Holly,

You're a sweetheart. Thank you, I am progressing wonderfully - and laughing along the way.

Be patient with the activity and the spirometer. I think I was 2-1/2 to 3 weeks out before I got back to my pre-surgery results on the spirometer (3000).

For now also be gentle on increasing your activity. Keep walking, but I'd encourage you to stop before you are completely wiped out. That way you'll feel better later in the day and be able to walk more. That is the other thing I'd encourage - walk multiple times a day, even if they need to be shorter walks.

This may sound funny, but enjoy the healing process, it is truly an amazing experience.

Chuck Holmgreen.

There's no place like home . . .

Congratulations Holly!!!

Chuck Holmgreen

Holly, Great to hear you are doing well. Yeah I had the "Burns" as well. I just kept putting skin lotion around the incisions being careful not to get any on the sites themselves. in a few days the itching will get worse and you'll want to put something on the "Rash" or you else you'll start scratching. Not good. I am up to walking about 4 miles per day. I am lucky that in my neighborhood, one time around the block is just about one mile. I do this 4 times per day. Heck, I got nothing else to do so waking is good, as long as the weather is good. I did buy a heart rate monitor to wear on walks. $40.00 at CVS.
I am trying to keep my BPM down to around 100 BPM for the first week then up it a bit each walk after that. Remember I am just walking, ot trotting.
I still have numbness around all of my incisions. I have an issue with my shirt rubbing on them and they become really tender after a while. So protect them from chafing. Other than that I have lost about 6 lbs. Walking is good.
Keep up the good work. BTW my side is just now getting so I don't feel it as much. That rib spreading was more than I thought it would be.
LOL....Like we all say. Take it easy. And don't over stretch that right side for a while. I started doing my own regimen of stretching now on that right side to loosen up my muscles on that side. I didn't want it to tighten up so much I couldn't raise my right arm later.
Keep us posted.....

Great to read all the great news. Keep up the good work and good attitude. I'm coming up on 8 weeks post surgery and it's amazing how time flies and things just get better. I'm hoping to play some baseball again very soon, something I thought I'd wait til the fall season to do. Point is, you'll be amazed at what you can do and how quickly you'll be able to do it. Just exercise some restraint. And even if you're not tired and can't sleep, lay down for an hour or so mid afternoon. Best of luck.
Jeff Shebovsky

Way to go Holly!
I hope my experience goes just as well as yours!
It must feel great to have most of the tubes invading your body removed.
Hope you get to go home tomorrow.

Nancy B

Great news. She is motoring right through this whole thing. And she was nervous....HA!
Just tell her to take it a bit easy for a few days anyway. No need to blow a gasket hurrying things along....
Paul and Kathy.

Tell her not to worry. y BP dropped a bit as well. They will give her some pressure pills for a few days like me. I was off them about half way through my stay. Glad to hear she is walking so quickly. I am jealous. And I am a man. Geesh! I got shown up by a woman.....Good for her.

Great news so glad she is on the other side and now moving on to her recovery, prayers continuing!!!

Cindy P.

Woo-hoo! -- DVB

Awesome news. Congrats. Now relax to the calming sounds of the ICU. Yeah right eh? LOL.

Paul and Kathy

Congratulations on reaching the summit! Wishing you a smooth trek back.

-Tom H.

Alright Holly. Good for you. Now sit back and take it easy.

Yay for Holly!
So glad to hear things went well.

Nancy B

Thank the Lord for bringing you through this surgery. You are such a strong woman, and I know you will continue to exceed all expectations throughout your recovery. I love you dearly and am so glad to be here to support you and your family.

Wow! She did great. So happy to hear that she's on the mend.
Selma Kaplan

Great news so glad to hear that everything went well...will continue to pray for her recovery!!!!

Cindy Pastrano

She should be almost out of surgery. Praying some more for you Holly.
Looks like you have one heck of a great family standing beside you as well. Good job. God Bless.

Paul
"The other Robot Guy"

Good luck Holly! Will keep you in our prayers.

-Tom H.
MV Repair scheduled for May 17th.

http://lifepowellstyle.blogspot.com/ for the pictures I promised!

I know you will be great!!! Thoughts and prayers go with you today.
Lisa

Just said a few prayers for you and your surgeon. You will do great! Can't wait to hear that all is well and you are recovering.
Kerry

Wakey wakey -- if you're reading this, it's over and you're on the other side. Wishing for you a smooth recovery!
Selma

Go get 'em Holly! Thinking of you today...you're almost there! The worse part is over now...surgery and recovery is much easier than the waiting! God bless!

Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

Good Luck!! You will do great!

Jimmy Johnson

Holly, praying for you this morning everything is going to be great!!!

Cindy Pastrano

Holly,
The relaxation type CD's (on my ipod) with guided imagery helped me so much. Always helped me fall asleep too! I used it right up to just before I went in the O.R.. I used it in ICU and throughout my hospital stay. I used a post surgery affirmation guided imagery one as well. All I can say is having postive mental images helped so much, and my operation and recovery so far has been amazing. I wish you the best of luck and write me if you have any questions.
Jeff Shebovsky, Orlando, FL

Hi Holly,
Kathy (Paul's wife) here: You will do great with the daVinci tomorrow & the Mayo clinic is top notch. All the best to you & your family. let us know what is going on. Share your pictures too when you can.
Stay strong,
Kathy

Hang in there Holly!
We'll all be looking forward to you updates from the healthy side of life!

Nancy B

Holly Best of luck. I am the one that just had the minimally invasive robotic one done in Boston.
Don;t think about it too much. You are going to be out like a light real quick. You will wake up. A little discomfort for a few days, and off home you'll go.
Just think how about how much better everything will be after it gets done. I can't wait to go up a set of stairs without having to stop to catch my breath. Actually my goal is to go climb a Mountain once I am all healed up.
So good luck, God Speed. Let us know how it goes.

Holly, lots and lots of good wishes your way. I'm a few weeks after you and will be watching your journal. Keep us all posted!
Selma K

Good journey! -- DVB

Hi Holly, will have you in my thoughts and prayers, just remember, this really is the hardest part...waiting. I traveled from SC to Cleveland for my AVR in March and I was able to fly back as soon as I was discharged. I could have traveled by car (as passenger, no driving) also. They just tell you to stop every hour or so and walk around a little to lessen the chance of blood clots. I think you will be fine as long as you don't overdo and stop and rest if you need to. Keep us posted!

Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/2012

Hi Holly,

I had Dr Suri for my Aortic valve replacement about 3 1/2 months ago at mayo he was a great Doctor. This was my 2nd surgery, my 1st valve didn't hold around the stitching ring so instead of just repairing we decided to replace the tissue valve with a mechanical and all is good. Like i said you have a great set of doctors performing your surgery.

Take care, it will be over before you know it and you will feel better than you have in years :).

Cory E

Hi Holly,

Welcome to HVJ, next week so glad the waiting process is almost over for you. You are going to do great, best of luck will be thinking about you and sending prayers your way.

Cindy Pastrano

Hiya, Holly --
Another mitral valve repair person here -- I'm getting a mini-sternotomy on May 11th. I'm sure you'll hear from some DaVinci graduates here. It's a great place to acquire information and get support. You'll do fine!
Selma Kaplan

Hi Holly,
Welcome to HVJ.
I don't have any info on robotic surgery. I too have MVR. My surgery is scheduled for June 4th. I'll be having a mini thorocotomy.
Best of luck to you. Please let us know how it goes...I'll be looking forward to your updates.

Nancy B