Adapt and Overcome- What is Your New Normal?

By Christine Rekash

I celebrated my three-year anniversary from open-heart surgery for a mitral valve repair on June 13. In many ways, it feels like a second birthday. A time to celebrate, a time for reflection and a time to appreciate all the blessings that have been bestowed upon me during this journey. Yesterday, I completed my “maintenance checkup,” and I could not help but pause and reflect upon the many obstacles I have overcome. There were many speed bumps on the road to recovery, and I felt as if they were roadblocks at times. I look back and think to myself, How did I get through all of this? The answer: To Adapt and Overcome. 

While it may sound quite simple, it can be quite challenging. As I reflect upon the beginning of my journey, I had to "adapt " when life threw me a curve ball, and I was told it was time to have open-heart surgery to repair a leaking valve. Life doesn't always go as we plan. We have a choice: We can either ignore the issue and hope it goes away, or adapt and overcome.

The best-laid plans for my recovery didn't go as I had thought. I had prepared and researched and prepared and researched some more. I had many lists and checked them twice, even three times. What was not on my list is what would become my “new normal.” As I hit the various speed bumps upon my road to recovery (fluid around my heart, atrial flutter, irregular heartbeat resulting in three cardioversions, atrial fibrillation and a catheter ablation) within four months of open-heart surgery, my recovery plan did not allow for flexibility. I thought I would have this surgery, go through the healing process and be “fixed.” I quickly needed to learn how to “overcome” these obstacles. Swelling, weight gain, rapid heartbeats, restricted diet, bouts of lightheadedness, fatigue and low blood pressure just to name a few, were what became my new “normal” at various times during my recovery.

I am happy to report that the outcome of my “maintenance checkup” was a positive one. While my valve has been repaired, I still feel occasional palpitations, and at times lightheadedness, but my heart is beating as strong as ever. My blood pressure tends to run low, but I am alive and kicking. I am no longer restricted by rapid heartbeats, even though I still get PVCs. I am able to kickbox three to four times a week, and I keep fighting with heart. This has become my “new normal,” and I continue to “kick out” heart disease one beat at a time. 

What is your new normal? How have you adapted and overcome? 

For more information on this topic, visit www.heart.org.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.

Would you like help dealing with heart or stroke conditions — either yours or someone else’s? Join us in the AHA’s Support Network! We are an online community of patients, survivors and caregivers where you can share your experience while getting encouragement, hope and informational resources from others who have been there. Membership is free and the benefits can be priceless. Register today.