One Year

A year ago today I was being rolled away for a 10 hour open heart surgery to repair my aorta and my pulmonary artery and valve. To God be the glory my aortic valve was saved so I did not have to worry about an artificial valve. Some days it feels just like it was yesterday and some days I am amazed at how long ago it was. I am not going to lie... it has been a very hard and long road. There were days I thought I was going to be in pain (oh the pain) and bedridden until the day I die. But God pulled me through and provided me with hope. There was a bright light at the end of the tunnel and I survived with flying colors. When I got back to Tunis, I assumed I would feel all better. Boy was I wrong. Things were still hard. Even 6 months after the surgery, things were still hard. I was not swimming for as long as I would like. Stairs were my worst enemy. And I could just tell my stamina was not where it was suppose to be. But here I am a year out, and I feel like me again! Stairs are no longer a huge challenge. I am feeling more confident with my swimming. And overall I just feel like myself and that I can do it! I don't feel the need to use the excuse... I just had open heart surgery. I feel like me again and I could not be happier! 

But more than anything, thank you to my family (mom, there is no way I could have done ANY of this without you) and friends who stood by me no matter what. You encouraged me. You slowed me down. You convinced me I was not losing my mind. You call, texted, Voxered and emailed. You cried with me, laughed at me and made me feel like a normal person. It has been a year and I am grateful to have such wonderful people to stand beside me! From the bottom of my heart, thank you! I love you!

Below are some pictures of my recovery:

Two days after surgery in ICU when I finally started to feel like a human. I took this selfie and sent it to Laura to showed her how pathetic i looked. I think it was the first time I smiled. The first few days were tough and I kept thinking I was dying.

This was day 3 and I was in my own room and in my own pajamas. I felt a bit more human and loved how this picture showed my scar. After my second surgery at 16 years old, I hated my scar and covered it up the best I could. This time around, I flaunt it because I worked hard for it. Ha!

My first visitor who is a very dear friend! She spent several hours with me walking and talking! It meant the world to me!

My second family and Meghan came to visit and I loved seeing them visit me in such a different setting. And oh I loved their questions. What a fun age for sure! Love you Smiths!

Oh these four are my girls!! And to spend time with them chatting and walking meant the world to me! I felt normal because I had my friends who were just amazing! I love you so much!

See this man right here... he saved my life! Dr. Jaquiss is an amazing man with amazing hands. He only fixed what he needed to and saved the rest. I would not be here without him. 

Here is his lovely PA who was so cheery and checked on me daily! I loved her fiery red hair! We called her "Brave". 

I finally made it home... My first walk up the steps and into my house! It felt so good to be home and with my dog but worried what it would be like without the nurses there anytime I needed them. 

Oh my walking buddy! Dad got me up and walking. He encouraged me and stood beside me but did not push me. I love him so much!

Brooke watched me and took care of me while my parents celebrated their anniversary and went to church. She is such a dear friend who I love very much!

Our first big trip- went to the outlet malls. Mom said I could go but I had to stay in the wheel chair. Olaf kept me company, though. See that brown pillow in my lap? That pillow provided many comforts and protected my scar. That pillow NEVER left my side for months. 

The first time I got dressed (all other times I was in my PJs or a sweatshirt). We went to lunch with my dad's salesman and his wife. I felt normal for a couple of hours... that is until I got home and fell dead asleep for hours. Oh well. Glad to be human for a bit. 

Oh the day the hives showed up and I ended in the ER. That was fun... not! They were even on my butt cheeks and the bottom of my feet. Fun times!

Christmas! My favorite day of the year- traditions spent with family! But it also made me realize how much more I still had to go. I felt good but not back to normal just yet. I had to leave Christmas dinner to go take a nap. Daily naps were a new normal for me.

The first time I put on real clothes (besides yoga pants and pjs) and make-up. It wore me out but I felt so human! I loved shopping with this girl!

See this cutie... she stayed beside me the entire time. She could sense something was off and she protected me fiercely. But loved me wonderfully. 

We also loved our daily walks no matter how old.

My first time driving after surgery! Wow, what freedom that brought me! Mom and I had an amazing road trip together! That is when I started to feel like I was going to be okay.

First time swimming! Oh that felt amazing!

if you look at the first picture and then this one, it shows the progress I made in a months or so time. 

And to the woman who truly saved my life... thank you from the bottom of my healthy heart Dr. Armstrong! She detected the problem in the first place and made sure I got the best care no matter what! She loved me like her own! Dr. Armstrong, there are no enough words to say thank you!!

And to my mom, thank you from the very bottom of my heart! You stood beside me through it all! You stayed in the hospital on that awful bed. You tucked me in each night, no matter what. You got my medicine, multiple times. You called all sorts of doctors. You kept my friends in the loop. You loved me unconditionally and there is no way I could have done this without you. I love you the moon and back!