The thought of open heart surgery and a triple by-pass probably fills most of us with dread. Add to that the fact that you are too sick to travel to your country of origin, that you are not sure how much your insurance will cover (thank God you have insurance) and there isn?t any blood in the blood bank, and it can get pretty scary. Some will remember responding to my plea for blood donors for Pauline Wren last year; thanks again to all those who offered to help. Pauline had her operation a year ago tomorrow and is doing really well.
The treatment at Cedimat in Santo Domingo was second to none, despite the usual ?questions? when it came to the final invoice. Trying to see fair play when you are just out of intensive care, reacting unfavorably to the medication and struggling to move around without help isn?t the easiest thing in the world. You have absolutely no idea of the long haul of recovery ahead of you.
A year on, Pauline is putting all her energy into establishing Project Isobel, a centre for street children and abandoned and mistreated horses. (If you think this is a weird combination, read on). In her spare time, Pauline has started salsa dancing again and has been horse jumping for the first time in 10 years - encouragement indeed for anyone who is going through this process themselves. The depression and personality change which can accompany open heart surgery is normal but can often be underestimated. People think you should be glad to be alive, but it?s a little more complicated than that. Working for this Project has been Pauline?s driving force and motivation, despite the usual ups and downs of recovery.
Pauline started to establish this Foundation before she became sick and has worked tirelessly to get it off the ground since she has been well enough to get out of bed! She may have bent your ear about it in La Roca or elsewhere! Sorry, but that?s how it is when you have a mission! Project Isobel is now recognized as a legal Foundation in this country: the need is certainly there and now we need help. Please see Project Isobel
if you are curious about this strange combination or if you may be able to help with resources, land, your time or encouragement.
Your offers of help and support a year ago were much appreciated.
The treatment at Cedimat in Santo Domingo was second to none, despite the usual ?questions? when it came to the final invoice. Trying to see fair play when you are just out of intensive care, reacting unfavorably to the medication and struggling to move around without help isn?t the easiest thing in the world. You have absolutely no idea of the long haul of recovery ahead of you.
A year on, Pauline is putting all her energy into establishing Project Isobel, a centre for street children and abandoned and mistreated horses. (If you think this is a weird combination, read on). In her spare time, Pauline has started salsa dancing again and has been horse jumping for the first time in 10 years - encouragement indeed for anyone who is going through this process themselves. The depression and personality change which can accompany open heart surgery is normal but can often be underestimated. People think you should be glad to be alive, but it?s a little more complicated than that. Working for this Project has been Pauline?s driving force and motivation, despite the usual ups and downs of recovery.
Pauline started to establish this Foundation before she became sick and has worked tirelessly to get it off the ground since she has been well enough to get out of bed! She may have bent your ear about it in La Roca or elsewhere! Sorry, but that?s how it is when you have a mission! Project Isobel is now recognized as a legal Foundation in this country: the need is certainly there and now we need help. Please see Project Isobel
if you are curious about this strange combination or if you may be able to help with resources, land, your time or encouragement.
Your offers of help and support a year ago were much appreciated.