It almost feels like we have hit a button to turn on turbo
boost as we pull out of the round-a-bout where our forward movement was so slow
it felt like were stuck. Now we are whizzing ahead on our road of recovery as
Jeff makes great gains.
Five weeks post-surgery the cardiologist found the reason
for Jeff’s fevers and lack of forward progress. Pericarditis, indicating the problem lies in the sac
surrounding Jeff’s heart. Of course, the pericardium had to be cut in the
surgery and early in its recovery it reacted strongly, setting up an intense
inflammatory response as part of its efforts to heal. Once the cardiologist
identified pericarditis Jeff started taking the prescribed medication to combat
the inflammation. Ten days later we assessed his progress.
Fevers gone. Heart rate gradually inching down toward
normal. Chills less frequent and only very slight. Stamina gradually
increasing. Sleep improving little-by-little. At his cardiac rehabilitation
sessions he is able to increase the incline on the treadmill, increase the
weight he can lift and his pulse doesn’t rise as high during his monitored
workouts. On the days off from rehab Jeff is tolerating walking longer
distances without “crashing” when done. Today we made it 3.3 miles as we walked
outside, enjoying the fall foliage and bird songs.
Our hearts are full of gratitude. Our minds are amazed as we
look back to where Jeff was and see where he is now. Eight weeks ago we were going
through the pre-op checklist with a fine-tooth comb to make sure we were doing
all that needed to be done before surgery. Today we walked miles
outside, enjoying scenery and conversation. We are finally at the point where
our every thought, every conversation no longer centers on open heart surgery.
Medication isn’t the main intake of the day. Pain no longer governs activity.
We are forever grateful.
The anti-inflammatory medication will be a requirement for
the next few months. Cardiac rehabilitation will remain on our calendars three
times a week for many more weeks. Rest periods will continue to punctuate our
days. But our eyes are forward, our gait is picking up, our hearts are
lightened and our sites are already set on Uganda and serving with our
colleagues (by the end of this year, we hope).
Once again we are thinking about luggage, about parting from
family, about ending well, about getting home. A strange mix of looking ahead
and glancing back, of being excited to go but dreading separation. All very
real as we move forward along our road of recovery. Even so, we are forever
grateful to be on this road. Forever grateful we don’t travel alone. Forever
grateful.
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