Snowfall and Second Chances: Our Journey Through Open-Heart Surgery

They say you don't notice the length of the stripes on the road until you’re forced to slow down. In late 2024, our world didn't just slow down—it came to a complete halt. We often share the highlights of our travels and the technical wins at Base Camp, but the most important journey we’ve ever taken didn't happen on a highway. It happened in the quiet, sterile hallways of a hospital. This is the story of the detour we never planned for, the second chances we fought for, and the beauty we found in the middle of a Texas snowfall.

A view we never wanted to see: The moment a medical transport became our only way forward

October: The News That Changed Everything

In October, we received some life-altering news: Cerinia needed open-heart surgery to replace two valves. It was overwhelming and surreal, and our world quickly shifted to focus entirely on her health. We knew this was going to be a long road, but we were determined to face it together.

November: Preparing for Surgery

After consulting with the team at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital — Plano, we scheduled her surgery for December 17th. During this time, we tried to stay positive and prepare for what was ahead. It was a month of uncertainty, but also of hope as we trusted the skilled hands of the medical team.

December: Surgery and the First Hospital Stay

On December 17th, Cerinia underwent open-heart surgery at Baylor. It was a long day filled with worry and prayer, but she came through with the strength and resilience I’ve always admired. While she recovered in the hospital, I camped just outside of town instead of staying in the hospital or booking a hotel room. I thought staying in our camper would help keep things normal, but it just wasn’t the same without her there. 

January: A Scary Setback

After we returned home on December 23rd, things took a terrifying turn on January 3rd. Cerinia’s blood pressure dropped, her kidneys and liver began to fail, and she had to be airlifted back to Baylor. It was one of the most frightening moments of our lives. Watching her fight through such a critical situation was heart-wrenching, but the incredible medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize her. Slowly but surely, they began to get her body back on track.

Finding Beauty Amid the Struggles

This second hospital stay has been a mix of emotions, but one unexpected blessing has been the incredible snowfall we’ve experienced here. Looking out the hospital window at the falling snow has brought us a sense of peace and renewal. It’s a reminder that even in the toughest times, beauty can find its way into our lives.

A rare Texas snow—a quiet reminder that even in the middle of a crisis, there is peace to be found if you look for it

Hope on the Horizon

Now, we’re relieved to say that things are starting to improve. Cerinia is recovering, and we’re finally feeling hopeful about what lies ahead. These months have been some of the hardest we’ve faced, but they’ve also shown us how strong we are together.

We’ve felt so supported by all of you—your prayers, kind words, and patience mean more than we can ever express. Thank you for being part of our journey and for lifting us up when we needed it most.

Looking Ahead

We’re hopeful to get back to sharing our adventures soon, but for now, we’re taking things one day at a time and focusing on healing. Thank you for sticking with us and for being part of our story.

With love,
Tommy & Cerinia
TenFootStripes

A Note of Gratitude: For anyone navigating similar heart health challenges, we cannot say enough about the incredible care we received at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital — Plano. Their surgical team and staff are the reason we’re able to look forward to 2025

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While You’re Here...

The road to recovery was long, but it led us back to the things we love. If you’d like to see how we moved forward from this moment, check out these updates:

• The Return to Normalcy: See the first post I wrote after getting back to the "grind" in Back to Work: Fixing Networks, Not Heart Problems.
• A Year in Review: Read the 12-month summary of how we navigated the aftermath of this surgery in our 2025 Recap: 57 Days and 39 Nights.
• Finding Peace at Home: Sometimes the best medicine is a quiet weekend with the herd. See life at Base Camp: The Benefits of Cattle for Ag Exemptions.