Every Day

Trouper emailed me a copy of his "health summary" today, just in case I ever need it. It lists medications, surgeries, procedures, hospital stays, doctors and pages and pages of information. Nothing too out of the ordinary, except for one small sentence "heart replaced by heart assist device". I bet not too many people have that listed in their medical records but for the past two years, my courageous husband is one of a handful of people living without a heart. He received his LVAD on August 29th so over the weekend, we quietly observed his 2nd LVAD-avversary. I will never forget his doctor coming in the morning before and telling us that Trouper would receive his LVAD the next day. We didn't really have time to process or think about much, just enough time to update our families and friends, for me to make arrangements at my office, and get settled in for a long recovery.

What stands out the most, to me, was our doctor stating that the LVAD would be good for 2-5 years, and, as I mentioned above, we just celebrated 2 years. Are we anxious and scared, you bet! Do we pray for a new heart, multiple times a day. Those things aside, we also celebrate the life that Trouper has been given. The LVAD has allowed him to be a husband, father, son, brother and friend. He's watched his children become adults. It's allowed him to lead a fairly normal life, as normal as you can live with a machine working for your heart. It's caused him pain though, pain I can't even describe and truth be told, don't know a lot about because he tries to shield the kids and I from the pain he suffers. I see it in his face, especially his eyes. When his batteries get low, and start to beep, I can hear his frustrations. When he has another hospital stay, I can feel his anxiety. When he sleeps, though, I can hear the soft hum of the machine that is keeping him next to me and for that, I'm eternally grateful.

Today, I want to thank each and everyone of you. You know I'm a song person, so today's song is EVERY DAY by Rascal Flatts. Every day, I'm beyond thankful for my friends and family, for recognizing when I need a little motivation, for listening to my complaints and gently reminding me I have so much to be grateful for. For visiting, calling, texting and emailing but most of all, every day I'm grateful that you pray for us. Join me in celebrating our happiest of happy LVAD-avversary and knowing that a new heart is on the horizon!