Member-only story
Life Ain’t Always Beautiful but its a Beautiful Ride
I could barely breathe.
I was short of breath when I stood up and had to wait a few seconds before taking my first step.
I needed assistance taking a shower, as it just wore me out. Midway through, I would have to sit on a shower chair to rest and catch my breath.
Two years prior, I had some cardiac tests done and was told I had a leaky valve and, at some point, would need that replaced.
It was not critical at that time, so life went on.
I had just gotten back from a ten-day cruise to Aruba and was not feeling well on the ship. I attributed it to sea sickness and being on the boat for so long.
When I got home, nothing changed. I continued to feel lousy and had no energy; I just wanted to sleep all day.
I had never been sick except with the flu or the common cold.
But something felt different this time.
After more tests and a visit to the cardiologist, it was determined that I would need open heart surgery to replace the Aortic valve in my heart.
I was admitted to the hospital, and it was determined in addition to needing my valve replaced, I had a blood infection along with various heart conditions that would need attention.
