Here we go again...

Ok. So 2016 turned out to be an interesting year.  No matter what camp you find yourself in, we can all agree that the country is pretty divided and that politics in America are being reshaped.  With a 40% approval rating for the president-elect right now, it seems the majority of Americans are feeling either disenfranchised or just fed-up with politics.  So where do we go from here?

On Nov. 8, 2016 (Election Day) I had a catheterization that revealed my mitral valve wasn't functioning well.  The median gradient across my valve was 26 (max 50) and it's suppose to be lower than 10.  After a visit with the surgeon in December we decided that it's time to finally replace that pesky mitral valve.  I'm scheduled for mitral valve replacement surgery on January 31 at USC with Dr. Starnes.  Here we go again!  Whoa!  It's kind of surreal to be doing this again so soon.  It's even more surreal to go into this on the verge of the repeal of ACA, with an unknown future for my access to health insurance.  So where do I go from here?

We keep swimming (thanks, Dory); we soldier on (thanks, Sherlock); we just keep moving forward.  And we hope that we will carry ourselves with compassion, grace and kindness towards others.  My last surgery was not so long ago that I can go into this next surgery with naive optimism.  While I am optimistic about a quick recovery and a positive outcome I also know too well that the next 3 to 6 months will be a lot of hard work.  There will be pain, frustration, demoralization, a loss of independence and just a whole lot of not feeling good.  As one of my colleagues said, "it just sucks".  BUT there will also be laughter, comraderie, self-growth, binge-watching Netflix, coming together of friends and family and the prospect of good health once and for all!  (If they put in a mechanical valve, I may get another 20 to 30 years free from invasive surgery.)  So you know what?  I'm game!  We can do this!

This time around I know all the things that will help to carry me through this next surgery (In N Out, Netflix, jigsaw puzzles, prunes, cursing, fleece throws, etc), the most important of which is my loved ones.  The love and support of family and friends is what strengthens me and emboldens me to fight--to strive to be my best self.  We are stronger together.  We can achieve more together.  We can be our best selves, together.  So bring on the cards, notes, messages, meals and visits.  Get involved in your local community: volunteer, donate, organize and get active.  Let's do this!  Strive to be your best self!