Yes, I’m Back and Feeling Good.
What do you mean you didn’t notice I’ve been gone? It’s been months since my last blog, when I announced my scheduled open heart surgery. Fortunately, the surgeon didn’t find a block of chocolate (my favorite snack) where my heart should be. Everything turned out well. I now have a new bovine (steer) aortic valve. My only concern: Does this make me a cannibal if I eat steak?
Lessons Learned
Like all major life events, there must be a lesson learned. I’m a Capricorn, and that’s how we roll. So, what did I learn from this little adventure?
- There are lots of people who care about me. Who knew? Certainly not me. And yes, it was a pleasant discovery.
- The healthcare at Cleveland Clinic is superb! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. That said, I have no interest in doing it again. Once was more than enough.
- The City of Cleveland is a great place. The people are very kind. There’s nothing like that good old Midwestern spirit. They love their Cavaliers and the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. But their Art Museum is also worth a peek.
- Clevelanders are a hardy bunch. If you’re visiting in January or February, bring a heavy coat. It’s freezing. And if you’re from a warm climate (like me), bring a sweater, too. It’s cold everywhere, even indoors.
- Cleveland is loaded with pierogi. Everywhere you go, they’re on the menu. We ate a lot of pierogi. Onion soup is also a standard. Big bowls covered with cheese. Yum!
- Clevelanders love big trucks (Super Duty size). They have a knack for backing those babies into tight parking spots. I think it has something to do with the snow. And yes, there was a lot of snow flying around in all that wind. The gusts were intense.
- If you love looking at churches, there’s no shortage in Cleveland. Beautiful churches are everywhere. We spent many afternoons driving around and counting the churches. It’s a nod to Cleveland’s history of welcoming immigrants to the twentieth-century steel and textile factories. The mansions along Millionaire’s Row (John D. Rockefeller once had a home here) are gone, as are the factories, but the churches remain.
- Finally, I’ve learned that open heart surgery requires a long recovery process. Not a week or a month, but many months. And that’s even if you’re in good shape before the surgery. That’s why doctors recommend that valve replacement be performed when you’re relatively young. Of course, the definition of young is subjective. What’s young to a heart surgeon isn’t young to anyone else.
Now, For Something a Little Extra!
In celebration of my new aortic valve, I’m offering a free e-book of Boca by Moonlight. Just click here to download your copy. Until we next meet, happy tax day!
