Appreciating the View

🌿 Health Note for Reflection 1 – Written 11 June 2025

At the time of writing, I was walking short, slow distances with my dogs, often just gentle strolls. My heart rate needed to be kept low, and although I was becoming more comfortable moving through daily symptoms, I was still battling frequent palpitations, including irregular arrhythmias that left me nauseated and light-headed. Fatigue was a constant, and I needed a lot of rest. While I had a suspected diagnosis, it would later shift. Writing became a way to process what I was going through and a quiet source of hope.

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"No sitting on the sidelines"

has been my personal motto for years, which inspired me to keep fit and active with my kids.

Dealing with an unexpected health issue has forced me to readjust my mindset. Here is something personal I wrote recently ♥️

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Appreciating the view

 The ground is wet and muddy and there’s a slight drizzle of rain as I step outside. I call for the dogs who sleepily stretch from their bed in front of the fire. They’ve got used to the slower paced life I’ve been leading for the last few months.

We head straight up the back through the bush and slowly tackle the track up the hill to my favourite place. 4 months ago my battle with this hill was trying to reach the top at a run without slowing to a walk. Then on the 24th of March my GP sent me to Emergency with a heart condition called Wolf Parkinson White syndrome and an irregular heart beat, turning my world upside down. The cardiologist discussed surgery, put me on terrible medication, told me not to trigger my heart rate and sent me home. My mind was blown.

I tried to keep moving but I could no longer even walk to the kitchen, let alone up my hill, as it would send my heart racing so fast I thought it would explode and the fear of not understanding what was happening was debilitating.

After many weeks on the couch and a few more hospital visits. They changed my medication and gave me more information to understand what I was experiencing. I’ve been given a date to undergo a keyhole heart procedure. The plan is to remove the extra pathway I have in my heart and investigate what’s causing my heart to beat irregularly. My goal is to also come off my medication which has taken 3 months for my body to get used to, but still causes extreme fatigue and blackout dizzy spells.

Most days I try to get outside. This looks different everyday. Some days the most I can achieve is a cuppa on the veranda and I’m happy to be out of the house, some a very slow stroll with my dogs. Then on the good days, which I now have more then bad, I head up the back track slowly and grateful. My watch notifies me when my heart rate gets to high and instead of turning around with panic, I pause and wait for it to slow down. This slowing down has been good for me. Giving me the opportunity to be present. Recognising all the self work I’ve done over the years, the self discipline that means I know how to push my limits while respecting what my mind and body needs.

Today as I strolled in the rain I’ve realised that the hill will never actually get any easier, because I will naturally shift my expectation of the hill and how I tackle it.

I intuitively listen to my body and gently push myself to get the most out of climbing my little mountain. Some days I climb it for my mind, some days are for my soul and others to build a stronger body. I look forward to feeling better soon. Taking each walk as a win and will celebrate quietly when all 3 elements align. But with my new perspective I will also be patient with myself when the most I can do is sit back and appreciate the view.

If you’re moving through your own slow season, I hope these words remind you—you’re not alone.

Lisa x