Lori's Guestbook

Hi Lori, I ran across your journal and seems like even though you had a lot of ups and downs, you are doing much better. I saw where you had a Bovine (cow) valve. Why did you decide on that type of valve? I see where you are also taking blood thinners and I thought you didn\'t have to take that for tissue valves. I am tryin to decide what type of valve I want for my aortic valve replacement and anything you can tell me will be very helpful. I haven\'t scheduled my surgery date yet, but have seen two doctors and I am ready to get it going. Take care and I hope you continue to feel great! Julie South Carolina

Hi Lori, Thank you for reaching out to me today and sharing your story. It really helped put me at ease. You look great! I am very happy to hear that your recovery is progessing nicely. I wish you a continued speedy recovery. All the best to you and your family. Matt Fountain

Hi Lori, Thank you for the encouragement! I am glad you are feeling well. Your positive attitude and go-getter spirit are an inspiration to us all! Jeff Roemer

Hi Lori, I hope all is going great for you. You may even be back at school, in which case I am sure you are really busy. I was thinking of you and just wondered how you are getting along. My recovery is taking longer than I anticipated, mainly due to my pain issues as well as the hospitalization due to the ulcer early on. I am keeping up with my cardiac rehab and my physical therapy for my back, neck, and headache pain. My surgeon is not sending me back to school until next school year, due to working with students in wheelchairs and some I must lift. I hope you are having at least some warm spring weather. Today is warmer than we have had here in awhile, so it is great. Take care! Tia

Hi Lori, I hope your recovery is continuing in fine fashion and that you are getting plenty of rest and relaxation. I hope your cardiac rehab is going great. I am continuing to recover from surgery and my 2nd hospital stay. I am taking it easy and waiting for the pain to get better. I am doing well overall. Come on spring and warm weather! It will be great to walk outside more. Take care!! Tia

Hi Lori, Thank you for the nice notes and words of advice and encouragement. I got home from hospital stay #2 last night. They are pretty sure it was all due to an ulcer in my esophagus, and it has stopped bleeding. It took 7 units of blood to get my hemoglobin back to 11.6. I go for a repeat blood test on Mon. to be sure. I hope you are continuing to recover well and to take it easy. I am sure your students miss you. Enjoy the time to rest and recover. Love, Tia

Hi Lori! My guess is that you\'re doing well & so busy that you\'re not posting as regularly. Anyway, I hope that\'s the case. My thoughts & prayers are with you always. Stay strong girl!!! Grace

Lori, my post followed yours on Susan\'s journal, so I noticed your question. Time fades the incision completely until you\'ll reach a point with a white line going down your chest and wonder how to darken it when you tan. My cardiologist told me to apply both a cortisone cream and vitamin E on the inscision--cortisone because I have a slight tendency to keloids and E to promote healing. Remember, though, that the way the scar looks has little to do with how it\'s healing inside. It looks a lot better on the outside! Keep on healing! Terry C.

Hi Lori, Just ran across this web site. Thanks so much for posting. My 77 year old mother is scheduled for aorta valve replacement this coming thursday. Hers was postponed once already, also, like yours. I am very nervous for her and scared for myself as I will be her caregiver etc. She lives alone, and I am also a teacher, so I cannot take off that much time from school. She will probably go to a rehab facility to receive care until she can come home. We haven\'t decided whether I should go live at her home, or she should come and live with my husband and me. Hope you are still doing well. When are you going back to work? I was raised in Addison, but now we live in Freeport, and my mom\'s surgery will be at Swedish American in Rockford. Again, thanks for posting. I\'m saying a prayer for you.

Lori, it\'s amazing how many lives you are touching with this blog (just read a few strangers saying you were an inspiration). You truly have a big heart, and now it\'s super healthy, too! We miss your face at HSHS, hope to see you soon! Michelle Nye