Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Better. Stronger. Faster.

So, after what feels like the longest day in history, Mom is out of surgery and in the ICU recovering.

Without the first surgery (in 1988), we would have lost her by 1993. This surgery should last her a good long time, bionic heart and all.

Thanks, God.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

My Bionic Mom

While I've been actively NOT blogging, I've been doing loads of other stuff. But first, the updates.

Nearly a month ago, Mom was admitted to the ER with some (seemingly) minor heart problems. She's been a cardiac patient since she was a teenager, so, while this isn't fun, it has been par for the course. (Also, I'd like to point out that there was a L-O-N-G stretch of time that there were no cardiac issues.)

She was in the hospital for three days, and then was home for three days before being readmitted for a week. During this time, I flexed my developed Advocacy muscle (which is above the traps and below the jaw, by the way), and the doctors determined that Mom needs surgery.

While that is all scary and stressful, I used all those shiny coping skills that Dr. B equipped me with, dealt with doctors, nurses, and family in a constructive and (mostly) positive way, and I'm okay and more importantly, Mom is okay, too. (By the way? So many cute doctors.)

One of the pluses of being Mom's advocate was that when they asked how physically active she had been recently, I was practically bursting with pride when I explained that she had walked and hauled equipment all over Portland a month before, because this is known as a Good Sign.

The down side is that Mom won't be attending Rhinebeck this year, but we're finding some "low-impact" fun alternatives for her. In Mom's stead, Jackie will be joining Meghan and me on our Rhinebeck adventure. I've had fun telling Mom that since she won't be with us to object, I'm going to get a tattoo of an anatomical heart, with her repairs, and "Mom" in script somewhere around it. (She doesn't think this is as hilarious as I do.)

Her surgery is scheduled for 10/20, at which point, I'm going to start calling her the Bionic Mom, because they're giving her a mechanical valve which will last FOREVER. (According to the cardiologist.)

I wonder. Does that make her steampunk?