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June 16, 2026: The Day Everything Changed: Part 2

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This is a follow-up to my last blog post about my pulmonary valve surgery on June 16, 2026. Since that post was about the surgery itself, I wanted to write this one to keep track of what happened afterward and what my doctors found during my follow-up.

They found a leak in my new pulmonary valve, so the cardiologist here at OSF did an echo, X-ray, and some blood tests. Three of their congenital cardiologists think the other doctors who looked at the images probably got a little confused. However, they did request the imaging that all the other doctors saw to see exactly what they were looking at or what they saw. Then they are going to review it themselves.

I have an artery above my pulmonary valve that is enlarged, and when the blood flows through it, it swirls around before going where it needs to go. Apparently, that can make it look like a larger leak than what it is. Another thing is that my blood pressure has been higher than normal. When that happens, it puts extra pressure on the heart, almost like it’s squeezing it, and it may have been pushing a little more blood out of the valve at that time as well. I also had fluid on my lungs, which added even more pressure.

I saw my Peptide (BNP) number, which is something I’ve been keeping track of myself. That number helps indicate fluid buildup. When I went into St. John’s the other night, it had gone up to a little over 1,700. Even before that, it was around 1,200. Today, I noticed it was 400 when they checked it, which is the lowest I’ve seen it, so I was really happy about that.

They also told me that while 1,700 is an increase for me, they’re used to seeing numbers of 10,000 or even 15,000, so they put it into perspective for me by telling me how high the peptide numbers they’ve seen can get.

The doctor also said my heart function is wonderful, which they told me at St. John’s too. He said they’ll keep an eye on this mild-to-moderate leak, and if they need to, they can repair it through a catheter instead of open-heart surgery. They would not be opening me up again, at least not for a very long time.

As far as the fluid goes, it’s really about finding the right amount of medication to keep it off, and that’s what they’re working on now. He doesn’t think the fluid will last much longer, but if it does, I can call them. They can either see me in the clinic or prescribe an extra water pill if needed. Of course, if I’m ever gasping for air, I should go straight to the ER.

Daily Post · friendship · love

Lifesaver

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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.

friendship

Race car driver or a Cop

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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.”

friendship

A Piece of Me

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Every week- Three questions about you to tell us!

What is the silliest thing you have heard people say about you? I’m sure there are lots of silly things people have said to me. A time that comes to mind was when some friends and I played a game called “Sad and Solemn Occasion” in high-school. I can’t remember how the whole game went, but, you had to be truthful to your opponent. My opponent told me, she thought, I should be a bushman with my head of hair!

 

Which of your personality traits have been most useful? I would say my gift of discernment. My boss and I have a decent relationship. She tries not to wear her feelings on her sleeve. I will ask her how her day is, I can tell though, if she’s lying, about feeling fine. I will ask her again, what is really going on. She sometimes gets upset because she doesn’t understand how I can tell something is bothering her.

Another time, I let my son go down the street from where we lived, to play. I told the other child’s family, I would come back in an hour to pick him up. I started doing my dishes and a picture of my boys  face kept going through my mind, I called their number twice and no answer, I hung up the phone and could barely breath. I took off out the door, got in my car, and drove down their house.

Low and behold I was right on the money.

 

Are you an early bird or a night owl? I have worked the evening shift for years. When I come home at night, I like to watch a movie on Prime or read all your blogs, while the rest of the house is sleeping. I hit the hay around 1:30 or 2am.

 

 

friendship

The Year Before Forty, And The Comments People Are Making, And Have Made To Me.

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a friend of mine asked me “Shelley are YOU going to the class reunion?”I had went the last few years mind you, and none of my friends, whom I  went to school with, and still hang out with now, attended the reunion. There wasn’t a lot of people who showed up at the reunions in the past.

I said: no I think I will pass this year.

“Shelley you should go”

Why, no one went last year?

“Shelley this is the year people start dying, and Shit”

Gabe

The other morning, when dropping him off at school. He makes his way to the middle, where he is sitting next to me. I’m thinking he’s going to give me a goodbye KISS…

“Mom, when you were a kid did they have televisions in the olden days”

Um Gabe, yes, it was not that long ago. Get out of my car!

A Friend

Her daughter, told us she would take our picture together. We give her the camera, scoot in close, and smile. She just stands there giving us a-deer-in-the-headlights, look.

Her Mom says: “what are you waiting for?”

“You guys need to do duck lips or do something in the photo?”

We purse our lips, she shakes her head, we give each other bunny ears, she shakes her head, we stick our tongues out, She shakes her head, we grab one another laughing uncontrollably, and she hands the camera back to her Mom, and says: “never mind!”

Coffee with a neighbor

SHE got on the subject of talking about Sex. I joined in on the conversation, and was agreeing with her about certain techniques, and she says: “Oh, so you and your husband still do it?”

Yea, we do

“that so Awesome”

Umm we have only been together nine years were freaking newly weds for crying-out-loud

Last Night At Work

I made a wise-crack to the cook. I’m sorry I cannot remember what I said (It’s a part of my old age.) He told me what you said you reminded me of “Steve Marten on Saturday Night Live he always used to say that same phrase.”

“Do you remember?”

No, what year are you talking about?

“In the seventies”

No, I wasn’t born until 1977!

“Oh really, how old are you”

I’m forty, 

“Really, when did you turn forty?

Monday, I turned forty, three days ago!

 

friendship

Room 134 And Voices On The Radio

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I’m working overtime today. Which is nothing new. I was in a funk when I first clocked in.

First, because today is my day off.

2.) This is my eighth straight day in a row.

3.) Once again, I was offered day shift. After sixteen years of working evenings, I had to decline. The way my husband, and I have our schedules work with raising Gabe. My husband works mornings, and I work evenings.

Working evenings, here at the home never ceases to amaze me. I’m always reminded, why I chose this shift.

My schedule was not my only reason.

1.) I wrote of LAUGHTER in my post: She didn’t leave me hanging

2.) I wrote of FAITH in my post: Nosy

3.) I wrote of  LOVE inside both of those post.

Back-paddle to earlier: I’m in a funk making my rounds around the building. One big circle. Karl is in his doorway

Ms. Lady Ms. lady

Could you come over here and help me write a letter? 

Sure I can.

Karl, has developed Dementia these last few years. I’m sure most of his memories are real. I’m just not sure of the timeline. As in, I’m not sure if these people are still living. I will do my best to find out, and I will mail the letter.

In the meantime I want to share with you good people.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin

When I first came to Fairfield many years ago. I heard the voices of you and your wife. Her name is Jen. I heard her voice first. I hope you two are enjoying your retirement? My name is Karl Graff. I would like to tell you about the circus we went to a long time ago. I’m trying to find somebody who knows how I can get the Guidepost on cassette. I forgot the gentlemen who took your place? I always enjoyed your voices on the radio they sounded so good!

Your friend, Karl Graff

 

 

friendship · Home

Tiny, Mighty, And Picture Incher

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Tiny room, tiny radio, tiny television, and MIGHTY spirit!

I read an article on the Daily Post, encouraging us to post from our phones or tablets. (Which is well worth the read). I’m at work this evening. My showers are done, my medicines are passed, and one resident is walking the halls, and another resident is in the snack room. I have a bit of time on my hands.

Here is a tiny story.

If you follow me, you know I work in a Supportive Living Facility as a Nursing assistant. I work with the Blind, and talk about my residents on occasion. If you’re new to my blog, and have a minute, read here to close in on the buzz.

Friday, our nursing supervisor talked to Emmett about how she needed to cut back on the amount of soda she’s been drinking. She told her to only drink soda on the holidays.

Emmet, agreed and went back to her room.

A few hours later she came out of her room, passed the nurses office, and into the snack room where the soda machine sits.

She puts her first quarter into the machine, and says:

This is for Veterans Day, second quarter, this is for Thanksgiving, and her third quarter this ones for Christmas!