Before last summer, I had never been in a hospital, rarely seen a doctor, took no pills of any kind, was a stranger to pharmacies, almost never paid attention to my health insurance. My life changed in the past year or two, I confronted a genetically-driven form of diabetes and had open heart surgery,

I was plunged into the world of conventional medicine, insurance, drugs and had open heart surgery. I see a cardiologist, an orthopedic surgeon, an endocrinologist, a chiropractor, a massage therapist and a nurse practitioner – she has saved my life at least twice in the past year.  My pharmacist is one of my best pals, I see her regularly.

I met with most of my doctors in recent weeks, I contracted the flu, was on the edge of pneumonia, and met this morning with Karen Bruce, who has been coordinating the care of her headstrong and reluctant patient. I am checked out, good and healthy, ready to resume my life.

My diabetes is under control, my numbers are normal, my heart is strong and healthy, my lungs are clear, I understand my medications and am tolerating all of them well. I have more mobility and range than I have had for years, good stamina. I walk and exercise daily and love doing it. I like and trust my doctors, and especially, my nurse-practitioner. She told me this morning that I can – should – shovel as much snow as I want to and would like to.

I know my heart better, we are on the same side, finally.

I can be out in frigid cold walk as much as I want, life as much as I wish, rake the snow off of the roofs, haul hay and water all day. And I can plunge into my book, my blog,  my photos, my play. I feel yesterday’s snow storm was a turning point for me, the boundary between one place or another. The open heart surgery threw my life into turmoil and chaos, I am on top of it now, truly recovering, healthier and more aware. I could see it in the storm, Maria and I both noticed I was shoveling more, doing more, feeling stronger.

How fortunate I am. I am checked out, ready to live my life.