The Mighty Logo

6 Things I've Learned From Open Heart Surgery

The most helpful emails in health
Browse our free newsletters

I’ll admit that the fact that I had open heart surgery sometimes still freaks me out. There are days when it’s all I can think about. Other days, I’m so busy that I forget I have a mechanical valve and don’t think about it until I lay in my bed at night, listening to its faint tick. I didn’t ask for a defective heart, but I realize I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

1. Open heart surgery taught me to be thankful. Thankful for family, for friends, for my doctors, and for the beauty of life. I am ever grateful to the amazing people in my life. I have been blessed with such a positive support system.

2. I’ve become closer to certain people. A favorite teacher of mine from my senior year of high school became a second mother to me after I learned her father was also going to have surgery for a congenital heart condition.

3. Surgery was undoubtedly one of the scariest times of my life. I learned how to stay strong in the face of adversity.

4. I learned to cherish every moment. The value of time is timeless, and I have the power to choose how I will spend every second.

5. I learned what I wanted to do with my statistics degree. In a twisted way, it took surgery to push me towards biostatistics. I’d like to help others with congenital heart conditions. Not only did I learn what I wanted to do, my little sister wants to become a cardiac nurse practitioner after meeting my care team.

6. I learned how to swallow pills when I discovered the atrocious taste of some liquid medications.

As I write this, I am packing to head back to college. I’ll be going back with a new outlook on life. Everyone faces their own battles. We all put on brave fronts, and come out stronger. At the end of the day, I’ve learned more than I could have ever imagined from an aortic valve.

We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.

Originally published: January 16, 2018
Want more of The Mighty?
You can find even more stories on our Home page. There, you’ll also find thoughts and questions by our community.
Take Me Home