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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Life Updates May 2026
…as I was saying, retirement was going swimmingly as of late May. Then, my family and I all contracted a nasty upper respiratory infection. This was no ordinary cold, but one that lasts a full two weeks. Somehow my son … Continue reading
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Life Updates 2026
Hello everyone- I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since my last open heart surgery. A lot has happened in that time and I’m thankful for every minute of good health. I am now retired for medical reasons (more on … Continue reading
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Full Circle x 2?
Hello everyone! Well, it’s again been about a year since I last updated this blog,, and, what a year it’s been! After much thought and emotions I decided to make a career change last spring and moved to the Stanford … Continue reading
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Tagged cardiology, CHD, congenital heart disease, coronary artery anomaly, nurse
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Where has the time gone?
Hello everyone! It’s been over 2 years since I’ve updated this blog but I’m happy to say I’m still here and still going strong! I’m coming up on my 5-year CABG-versary on March 25, 2015 and I’m feeling great! What … Continue reading
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Two and a half years!
Well, it’s been almost 10 months since I last updated this blog but that’s only because I’ve been out living life! This past week (September 25th) marked my 2 1/2 year post-op anniversary. In some ways I cannot believe it’s … Continue reading
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year everyone! I can’t believe 2012 is already here! I’m coming up on my 2 year post-op anniversary and looking back I can’t believe it’s been that long! While I’ve had my ups and downs cardiac-wise I’m feeling … Continue reading
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Tagged 2012, cardiac, fitness, New Year, open heart, triathlon
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Where does the time go???
Hi everyone! Well, first of all I can’t believe Halloween has passed and the Christmas decorations are already out in Target! I came through my tonsillectomy relatively unscathed…it wasn’t a pleasant experience and I’d have thought it was even worse … Continue reading
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More surgery!
Hello everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve updated this blog, almost 6 months to be precise! Why? Because I’ve been out livin life! I’m now almost 18 months post-CABG and feel fantastic. After some med adjustments we seem to … Continue reading
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Tagged CABG, family, friends, Open heart surgery, tonsillectomy
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1 Year Post-Op Anniversary!
Hello All, Wow, it’s been one year post-op as of Friday, 3/25/11. This year has been one of the most challenging of my life as far as recovering from the surgery, dealing with the “why me?” aspect, and getting back … Continue reading
Christmas already?
Hello everyone! I don’t know about you but I can’t believe Christmas is almost here! I’m ready though, house decorated, presents purchased and wrapped (well, most of them),and just 2 more days of work and then my first real vacation … Continue reading
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8 months and counting!
Wow, the season’s are changing and I can’t believe it’s almost Thanksgiving! It’s been a long and winding road this past 9 months but I can say I’m hanging in there. The past month has brought many ups and downs…one … Continue reading
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And on we go!
Hello everyone, Thank you to all who have read my story…my hope is I am able to make at least one person appreciate all they have in life! It’s now been over 6 1/2 months since my surgery and for … Continue reading
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The Beat Goes On
Hello all, Well, it’s now been 5 1/2 months since my open heart surgery on March 25, 2010. I’ve been back to work for over 2 months and am feeling good overall. The first month back to work was rough … Continue reading
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Tagged angina, dog, exercise, Open heart surgery, puppy, school
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Back to life…back to reality!
I am now 15 weeks post-op and have been back to work for 2 1/2 weeks. I was very nervous going back to work but after my first day I felt back in the swing of things. I still have … Continue reading
The Road to Recovery…after the first 5 weeks.
Experiencing a repeat angio was a terrifying experience weeks after surgery. As an ICU nurse, I am well aware that complications can occur, even after having surgery. There are no guarantees that everything will be all right, but the repeat … Continue reading
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Tagged angiogram, cardiac, Open heart surgery, recovery, stress echo, stress test
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April 11-25, 2010…a routine
I returned to stay at my house after a week at my mom’s and it’s great to be home! My mother in law stayed a few more days with us to make sure I was settled. I’m getting into a … Continue reading
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April 26…a turning point.
Well, it’s now been about 5 weeks since my surgery and I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve had a check up with my primary care doctor and am walking up to 20+ minutes/day. One of my best friends, Jill, spent the … Continue reading
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The first week at home
Well, it seems the worst of my recovery is over when I get home. It’s exciting to be able to shower and move around without being connected to a cardiac monitor and sat monitor 24/7. That being said, there are … Continue reading
Home after a 7-day shift, oops, I mean hospital stay!
Post-op Day 6, Wednesday, March 31, 2010 I just spent my 7th night in the ICU and I’m done with it…I now know why patients sometimes get kooky and/or delirious in this setting. The constant barrage of noise has gotten … Continue reading
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Tagged echocardiogram, Open heart surgery, postoperative, recovery
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The Road to Recovery…baby steps
“Wake up Sandy! Wake up!” Why are these people trying to wake me up, can’t they see I’m trying to sleep?! “Take a deep breath and cough” Boom, the endotracheal tube is out, phew, that wasn’t bad at all…in fact, I … Continue reading
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Full Circle 