How healthy and happy is my heart?

August 13, 2024 — I cried at my recent cardiology follow up — from relief and happiness. The news was all good. Such a difference from three years ago, when I first heard about the possibility of needing surgery, and two years ago when my surgery was quickly approaching. Last week: Vitals, good. On my newer medication, my cholesterol total is half of what it was. My bad cholesterol is about one-third of what it was. My better numbers significantly lower my risk of a cardiac event. 

My new valve is well acclimated within my heart. We know this partly from what’s called ejection fraction of the heart. It’s how much blood is pumped out of the heart when it squeezes with each beat. Nobody’s EF is 100 percent, some blood naturally stays inside the heart. A normal EF is 55 - 70 percent. Prior to surgery, my EF was low but normal. After surgery mine was low, in the 40s, I guess from post-surgical trauma, worse in my case due to the complications I experienced. I wasn’t happy about that, but I learned that my heart needed time to heal and recover. The meds I’m taking make it easier for my heart to do its important job by lowering my heart rate and blood pressure. Now that I’ve recovered, my EF is in the 60s — normal! (Depending on what each of us deals with, we learn new medical terminology, right?)

I was originally told that my new valve will last about 15 years, which sounded pretty good. I didn’t let my mind wander too much about how old I might be when I needed surgery again or a repeated risk of complications. Naturally, I thought about these things somewhat (i.e., about 73 and a possibility they’d be prepared for). Reading some info online, I saw a medical study in a lab where the specific valve I have was projected to last longer than anticipated based on its number of beats. At my recent appointment, the nurse practitioner wasn’t familiar with the particular study, but looked it up while I was there. She found it and interpreted that the study found my valve might last up to 25 years! 

I’m living in the moment (as much as I can, which I’m fortunate to say is a great deal of the time. It’s something I work on through meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and just practice). I don’t dwell on what the future brings, but this is really reassuring! I recall the viability of my Dad’s bovine (cow) tissue valves being estimated at 10 years some 30 years ago. I’m so thankful for advancements in medical technology. And I think an excellent choice was made for what valve they selected for me (a hybrid, bovine and synthetic) in a short/urgent timeframe. I was extra fortunate to have a brother-in-law who’s a cardiologist who was in close contact with my surgeon about these crucial decisions. 

I was recently contacted by the deputy editor at the Ann Arbor Observer to ask if I’d like to be featured in a column they’re putting together, spotlighting residents of several surrounding cities and what they love about where they live. Well, living as close as we do to the University of Michigan Hospital is a huge one that has benefited our sons and me on many occasions. Be on the lookout for the Observer article and I’ll share it here. I was curious how she heard about me and she said it was through internet research. I think that’s a positive for a local author. 

Another recent contact I had “out of the blue” was through Facebook Messenger, starting as a request to message me. I’m wary of spam, but went ahead to see what it was about. She was from a group called Mamas for Kamala (Mamas is broadly defined, including aunts, teachers, moms of pets, plants, and so on). I was expecting a(nother) donation request, which I’m sure many of us can relate to. It was a donation request of a different kind, pleasantly. She was asking for a signed copy of my book for a silent auction. I am honored. She found me through internet research too, so I think I’m doing something right. My site metadata is designed to be found by relevant searches and because I make frequent updates on my website, it shows higher in searches. 

My next author event will be at Coreander’s Children’s Bookshoppe, Grosse Pointe Park. I’ll be in their theater from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Thursday, August 22 for a reading and signing. If you live in the area, I would love to see you. I know there are lots of extended Kuhnleins and other family in the area! I have an old friend, Amy Sanford, who lives nearby in Grosse Pointe Farms. She originally told me about Coreander’s, her favorite children’s bookstore. I believe she will be there with her young charge and maybe some local friends. Supportive friends are a treasure. Since I started following the book shop on social media, I’ve seen what a magical and beautiful place it is! I love that it’s exclusively for children’s books. It sounds like a trip worth making just to experience the unique and special shop. 

A note about my personal growth this past year or so, as an author. The Jottful crew who put my website together added a section about contacting me to do author events, readings and signings.  When I first saw that, I considered asking them to remove it. The idea of doing these events made me too nervous. I’m glad I let it stay there. I was thinking that there would be little to no contacts and I might as well see what happens. And part of me knew that getting out in the community is part of being an author, connecting with people and selling books. Time to push my comfort zone. I’m pleased with myself that I’ve done several of these kinds of events and that each time, I get a little more comfortable. I mostly have my “adopted” Brick Elementary School and Michelle Cox, their curriculum coordinator, to thank for my first events. I wrote about these experiences in earlier blog posts. 

Of special note is that when my niece, Sarah Doyle, read my Facebook post a couple of months ago about the little girl who said I’m her favorite author, she commented “idk how “little” i am anymore, but you’re definitely this girl’s favorite author too!!!” I just want to give Sarah A HUGE SHOUT OUT for her kindness. Thank you, sweet Sarah! That means the world to me.

In fact, my great big appreciation to anyone who is reading this post, whether or not you read my book, your interest means a great deal to me. This website doesn’t offer comments or likes directly on blog posts, but if you’re so inclined, I’ll ask you a small favor. If you’re on one of my social media platforms, please give my corresponding post a reaction or a comment to let me know you’ve read the post and maybe what you think. If you’re not on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, you can reach me via the contact page on this website in the menu above. 

THANKS for reading to the end and for your interest in me and my book. See you in Grosse Pointe!? Today, I noticed that of the 15 child tickets available, 10 are left. I was excited to see that some have already been taken. EEEEeeeeee! That’s just my childlike joy and excitement leaking out :D