Back to work
On Monday October 14 it's been eight weeks since my open heart surgery. This means that my sick leave comes to an end and I'm back to work at my regular capacity.
"Regular capacity" might be pushing it a bit. I obviously feel a little out of practice and hesitant about how my head and body will deal. At any rate, the last few weeks I've started to feel quite bored, and I understand this is a sign of betterment. A desire to return to work and participate. Create.
And oh my, do I have stories to tell. Stories about blood tests gone missing, misplaced referrals, disputes between health care providers and a contrast fluid allergy that was ignored. I'll likely be sharing these stories in digestible chunks in future writings. There is a lot of truth to the expression that you have to be healthy to be sick. My "user journey" both before and after surgery has been enlightening.
But the operation did go well! The medical tech available today is truly astounding. With a mechanical heart valve and an aortic graft, I now have a healthier heart than ever before in my life. I've already noticed how I can manage steep climbs with more ease, without collapsing of exhaustion.
And you know what? The heart ticks. I don't mean that it's beating, because of course it is. It actually makes a sound... like the big old alarm clock I had as a child. If the room is quiet, I can clearly hear the regular sound of the prosthesis: tick…tock…tick…tock. I wasn't prepared for that. But it does somehow feel reassuring. Rugged.
I'm not gonna pretend there hasn't been a lot of time to think and ponder. Turning 50, vacation, heart surgery, sick leave. Time to think about where I want to focus my energy. What personal projects I want to realize. What I have to stop doing. This too will likely take shape over time and be shared in my forthcoming newsletters.
Getting in shape is my priority right now, though. Starting next week, in addition to going back to work, I will start training under the supervision of a physiotherapist. It's about making sure I get enough cardio training and am creating the habits that will keep my heart healthy.
I'm also now taking what's often called a blood-thinning medicine. Which does not thin the blood at all. It just keeps it from coagulating as quickly. So now you know. I'll be doing this for life, which also means regular blood tests to ensure the right month-by-month prescription. They gave me this terribly ugly necklace saying I'm on anticoagulant drug therapy, to wear in case of an accident. I had to order my own.
And the rest of my body? Primarily left to heal is my rib cage, which can take another month or so. Obviously I'll have to wait a bit on doing push-ups, but I promise a demonstration when the time comes.
I want to say thank you for all the support and well-wishes before, during and after this experience. I haven't been able to respond personally to everyone, but I obviously read EVERYTHING! Now I'm entering a new phase in life, the time after open heart surgery.
I do believe it's going to be a good phase. ❤️
