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June 16, 2026: The Day Everything Changed

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My Open Heart Surgery was on June 16, 2026. I’m writing this a little while after the surgery, but I wanted to go back and share what those first days of my recovery were like.

My surgery went pretty well. It was nerve-wracking, but I got through it. Most of my family was in the waiting room, and I was awake just long enough for my immediate family to come in and say hello before they took me back.

They gave me a lot of fluids in the ICU, apparently to support the right side of my heart. I don’t remember all the details, so I’m not exactly sure why they were needed. The surgeon put in my new valve and said everything went well.

The next day, they took me off the ventilator and, as I remember it, sat me up in a chair. That felt wonderful. Over time, my lower body became very swollen, probably because of all the fluids I had received. They started me on Lasix, and the swelling slowly began to go down. I took a walk down the hall either later that day or the next morning. I can’t remember exactly when.

They placed me in the PICU because the surgeon who performed my operation is mainly a children’s heart surgeon, although he also operates on adults. I believe he prefers his patients to recover on the pediatric floor. The nurses there were incredibly attentive. You really couldn’t ask for better care.

Around the third or fourth day in the hospital, though, I started feeling guilty. Because I was taking Lasix, I had to use the bathroom constantly and needed the nurses’ help every time. I felt like I was taking time away from the children who needed them.

I was also healing from a sheath they had placed in my right groin. The doctor wanted to leave it in a little longer to give the area more time to heal. While I was taking Lasix, fluid was leaking from the opening where the sheath had been. For a couple of days, I was a hot mess and felt very needy. They eventually removed the sheath, and although a little fluid continued to leak afterward, it finally stopped. That was such a relief!

I’ve been home for a while now, but I’ve been lagging behind on my walking. I have been walking, just not as much as I should. At my follow-up appointment, they found some fluid around my left lung and a small infection where the sheath had been. Those bumps in the road have made me pretty nervous.

After my appointment, I walked around the block once. Yesterday, I walked around the block four times. My doctor also prescribed another antibiotic and more Lasix, hoping the fluid around my left lung will continue to improve.

Recovery hasn’t been a straight line, and there have been a few setbacks, but I’m thankful for how far I’ve come. I’m taking things one day at a time and trusting that, with patience, walking, rest, and the treatment my doctor recommends, I’ll continue getting stronger.

Children · Daily Post · memories · writing

“What Being Made Fun of Taught Me”

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What is one word that describes you?

When I was in elementary school through the last few years of high school, kids made fun of me. I’ve written about those times before when I first started my blog. Writing—and even counseling—helped me close most of that chapter, so I won’t go too deep into it today.

If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be compassion.

But I will say this: back in middle school, I made a promise to myself. I was going to love and accept people no matter what. I wouldn’t put others down or try to make them feel bad about the way they looked or for who they were.

Recently, I saw a post on Facebook about two men who overdosed in a bathroom. The post itself didn’t seem meant to encourage anything—in my opinion, it was the opposite. But a lot of the comments were hateful. It made me sad, not just because of what happened, but because of how people responded. It reminded me that we don’t always know what someone has gone through or what led them to where they are—and it reminded me of the promise I made.

Mind you, I’m not perfect—I still mess up. But no matter what, you will always have a seat at my table.

Homemade card from a co-worker. We had Secret Santa’s.

Daily Post · Family · Home · writing

Once is Never Enough

shelie272 Comments

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

I’m a big movie buff, so narrowing this list down wasn’t easy. There are so many films and series I’ve enjoyed over the years, but these are a few that really stuck with me. Some made me laugh, cry, and some told a story that stole my heart.

5.) Schitt’s Creek

I laughed, I cried, and I thought this show was both hilarious and touching. You can’t go wrong with Eugene Levy, and it’s great to see his son right there beside him. It reminded me of Doc Hollywood, a movie from the early ’90s with Michael J. Fox. Sometimes we all need a new perspective.

4.) The Queen’s Gambit

I was not familiar with Anya Taylor-Joy, but she knocked it out of the ballpark In this movie. She wasn’t dealt the best hand of cards to begin with and landed in the right place at the right time. The way she carried herself in fashion, pose and attitude, especially in a man’s world , was remarkable and envious and way before her time.

3.) The Longest Ride

I wasn’t very familiar with the cast, but they did a wonderful job. The movie is a bit cheesy, but there’s another story being told—actually three, if you’re paying close attention.

2.) Flight (Denzel Washington)

Let me just say, if Denzel Washington is in a movie, I’m watching it. It’s probably going to be good, because he’s such a great actor. This movie is suspenseful, sad, honest, and deeply moving.

1.) Regarding Henry

I remember watching this with my family when it first came out. Another favorite actor of mine, Harrison Ford, doesn’t disappoint. Sometimes other people’s choices can change the path we were heading toward. This movie is sad, sweet, and truly touching.

These are just a few that stuck with me, but I’m always open to discovering more great movies?

Daily Post · Family

A Tale of Growth and Flight

shelie271 Comment

What skills or lessons have you learned recently?

I’ve been following a pair of eagles on a platform for a while now, and found myself telling my mom all about them. I told her about the beautiful view from their nest, their teamwork, their faithfulness to one another, and how they were just doing what they were supposed to do without any turbulence getting in their way.

My mom replied, “Shelley, the grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence.”

When she said this, I chuckled and said, “Do you mean nest?” She seemed a little frustrated and just waved her hand.

This morning, I woke up and checked on the eagles. I saw that J had been gone from the nest from yesterday into this morning. S, J’s mate, was sitting on their eggs and had been there all night, with only a few breaks. Seeing him like that grabbed my heart even harder. It wasn’t easy to see, and I was sobbing while trying to explain it to my husband.

While in the shower, I started thinking about the first two years of watching them. During those years, J laid eggs, but each time they were ready to hatch, they didn’t. One time, during a snowstorm, she stayed on her eggs for over 72 hours, only for them not to hatch in the end. The third year, they were successful, and I cried like a baby with tears of joy.

When she returned this morning, I couldn’t help but read the comments and think to myself: if this clutch hatches, the new viewers will feel even more connected to their story and more appreciative of what they are a part of. I know there will come a season when all of this ends—and who knows what that will look or feel like. But as my mom, Linda, always reminds me: every nest—and every life—has its struggles. Knowing that makes me appreciate these moments even more.

Daily Post · memories · writing

Are You Still Mine

shelie274 Comments

Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

That night at a friend’s house,

I reached for your hand — you froze,

our fingers clutched

and you glanced up, smiled, and said, stay here awhile.

As the night went on, we were stuck like glue,

and those feelings of being inevitable were so brand new.

When we laid down, you kissed me goodnight

and asked me what about you did I like.

The way you looked out the front door

when the oven went ding,

for the cookies we made that New Year’s Eve.

The rest of the night we made out;

Unchained Melody played in the background

as you stole all my doubts.

When the night was over and we said goodbye,

you called for a week to say more than hi.

I came to see you for two whole days;

we slept on a mattress and floated into space.

The evening I left, the rain came down,

the leaves were all wet; we were a mess.

I heard from you a few more times,

and Unchained Melody plays in my mind.

Now, all these years have gone by,

and I’m still back there, without a goodbye.

Daily Post · friendship · love

Lifesaver

shelie271 Comment

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?

I thought about being someone powerful—someone with lots of money, someone with a great body. The kind of power a president has, the kind of money Lukas Walton or his family has, and the physique Zsa Zsa Gabor had.

Then I started to reflect on this. One day is not long at all to do what needs to be done with that kind of power, wealth, or attraction—whether it’s passing a bill so everyone could receive insurance at a low cost, finding a charity or organization I believe in, or going to the beach and walking around in a skimpy bikini!

The Holy Spirit led me to someone who has not been as fortunate when it comes to medical issues—neurological ones—and life-changing surgeries. Their story is not mine to go into any further, but they would be my choice. I think if we were able to live inside the stories of other friends, family members, or acquaintances whose odds are against them, we might find that what we once thought was important would no longer matter. We might trade power for perspective, wealth for compassion, and beauty for gratitude.

Daily Post · Home · love

King Of The Jungle

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Write about your dream home.

My dream house is a ranch-style home on the outskirts of a small town. The porch wraps all the way around, and it’s concrete and flat to the ground. Soft, dim lighting lines the porch, giving it a warm glow in the evenings. There’s a big willow tree in the front yard, and the front yard is bigger than the back. I have a few wooden rockers, a glider for two, and a large wooden chair. There’s a small side table on the porch, perfect for early morning coffee or a refreshing drink on hot summer days.

The house is modern. The living room and kitchen are open, with a small amount of counter space separating the two, but you can see both areas clearly. My living room has just enough shelves built into the wall.

We have three, maybe four, bedrooms, but they are not huge — just big enough for guests to have a bed and sleep comfortably. The master bedroom has only about four stairs leading up to it. It’s a decent size, big enough for a king bed to sit in the middle of the room and still have space to move around.

The window in our room is on the right side of the bedroom. It’s rectangular and opens outward instead of sliding up. You can see most of the weeping willow when looking out. Every night before bed, my husband climbs up the tree in his boxers and swings down like Tarzan!

friendship

Race car driver or a Cop

shelie272 Comments

Think back on your most memorable road trip.

I don’t know if I would call this a road trip, but it was definitely on the roads and streets of our town, if you will. My friend Cheryl—who, mind you, I’ve always said is in the wrong profession—was with me. Anyway, when we were in our twenties, she always seemed to have foes, usually other girls.

One early afternoon, she came to pick me up at the trailer I was living in at the time. I came outside onto the porch as she walked up to greet me. We started chatting, and lo and behold, a car with two girls about our age sped by, hollering a few choice names at my friend.

I ran down the steps of the porch, put my hands on my hips, and said, “That was uncalled for!” They let out a couple of loud laughs and flipped me off. Cheryl and I chatted about the situation and then hopped in her car.

We got in the car and headed out of the trailer court. Once we were out, we were stopped at a red light. Cheryl let me know that she saw the girls heading toward us. They swerved into the lane beside us, stopped, and threw an open can of soda out the window. It landed on top of our car, and the soda and can rolled down the window, dripping everywhere.

Cheryl looked at me and said, “Put your seat belt on!” Then she swerved over and tailgated their asses down North Grand, going at a pretty high speed before turning off really fast.

We headed down that road until we saw them coming from the opposite direction, so Cheryl quickly turned at the next road we passed.

A bit down the road, we saw a sign that said No Outlet, and we were just about at the dead end when Cheryl saw them in the rearview mirror. She threw the car into reverse and swerved off the road into the grass to miss them, then turned down another side road in reverse. She pulled into a vacant driveway with tons of grass and bushes, edged a little off to the side so we were kind of hidden, and turned off the car.

I said, “Damn, that was some Dukes of Hazzard–type shit.”