Dave,

Superb nurses and French toast - why leave Monday I ask?

Chip

Hi Dave:
Best of luck on your speedy recovery. I look forward to seeing a post soon. Gee, I hope all of your electronics don't interfere with your heart monitoring machine. ;-)
Let us all know how you are doing,
Hunt

Hey - great to hear from you. If you get lonely - between "tests" - we will head over and visit. Just let us know. But more important is that you get rest and heal!
Jayne and Brian

Good Morning Dave
Glad you came through with flying colors and already have your appetite back! Your pain must be minimal or well controlled and that's a real plus. Do hope you get discharged soon as it's easier to begin healing at home without those constant staff visits to your room at all hours, even though we know they are necessary.
Fran Z

Well ol' Nuby is waiting for your return. Light visitor weekend becaus e of the weather - Had a Lake Host on yesterday but called off the Host today - bad storms coming in this PM. The chicks are growing like crazy - all three! Hey, last weekend we had 67 kyacks and canoes - WOW - that has to be a record one day event. Thumb up - cheers! Dave & Nellie

Hey Dave.

We're all waiting for your next entry. After all, you've had a few hours to recover, so get that IPhone/iPod back in operation, a'ready!

We're so glad to know that things went very well. We're pulling for you every day, and will see you soon back in Nelson. There's work for you here, so we need you to recover quickly.

Take special care,
Karen and Barry

Hi, Dave:

Was about to send e-mail around to see who knew what about how you are doing - and am delighted to see I can get first hand information from you - once you're back on your computer (which no doubt will be a matter of hours, not days).

Hope all went well and will assume YES! The Lake is calm this morning, Saturday, With a few showers, no boats have ventured out, yet, but are expected now that the sun is shining through.

Will try and keep you updated on life at the lake - so you don't suffer too badly from lake withdrawal.

Best thoughts,

Karen H.

Hi Dave,
Hope you have begun your journey of healing.
You will be in our thoughts over the next 2 weeks while we are away and send healing thoughts your way.
Ruth and Bruce

Hi Dave I know you are still trying to bring yourself together but we have you in our Hearts. Katie and I just got back from the "Relay for Life". It is a time to reflect on how lucky we are.

Take Care Ken

Hi Dave,

Look forward to having you back on "damping patrol" healthy and fit! With all the energy you're going to have, God help us (me)!

All the best.

Tad

Hi Dave,
I hope you and your heart valve are doing well. I'm sending you healing thoughts and wish you a speedy recovery.
Take care,
Madeline

Dave,

Hope your recovery is going smooth! We all miss you at NHSEA and wish you a quick recovery time. Lots of love, Christa

Dave,

Our first sailboat race is July 11. From what I have read, you will be swimming around the course by then. Hope your recovery is short!

Chip

Hey Dave - I imagine you are still pretty loopy and probably we would be very entertained by an entry at this point! Seriously - we are thinking about you and anxious to get an update from you.

Jayne and Brian

Dave, I pray everything went perfactly yesterday. Get well soon. We sure missed you at our energy committee meeting Tuesday night. We need your help when you feel well enough again.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Couldn't get this to work yesterday so I'm glad it does today. Trust you're already feeling a little better. Glad you have this way to connect with everyone.

xo, Carolyn

Hey Dave~
We have been thinking about you a lot today, and the days leading up to today. We are sending you boatloads of good energy for an uneventful surgery and a speedy and comfortable recovery.
xo
Laura and Gil

Sending our prayers and best wishes!
~ Iva, Libby and Mike

Hi Dave - Our thoughts and prayers are with you today. I can feel the love out here!!

Mike

Hi Dave
Just came across your journal, the day of your surgery. Hope you had been reading them for info before you decided to tell your story. Where are you having your surgery? Did find Nelson in my atlas. Guess the closest big city is Manchester. Prayers for you as we wait to hear of your successful surgery I had a bovine mitral valve and tricuspid repair on March 18th and just stated cardiac rehab today. Won't it be wonderful to walk wherever you want and not worry about your heart? You'll be able to do that soon.
Fran Z

Hello Dave.

By now I am hoping the procedure is over and that you are on the way to recovery - and a whole new life that's better! You are in my thoughts and prayers today. Missing you for sure.

><> Candyce

Hi Dave,

My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick

Hi Dave,
You'll be in my thoughts and prayers today as you go thru the surgery and in the weeks ahead for a full recovery.
All the best,
Elaina

Dave,
You will be in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow. It sounds like you have an excellent team watching over you tomorrow and during your stay at the hospital. We look forward to seeing you on Monday on our way home from Maine.
Love, Betsy & Bob; Pam, Rohit & Ryan

Hi Dave

Welcome to HVJ. Dropping by to wish you good luck tomorrow and will look forward to your post-op posting. No doubt you've got the jitters but that should soon turn to calm as you go through the motions of getting down to those last strokes. You look after all the things you need to do and let the surgeon and a very qualified team look after their work. You will be fine - well, once the pain and drugs subside, you'll slowly get back to being you. You will have lots of hard work ahead so pay attention and do as you are told and then some. Will keep you in my prayers for a very successful and uneventful surgery and quick recovery.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Dave,
Mark and I are sending good vibrations your way for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. From Mark's dad's experience with this surgery you can stop worrying that you will say "Oink" instead of "Hello" in the future!
Peace,
Alice

Dave,
Welcome to the HVJ'S!!! Good luck on your surgery tomorrow. I had a mitral valve repair on March 2, 2010 and did very well. I am now in cardio rehab and building my strength back up. I can not believe 3 months have gone by...I feel fantastic. Please have someone update your journal so we know you are doing well. Can not wait to hear you are in recovery.
Theresa Callanan

Hi Dave,
This is the first I have seen you on HVJ. Welcome if it's your first time posting, if not, I missed something:) You and I will share the same surgery date. I am getting ready to pack my bag, putting it off on purpose I think. I also will have the special shower tonight and in the morning.Have to be at the hospital at 5am and have to have the special shower in the morning also:)
You will find the people on here are so supportive and wonderful. We are all at a different point in our journey, but here to start our "new" lives with "new hearts".
I wish you the best with your surgery and recovery!! I will be watching later for your updates.
Kimberly S.

Dave

Good luck tomorrow. I had exactly the same surgery 4 weeks ago today, except i went with a pericardial bovine valve; and also had a myectomy of the left ventricle. My aorta had the first 3.5 inches replaced.

So what's it like 4 weeks later? It's great. You will surprise yourself on how quickly you will begin to feel better. I started back to work (from home) this week, and am already walking 3 miles per day.

Each person has a little different experience, but stay positive, listen to your doctor's and nurses and push yourself a little.

Good luck!!

Mark
Keller, TX