When Life Falls Apart (and Begins Again)
How I rebuilt strength, one heartbeat at a time
“I now realize that lives fall apart when they need to be rebuilt…They need to because they weren’t built the right way in the first place.”
Iyanla Vanzant, Peace from Broken Pieces
In October 2019, I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation—an irregular heartbeat that can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. At the time, I turned to the book Heal by Kelly Noonan Gores, hoping to find more than just inspiration—I was looking for a lifeline. The book encourages readers to tap into their inner healer and visualize a healthier future.
I started following the daily guidance right away: become aware of your thoughts, trust your inner wisdom, visualize healing, and lean into love and gratitude. That was the beginning of my healing journey, but it would not be a straight path.
An Open-Heart Surgery Scar is a Badge of Strength and Survival. When the heart surgery is complete, the surgeon weaves a wire through your ribcage to pull it back together like a corset. A metal plate was placed over that corset wire to keep the two rib sides from rubbing against each other when I move. With all this armour plate in my chest, I visualize myself as a Princess Warrior!
The Second Opinion That Sent Me to Surgery
After my initial diagnosis, I sought a second opinion. That cardiologist recommended open-heart surgery to repair two heart valves and perform a MAZE ablation procedure to prevent future AFib episodes. I followed their advice and had the surgery. But months passed, and I didn’t feel better. When the same cardiologist later suggested another open-heart surgery, I knew it was time for a third opinion.
I chose the best institution I could find: the Mayo Clinic.
The Truth at Mayo Clinic
In September 2021, I underwent a full evaluation at Mayo. Their findings were sobering: the second opinion had been misguided. I should never have had valve surgery. The MAZE procedure had created too much scar tissue, leaving my heart stiff and prone to heart failure. The damage, they said, couldn’t be reversed—but it could be managed.
They presented two options:
A strict lifestyle intervention to prevent heart failure.
A heart transplant.
I chose option one without hesitation. I immediately began cooking everything from scratch, keeping my daily sodium intake under 1,000 mg. I adopted the lifestyle Mayo recommended—and stuck with it.
At my next visit, my cardiologist admitted something surprising: “I’ve never seen a patient who could actually stick to this diet.” For the first time, I felt the full strength of my willpower. I continued to follow Kelly Gores’ visualization techniques—picturing myself walking a mile without stopping, surrounded by trees, with lungs full of air and a heart beating strong.
A Turning Point
I shared the Mayo Clinic findings with my primary care physician, Dr. Jeff Esslinger, the one who had referred me there. At one point, I said aloud, “I guess this is as good as it gets for me.”
He immediately pushed back.
“Never think that or say that!” he said. “You can improve yourself. Every muscle—including the heart—can be strengthened with consistent exercise and a healthy diet.”
He told me a story of a heart specialist who transformed his life and got off the transplant list through lifestyle changes alone. Then he suggested I look into a new class of medication—GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy—known not only for supporting weight loss but also improving cardiovascular health.
I didn’t start the medication right away, but I kept it in the back of my mind.
In June 2023, I officially retired from my current job. I no longer had the energy or stamina for a high-travel career. I chose instead to pursue a more creative life—focusing on wellness, daily rituals, and quiet moments near the lake. In May 2024, after conducting careful research and receiving medical support, I began taking Wegovy.
Heart Over Matter.
The September Surprise
Four months later, I returned to Mayo for my biannual evaluation. During the echocardiogram, the technician paused and called for a supervisor. They had to repeat the scan because they couldn’t believe the results.
Compared to the scan just six months earlier, my heart showed marked improvement. Weight loss, regular walks (two miles, four times a week), my sodium-restricted diet, meditation, and the Wegovy protocol had all contributed to the recovery. My heart had strengthened.
The physician’s assistant looked at me with a smile.
“Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t change a thing. We’ll see you in a year.”
Dr. Esslinger was right. Science helped. But so did visualization, willpower, and a complete lifestyle reset. This is not an infomercial. It’s my story.
Below are the daily rituals that helped me the most—and may help you too.
My Creative Life Rituals
💗 Meditation & Breathwork
Spend 5–10 minutes daily to calm the mind. Try this breathing pattern: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, and exhale for 6–8. Repeat several times. This stimulates the vagus nerve, which helps regulate heart rate and reduce blood pressure.
🎨 Feed Your Creative Soul
Cook, write, paint, garden, dance—any creative activity unlocks healing energy. I find inspiration watching chefs and using fresh herbs from my garden. Cooking fresh food is now part of who I am.
😴 Improve Sleep Naturally
After 35 years of chronic insomnia, I finally found relief using an acupressure wristband (yes—the kind for motion sickness). When worn correctly at night, it helps retrain the body toward restful sleep. It costs under $10 and changed my nights.
🔥 Watch for Inflammatory Triggers
I avoid processed meats, added sugars, and refined seed oils. I add anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, leafy greens, salmon, berries, and walnuts to my meals.
🌱 Mindful Eating with Wegovy
The medication has quieted old cravings. Food no longer holds emotional power over me. Researchers are now exploring its impact on addiction. In my case, it’s created space for mindful, balanced choices.
💪 Add Resistance Training
Still a work in progress! Walking builds endurance, but strength training improves heart efficiency. I’m beginning to use light weights and resistance bands a few times a week to preserve muscle.
📊 Track with Love, Not Obsession
I check key health stats like resting heart rate and blood pressure—but not obsessively. It’s empowering to see progress and respond with care.
If you’re beginning a health journey or rebuilding after your own version of “falling apart,” I've created a Creative Life Rituals Checklist that you can download as a gentle daily guide. Let me know what you think in the comments.
I have such admiration for you and all you have accomplished….. in every area of your life!
Love your Creative Rituals Check List!
I want to adopt this for myself! ❤️