I promise this is my last update on my spinal surgery experience, but it’s a good one. As of today, I am officially at the three-month mark, which means, I have the green light to resume normal activities. While I am nowhere near my typical strength at the gym, I am back to doing all my movements and exercises which had been on hold for quite some time (ego checked at the door as I build my strength back up).
I will admit I still feel like I am walking on eggshells every time I add a new activity, nervous to hit a roadblock or re-aggravate the discs. My next milestone will be picking up a tennis racket again, an activity I have missed, although I am still a little nervous to do so. Most importantly, I feel like a new, younger version of myself as I live pain free.
I am constantly reminded of how grateful I am to be out of pain, but that gratitude also makes me more aware of those who aren’t. I watch patients enter the Institute, vulnerable and scared, surrendering themselves to our doctors in an effort to feel better or simply find answers. I continue to be in awe of those who have that talent: to heal us, to make us better.
On that note, I will admit that the only pain I experienced last week came from my feet. They had not been in a pair of stilettos for quite some time, and by the end of the Gold Plate Gala I wanted to crawl to my car- but what an evening it was. The Hellenic community has been incredibly generous in sharing this event with us, with proceeds from the 650-person dinner going to both the Hellenic community and the Heart Institute. Nick Pantieras, a board member and patient, along with his business partner Aik Aliferis, are the hearts behind this event, along with their incredible volunteer committee. The evening took a particularly moving turn as I finished my speech and Nick stood up and shouted, “Dr. Marc Ruel saved my life.” With Dr. Ruel in the room alongside our CEO Dr. Beanlands and other Institute staff, the room rose to its feet. I am reminded every day that I get to work with miracle workers. It was also wonderful to have members of my team there to share in the moment. We are a unique group.
Caroline Phillips captured the heart of the evening perfectly — I encourage you to read her piece if you haven’t already. Click here.
It is a big week at the Institute as we prepare to officially celebrate our 50th anniversary and honour the people who shaped its very existence. Six years into my role at the Foundation, there are some days that I still feel like the new kid, learning and inhaling information as it comes my way, and other days that I feel as though I have been here all along, already woven into the rich history of this remarkable place. I am looking forward to meeting people like Susan Menzies, who started the Foundation, and staff members whose names I see in the hallways and on plaques, and whose stories I have heard over the years. I look forward to sharing those moments with you in my next update.
I invite you to explore our story here: 50 years of heart | University of Ottawa Heart Institute
With Nursing Week wrapped up, I want to take a moment to thank the extraordinary nurses at the Heart Institute. These remarkable people show up every single day with skill, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to our patients. We had the privilege of profiling some of them on our email and social media channels this week, and I hope you had a chance to see their stories. I am deeply grateful to the Grass Family Foundation for generously matching gifts in honour of our nurses, and to all the donors and supporters who chose to celebrate our Heart Institute nurses. You remind us that we are all in this together.
It seemed like the city came alive this long weekend — neighbourhoods buzzing, patios full, tourists out with cameras in hand. The same will be true next weekend with the Great Glebe Garage Sale and the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. Team Heart will be out in full force, and we wish them the very best as they lace up and begin their own personal races. Many of our runners carry deeply meaningful stories about why they run — if you haven’t had a chance to follow along on our socials, I encourage you to do so.
And on a much lighter note — I have apparently joined the modern world. I am considered a dinosaur by my friends for being one of the last people to embrace online shopping. I fought it for years, finding it ridiculous to order something to your door when a simple trip to the store could solve the problem. But the algorithm found me, my feed now feels like a shopping channel, and I have zero regrets. My favourite new purchase arrived just in time for this long weekend — no pool required, ever. I may live in this thing all summer.
Lianne
