Ever since I found out about my heart surgery, I have been wanting to connect with people like me. I have been craving to read, hear, see stories of other people that have gone through my journey now. It educates me, and lifts me up. Survival is possible. So, I am moving on, one day at a time.
I mentioned before I have a friend at work that has had his aortic valve replaced in his 30's and he's been a gift from God to have close and to be able to poll for questions, ideas, opinions, advice.
Online, I have found two forums where people are so kind, so giving, so open that you can learn so much from - not only in terms of how to prepare for this, but also in terms of strength, love, compassion and kindness. Despite all the muck in today's world, there are good people out there...
They say that if you stay open, and honest, and connected, and involved, the recovery, the "coming back" will be easier and smoother, all things considered, of course. It really does take a village, you know, to hold us all together in our scare and hour of loneliness.
The two forums that have been my favorite so far are:
http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com (I joined this one, purely because their sign up system is a breeze)
and
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/forum
"In the end, when we look at our life, the questions will be simple: Did I live fully? Did I love well?"
(Jack Kornfield)
"The proper function of a man is to live, not to exist." (Jack London)
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