Welcome home Jim.
wonderful.
Charu & J

Keep up the good work Jim!

Chris & Sam

So happy for you to be home and with your wonderful family. Nobody like 'em. Look forward to seeing you back on this side.

Everyday in every way all will get better.Welcome home.....KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ALL OF US. KEEP ON TICKIN!!!

That is fantastic...I was not able to sleep in a bed for two or three weeks..once I did IT MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE....keep on ticking...JOHN MADONNA

"WELCOME HOME" !

Happy to hear you are headed home. You'll be much happier there.

Feel better!
Ricki Shine

Glad your going home!! If you get a chance to go to the movies, check out the movie "Courageous". God Bless brother.


Adam Howell

Mazel TOV!!!!! Just go easy.......there will be ups and downs,even at home.HOWEVER.....at least you are with your family. PS.....INRs are hard to keep on an even keel.Still after 8+ years ,I have to have my blood tested every week or two.....BEST WISHES TO ALL OF YOU!!! Please,hope you will continue to keep us posted.Ricky

Dr. Davis, glad that you and your ladies are headed home. I know that there probably isn't a better feeling right now than this. Sleep well in your own house with your great family. I'll be seeing you soon.
Shaunda

CONGRATS....going home is a wonderful day....now the hard work begins........just joking''''JOHN MADONNA

HEY....I JUST GOT THE NEWS YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY HOME!!! YAAAAHHHHH!!!! THAT HAD TO MAKE YA SMILE!!

Krystie Berberich

Drive slow and steady Missy. Glad to hear you will be home soon! Kris

Hey Jim-Bo!!

I was on vacation last week and now I'm back at work.....it's not the same here without you!! Miss Barbie is standing next to me and we are just sending you well wishes! It sounds like Missy and the girls are with you----those hugs & kisses from those pretty ladies should cheer you up!!!

Keep up the healing and hang in there!

We miss you & think of you often!!

Krystie & Barb

Keep up with the Saint of the Day, take a deep breath and offer it up if you can. I will have a mass said for you at St. Pats in Independence. Nancy SE HDU

Hey Dr. D: Hang in there. I have often asked myself why does God test our patience and what are we suppose to learn from this. I truly believe he is with you and by your side every moment of the way. I also believe that God does not give us any more than we can handle but sometimes feel pushed to the limits. Soon you will be home and this chapter of your life will be behind you. Keeping you in my prayers.
Autumn

I'm so sorry to hear about your long hospital stay..I can understand your frustration, especially at 39. I'm 33 and us younger patients expect to heal a lot quicker and to have short hospital visits and when things come up, it can be discouraging. I was released day 6 and that was way too soon, I was pretty nervous at home, so there is an advantage to staying in hospital longer. Hang in there, you'll be home soon. Will be thinking and praying for you.
Roxanne dropko Fellow hvj 11 weeks post op

Hi Jim.... I am still in hospital recovering from all my procedures. I understand your feelings of vulnerability; I feel the same things. i am close to family & my daughters advocacy has kept me sane.My son-in-law is a doctor/ surgeon & had disk surgery last year with the bonus of getting meningitis. He describes the same feelings you wrote about.. So many medical personnel lack that empathy gene to see us as a human being and not a list of symptoms. I can barely function even after 10 days; but I will keep tabs on you & spend the energy I do have to encourage you.You feel vulnerable because , probably for the first time in you life, you are totally dependent on others for everything. not a typical place to be when so young.sending you a big internet hug. Sunny

Hi Doc.,Hope your family has come to be with you by now.I think many patients have problems getting their INR levels stable.Before surgery,I had to give myself LOVINOX shots......not fun.After surgery,my levels were as low as yours.....they threatened me with having more shots......but,I did get level on my own.TRY TO ENJOY YOUR FAMILY BEING THERE.PS.As for rudeness by hospital employees,tell the patient advocate.They should be made aware.Hang in there Doc.Ricky

Your loving Cheerleaders are with you. It makes all you've been through worthwhile. Enjoy all the hugs and kisses,your heart will feel the love.

Jim,
Hang in there. I have been following your whole story. I have some of the same issues(aneurysm 4.6cm and bicuspid valve with moderate regurg.) that you had before your surgery. When I have to eventually have the surgery I will probably have a heparin problem too since my dad had an issue with it years ago after surgery. I will want to stay in touch with you when I eventually have to have surgery.
One cardiologist told me in July I needed the surgery within 6 months since echo showed aneurysm had grown to 4.9cm. I freaked out since 2 days before I had booked an Oct. flight to Europe for a visit to our daughter who is on study abroad and my husband's company trip to London. Cardio. told me to do what you want,, but you nedd surgery and he walked out of the room. I didn't like the cardio.'s attitude(been going to him for 3 years.) I called up to Mayo(5 hours away) to talk to the surgeon I had met with 2 other times before. He looked at everything and said that a CT was more accurate so I went up to Mayo, had the test and met with him. He said that the aneurysm was still 4.6cm from the CT scan, no surgery needed at this time and not to worry and told me to go to Europe to visit my daughter! What great news! I want to hold off as long as I can because I am so afraid of the surgery and the aftermath. I really want to follow your journal and hear how things go with you. Those are interesting thoughts about staying close to home for the surgery.....
Remember that the Lord is watching over you and you will soon be home with your family.
Carol

Hey! Grab your girls, give them the biggest hug you can and remember you did this to be here, to see their faces for the long haul! They came to give you hope, inspiration, and comfort. Look at them...see it...feel it...believe it. Kris

Hang in there okay? Being so far from home has to be partly of why you're feeling so wonky right now. (Wonky is actually a medical term, I'm sure you learned all about it in medical school, right?) Once you get home and get to sleep in your own bed you'll feel so much better.

Best of luck for a continued and speedy recovery!

Warm regards,
Terri Grimes

Jim,

I've been reading your journal since you started because I thought it would be interesting to hear a doctor's view of being a patient. I had my aortic valve replaced at CCF in May 2010 and I had a wonderful experience there. I'm sorry you're having some difficulties. As I'm sure you know, 70% of all cardiac patients get depressed. You are sounding depressed . . . I recommend talking to your nurse or nurse practitioner about getting some counseling while you're still in the hospital. I hope you have a great visit with your family this weekend and I hope you get to go home with them. You have a lot to be grateful for . . . focus on that.

Good luck.
Ricki Shine

Hey Doc,Look how many people are rooting for YOU!! NEVER GIVE UP...........Soon you will be home.I also think the young 28 year old wrote to you the best.You have a great support system to come home to.I had a Bro. who was here for surgery and hospital stay(7 days).Had to leave the pm after I got home.Had friends who checked on me,but no family.When you get home,start rehab,rest and get stronger......in 6 months you will not remember your long stay at the hospital.PS...The nicest surprise was when my Bro. came to the hospital with my puppy,(whom I had gotten 5 months before surgery).I had no idea I was going to be sick.Pup had to stay in a daycare,2 1/2 WEEKS.....till I got strong enough to have a young pup at home.WE GOT THROUGH IT.......YOU WILL ALSO!!! Here's hoping your INR behaves and you are OUTA THERE!!!!! TICK TICK TICK!!! Ricky

Dr.Davis,Please be empowered by all who love you and truly care. Take a big gulp of this-can you feel it circulating? Maybe like Popeye and his spinach. Great hopes and strength to you.

Sounds like we should have had Missy bring the beer keg from the tap in your family room and smuggle it in under her shirt for you! :-) .....keep your spirit up as best you can, I am sure you are at wits end.... enjoy seeing them... we are waiting for you here in Cincy!

Hey Jim, it's the 28 year old again! I follow your posts because you post a lot, just so you know your posts help my recovery and I'm 9 weeks out from surgery now and feeling better every week that passes. I was in the hospital for 8.5 days and I was starting to get used to being there but at the same time couldn't take it a moment longer. I felt like I was seriously losing my mind at first, and nobody knew that except me. I can relate to the loneliness. I know exactly what you mean about wanting and not wanting visitors. I know how bad it feels, I want you to know you are not alone, I've been there! Don't lose heart you will be going home sooner than later.

It's a great thing to have a wife and kids to keep you motivated on recovering, I DON'T have a wife and kids and you might think I'm nuts and immature for what I'm about to say but having a wife and kids would make the mental and physical recovery easier because you have an anchor to hold onto when you start feeling your drifting into nothingness. Imagine if you didn't have a wife and kids, then you start feeling like your losing your identity at times and its much easier to drift to nowhere, almost like you have no purpose to keep fighting. I hope you understand what I'm saying. Mental health is a big player in recovery from a surgery like this, don't get discouraged, I thought I would start feeling a million times better once I got home but it was only like 2 times better, got to take it minute by minute and day by day you will get through this! A YEAR FROM NOW YOU WILL LOOK BACK AND IN SOME ILLOGICAL WAY THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE WILL BRING YOU GREAT JOY! At least that's my confession.

jim,so sorry you are feeling down but take care of yourself and keep your head up...we all are still praying and thinking about you...we miss you here at st.e ft. thomas...miss seeing your smiling face!!!:) carla brownfield

Jim,

here's the really great news.....time goes on...and this plight will all be over with and in the past. your life as you knew it will return for the better.

regards,
Terry T.

Hang in there Dr. Davis. It will all get better and you will be back with the rest of us acting like a bunch of fools! I am sure that Missy and the kids will have you perked up in no time. Sending you good thoughts...Bah-huh
Dan Burk

Dr. Davis, keep adrift sir. The day will get better and better then great!!! I wish I could be there and see the look on the kids face and yours when they get there..... Keep your chin and smile as you always do. Also Missy told me from her own mouth, WE WILL NOT COME HOME UNTIL JIM COMES WITH US!!!! So I think even if they had to kidnap you, they won't be coming home without you. Miss you and hope you can come home soon!!
Shaunda

This is a long journey in changing your life.
I am now a little over 8 weeks with a new mechanical valve and each week gets better.
REMEMBER EACH WEEK WILL GET BETTER.
Hopefully you will be released this weekend, the longest time I had in the hospital was the time when the doctor said I was going home then two hours later I finally was able to leave.
IT WILL GET BETTER.
JOHN MADONNA

Rest will give you strength...you will be out of there in no time...this does not sound like the dr davis i know..that man when i listen to him has the patience of a saint...relax...enjoy being taken care of...Liz

Jim,
Best of luck to and your family with your recovery. My husband James had the bentall procedure 9/22 aortic valve and root repair also due to a bicuspid valve. He has a long road of recovery ahead, but just like you, he will get there....

Dr. D: Glad that things are on the up and up. I knew you would come through surgery with flying colors just a few bumps in the road. It was good that you only needed a few days of Percocet I was going to have to recommend piano lessons for you too. Hopefully you will get to go home this weekend. I'm sure your girls miss their Dad. The patients are asking about you hope it is alright to tell them you are doing great. Take it easy and enjoy your time off. Don't try to be a hero and come back to work too soon. Think of it as the maternity leave you never got to have; enjoy the time with your wife and kids. Try not to show up the other patients in cardiac rehab. I'm sure many of them are not marathon runners. See ya soon. Autumn

Like the saying goes......''THIS TO, SHALL PASS''.You will be OUTA THERE soon.Your 3 life savers will be with you soon. One thing,maybe this extra long experience has made you understand more, what your patients may be feeling in their time of being desperate.Take care,you are on the way up and out.

Hi JimI hope you days are starting to get better. If not yet, they will. I had mitral and tricuspid valve repair almost two years ago and doing great. Yet, I was in your position-spending an extra few days in the hospital to control my heartbeat-another visit two weeks later to stabilize. What you had is a big shock to your system and it just needs time to re-boot. You've done a great job staying in shape and that will help in the recovery. Please feel free to email me if you want to vent-all the best-Mark Linnus

Jim,
I was just wondering about your percocetville symptoms and how you knew they were related to the percocet?

Samantha & Chris

Patience young grasshopper, patience, you WILL be home soon. At the Christ office today, and remarkably nobody wants to hear how I am doing. It's all about you! LOL

They all wish you the very best and a speedy recovery. They were all grateful for your voicemail update.

Kris

Jim! I am facing a second surgery Nov 17 after 18 years from the original. I got this news just about when I started to read your postings last week and..I have wondered how you were doing? I know your "hospital crazies feeling" as 18 years ago, I stayed in as routine 12 days...way too long! I am sorry you are experiencing the complications I have been warned about too! My sincere good thoughts are with you, with deep understanding. I appreciated your post so much on staying closer to home. I debated Cleveland Clinic but once it's done, I do remember I did need to know " life goes on" ..and your life is where your family is like mine! God's speed ,Jim! May your recovery continue steadily and may you remain stable and GO HOME ASAP> that's why we are going through all this !!!

Jim, your issues with coumandin would happend wherever you were - and if I were in your place, I would have the greatest comfort knowing I was at the best hospital - that is one of the reasons I went there - just in case something unexpected came up -- which I was fortunate, mine was heart valve repair was smooth. Keep your chin up. and you are in my prayers. Emilyrae Helfen.

Dr. Davis I know the loneliness of the hospital room can be difficult but remember each day gets you closer to going home and getting back to your wonderful family. Stay strong.
Julie Lund

Hey dr davis its me liz again...glad to hear that you r feeling. Better...very much enjoyexd the Lloyd mention..shows sense of humor is still there...i hope. You get to go home this weekend...be a patient and do what u r told and home will be yours soon..i also heard that ckicking your heels together three times and saying THERES NO PLACE LIKE HOME also helps...stay strong...always believe in angels and think good thoughts...Liz

Jim - We continue to keep you, Missy and the girls in our prayers. Hoping you get sprung soon! Blessings to you, Angie Vaughan

Dr.Davis,Thank you for sharing this time of your life. It is humbling and puts perspective in everyday living. You have an abundance of prayers and hopes for the best possible recovery. God bless you and your beautiful family-nobody like 'em.

Hi Jim,
Hang in there. I completely understand your situation. I'm home a week from my surgery and hospital stay. My stay was extended by 4 days and the frustration and my sadness was helped greatly by a visit with my kids. Our original plan was not to have the kids visit but I'm so happy they were able to. I also started to get to know and enjoy friendships with some of the nursing staff and team of people helping me get through it. Amazing people are around you. Take care and healing thoughts coming your way. Debby T.

Well, I forgot to post who I was...lol...sorry Jim! It's LaVerna...I left the message with no name of course...love ya!

I know it's hard to accept at the moment Jim, but as we all know, this feeling will soon pass, and you'll be home with Missy and your lovely daughters soon, 300 miles from home, but not 300 miles from the hearts of the ones that love you, we are all praying for a speedy recovery, and it is on it's way...I love you so very much, so take it easy, hang in there, and you'll be home soon!!

Jim,

I just got an e-mail from Janet with your link. I am so glad that all went well. Recovery is always longer than surgeons have you believe, even for minor things like hernias. And why not? Just think about all the cytokines that surgical dissection releases!
It is always interesting to experience medicine from the other end. My experiences have been quite good despite the hoprror stories one hears. Looks like your experience is good too. I have always felt that a personal illness (hopefully minor one only!)makes us better docs.

Yes, the day will soon arrive when you will be back in your cacoon in CIncinnati. Best of luck, buddy.

Satwant