Thursday 8 November 2012

It's my 5 month-iversary!

Yes, 5 months have already passed since my open heart surgery!

My "zipper" is healing nicely - strangely, the part that is most visible at the top of my chest still looks more red than the parts that are hidden by clothes. I feel healthy and, looking back on my blog, any little niggles that I had are long gone.

I am back at work, doing my normal hours, and it feels like I was never away for more than a long holiday. I love my job and now, as we start to get busier preparing for our Christmas events, I'm enjoying it even more.

Some things have changed - I'm still keeping my new shopping and washing/ironing routines, i.e. shopping more frequently for fewer items etc. and that is working well for me.

I've finally ditched my V-shaped support pillow, which I had been sleeping on since my surgery (although I do use it when I'm reading in bed - what a great invention!), and for the last month or so I have been sleeping either flat or on either side with no problem.

In addition I am spending significantly less time on-line, especially on social networks. I'm not sure why this is, although perhaps it is because I have more energy and more desire to be out and about with my family and friends and less desire to be a couch-potato....who knows?

It was half-term last week and we went away for a short break to Derbyshire. I went swimming for the first time since my surgery and even managed to do some lengths of the pool (which I haven't done for years)!

Whatever facilities we don't have in this area, one thing we do have is plenty of fitness facilities in the form of leisure centres and public swimming pools. So swimming may become part of my new fitness regime, when I get fed up of the cross-trainer and exercise bike...!

Thinking back to this time last year, it had just become obvious that I wouldn't be having my valve replacement any time soon, as other non-heart-related surgery was more urgent and would take place at the end of November 2011.

I was so relieved that I wasn't facing the heart surgery, but still so apprehensive about the other surgery, and the prospect of both surgeries created a cloud that didn't lift from above me until 8th June 2012.

This year I can look forward to Christmas and spending time with my family and friends...and that makes me really happy.