I'm so glad you have your Husband...

Good morning JoAnen.
I am glad you made it home in one piece. I recommend you not take chances of falling on the ice. The coumadin could give you quite a problem with uncontroled bleeding. I am in Minnesota and while in the army I was stationed near Fairbanks so I know how cold it gets in Alaska.

Try not to be too much in a hurry for your recovery. It is a slow process. When you reported walking over a mile within a week I started asking myself what am I doing wrong and more importantly is that good for you. I realize you are in much better shape weight wise than I am. Just try not to overdo and end up with a setback.

Just where is Houston Alaska anyway, as usual I have never heard of it.

I dont want to hog you guestbook so I will close for now. May the new year hold many blessing and healings for you.

Joe

I want to respond to your problems with fluid retention (which are related to shortness of breath and A-Fib). My experience with lasix was not good. It was the diuretic of choice at Cleve Clinic, but in my case was very uncomfortable, and had no "staying power." After serious weight gain due to fluids, Cardiologist switched to TOURSEMIDE aka DEMADEX. Has worked well (prox 5 months). Mention this to your Doctor?

Continue to work on the recovery. This is the fun part.

John Teeftt
AVR 5/4/12

So glad you made it home okay! Leslie was excited to be able to see you today. She did a great job here. You are lucky to have such a wonderful sis. Remember the doc said 4-6 weeks rest. He probably knows what he is talking about, so don't push it. Although I know how hard that is for such an active gal as you.
Hugs, Linda

hi joAnen, so glad to hear you are improving. cant wait to see you and hear more about your recovery. you have done such a great job! pls know how much you are loved in alaska!

Hang in there JoAnen, it will be OK. Good plan to stay even though it would be nice to come home. Leslie did a fine job, but I miss you.
Carol

hang tight joAnen! we are thinking of you and praying for a speedy recovery to come home. you are in a great place right now. will look forward to seeing you soon!

Thanks for your updates -- sorry for the delay but glad you are back on track now.
This Journal is fantastic to keep in touch.
TAKE CARE and have a GREAT day.
Love you,
Dad and Loretta

Your gaining and making some smart choices, but that's no surprise. :)
I am so glad you are in such good hands there and things are getting lined out. Have you thought of the Cabela's walking Therapy? Might be a bit of a crowd this time of year though.
You guys take care and thank you for letting us know how things are going. L
LOTS OF LOVE,
Dave and Jerry

Hi JoAnen,

I know you must be disappointed about not flying home, but remember, home is where the heart is. It sounds like you have many people who love you. We are both lucky that way.

Give some love to your heart too, I get impatient with mine for keeping me in the hospital longer than planned but in the long run, it is worth it.

I'm very impressed with your walking; it sounds like you've had an active life, and it is now helping you recover more quickly. All that fun is finally paying off!

Take care and best of luck in the new year!

Mike Z.
AVR 12-15-12
Former Aortic Stenosis!

Hang in there. Sounds like things are going well again! Had to complete my fitness pal today, felt guilty when I saw you are keeping up! Looking forward to seeing you soon. Rest up.

Hi JoAnen! I am following your progress, as I have a similar story as yours. I had my surgery on Dec. 10 and I think yours was later. It's been a rough ride for me, also. Surgery on Monday, discharged Friday, had a very stressful weekend and suffered A-fib on Saturday, which went away after a while. Sunday it started up again and I went to the ER of our local hospital, not the one where I had the surgery. They admitted me to the ICU for two days, during which I converted to NSR. They put me on massive IV doses of heparin and Coumadin, and when I left gave me Amidarone. No more A-fib since then.

It is so very good to be home, and I am sure you are longing to be home, in your own bed and with your own schedule. I know exactly how you feel!

Hang in there, things will get better.

Sandy Jay

That was smart..Thinking of U..

I think it worked out the way it is suppose to..Do you have someone in Alaska to look at your heart? I lived in Fairbanks as a young girl..

Hey JoAnen, Hang in there things will get better. Lets see you live in Alaska and I know the North Pole is there. Just maybe Santa is waiting to take you back home in his sleigh. That would be awsome lol. Anyway be glad you are still there for the help. You have a very Merry Christmas.
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12

Rats! I know your feelings were the same and I also know you are right where you should be for the moment, This to shall pass and that trip home will happen before you know it. Hang in there guys, Dick wanted one more hospital meal anyway. :)
LOVE YOU BOTH,
Dave and Jerry

I'm sorry this setback Suzie but thankful your at the right place to get the right care!!! You're only going to do this recovery once in your life, so relax, concentrate on getting well. And know that you are loved every day.
We love you!!
Reg and Jeanne

Dear Sister:
Hang in there my dear as sometimes we have to take a step back to move forward. I know you will overcome these obstacles and be back to the road to recovery. We continue to pray for you. Love you tons and miss you lots!
Leslie and Mike

Oh the ups and downs. Sorry to hear you have to stay longer. Hope things are better tomorrow. We Love you. Chris and Oliver

So thankful to hear all is well and that you're healing fast. We'll keep you in our prayers. Stay safe on your way home. Love, A. Karin & u. Tom

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!
JOHN & JESSICA COLE

SO VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THIS GOOD NEWS! WAY TO GO GIRL! KEEPING YOU ALL IN PRAYERS. WILL LOOK FORWARD TO HEAR MORE FROM YOU ALL! HANG TIGHT! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! YOUR ARE AMAZING!

We are so proud of you. You are amazing, how fast you have been recovering from such a major surgery. Do not overdue it. I hear you will be home for Christmas. That's a great gift itself. I'm glad everything went so good.
Kara

CONGRTAULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GREAT that everything is going so well.It won't be long now till you will be back home. Am so happy for you that you have had the wonderful support from your family and friends -- each and every one of them.Love you much!!!!!
Dad and Loretta

A strong determination is a good thing and never more so in your case JoAnen. What a wonderful report and celebrate with you knowing your that much closer to heading home. What a wonderful sound HOME!
LOVE you,
Dave and Jerry

Suz,
So happy to hear you are doing so well and you look great!! Many thanks to everyone for the updates. Continued success on your recovery....and Merry Christmas!
Love,
Kim & Jeff

WANDA PEET PENCE,

Hey JoAnen, A girl you keep rocking your recovery. So glad you are doing so good. Dont go over doing though. Listen to your body.Every day will be better. Gods speed to you.
LInda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12

You are an amazing woman! I have been checking the journal and anxiously awaiting text messages. I do miss talking to you, and do not want to be a bother, so ill wait till you get home. Keeping you in my prayers for a quick healing. Miss and love you. Betty

If you are the wife of Dick Banzhaf then I met you once in Grand Junction, Co. I am Dick's cousin and now living in Phoenix, AZ. My prayers are with you and your family. Love.
Jim Peet

What a trooper you are. I know you have your sights set and closing in on the prize. No horns or hair on this one, but every bit as exciting. So glad you have your support troops around you and helping get to the goal line.
Lots of Love,
Dave and Jerry

Hi Suz. We Hope your recovery is going well. I miss talking to you but I know you got a alot of work to do in the next couple of weeks so I will anxiously await your return.
The business is going well. The weather is the pits @ 22 below this morning. I got to keep my car running most the time. How is Dick holding up? When does Clinton come home? Do they know when you get to come home? Get some good rest while you can. I love and Miss you.
Leslie

WE ARE SO VERY HAPPY TO KNOW ALL IS GOING SO WELL - LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU GET BACK TO THE FROZEN NORTH - I WILL LEAVE BOOKS AT THE OFFICE FOR YOUR SISTER TO BRING TO YOU - KEEP YOU READING AND BUSY DURING YOUR QUIET TIME
THINKING OF YOU!!!!! JOHN & JESSICA COLE

Hello JoAnen,

This is Joe Tubbs, I have been following your progress. I had my surgery on 10-23 and I still have Atrial fibrilation although it does not slow me down any more than the surgery itself has contributed. I am walking and spending time in the pool although not stroking with my arms. I also enjoy the hot tub for short stretchs. We got a 1yr old cat for christmas so I will get a lot of exercise chasing it around during the next year. I wanted to name it lemure but think it will end up being named benny.
Continue your progress and dont take any backward steps. Bye for now and I look forward to hearing about your progress.

Joe

Hi Susie,
I am so happy that you are doing so good. I am so thankful that you went to Mayo. The way you are going; you might be home for Christmas. Wouldn't that be great.
Love,
Kara

Glad of all the positive reports!! Keep up the good work. Chris and Oliver

My valve replacement was on Oct. 15th. I also had atrial fibrillation a day or two after the surgery. They gave me lopressor and after a while it calmed down. I haven't had it since then. I guess it's common post AVR surgery. I'm so happy JoAnen is doing so well. She's going to feel wonderful as she recovers. My joy is that I can "breathe" again. Not out of breath anymore. It's awesome. God bless her. She sounds great.

Great news! I bet there is an escape plan being hatched as I type. Don't blame you on that thought. Keep up the super progress reports and you'll be North bound and down soon _
Dave and Jerry

Yeah!!! Knew you would do great! Keep up the good work! Watch out sheep this hunting season you will be twice as fierce!!!!

AWESOME! AWESOME! SO HAPPY TO HEAR THE NEWS! HUGS TO ALL!

Wonderful!

Keep up the good work and great reports to your fan club! Just can't keep a champ down. Way to Go !!!
Dave and Jerry

Hi everyone!
So glad to hears things are well. Just a quick note, the 1st night out of ICU, everything was going well and suddenly Andy had A-fib, it was pretty intense and he took meds also. Calmed down and now he is a reliable 70-85 beats and it been 9 days since surgery. They gave him Amiodarone thru an IV and his IV site got weird a couple of days later. This required him to stay in the hospital for an extra day and he is taking antibiotics. They called it "Phelbitis". Keep an eye on your IV sites...not to scare you, just to be aware. Andy is walking daily, a little over a mile, so you can look forward to activity!
All in all though very good news for you.
Good luck and speedy recovery!

Dale and I are thrilled that she is progressing so fast. We are so thankful that everything is working out so well!
Linda

great going!

What great news. So glad there is one more step completed towards headed home. Thanks for the up dates Litte Jo.
Glad you are there to add your support. Tell mom hi and keep the Cabela's physical therapy in mind. :) PS - Dave appreciated having Tony be the driver for his mud runs last week.
Love you,
Dave and Jerry

Great!!

I'm so glad.I do have some question sfo rher down the road..God Bless You All!

Thank you Clinton for keeping us up dated, we are glad this is over for you and your doing well, but you are still in our hearts and prayers.
Dad and Loretta

Congratulations JoAnen. You did it!! Now you're on the other side of the surgery. Thank God. Sounds like everything went very well and you're well on the way to recovering. It's a great feeling to look forward to a life free of this valve problem. Let your friends and family take care of you as you get stronger every day. Be happy. I'm so delighted for you. Marilyn