Laurie Luna Four weeks post valve repair surgery. I thought once I got through the surgery, everything would be s ... Read more
Laurie Luna Four weeks post valve repair surgery. I thought once I got through the surgery, everything would be smooth sailing. Wow, do I have a lot to learn!
Jill Porter I think that everyone has their own story and their own journey. It seems some people do have smooth ... Read more
Jill Porter I think that everyone has their own story and their own journey. It seems some people do have smooth sailing after the initial weeks or so, but others have a few more challenges like myself. We all have to deal with what we are given as best we can.
J Alexander Lassally Laurie - I read this with trepidation as having surgery in a month. What is your biggest complaint? ( ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Laurie - I read this with trepidation as having surgery in a month. What is your biggest complaint? (Also, what did you have done?)... I think we are all warriors!
Laurie Luna Hello J Alexander. I had robotic minimally invasive mitral valve repair. Having been very physically ... Read more
Laurie Luna Hello J Alexander. I had robotic minimally invasive mitral valve repair. Having been very physically active all my life and in very good shape, I thought I would cruise right through the recovery. There have been a few setbacks with damage to my right lung, going into a fib the night after surgery, and battling extremely low blood pressure. I didn’t experience the weight on my chest before surgery that I have now. I had no idea that the real journey would begin after the procedure. I highly recommend cardiac rehab after the surgery. I’ve only had one session so far, but I think it is a great investment for a positive outcome.
J Alexander Lassally Hi Laurie - Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this. I mean it. I opted away from Robot at the last minute an ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Hi Laurie - Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this. I mean it. I opted away from Robot at the last minute and these writings give me much to think about. Many of the things you write sound similar to sternotomy patients regarding weight and sensation. I sure hope you feel better and better soon. We are all warriors!
I plan to do the cardiac rehab for sure. How many weeks did you wait to start it? For reference, here is my email: alassally14@gmail.com.
Laurie Luna Hi J Alexander-thank you for your kind words. I hope your procedure goes smoothly and has a great out ... Read more
Laurie Luna Hi J Alexander-thank you for your kind words. I hope your procedure goes smoothly and has a great outcome. I started rehab 3 weeks and 3 days after surgery. I am grateful to have had the extra time before starting so I could get some of my strength back on my own. I walked six times a day for a few minutes each time beginning the day after surgery. I increased the time a minute a day until I got to 10 minutes per walk. At that point I limited myself to just 3 walks a day, totaling 30 minutes per day. It really got me prepared for the rehab.
Judy I just heard about Frankie we were in contact on Christmas eve and he didn't say anything other the usual problems his legs, he was a little concerned ...Read more
Judy I just heard about Frankie we were in contact on Christmas eve and he didn't say anything other the usual problems his legs, he was a little concerned about his kidney. What happened I know he could not walk like he wanted but told me he was doing all that was expected of him,
Is anyone making any kind of arrangements ? Frank was a great person and better friend He was like a brother to me , while we were both growing up there was very rarely a time that we were not together, I lived by him and his father and he lived by me on Erie street.
I\'m so happy to hear you and the girls will be taking a vacation. Thank you for sharing your story and for bringing us smiles. We\'ll keep praying that you\'ll ...Read more
I\'m so happy to hear you and the girls will be taking a vacation. Thank you for sharing your story and for bringing us smiles. We\'ll keep praying that you\'ll continue to recover.
Valerie G. Rios
Judy,
My heart and prayers go out to you at this wonderful milestone, as well as they had throughout your entire ordeal. Here\'s hoping that you will end ...Read more
Judy,
My heart and prayers go out to you at this wonderful milestone, as well as they had throughout your entire ordeal. Here\'s hoping that you will end up regaining the stamina and endurance you previously had, and that the rib pain subsides...also hope you were able to kick that depression/setback in the butt!! Nothing but good thoughts toward you!
Sincerely,
Deb Hollowell and Jewel
Wow, I can\'t believe it\'s been a year already either. I told my media friends (actually bugged them) to pick up your story. Unfortunately for them, they ...Read more
Wow, I can\'t believe it\'s been a year already either. I told my media friends (actually bugged them) to pick up your story. Unfortunately for them, they said because of funding they couldn\'t even cover most of the Los Angeles stories. But I\'m not giving up, maybe I can pitch the story to them again, or we could make a video I can mail them. I think the more coverage, the better! What are your thoughts? All my best, Meg Jones 619 303-6454
it is hard to believe it\'s been a year, hope you have continued healing in what still needs healed. enjoy your vacation with rina and ric.
take care,
rhonda ...Read more
it is hard to believe it\'s been a year, hope you have continued healing in what still needs healed. enjoy your vacation with rina and ric.
take care,
rhonda ferrara norman
My how fast time goes. Congratulations on reaching this anniversary! In spite of the problems you have, this is a great anniversary for you. Praying that the ...Read more
My how fast time goes. Congratulations on reaching this anniversary! In spite of the problems you have, this is a great anniversary for you. Praying that the pain and problems you are having go away or at least eases up for you. Enjoy your vacation! Thanks for all the wonderful things you do to help others along with Ricochet and Rina. Love to all,
Sherry in Florida
Wow...It\'s been a year already glad to read you are doing good...I bet Ricochet and Rina are so happy you are doing so well......Hope you have a great vacation ...Read more
Wow...It\'s been a year already glad to read you are doing good...I bet Ricochet and Rina are so happy you are doing so well......Hope you have a great vacation and make sure you take lot\'s of picture\'s...Take care Judy....love you xoxoxoox
Suzanne
Ontario, Canada
Dear Judy..It is really hard to believe it has been a whole year since your surgery. So glad to hear you\'re getting better every day. Rico and Rina must be ...Read more
Dear Judy..It is really hard to believe it has been a whole year since your surgery. So glad to hear you\'re getting better every day. Rico and Rina must be a blessing to your recovery and we look forward to hearing from you again after your vacation. Enjoy it and God bless you all. Teresa
WOW, I has been a year! Thank you for the update - even though I \"stalk\" you through Ricochet\'s pages on Facebook. This has been an exciting year for you ...Read more
WOW, I has been a year! Thank you for the update - even though I \"stalk\" you through Ricochet\'s pages on Facebook. This has been an exciting year for you all around! I pray that you continue to heal and get back to \"normal\".
Ruth C.
Fredericksburg, VA
Thank you for sharing the update. Wow, a year already. Amazing! Thank you again for sharing this journey with us. I\'m so glad you took us along.
Congratulations ...Read more
Thank you for sharing the update. Wow, a year already. Amazing! Thank you again for sharing this journey with us. I\'m so glad you took us along.
Congratulations on your success!!
Maureen & HoneyBuzz
You\'re amazing Judy !
I don\'t know if you know this,but Eric Bellows,from Rescue Ink,is presently is a serious state,due to a very rare heart condition.
They ...Read more
You\'re amazing Judy !
I don\'t know if you know this,but Eric Bellows,from Rescue Ink,is presently is a serious state,due to a very rare heart condition.
They have not posted an update on his Facebook in a while,but i think you are proof positive that wonderful people like you and Eric,have a special place in this world.
Your experiences might help him get thru.I think he\'s looking at multiple bypass surgery .
Xxoo
Missy
Judy- Those of us following what has happened to you probably remember more than you do, but that\'s OK, it\'s the mind\'s way of protecting us. Despite the ...Read more
Judy- Those of us following what has happened to you probably remember more than you do, but that\'s OK, it\'s the mind\'s way of protecting us. Despite the aftereffects, and I\'m sorry to hear there are so many, you are here and helping more people and pets every single day. Ricochet and Rina are as special as you are and they could not accomplish what they have without ..... you! So... Happy Re-Birth-Day! Lots of love from me and the kitties! Sharon Moseson
p.s. what I mean by glad you are not having complications is that I am so glad you are not having to have the surgery again right now. You are still alive and ...Read more
p.s. what I mean by glad you are not having complications is that I am so glad you are not having to have the surgery again right now. You are still alive and as long as you keep on top of it and going to the doctor and resting when you need it, hopefully things will be alright. I am sure the pain is awful, but thankfully you are here today. :) Melissa
Hi Judy! Wow! I can\'t believe it has been a year either! Time really passes by w/o looking. I know it takes time to heal from heart surgery. I thought it was ...Read more
Hi Judy! Wow! I can\'t believe it has been a year either! Time really passes by w/o looking. I know it takes time to heal from heart surgery. I thought it was a year or more. I know it took longer than a year for my dad. Same w/ brain surgery (the type I am having) it takes a year to recover. I am so glad you are not having complications though. I am glad you are still here. You have unfinished work on this earth and you were meant to stick around. Glad you are taking a little vacation time. You need it and deserve it! ~ Melissa
It\'s hard to believe it\'s been a year already and am sorry to hear there are still some ongoing problems. I think you\'re doing great for all you\'ve been ...Read more
It\'s hard to believe it\'s been a year already and am sorry to hear there are still some ongoing problems. I think you\'re doing great for all you\'ve been through and continue to go through. Seeing you in videos and pictures, one would never know you\'ve been through so much. You, Rina and Ricochet are always in my thoughts and prayers. Debbie Samler, Prince Frederick, MD
From Carol Martin (and Buddy)
Wow what a year and what a way to warrior through it! Good news is, we are moving to Temecula in 2 weeks so you will have a new ...Read more
From Carol Martin (and Buddy)
Wow what a year and what a way to warrior through it! Good news is, we are moving to Temecula in 2 weeks so you will have a new person to call on when you need help and you better!!!! See you soon:)
Hi Judy,
I\'m so glad to hear that you\'re doing well. I had sent you message a long time ago asking some questions, but didn\'t hear from you. I had my surgery ...Read more
Hi Judy,
I\'m so glad to hear that you\'re doing well. I had sent you message a long time ago asking some questions, but didn\'t hear from you. I had my surgery shortly after you. It\'s been nine months for me with lots of complications requiring two heart surgeries within two days, heart attack and stroke. All this trauma did result in post-traumatic stress - BIG TIME - and I am now on an SSRI Celexa which is working quite well for that. Thankfully, my pain is mostly gone, but if I do too much using my arms I get achey. Even with the damage from my heart attack (valve still leaking and heart damage) I can pretty much do whatever I want. If I do too much I do get tired - like you. I think I recall that you also had bypass surgery??? I did too for the heart attack and that really makes recovery more difficult. Take care of yourself and I wish you a wonderful healthy life. Ruth Howell. Maine
judy, it hardly DOES seem a year. i know some weeks/month/days it seems like a roller-coaster ride.
i think you\'ll agree the worst is over now, and each ...Read more
judy, it hardly DOES seem a year. i know some weeks/month/days it seems like a roller-coaster ride.
i think you\'ll agree the worst is over now, and each day is a new adventure and loving spirit through ricochet and rina.
you are so blessed to have them, and all your friends backing you through this journey. much love/me
Judy , This is Danny Wachowski (Franks friend) I have been trying to reach him but getting no response I see you are not getting much better sorry I wish there ...Read more
Judy , This is Danny Wachowski (Franks friend) I have been trying to reach him but getting no response I see you are not getting much better sorry I wish there was something I could do to help. I live in Bolingbrook now and tried calling Bobby but his # was changed . I know you are not feeling well but if you get a chance could you e-mail me at dannyjw@hotmail.com if you know anything about my buddy Frankie and I am signing up to get updates on you also - Your family was always dear to my heart .
I never antisipated how long recovery would take. It really is a tough road back. I had two open heart surgeries a month apart. The first one was a valve ...Read more
I never antisipated how long recovery would take. It really is a tough road back. I had two open heart surgeries a month apart. The first one was a valve replacement that resulted in a leaky valve. I am now 7 weeks out from the second surgery. Still short of breath.
Judy;
I happened upon the YouTube of Ricochet and got curious about what happened to Get In Line Judy from Chicago....Sounds like you\'re doing very well in ...Read more
Judy;
I happened upon the YouTube of Ricochet and got curious about what happened to Get In Line Judy from Chicago....Sounds like you\'re doing very well in CA and involved with your new life with Ricochet and Rina.
Stay Well,
Linda Mislove (old inline skater)
Dr. Gerdisch is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed over 4,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.
I am from: San Diego, California
I plan to do the cardiac rehab for sure. How many weeks did you wait to start it?
For reference, here is my email: alassally14@gmail.com.
I started rehab 3 weeks and 3 days after surgery. I am grateful to have had the extra time before starting so I could get some of my strength back on my own. I walked six times a day for a few minutes each time beginning the day after surgery. I increased the time a minute a day until I got to 10 minutes per walk. At that point I limited myself to just 3 walks a day, totaling 30
minutes per day. It really got me prepared for the rehab.