown by and in other ways it seems like it was yesterday that I took my first assisted walk down the hospital hallway with a nurse on one side, my mom on the other, and my husband following with the IV carrier. You may be wondering what I did today instead of my spa day. I spent the afternoon at the Omaha Zoo traveling all over the zoo, visiting most of the buildings, in and outside, and up and down all the hills — all without having to stop and catch my breath!! Maybe it was a better way to spend my one year anniversary.