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Tag: atrial septal defect

The Funeral Of A Stranger

The Funeral Of A Stranger

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I’ve been asked by friends on several different occasions to accompany them to events when they needed a last-minute escort. One time it was wedding. Wedding=food+cake. “Sure, I’ll go.” Another time, many moons ago, it was a blind date. Blind date=food+entertainment (for me anyway). “Sure, I’ll go.” If my bosom buddies happen to find themselves in a pickle needing a last-minute companion, if I’m asked, I’ll most likely go. The following was a particularly unusual circumstance… A friend called me…

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Discharge, Attack Cats, Gangster’s Secrets, And Other Fun Stories Of A Heart Surgery Patient

Discharge, Attack Cats, Gangster’s Secrets, And Other Fun Stories Of A Heart Surgery Patient

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Discharge Day When I asked my husband how he felt on my day of discharge, this was his response: “A little scared, unresolved, and confused as well. Actually, pretty close to when we brought home our first baby…”     Well thanks…. Good thing I didn’t pick up on that at the time. He camouflaged it very well, thank God!   “Let’s get the paperwork started to get you outta here!” Nurse Sherry said in her chipper voice. What I…

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Surgery Day And The Days That Followed

Surgery Day And The Days That Followed

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It’s the morning of surgery, and our scene opens early in room 619 of the Tudor Arms Hotel. Our protagonist watches as the numbers on the digital alarm clock take their time to slowly change, making 10 a.m. seem unattainable… NOT! Stripped of all my narcissistic dignity, (no makeup, no nails, no toe nail polish, not even a stud of jewelry!) I decided to put what little effort I was allowed into, my hair. Curling it and throwing it up…

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As my Mama would say, “Praise the Lord and Hallelujah!!!”

As my Mama would say, “Praise the Lord and Hallelujah!!!”

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I made it through Open Heart Surgery!!! Thank- You- Jesus!!!!! I couldn’t be more grateful for the fact that the very skilled hands of an amazing surgeon who has mended the hearts of celebrity actors, professional athletes, and dignitary lawyers, (malpractice ones, at that) would also use those very same hands to mend the, Not-so-notable heart  of, Me, Valerie Archual. This was, undoubtably, a “God-thing” that this man, of mitral valve expertise, would cross my broken heart path!   I…

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The Wait’s Just About Over!

The Wait’s Just About Over!

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“The waiting is the hardest part Every day you see one more card You take it on faith, you take it to the heart The waiting is the hardest part…” ~Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers From the album, Hard Promises 1981   Let’s hope it’s the hardest part! So far, it has been the most grueling! The waiting will kill ya, won’t it? It can drive you in-T-total-sane! I attempted to take on this whole heart surgery thing as if…

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Cinco De Mayo: A Tribute To My Mom

Cinco De Mayo: A Tribute To My Mom

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I wrote a story when I was about eight years old that, unknowingly to me, my mom had saved for decades.  She had given it to my husband shortly before she passed away. I didn’t find out about this until she had been gone a couple of years and my husband actually came across where he had hidden it. I had totally forgotten about the story until he presented it to me, and then it all came rushing back! It…

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The Time Had Come…

The Time Had Come…

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  The time for excuses was over. I had exceeded every last reasoning I could possibly think of to delay the fact that this surgery had to happen. My husband constantly began reminding me of this. It was time to make the call.   After a few idiotic temper tantrums, I came to realize that I needed to pick up the phone and schedule the surgery. I had it all planned out: Late March, early April. Even though there was…

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Meeting Miss Jeanie

Meeting Miss Jeanie

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Have you ever had that morning where the alarm clock rang, you woke up and before your feet hit the floor you knew exactly what the day had in-store? You knew because, after all, you had planned it out-mentally- right down to the hour of the setting sun. And then, when that day was over, and the sun finally did set, that twenty-four-hour period that you so meticulously planned out, took somewhat of a detour… That’s what happened on Friday,…

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“There’s a Hole In My Heart That Can Only Be Filled By You…” ~Extreme 1991

“There’s a Hole In My Heart That Can Only Be Filled By You…” ~Extreme 1991

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      Meeting The Doctors So I’m thinking if I ever decide to make this story into a rock opera, it would have to include the 1990’s Extreme hit, “Hole Hearted.” And there ya go. For those of you who don’t know me personally, (or my husband) yes, I was part of the hairband movement of the ‘80’s. Back at a time where your boyfriend’s hair was most likely longer than your own. (For those of you who are…

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A Dramatic Turn Of Events

A Dramatic Turn Of Events

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    “When we last left our story, our protagonist had just made a fool of herself in the cath lab…” There was some conflicting information regarding the catheterization results. Being an optimistic person, I took this as a good thing! One cardiologist thought that the mitral valve was still the most important issue and needed attention. Another cardiologist thought the mitral valve fell second to the new problem at hand, which was the ASD that actually needed the prompt…

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