Guestbook of Matthew Russo

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Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

1479 days ago

Ira Goodman posted a note for Matthew that says:

Hey Matthew. I posted on your page a few years ago, around your surgery time. I had a stroke and an aortic aneurysm also. (don't often come across many ...Read more

Hey Matthew. I posted on your page a few years ago, around your surgery time. I had a stroke and an aortic aneurysm also. (don't often come across many young people who've had both too). How are you doing these days? How are things in Australia? Ira

Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

2507 days ago

Roger Bideleux posted a note for Matthew that says:

Hi Matthew, Thanks so much for your message. It was good to hear your surgery day passed so smoothly, and I guess I am a bit envious that you were first cab ...Read more

Hi Matthew, Thanks so much for your message. It was good to hear your surgery day passed so smoothly, and I guess I am a bit envious that you were first cab off the rank. No such luck for me so will have to wait till the afternoon before I get all the attention :) Thanks for giving me your mobile number, that's a very kind gesture. Mine is 0405 298349 and I will look forward to chatting with you sometime soon. It is the early hours of Wednesday as I write this, I gave up trying to stay in bed - just too much going on in my head, haha. I can agree with all the things you say about the staff at the Alfred, they were very good when I was in Ward 3East having one test after another prior to the diagnosis. Knowing first hand how great they were is reassuring now. I look forward to chatting and wish you continued swift progress in your recovery, Cheers for now, Roger

Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

2507 days ago

Roger Bideleux posted a note for Matthew that says:

Hi Matthew, Just thought I would let you know I had a call at lunchtime to say I am booked in for surgery on Thursday arvo. I have to be there at 6.30 so ...Read more

Hi Matthew, Just thought I would let you know I had a call at lunchtime to say I am booked in for surgery on Thursday arvo. I have to be there at 6.30 so it will be a long hungry day! I had planned to get one of our sons to take me in on their way to work but the hospital said my wife & I should both front up at 6.30!! I don't expect her to hang around though, nothing worse than hospitals LOL. I will be glad the wait is over but right now it all seems a bit daunting, it's suddenly very real. I hope your recovery is still on track, best wishes, Roger

Matthew Russo Hello Roger! I was also told to be at the Aldred at 6.30am. They were right on time too and whisked m ... Read more

Matthew Russo Hello Roger! I was also told to be at the Aldred at 6.30am. They were right on time too and whisked me out the back into pre-op - I was first up! Mum and Dad drove me in and then after I was admitted they went off for a coffee and had a break for a few hours. It was quite funny actually, as they came back to the hospital at about 1.00pm, went into the cafeteria for a drink and ran into my surgeon! She had just finished my surgery and told them everything went well. They, then went into ICU recovery and waited with me until I woke up.

How are you feeling about the surgery Roger? I know you will do great - the staff at the Alfred are so wonderful and caring. Yes it is daunting but try and focus on Thursday evening and your recovery.
By then you will be resting and in the great care of the hospital staff. Surgery day is a bit of a blur, it all happens quite quickly and before you realise, it will all be over.

Feel free to call me tomorrow if you like. I am happy to answer any questions you have and give you any insight I can. My mobile is 0418 982 588. You can call anytime that suits.

If I don't speak to you then all the best for Thursday and I look forward to hearing from you after surgery.

Warm Regards
Matthew

Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

2521 days ago

Roger Bideleux posted a note for Matthew that says:

Hi Stephen and Matt, Thanks for your replies, good to know. It's a minor thing but everything seems to take on more importance these days! I already have ...Read more

Hi Stephen and Matt, Thanks for your replies, good to know. It's a minor thing but everything seems to take on more importance these days! I already have crook shoulders so it is never easy to raise hands above head but it seems it will be no worse after the op, haha. That's reassuring. Thanks again and best wishes, Roger

Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

2521 days ago

Roger Bideleux posted a note for Matthew that says:

Hi Matt, A question came to mind today if you wouldn't mind answering for me! After surgery did you find it painful to lift your arms above your head? I ...Read more

Hi Matt, A question came to mind today if you wouldn't mind answering for me! After surgery did you find it painful to lift your arms above your head? I hate not being able to wash my hair regularly and wonder how soon I will be able to shampoo in the shower! My wife uses a clipper to keep my hair presentable and was horrified when I said I wanted her to use the shortest attachment before I go into hospital! How long was it before you were able to lift your arms high enkugh to shampoo? Thanks in advance, Roger

Stephen Reeve I have not had a problem washing my hair. I just keep elbows below the shoulders. Plus raise both h ... Read more

Stephen Reeve I have not had a problem washing my hair. I just keep elbows below the shoulders. Plus raise both hands together so I am not stressing the chest stitches.

Matthew Russo Hi Roger, I second Steve's comments. I was able to raise my arms above my head and wash my hair as so ... Read more

Matthew Russo Hi Roger, I second Steve's comments. I was able to raise my arms above my head and wash my hair as soon as I came home from hospital which was 5 days after surgery. The process was a little more tiring than I expected but the pain was minimal. Of course exercise caution, move gently and don't do anything that does cause pain.

I think a short clip is a good idea!

Roger Bideleux Thanks for the quick replies, very reassuring.

Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

2585 days ago

Matthew Russo and 1 other reacted to this

Larry Ring posted a note for Matthew that says:

Hi Matthew.... You need to post an update in your journal! LOL... How was your experience? How are you doing now? I think everyone's post-surgery updates ...Read more

Hi Matthew.... You need to post an update in your journal! LOL... How was your experience? How are you doing now? I think everyone's post-surgery updates are really helpful to those who are getting ready for surgery. Hope you are doing well and on your way to full recovery. I start my cardio rehab program on Wednesday...

Larry Ring Oops...
Forgot to log in to my account before posting. LOL...

Matthew Russo Haha! Yes I do Larry, I will provide an update soon! I started cardiac rehab last week and it was gre ... Read more

Matthew Russo Haha! Yes I do Larry, I will provide an update soon! I started cardiac rehab last week and it was great - I think you will find it very beneficial.

Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

2604 days ago

Ursula Browning posted a note for Matthew that says:

Dear Matthew, you looked so well already on day one, I wonder if you are already running around by now..... My best wishes for an ongoing great recovery from ...Read more

Dear Matthew, you looked so well already on day one, I wonder if you are already running around by now..... My best wishes for an ongoing great recovery from a 6 year post op friend in England.

Matthew Russo Hello Ursula, thank you for your message. I came home on day 5 (Saturday) and am slowly feeling stron ... Read more

Matthew Russo Hello Ursula, thank you for your message. I came home on day 5 (Saturday) and am slowly feeling stronger. Energy levels are still low but sleep and appetite are on the improve. I am moving around the house without too much problem and venturing out for about 20 mins for a slow walk each day. How many months was it before you felt like your old self?
Take care Matt

Douglas Williams Hi Matt; 12/2/16 was my surgery date, AVR. I really started feel like I turned the corner around week ... Read more

Douglas Williams Hi Matt; 12/2/16 was my surgery date, AVR. I really started feel like I turned the corner around week 5/6. I could actually sneeze without pain around week 8 or so. Good luck with your recovery, keep moving, walking. that helped me a lot. Around 10 weeks I started to feel almost normal.

Matthew Russo Gidday Douglas, I appreciate the personal insight and yes will ensure I keep moving and aim for smal ... Read more

Matthew Russo Gidday Douglas, I appreciate the personal insight and yes will ensure I keep moving and aim for small iimprovememnts daily. Oh yes I sneezed yesterday and will now do all I can to avoid doing that again - ouch!

Bob Jensen Matt - Good morning from Florida. My 19 year old daughter's boyfriend is in Melbourne this week and ... Read more

Bob Jensen Matt - Good morning from Florida. My 19 year old daughter's boyfriend is in Melbourne this week and loves it - you live in a nice city. I am 9 weeks post op and yesterday I woke up feeling my old self again with little discomfort and my mind was in gear with my body (the old mind and the old body like's themselves now), Give it all 8 weeks and you will be smiling looking back and looking full bore to the present and future. You are young - you have that on your side. So while you are healing - eat what you want, and have everyone wait on you hand and foot. It will be over soon enough. LOL.

Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

2608 days ago

Bill Kynaston posted a note for Matthew that says:

Hi Matthew......Wishing you all the best from W.Aust. What part are you in? I had a replacement aortic valve inserted through my groin 4 years ago and it is ...Read more

Hi Matthew......Wishing you all the best from W.Aust. What part are you in? I had a replacement aortic valve inserted through my groin 4 years ago and it is working well

Matthew Russo Gidday Bill, sorry mate, saw your message while in hospital last week and then forgot to reply! I am ... Read more

Matthew Russo Gidday Bill, sorry mate, saw your message while in hospital last week and then forgot to reply! I am from Melbourne and had surgery at the Alfred hospital. Slowly feel like I am on the improve. Are you back to feeling good now, four years later?

Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

2610 days ago

Cathleen Weed reacted to this

Gilad Lumer posted a note for Matthew that says:

Hey Matthew, I just saw your story in the newsletter that I receive from this site. We're close in age (I'm 44) and I had a very similar surgery a couple of ...Read more

Hey Matthew, I just saw your story in the newsletter that I receive from this site. We're close in age (I'm 44) and I had a very similar surgery a couple of years ago (I had an aortic aneurysm repaired, and my aortic valve was replaced for the second time). Just wanted to reach out and give you my support and blessings towards a quick and pain-free recovery. Having gone through open-heart surgery twice now, I thought I'd share with you a known secret that aids with the speed of recovery (which you might already be aware of) - a very big part of it is mental (besides the physical pain and healing of course), so two things that really help that most people don't consider are hypnotherapy and meditation. Might not be for everyone, but my recovery was literally twice as fast when I incorporated those into my recovery routine. Give it a try if you're up for it, you'll be back at your normal activities in no time. Best wishes from the US, Gilad

Matthew Russo Hi Gilda, I appreciate your well wishes and advice so much and will definitely take it on board. I do ... Read more

Matthew Russo Hi Gilda, I appreciate your well wishes and advice so much and will definitely take it on board. I do need to work on trying to relax and release some anxiety. I have done a little meditation but hypnotherapy is something that definitely intrigues me. Thank you again for reaching out and so pleased you are doing well. I will be sure and keep you updated on progress. Take care Matt

Matthew Russogot a new guestbook post

2614 days ago

Sue Sanchez Grela reacted to this

Penny McIntosh posted a note for Matthew that says:

Hi Matthew, I have just posted in my journal after a gap of almost 5 years but seeing the list of upcoming surgeries and understanding what you are going through ...Read more

Hi Matthew, I have just posted in my journal after a gap of almost 5 years but seeing the list of upcoming surgeries and understanding what you are going through in your head made me want to reach out to you. You will forget all of this in a short space of time, only your (very faint) scar will remind you. Just be patient with your recovery - pace yourself - you know all about that as part of your sports training after any kind of injury. Take one day at a time but with the long goal always in mind. Love and hugs from Penny in Scotland

Matthew Russo Thank you so much for your kind words of love and support Penny. Day 4 now and feeling pretty good :) ... Read more

Matthew Russo Thank you so much for your kind words of love and support Penny. Day 4 now and feeling pretty good :) Hope you are doing well?