Hello everyone,

I don't have a lot of energy these days, which is why I haven't written. Still, I wanted to let you all know that I am doing well on the road to recovery. It is 6-8 weeks from surgery (May 17) before I should see a significant gain in energy, decrease in pain, etc. But every day is a little better. During the surgery they crack open your sternum to get to the heart, so you have to be very careful afterward to let that bone reset & heal. It hurts when I sneeze, cough, laugh & hiccup. And what is worse, no big hugs, because the squeezing hurts--I miss that. I can't drive or lift anything over 10 pounds for those first 8 weeks and after 8 week I am still restricted to just 20 pounds for about half a year.

Quin and my mom came over to Seward after I got home from the hospital. We spent a week there and then we came over to Homer. We'll be here about a week and then Phil will come and get us. If it wasn't for my parents helping with Quin, I don't know what I would do. I can't pick her up and I need a lot of sleep, including long afternoon naps. It has been great having them to help with her. Everyday I walk, either outside, if it is nice, or just around the store. I am increasing my length of time and have a little more stamina everyday. It is getting a little easier getting in and out of bed and I am even now able to sleep on my side for a little bit.

Even after all this time I am still in shock that I actually had this surgery. I can hear the mechanical valve tick-tick-ticking away though, so I know that all is well and in the end it was good that the surgery happened when it did.

What a crazy year this has been. I am ready for the wedding and then all then no more life changing events (new child, new house, new heart) for many years to come.

~Cheers, Naomi