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Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

You’ve decided to do what?

Every time I think that I’m going to blog on a more regular basis, life gets in the way and I don’t get around to it. Then, so many things change and it is hard to catch up in one post. When I last posted, I had this idea that I would run 5, 5Ks…

July 6, 2014 in Autoimmune Illness, Change, Going Silver, Healthy Eating, Heart Surgery, Self Esteem, Self Image, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Transformation, Ulcerative Colitis.

What a difference a year makes: Today

(Warning: this blog may be too “out there” for some – just my musings) One year ago today, I was finishing up in surgery. It feels as though it was yesterday (without the pain). I still remember so much so clearly. I am so grateful that the doctors found (by accident) the aneurysm and that…

September 12, 2013 in Celebration, Family, Heart Surgery, Love, Mindfulness, Random thoughts, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

What a difference a year makes – Lucite!

A year ago today, I was attending the first bodybuilding competition for my friend Tammy. She and I have both made many changes in our bodies and lives over the last few years (see her blog at: http://liftingmyspirits.wordpress.com/). I could not have been more proud of my friend and yet, there was a part of me…

August 24, 2013 in Fitness, Heart Surgery, Random thoughts, Things of Beauty, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Transformation, Uncategorized.

What a difference a year makes – part one

A year ago today, I was blogging about managing my own and others’ worries as I prepared for my STAAR surgery. I was also looking forward to attending my friend Tammy’s first bodybuilding competition. My mind was busy and the level of stress I was experiencing was greater than I knew. The idea for this…

August 23, 2013 in Fitness, Heart Surgery, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Uncategorized.

My final meeting with my wonderful surgeon

Tuesday was a tough day. We followed up with the pulmonologist and he insisted that I would need to have a second thoracentesis. He stated that there was about half of a liter of fluid in the pleural area around my right lung and that he believed all of the liquid should be gone. I…

October 18, 2012 in Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Fitness, Heart Surgery, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Training, Transformation.

Finally, good news

(Warning: skip the part on the thoracentesis procedure if you are squeamish) If you have followed my blog, you know that my recovery from what doctors appear to call triple A surgery (Ascending Aortic Aneurysm) has been rocky. Energy levels have been low and pain high. I also seemed to have a wheeze over the…

October 13, 2012 in Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Heart Surgery, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

Where my head and recovery are – 26 days after the surgery

I had every intention of blogging daily following my surgery. I was sure it would be interesting, insightful, and very therapeutic. And then reality stepped in. Pain, lethargy, lack of motivation, poor sleep, etc. have gotten in the way. True, the pain has FINALLY decreased and I should be off of the Percocet by the…

October 8, 2012 in Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Heart Surgery, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

When can I just say no?

As I sit here at my computer, I feel a heaviness and a deep ache in my chest. In 5 minutes I can take two Extra Strength Tylenol. Three weeks ago it felt as though something with a huge hand was reaching into my chest, grabbing, squeezing, and pulling – hard. The pain is better,…

October 4, 2012 in Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Heart Surgery, Mindfulness, Narcotics, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

Random thoughts from my time in hospital

Standing up for the first time: slightly graphic: You may know that when someone has heart surgery, frequently the hospital will give them a heart shaped pillow to hold against the chest when coughing, sneezing, laughing, standing up, sitting down, etc. Mine is red and and has a colorful diagram of the heart. Heart pillow in…

October 2, 2012 in Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Family, Heart Surgery, Nutrition, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

Looking back: Day before and day of surgery

As planned, we left quite early on September 11, 2012 for California and were nearly halfway there by the time the sun came up. We had pre-op appointments at the surgeon’s office including ultrasound of my carotid arteries and vitals. We also talked to the PA who explained the process and that I would leave…

October 1, 2012 in Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Family, Heart Surgery, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

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© Dnoelle and The EnLightened Journey, 2012-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to dnoelle, Dawn N. Riggs, Ph.D, and/or The EnLightened Journey with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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La Isla Oeste

Periodismo Hiperlocal

Repeating Islands

News and commentary on Caribbean culture, literature, and the arts

Dave and Lauras Dream

Dreaming of early retirement & travel

Delusional Bubble

Your travel guide to the fantastic unknown places around the world.

Honouring Appetite

moved to: laurenbersaglio.com

Kathryn Morgan

Ballet Beauty Lifestyle

Caroline Fourest

Blog officiel

TINGlife

There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.

Frantic Effervescence

Forgiveness Challenge

Tutu Global Forgiveness Challenge

Madhu Sameer

Meditations On The Feminine Self

fatchicksings.wordpress.com/

...Dances, Rants, Raves and Generally Steals the Show

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Holistic Dietitian / Yoga and Dance Instuctor

One Fit Mama Canada

Some Mom's lift more than just their kids...

Dear Bee

letters to my eating disorder

Ending the War

Rediscovering My Intuitive Eater

Stepping into yourself

Depression, Intuitive Eating, Spirituality. Semi regular musings.

Eating Rogue

My wanderings off the map and into a world without diets

Eat To Perform

Elisabeth Akinwale

Athletics, Motherhood and Other SuperFantastic Subjects

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