How's my heart, doc?

Today was my much anticipated appointment with Dr. Bricker to find out how my heart has been healing.  I rushed out of school at dismissal to make to the Gill Institute at UK hospital on time.  I had to park at the hospital garage and walk over which was quite a feat!!  Brandi, the nurse checked me in and rushed me over to the hospital for and ECHO.  I was there for quite a while because they had some trouble getting the pictures they wanted.  It was my first ECHO since being in Denver.  Everything was fine but it did bring back a rush of memories.  It was pretty painful when he was pressing over my sternum trying to get certain angles for the pictures.  He wouldn't tell me if anything he was seeing was good, bad, or indifferent of course. 

When they finished, I rushed back to the Gill where Brandi and Dr. Bricker were the only two souls around.  Everyone else was already gone for the weekend.  Dr. Bricker talked with me for a long time about how impressed he was with Dr. Campbell's work on my heart and the future.  He said because of my condition, I could need a pacemaker years down the road, but not to worry now.  Everything was looking good for now.  It seemed to be healing nicely.  I could begin increasing the amounts that I am lifting and working on strength training.  I was even allowed to start mowing again!!! I was very excited!  This was good news!

The Dream is Real!!!!

Life is good! Life is so so good! I've been back at work for two weeks now! I can truly say I am breathing! I am breathing better than I have ever been able to breathe for as long as I can remember! I didn't have any idea it was possible to feel this good, this alive! I had no idea I felt that bad before honestly. Now I know how bad things were. Gosh, I don't even want to think about that now because things are so so good! I can breathe! :)

Today is Mom's birthday and it sounds quirky, but part of my gift to her (& the part that meant the most) was telling her that I put my nebulizer away! I've had my nebulizer (breathing machine) plugged in beside my bed for twelve years.  In those twelve years, I could probably count on my two hands the number of nights I haven't had to wake up and use it multiple times.  Today, I unplugged it and put it in the closet because I don't need it anymore!!!!!!!!  What a miracle!

I am still on medrol (steroids) and all of my other asthma medicines.  Dr. Greisner is talking about stopping them gradually very soon though!  In fact, I have an appointment with an endocrinologist next week to discuss getting of steroids.  It's apparently a very serious process since I've been on such a high dosage for so many years.  The good news is that it is all actually becoming a reality! 

As far as the heart surgery, I continue to get stronger daily.  The past week and a half has truly been fantastic.  I have had the least amount of pain and have been able to do more.  I also have an appointment with Dr. Bricker this week.  I'm very excited to find out how my heart is healing from the surgery. 

The dream is finally real!  I feel great!  I can breathe! This is good!