Tomorrow will be 11 months since my CABG surgery.
A year ago I was in a bit of denial, having found out I needed surgery and not quite ready to fathom how I could have no symptoms and yet need open heart surgery. It was preposterous.
And it was an elective surgery. That sounds ridiculous.
In my head I was thinking "well, they let me go home from the hospital, it can't be THAT bad."
I was trying to manage the new health condition I found out I had (HHT) that led to them finding the issue with my heart. That was enough to manage. It has been first hospital stay and it had been a scary and emotional couple of weeks.
A year ago I was making deals with myself, and with God. "Make this all better, Lord. Maybe they made a mistake."
I began researching alternatives to CABG. Robotic surgery, minimally invasive CABG. I reached out to Cleveland Clinic, Mayo and others. Clearly the doctors who looked at me were being alarmist. Or maybe they just didn't have the latest equipment.
A year ago I was in a very dark and scary place.
Today - I am on the other side. I am 11 years since my CABG, which I learned was the 'gold standard in treating heart blockages. I feel strong, and healthy and happy.