Life Reflections
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Reflecting on life – before and after heart surgery

I share my reflections on life, living with a a life-long cardiovascular disease, life after open heart surgery, and a dose of encouragement that you are not alone.

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A quiet home recovery corner featuring a neatly made armchair with a soft, charcoal-grey throw blanket folded over the arm and a plush, deep-red heart-shaped cushion resting in the seat. Beside it, a small round side table holds a pill organizer, a digital heart rate monitor, and a glass of clear water on a cork coaster. In the background, a tall bookshelf displays a few medical reference books and a small framed diagram of the cardiovascular system. Warm late-afternoon sunlight streams through sheer curtains, creating a cozy glow and gentle shadows. Captured from a slightly low angle with a moderate depth of field, the photographic composition feels calm, safe, and supportive of post-surgery reflection at home.

Meet Terri

I was born with an aortic bicuspid heart valve, and a regular active heart murmur. I’ve been through the challenges of Navy family life, post-Navy life, motherhood, and more. In 2024, I went through an open heart procedure to replace my aortic valve with a mechanical On-X prosthetic valve. I have much to reflect on and share from the past 50 years and the next 50 years to come. I dive into all of my life – lifestyle changes, mental health, living with aging parents, life in my mom years, and more.

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Reflection

Looking back, looking forward, and looking in the mirror of life.

  • Welcome

    My first post on a new blog! Welcome to my life, my story, and my journey. Why am I here? In 2024, I almost died. Seriously. I almost died. I was born with an aortic bicuspid heart valve. That means my aortic valve, that is at the top entrance to the heart, has two leaflets…

Newsletter

Heartfelt updates on new posts, tools, and reflections.

A detailed close-up of a spiral-bound recovery journal open to a blank page headed “Today’s Reflections,” with a subtle watermark of an anatomical heart in soft grey. A fine-tip black pen rests diagonally across the page. Around the journal are neatly arranged items: a compact home ECG device, a pair of reading glasses folded carefully, and a small digital timer. The surface is a light birch desk with a faint wood grain. Cool, diffused morning light from a nearby window softly illuminates the scene, highlighting the crisp edges of the paper. Shot from a slightly elevated angle with shallow depth of field, the photographic style emphasizes clarity, order, and a contemplative, professional approach to living with cardiovascular disease.

Contact Me

Reach out to share your story, ask questions, or connect with someone who understands life after heart surgery.

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