Well, I just got home from 12 hours of tests, exams, more tests, and a 90 minute drive. This was an opportunity for some good discussion with my care team on progress and some validation that I’m actually doing as well as I feel like I’m doing.
Overall, everything is going great, there are a few things we’re watching and monitoring, but that’s to be expected for a major procedure performed on one of these incredibly complex and intricate bodies we walk around in every day.
What struck me through the whole experience was a conversation with my cardiologist. She was walking me through the echocardiogram results and pointing out things here and there. She pointed out the synthetic material, the valves, the measurements they took of various parts, and compared the results from today to the results from post-op. I remarked how absolutely amazing it was that we were talking about pieces and parts that were being worked on inside my chest 8 months ago and how remarkable it is that we even have the ability to do the things they do. She stopped, turned to me and said “It really is, isn’t it?”
I was struck by the idea that this woman who has dedicated her entire career to medicine, who teaches at the Mayo College of Medicine, the woman who always seems to be out of the office because she’s speaking at one conference or another, can still be in awe of the work she does.
Awe was the word that came to mind then and awe was the word Gina used to describe it when I told her the story after I got home. That sense of awe is probably the best way to sum up what it feels like to be at this step on the journey.
It is the holiday season, thank you all for indulging me on these little notes and being along on the journey. I hope the sense of awe and hope and wonder, and the feelings of peace, love, and joy carry you into the New Year!
