Michael's Heart Valve Journal

Monday, October 1, 2012 05:03 PM

Hi Michael -

I will be thinking of you and praying for you tomorrow.

Denise Kirchner MV repair 05/29/12

Sunday, June 3, 2012 03:13 PM

Dear Michael and family,

I am looking forward to my one year anniversary as well. We are so blessed to enjoy the days.

God Bless

John Madonna

Las Vegas nv

Sunday, June 3, 2012 11:15 AM

Dear Michael and family,

Congratulations on your anniversary. It is an important milestone.nI had MVR on 3/2/10 and am doing great. I too, have a daughter that was born with TOF, and we thought needed no further repairs. She is 25 and we were just told she needs a PVR within a year from now. What type of valve did you use? Also, did they say down the road it could be repaired percutaneously? Thank you so much for your input....there are not many on here with this type of repair.

Good luck,

Theresa C.

NJ

Michael says in response,
"Hi Teresa - glad to hear you're doing well. Sorry to hear about your daughter but for me, my recovery time was far less than I originally thought. The type of valve is a pericardial tissue heart valve in the aortic position, 25 millimeters. I got a card in the mail after surgery giving the exact type of artificial part that is in my body. I'm not sure that this particular valve would be able to be repaired percutaneously, that was not an option for me. Feel free to keep us up on her progress.

Thank you for your message.

Michael Rogers "

Thursday, September 22, 2011 07:58 AM

Hello! Thank you for your note. My surgery is next Wednesday so I'm getting down to the last few days...your note was very much appreciated :) My mom is planning on posting on the journal for me. It's good to know that the journal helped Michael through his recovery. I'm just trying to keep my thoughts on what it will be like two or three months out instead of focusing on what it will feel like immediately after surgery! Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.

-Shari

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 07:20 PM

Hi there Michael's parents (and Michael)!

Thanks for your response. My name is Shari Rosenberg and I started a journal (one entry) but will start writing in it more when my surgery gets closer (end of September). You are welcome to follow it of course if you are interested!

Best of luck to Michael! Thanks for this great journal!

Shari

Michael says in response,
"Hi Shari, you have been on our minds for the last few days. What day is your surgery? You will do GREAT!!! Do you have someone to post your progress on your journal? I am sorry for all the questions,it's we know how Michael felt when we read the posts to him after we gave a progress report. You will be in our thoughts and prayers everyday. Jim, Linda & Michael Rogers"

Friday, August 5, 2011 11:20 PM

Hi Michael! It looks like you're done with your journal but your story and positive energy have really made me feel better about things as a fellow young valve surgery patient! I am getting surgery in September, which is now right around the corner! And I found your journal which has been very positive and energetic. Best of luck to you on the next chapter of your life and thanks for sharing your story!

Michael says in response,
"Hi Fellow young valve surgery patient! This is Michael's mom. We are so glad you have been comforted and encouraged by Michael's story and we will be praying for your surgery as well as for your full recovery! I can't speak for how Michael felt during the process, but I do know that it was so helpful to him and his emotional healing to use the journal to communicate with his friends and loved ones through the process. Please let us know if you've set up your journal and your name so that we can follow your progress as you recover. Our prayers are with you!!
Linda and Jim Rogers (Michael's parents)"

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 09:43 AM

Hi Michael- I work with your Dad and wanted to send my congratulations on a wonderful recovery.

I have been thinking of you all since your Dad told me about the surgery.

Warmest Regards,

Anna Cohen

Thursday, July 7, 2011 08:19 AM

Rogers Clan,

You are inspiration...

http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2011/07/06/pulmonary-replacement-fundraiser-journals-bleiweis/

Thanks soooooooo much!

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 05:07 AM

You look great! Congrats on the lemonade stand and a great cause. Keep smiling.

Love you,

Auntie Di

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 08:10 PM

michael lucky for you I LOVE lemonade! put me down for 10 cups. I was out of town and missed it! My dad starts his cancer radiation next week so much going on here as well but never stop thinking about you and your wonderful family. I will cut you a check tomorrow and beckon for Jim to come pick it up. Keep smiling sunshine. All my love. Jenn Heller.

Michael says in response,
"Jenn, you're so great keeping up with Michael's journal! We'll be praying for your dad as he begins his radiation. "

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 01:18 PM

Mikey you're slackin on your journalsss.... :P

Tuesday, June 28, 2011 07:20 AM

Get well soon! Heres to a speedy recovery.

Monday, June 27, 2011 09:55 AM

You sound like you are doing great! Bike riding is one of my favorite forms of exercise plus nice to be riding along a golf course. Relaxing. Keep up the good work!

Love you,

Auntie Di

Friday, June 24, 2011 10:09 PM

Hey Michael, are you doing cardiac rehab? Usually you can start that 4 weeks post-op if it's available. For lots of folks insurance covers it. It speeds recovery and makes you stronger. -- DVB

Friday, June 24, 2011 06:31 AM

Michael,

Congratulations on your speedy recovery, and hopefully your Dad will drop by in the near future at my office to say hello.

Scott Williams

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 05:20 AM

I am so happy to hear how well you are doing and even more excited you are playing your guitar. Keep getting stronger.

Love you,

Auntie Di

Monday, June 20, 2011 07:41 PM

Michael, keep at it. Do what the docs and Mom and Dadsay. You'll keep getting stronger everyday.

Teresa

Monday, June 20, 2011 01:45 PM

Michael

Glad you are doing well & that all went as planed. You were in my prayers.Take care

Miie Scicero

Monday, June 20, 2011 10:37 AM

I know you're busy....but what about posting the pictures of you playing guitar and the giant Zebra sneaking up on you???? I know, I'm a slave driver , just ask Conner! The count down to college is this week, taking him up on Saturday....and somehow need to fit a birthday party for Evan in too...oh, yeah, and today is MY birthday! June! Ugh! Have a GREAT day! XOXOXOX Mrs. Holland

Monday, June 20, 2011 10:23 AM

Hi Michael,

It was great to see you yesterday - looking better each time! We could all see such a difference! We could see a difference in the lighter spirits of your family too. Enjoy your time with Grandma and Grandpa - great chance to ask them questions about their life experiences, childhood, special things they remember. Your very fortunate to have them there with you. Love you sweetie, see you soon.

The Rawles

Saturday, June 18, 2011 03:51 AM

Hi Mikey,

You have gone from hugging Lady Bugs,

to playing guitar. Now thats progress.

Glad to know you are getting better all the time.

I spoke to the rim guy and he will be able to get your rims from me next Thursday.

He stays busy,

Talk to ya soon,

Dale Blake

Friday, June 17, 2011 11:58 AM

Michael,

What great news! Keep up the good work. These two weeks have flown by for us, although I am sure you do not feel the same way. But hopefully, you can look back and see what amazing progress you have made and can feel like you are well on your way to recovery. We continue to pray for God's healing and strength. Say hello to everyone for us. Love, Aunt Karen for all

Friday, June 17, 2011 07:40 AM

Hey Michael, It was so great seeing you yesterday. Thanks for stopping by with your dad. You are doing amazing and look incredible. I would be curled up in a corner in the fetal position because I'm such a wimp (ssshh, don't tell anyone!) ... lol ... Someone a few posts down said to enjoy all this attention now because before you know it will be gone. I have a feeling you were never starved for attention before and won't be in the future. You're a sweetie and a great young man! Go take care of yourself and we'll see you soon. Jenn Heller ... oh Pam is sad she missed you yesterday, um, not that I rubbed it in or anything! lol ...

Thursday, June 16, 2011 10:49 AM

Michael,

Cannot wait to see you back with our PVIC Team! You look absolutely great! Mike

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 05:50 AM

Michael, great update report and glad to see all the support you are getting with Grandma and Grandpa visiting. Now that we are back in Michigan, I am not getting as much golf in as we did before you graduation. Wish we could visit to have you drive me around on the courses and you will be out there hitting those long drives and making fantastic shots before long, Michael. Keep up the great progress and get your breathing exercises in each day. Love, Aunt Cindy and Uncle Dick

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 06:50 PM

I have been following your journal for some time and I want to tell you what an amazing young man you are and please tell you parents what an amazing job they have done. You have already come a long way and it hasn't even been two weeks since your surgery. Hopefully this journal will help you with those blue moments, you wouldn't be normal if you didn't have them once in a while. Those will pass the stronger you get. My husband is eight weeks out from surgery and I can tell you that everyday will get easier. Take advantage of all of attention because before you know it things will be back to normal. You are in inspiration.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 03:03 PM

Hey buddy glad to hear everything is going well - not as fast as you'd like i'm sure - but pretty darn amazing. There will be plenty of time for busy stuff - try to enjoy your recup (recoup?) time - when you get to be my age you'll wish you had it again! see ya soon man....

V. Thunder

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 01:02 PM

Hey Michael,

So good to know you are sleeping better. Leave it to Grampa to solve the raised bed issue. Heard you were having pasties last night. I am so jealous! So many people from our church have asked about you and how you are doing. You had, and still have, an army of prayer warriors from Ohio. We miss you and wish we could be there to keep you busy! Jeremy would love to team with you to take on your Mom and I in Smear. Say Hi to all for us.

Love, Aunt Karen

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 11:22 AM

Michael,

Walk, walk, walk.... Just a little unsolicited advice for you from an old(er) guy. Don't know exactly where Ponte Vedra Beach is...but know when I've spent summer months at Montgomery, AL, the heat and humidity was, well, will say, really uncomfortable June through August. But, still was able to do some track work and other runs in the city for exercise very early in the AM, sometimes before the sunrise, and later in the evening, just before and sometimes after sunset. You are young and strong. I'm guessing...chk with your doc...the more walking you can do the better it is for you, and then whatever exercise suits you that your medical people approve...but, with the dog, with friends or family, or solo...do some progressively long walks to help you. ...barry on the mtn in NM

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 10:47 AM

Please tell Grandpa that if he runs out of projects at your house, I have a few that can be taken care of at mine .. and you can rest in the guest room! :) Glad you're doing well. Just take advantage of being able to rest back to health and having all this down time. There will come a day that you wish you had all this time on your hands ... trust me, I know! :) Take care Michael. Jenn Heller