You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it. ~ Robin Williams

Things I’m Thankful for Tonight

Today was a big day, my six month post-surgery appointment, which of course came at seven months post surgery, you have to love American healthcare. If you want to read more about that process, in the categories those posts are under Rev Kane’s Wild Ride. I got up late, was running late, forgot to take my medications, as I got to the floor the nurse was calling my name. Ran in, sat down, got inspected, injected, detected and neglected (IYKYK). Actually, just got weighed and took my blood pressure, 153/90, took if 5 minutes later after sitting there chatting with the nurse, 130/80, doctor came in and took it again 126/70, without medication and that’s damn good news.

It was a really short appointment, my echocardiagram results were really good and she essentially told me she didn’t need to see me for three years and did I have any questions. I had three, first, what type of tissue valve was installed in me, pig or cow. Turns out it’s a bovine valve, so I guess I’ll need to feel a little more guilty when I eat steak. And I was a little bummed, had it been a pig valve it would have meant if I just added a bear claw necklace, I could be man-bear-pig, again (IYKYK).

So I guess I’ll just be little ole me. Question two, is there any reason I can’t scuba dive, she said no. Finally, any reason I can’t jump out of a plane, she said no. Although my research indicates otherwise so I’ll need to dig a little deeper on that one.

I was thinking tonight, with this good news I’d post a little bit about the things I’m grateful for since the surgery. First and foremost, all of the folks who helped out to get me to the hospital, who visited, drove me home and helped me during my recovery, I’ve thanked them each individually but wanted to again publicly, their kindness and generosity blew me away.

I’m grateful for all the little things I do effortlessly that wasn’t the case post surgery. Bending over and not needing a grabber to get things off of the floor. Being able to bench press, even if I can’t do push ups yet, a little frustrating. Being able to easily put on shoes that tie and shirts that don’t button up. Although it’s become such a habit I rarely do, but being able to push up out of a chair using my arms, or coughing or sneezing without having to wrap my arms around my chest. I’m thankful to be on fewer medicines than before the surgery. I’m thankful for having great health insurance, my entire surgical process including my heart cathatarization cost exactly $15.

I’m really thankful that I just finally, nearly, almost feel physically normal and not hesitant to do things like put my pants on standing up for fear of falling and trashing my breast bone. It’s a really good feeling.

This has been a really hard year, I’m thankful it’s almost over. ~ Rev Kane