New Beginnings

This was the first week for the post cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program at Fit For Life! I must say that I feel like it was a tremendous success. So far we have 52 participants signed up! WHEW! I have been doing orientations like a mad woman! Although some people have mixed feelings about starting at a new place, I truly feel that in the long run they will find it to be much more beneficial to their health and fitness goals.

The last week in July I attended two farewell parties from Centerpoint. The first was a luncheon put on by my former co-workers. Oh how we love to eat! We had a yummy taco lunch with lots and lots of goodies! That evening we had a small get-together at a patient's house. Roy and Wilma hold a special place in my heart. Roy surprised me one day by coming in with this tattoo on his arm! He loves Animal, and he loves playing the drums, so I told him that he should get a tattoo of Animal playing the drums. Well, he thought it was a great idea, but never in a million years did I expect him to add my name to the mix! We both got a good laugh out of it! Eric didn't believe me when I came home that evening and told him there was a guy out there with my name tattooed on his arm!!! Well now we have the proof! Love you Roy!
Here is Roy playing the drums. He let me take a stab at it...much harder than Rock Band!

Centerpoint Cardiac Rehabilitation Crew

Kathy, Alicia, me, Ryan, Diana, and Tricia

I hate that this photo turned out blurry, there was a smudge on my camera lens.

To say that this whole transition has been hard on me would be an understatement. Never in a million years did I see this coming, and I could not have predicted my reaction to it. This past month has just been a roller coaster and a myriad of emotions. I can't even begin to describe it all, but I truly feel that I am walking away from this as a stronger person and couldn't have asked to have landed in a better spot. I can't say enough good things about my new friends/co-workers at Fit For Life. God is truly looking out for me. Unfortunately, some of the events that have transpired over the past month has left a bitter taste in my mouth and has completely changed my outlook on Centerpoint. I always took pride in where I worked. Felt that I was a hard worker, loved my job, and was very loyal to my facility. Several people in my family look towards St. Luke's as the hospital of all hospitals, and I always tried to shed a postive light on Centerpoint and the things we were doing there. Sadly enough, the message that has been driven home to me is that to HCA, it doesn't matter how hard of a worker you are, or how loyal you are, that to them you are just a warm body that can easily be disposed of or replaced. Just awful. In the long run, I think they did me a favor. I believe everything happens for a reason.

The Gospel reading and homily from Fr. John really hit home for me today. Today's Gospel was from Matthew 14:22-33, and Fr. John talked about how we all aspire for the American dream...a good education, a good paying, stable job, a spouse that we love, a family, nice house, etc. but how sometimes those dreams fall apart...we lose our job, or our house, we fall out of love with our spouse, and that more times than not, things just do not go the way we think they should. So very true. He emphasized though, that we should not lose faith. We should not have fear. Tomorrow is a new day, filled with new opportunites, and that we should turn to and put our faith in God. "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid" Matthew 14:27 (Can you believe I got all of this out of mass while wrestling 3 kids!)

Despite all of the crazy things we have been through these past few months with Barkley dying unexpectedly, me losing my job, being sick, and just dealing the the every day stresses of life, I can't even begin to tell you how much this has strengthened my faith in God, becuase without Him, I would not be able to get thru this in one piece. I am so thankful for my faith and His love for me. For my wonderful, loving, and supporting husband, who has stood by my side no matter how ugly things got. For these three beautiful kids who keep me going. And for all of the wonderful friends who support me, encourage me, and lend a listening ear when I need it most. You will never know how much you mean to me.