Linda Dixon
Hartsville, South Carolina,
United States
My Diagnosis
Aortic Stenosis, Dilated Aorta
Over 35,000 Patients
& Caregivers HaveRead This Book
To Heart Valve Surgery
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Hi Linda...
It is so hard to believe it has been a year since I read your journal from the "shadows"..... you drew me in...got me hooked...and gave me confidence I needed to "jump on that table" :) Some of the best advise I was given was to get that travel pillow! I asked for it as soon as they removed the vent...LOL...it was my constant companion for weeks!! You were a wonderful support (even when you didn't know I was here)....Thank you for not only myself...but for the countless others you helped along the way....Congrats on a successful year.....may you and Gilli share many, many more!!!!Connie T
Linda,
Glad to hear you are doing so well!! You were so helpful and sweet as I was leading up to my surgery last April, and I am loving reading all the updates from you guys who went a month before me. I think I lucked out because you were an awesome and inspiring group to follow, both literally and on HVJ. :)Kerry ThomasLinda the Tiger... CONGRATULATIONS!!! I was thinking of you on your big day. Sorry I am late.
I am so thrilled for you. You sound amazing. One year was a big day for me too. Glad I got to meet you and Tracie. Still tear up thinking of the great care from Cleveland Clinic. Just wonderful. Take care my friend. You and Gilli. StephWow a year already. Seems like yesterday you were whining about the wait and how all of us got to go first. LOL!!! So glad you are doing well. Amazing how this consumed us a year ago and now it is like a distant memory.
Take care my friend.-Mitch FriedmanWow! It is hard to believe a year has passed. It will be a year on the March 22nd that I got the news from my cardiologist that I needed to think about surgery for my valve. You were one of the first people I talked with on HVJ and gave me so much encouragement and hope as I was making all the arrangements for my surgery in May. So happy to hear how well you are doing. Happy Anniversary to you and Gilli! I plan to post something this week so stay tuned for an update from the "energizer bunnie" - LOL
Blessings to you, DeniseYay Linda!!! Glad to hear that you are doing so well a year later! You and your journal were such an inspiration to me when I was preparing for my own surgery. Thanks for the great information and encouragement you give everyone on here!
Holly PGreat to hear all the good news. Great name for a valve.."Gilli"..LOL..I love it! Keep on tickin' as Adam would say. All my best to you Linda
Jeff ShebovskyLinda,
I'm so glad to hear your good news. I've been thinking about you recently, as our mutual anniversary has been on my mind for the past several weeks. It meant so much to me last year that you and I "met" in the HVJ community before our surgery. It really helped to be able to share our plans, questions, concerns, hopes, and dreams. I do hope that we're able to meet in person sometime. ake care.Your surgery mate,Jim Smith3.13.2012Congrats and God Bless. I am so glad you are well. You have been an inspiration to many. Janis Kielbasa
Hi LInda and Tracie--it's so good to hear from you and to hear how well you're doing! One year ago today--wow! God is good. We hope to meet you in person sometime. Keep on ticking'!
--Donna SmithHi Linda and Gilli, Elsie is happy to meet you lol. Anyway Happy Anniversary and have many many more. I have missed talking to you. And still waiting to meet you. Now we could race up the hills at Clemson. Hope we can someday. I have been thinking about you knowing your day was here. I 'm doing pretty good myself. Just joined the YMCA, think it will be pretty good. Well until later friend.
LIfe is good.Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12YAHOOO!!!!!
xoxox SelmaOh happy day! -- DVB
Way to go Linda!! Life is good and I am glad to see you doing so well!
Jimmy JohnsonCrazy New Yorker....hmmm....So, I have been really bad about checking in on HVJ. I feel like I missed All Star day at the stadium with so many of my close HVJ friends posting in the past week or so, including you! So great to see you are doing so well. I mean with all your complaining pre-op, not sure we could have stood it if we did well and you didn't! LOL!!! Just kidding, you know I love you. And you know I am so glad for you and for all of us. Life is great. BTW, I am running a half marathon on 10/7. 8 months post op!!!
Take care friend,-Mitch FriedmanHi Linda - Happy anniversary!!!
I am 3 1/2 months out and still on 12.5 mg of metroprolol in the morning and 12/5 mg at night. It does make my blood pressure go way low at times, but accordidng to my cardiologist the valve does not have to work as hard if my blood pressure is lower than normal. Mine has gone as low as yours at times and once in awhile I get dizzy, but all in all, not bad. My resting heart rate is usually in the high 60's to mid 70's so that is a good thing. I will be starting my 4th week of cadiac rehab tomorrw and that seems to be going better now that the incision from my seroma surgery is has healed up. Once I complete my rehab, I have an appt at CC on Nov 2nd for an echo stress test to see how my mitral valve is functioning with exertion. I have not had any trouble when exercising, so am hoping for positive results!I too think of Cindy P quite often - she was such a positive and encouraging woman - I am sure her family misses her immensely.Take care and keep in touch - glad to hear you are doing so well:-)God bless, Denise KBy the way I am assuming you never got my emails about a "valve union" of all our friends from first quarter 2012 getting together in FL?
JeffLinda, I'm so pleased to hear how well you're doing. Getting the meds right to manage heart rate and blood pressure optimally can be tricky, but it seems you have a good handle on this now. Take care, and Go Tigers!!!
Your March 13 surgery twin - Jim Smith"Hey Jim, saw where you are running again! That's wonderful, I'm not surprised. Happy Anniversary mate! How blessed are we??? Let me know if we ever have to go again, ok? Mooooooo!!! (Translation: Goooo Tigers!!!)
Your twin, Linda"
Hey Linda, Glad you are back here, welcome back, I have missed you. Glad all is well with you and you're doing great. Just hope I will do as good as you have. The nerves have really been kicking in. Just be glad when I am on the other side of the mountain. I think I have been climing Mt Everest. It sure does feel like it.So until later friend
Almost thereLinda H"Hey Linda, hang in there girlie, you will make it and you will rock it! I still have semi computer issues, will call you next week!
Your Carolina sister,
Linda Dixon"
Hi Linda,
Glad you are doing so well. Not the worst things to be on a little low dose meds if you have to. Could be a lot worse obviously. Anyway, keep up the great work. Amazing how worried you were and now look at you!Jeff Shebovsky"Yes Jeff, I think I may have had this HR problem all along. Think about it...every time I have EVER had my HR taken in the doctor's office, I have been sitting down! Never had it taken standing up or walking around until cardiac rehab. So, I'm doing ok with the Topral, just have to keep moving, so I don't doze off. My BP has always been a little on the low side and it can get down there with the Toprol, but hey....I'm fixed...all is good. Right? Glad you are doing so well, not surprised at all. We are awesome, lol!!! Take care and let's keep in touch. Hugs to your family.
Linda THE Tiger"
That is so wonderful !!!
It is amazing how time passes and the surgery , although always present, seems like a distant memory..God BlessEnjoyJOHN MADONNALas Vegas NV"Yes John, I feel guilty not being on the site so much any more, but it really is mainly due to my guestbook issues. But...the memories do get more and more distant. Hope you are doing well. How is the job?
Linda THE Tiger!"
Linda,
I'm glad you're keeping yourself busy. Sounds like you know that you have to stay occupied. I have to admit, I would have laughed out loud had I been there when you pulled the "reminder" out of the mailbox. "Oh, by the way, we just wanted to remind you that you have a little procedure we have set up for you . . ."Keep going down your path, and by all means, enjoy the snow! I may be in Georgia now, but I grew up in Wisconsin. Snow through a window from a warm comfortable room can be beautiful!!You're right -- you Will do this! Chuck Holmgreen"Hi Chuck...for real...I knew they were on top of things at CCF, but it was like...are you kidding me???
And you are right about the snow...I won't even have to go outside at all if I choose not to, even before the hospital. And there is room service, room service, room service and if I get stir crazy the CCF has free shuttle service to the "hopspots". So...no worries, just going to take a coat and my "broken" heart.
Linda Dixon"
Hey Linda, Are you ok? We will have this behind us in a couple of weeks.
Hang in there. it will be ok?Jan"YES!!! IT WILL BE OK!!! WE CAN AND WILL DO THIS!!
:-)
Linda Dixon"
Hey Kido,
How are you doing? I know yesterday was a difficult day with the news about Kelly. I reread her journal entries last night and my " heart hurt".We have found this wonderful family on this site. We cheer for each other and cry for each other as well. Now we must also stay strong for each other. Your will be a poster child for heart surgery. You will do so well. I insist and I don't take no for an answer.Thinking of you,Jane"Jane, I'm okay. It did break my heart about Kelly, but I understand all of her other issues and I am okay. Up and down the emotional scale right now, but just ready to get it over with.
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.
My daughter will be alone in Cleveland, so maybe you could call her if you have a chance while she is waiting. Her cell number is (843)858-4569. I'm sure she would appreciate the support and I know I will.
Yes mam. I will do well, I will be the poster child!! No is not going to be in my vocabulary!!!
JUST TOO DARN CLOSE!!!
Linda "
Hey Linda, Thanks for the sad news. I must say I lost it. I hope you are ok. Thought about you and Jan. Just realized how close this family that I have joined is so close to me. I just have to concentrate on all the good things that have happened to so many of us.
Do you know of an address to send her family a card?Guess I will go walk for now.For the long haulLinda H"Linda, sorry, no I don't have any address or anything. I only have her facebook postings by friends. I've sent a couple of messages on facebook, but have not gotten any reply. Wish there was some way. My heart breaks for her mother. Kelly lived with her.
Linda "
Thank you so much for this update on Kelly, I have been thinking about her everyday. My heart is deeply saddened today!
Jamie McGuire"Yes Jamie, my heart breaks for Kelly and her family, especially her mother. But I understand all of the other issues she had going on. She is resting in peace now with a "perfect" heart and body.
Linda Dixon"
Hi Linda, I am so sorry to hear about Kelly. I will be sending her family prayers.
As for you.... Hang in there. I never heard about a big cry but I HAD it. It lasted 3 days. Got bad news on vacation, bottled it up. Cried, cried, cried. Not even sure if I'm done. If this happens to you, my advise is go with it. As for packing, I would bring boots, hat, mittens. What size r you? I could mail you an old pair! Your Valve Partner, Steph"Hi Steph, sorry to hear you had bad news. I relate about bottling up, I do it all the time. Don't think I have had the BIG cry yet, just lots of little ones, lol. I doubt there is time to send boots now, I wear a size 9. Other people say they keep the streets and sidewalks clear in Cleveland and I won't need boots. So I'm not going to go buy any. Probably can't find any down here anyway. Snow hardly ever happens here and if it does everyone except the crazy ones stays inside.
Getting little more nervous, but ready to get it over with.
Look forward to meeting you in person!
Linda"
Linda, thank you for letting us know; I had been wondering about Kelly. She is with the Lord now--may she rest in peace.
--Jim and Donna SmithSo sad to hear about Kelly. -- DVB
Oh, that is such sad news. I'm so sorry for her family. God Bless Kelly. Janis Kielbasa
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