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Well, I made it! I’m here and still alive after surgery. 🙌 I’ll have some gnarly scars on my stomach, but I’m calling them my battle scars. Recovery was surprisingly smooth—honestly, way easier than my tonsillectomy.

I had my follow-up appointment, and my doctor officially cleared me to ride again. Getting back to the barn after not riding since February felt amazing—it really is my happy place. 🐎

I’m feeling so much better now. No more pain! I’ve been way more mindful about what I eat. My stomach is a bit more sensitive to foods that never used to bother me, but it’s manageable. Plus, I may have accumulated a massive collection of flowy dresses and overalls during recovery since anything tight around my stomach was a no-go. 😅

Surgery Day Recap:

6:00 AM: Arrived at the hospital and got prepped. I was nervous and scared, but they gave me a nice cocktail of sedatives—and lights out!

10:00 AM: I woke up from anesthesia and asked the nurse if I was dead. She laughed and reassured me I was very much alive. 😂

She helped me get dressed—trying to be discreet—but I couldn’t care less. I wasn’t shy, and I definitely needed the help.

I wasn’t in pain at all. I couldn’t feel a thing. They brought my husband back to the recovery area because I couldn’t see without my glasses (and he had them!).

Then the doctor came in to say everything went perfectly—and even showed me pictures of my gallbladder. It was disgusting… and also kind of amazing. 😅

The nurse wheeled me out in a wheelchair to meet my husband, where I somehow had to be lifted into his truck. I honestly don’t remember how they managed it—I was completely out of it. The rest of the day is a blur; I slept through most of it and don’t recall much at all.

I’m so excited to be back at the barn and finally continuing my training. Taking this much time off has definitely set me back, and I had big plans to train hard this year and be show-ready by the end of it. But life had other plans. Now, it feels like I’m starting from square one—but I’m ready to put in the work and climb my way back. One ride at a time! 🐎✨

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