Marie was the first nurse I met in cardiac rehab at Saratoga Springs hospital; she signed me up and explained how it worked.

A writer and voracious reader, she and I bonded right away.

Insurance pays for about three months of exercise, twice a week. I get hooked up with a heart monitor and closely watched, my progress leaked to the cardiologist.

Rehab has been good for my heart and good for me. It’s important of recovery from heart surgery. I was fearful of exercising at first, Maria and Leah, and the other nurses got me feeling safe and encouraged me to keep raising the bar.

Today, Marie said I had done a wonderful job; she was proud of me. She said I could leave cardiac rehab and keep going to my gym or walking as often as I wanted to or could.

She said I was doing everything they wanted to see me do. This was good to hear.

“Do you remember what you were like when you first came here?” she said. I didn’t know at first, but then it came back to me. I was fresh from surgery, weak and wobbly.

Guided exercise is essential after surgery; it strengthens the heart and keeps it strong.

Today, I did 45 minutes at high speed – 10, the highest – on the bike (shown above) where Marie is standing. I did 42 minutes on a treadmill at my gym yesterday.

“That’s why we’re here,” Maria said, “to get you out of here, not keep you.”

This year has brought me into contact with a lot of nurses. I have to say; I very much liked every one of them but one. They were helpful, gentle, supportive, and fun.

Maria said she wanted me to come next Tuesday – one last time and a  month ahead of schedule for leaving – so we could all say goodbye.

I went to work thinking about what presents I could bring to Marie and one or two of the other nurses at rehab. I need to thank them. I’ve never been a good student.

They are great teachers, gentle and encouraging.

Of course, I thought, Emily Gold, the artist, baker, and friend, made the perfect gifts. I ordered a tote bag, tea towels, some pins, some cards from her blog, Papercake.scissors.com. Emily makes wonderful collages and appreciation cards for the Army Of Good donors when I can afford them and has also begun offering virtual collage classes on Zoom for $60 a session. They are a hit.

She is the real deal.

We’re going to pick up the gifts and cards tomorrow in Vermont. I’ll post photos of them.