Good! Glad you got home and some rest, can't have you sick when Joel gets to come home. Will and Jen can make any place a party! Doris

Glad to hear that Joel is on the step down unit. The incentive spirometer has to be his best friend along with his big red heart pillow. You don't like using them at first but it makes such a difference later on as far as the pain is concerned. Thinking about you.

Eric
Southold

Hi Joel

Just found out today that you have a Journal. What a great idea. Keep us informed on how you are doing. I had a 4 way bypass in July of 1995. It changed my life a lot for the good. My heart is doing well, but the rest of me not so good. Keep up your spirits.

With Christin Love
Dean E. Perry IA

Hi Joel, Glad to hear you have come through your surgery with flying colours. It sounds as if your recovery is right on track. Someday you'll have to explain the rubber leg wraps as that seems to be something new on this site. Sounds like you were up and walking soon too. Keep strong. Cheryl, Ontario

Joel and Mary, family

What great news to hear about
your surgery!! It won't be long
and your restrictions will lifted.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Sharon

Hi Joel and Mary,

We're so happy to hear that the worst part is coming to an end. Maybe you can just lay back and heal now.
You have our continual prayers.

With love -- Norma, Levi and Sabrina

Hi Joel,
Isn't internet wonderful. You see how far the prayer requests go out for you. The encoruragement from friends and family that are constant in prayers for you.
Now for a complete healing and as you said another 56 years will be okay.
With our Love,
Fredd and Betty

Joel:

It's been a few years since we saw a lot of each other at church, but you've been on my mind and in my prayers since Roger began including me on your updates. I read your journal and noted that you are "only" 56- surely young enough to make a strong recovery, even from major surgery such as yours. Best wishes for a return to an active life!

Van Baker

To the Joel, Mary and family,

You have been in my prayers for God to lay His loving hands on the doctors and the instruments they will be using to do the surgery. I am so happy that the surgery went just as God intended it to go. God is so good, not just some of the time...but all of the time. Keeping you all in my prayers.

Take care and continue to walk with God

Joy Willard

Thanks for the play by play. And let us thank God and the doctors everything went according to plan. Love you. Doris

Hello Joel, Mary, and family,

We are so thankful that Joel's surgery went well. Hopefully his recovery will go just as smoothly. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Take care.

Tammy and Jon Jelen

Hooray, glad to hear that all went well. I am thinking about you and hope that all continues to go well.

Eric Southold

Excellent! I'm so glad everything went so very well. Pass on our good wishes to Joel & the rest of the family there as I know the recovery will be kind of tough on all of you. Let us know if there's anything we can do.

Mary

Joel and family,
Hooray! It is done. I am so glad to hear that all is well. Ken goes in for his MV repair next Wed. and this waiting,fretting,and preparing is wearing us out! I am looking forward to having it done and getting on with the work of recovery. Many prayers for the next steps in your journey! Happy healing!
Ken and Tara

Hi Joel, Mary and the rest of the family,

So glad to hear that the surgery went well! Wishes for a speedy recovery from very snowy Colorado. School was canceled today and I left work early to avoid being stuck there. We have about 14" of snow on our patio table but the wind is not blowing it into a blizzard as predicted.

We'll be thinking of everyone and checking back in to keep up on you all there.

Love, Marcia

We're all praying for you (and your surgical staff) that all will be well. Let us know as things progress and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mary

Hi Joel
Sending you well wishes and wanting you to know you are in my prayers. Did you read that Eric has returned safely? You too will be just fine. That truck that hits you only leaves its mark for a day or two and then it will all be in the past. Will look forward to hearing you are home safe and sound in about 6 days. God speed. Cheryl, Ontario

Joel,

You are going to do greaaaaaaaat!

Keep on tickin!

Adam

Joel,

I just got home from hospital last night from having my repair done, so I know exactly how you feel having been in your exact position just a week ago. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I know you will be fine. Lets compare experiences in a week or so.

Eric
Southold

I will be getting up shortly before you are going out, but I will be thinking of you all day. Love always! You're the best thing (besides me) that ever happened to Mary. LOVE Doris

Joel and Mary. You both will be in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow. We pray that all will go as planned and you make a speedy recovery. Go to bed early tonight and get a good sleep. The rest is in God's hands so let him take over.
We'll be anxious to hear updates from Mary and the kids. God bless, Dave and Anita

Joel,

We will be praying for you and your doctors and nurses tomorrow. You are in good hands. I liked your list of goals!

Tammy Jelen

Joel,

Thanks for all the updates.

You are going to do great!

Adam

Hi Joel, I received emails from your dad telling about this challenge. You and Mary sound like you have done a lot of research and are approaching this in the best possible way. I'm sure you'll come through it with flying colors and be home by that date you have set. This website is a wonderful way to let those who care know how you're doing. Do you still play the guitar? I still remember those little ditties you used to humor us with. Donna (Wilson) Kramer.

Hi Aunt Carole,

Well, at least I'm WATCHING work get done on my deck. :-) I have to wait for all my volunteer laborers to provide the muscle - I just get to do the supervising. Thankfully I have LOTS of good friends and family willing to volunteer.

Thanks for your concern and most especially your prayers.

Joel

I understand u have been working on yur deck and isn't this a no no? You are supposed to be resting not working. So Please take Care. Prayers are with you, but u have to help yourself too.

Love,
Aunt Carole

Hi Joel and Mary! I want you both to know I will keep you in my prayers everyday and trust God to see you through whatever is ahead. I know how important support from family and friends can be. You will remember Eli and all the support we received. Also, the Church stood by me when Bob died so suddenly. I have many good memories of you, Joel. You were a great friend to haul me to and from services on Sabbath and the games we enjoyed with Garry and Connie. I know you will come through this with the help of our great Creator and your wife by your side. Take care, keep in touch. Love to you both, Anita

Hello Joel and Mary
My prayers and thoughts are with you. My father had heart surgery almost 9 years ago. At his advanced age he came through very well. He just turned 88.

Shirley

Dearest Joel and Mary,
Thank you for letting us know about your surgery. Our prayers are with you. May God's peace be with you as face this surgery.
Love you!
Donna, Phil, Ian, and Josh

Grandpa Joel,

We support all your choices and love you very much. We will do all we can to take care of you and mom and know that we will be by your side every step of the way no matter what.

All our love,
Will, Sara and grandsons

Hi Joel and Mary, We are keeping up with your journal and praying for you . Keep your spirit up and trust God. Bud had his 4-by-pass over 10 yrs. ago and he is doing pretty good, he 77 now.Love Aunt Helen and Uncle Bud

Joel, I am impressed at your new found medical knowledge and it shows you and Mary have done your homework. Please know that Dave and I are here for you and your family for anything you need. I appreciate your keeping the journal and it will keep us "in the loop".
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Dave and Anita

Joel,

In our journey in life, we face many
unexpected challenges. Some are
easier than others. A positive
attitude does make a difference.

You and Mary are in my prayers and
thoughts.

Love,
Sharon Garrison

Dear Joel, Please keep us up-to-date on all that happens. You will be in our thoughts and prayers daily. Take care. Greg & Marie (Backfisch) Dullum.

I am so glad you have started a medical journal for those of us that know and love you. Keep us informed.

Love, Roger and Jeanine

You have been in my thoughts and prayers, Joel (and family, as well)

I want to watch the video; I am always interested in updates on surgery....we never know who might be next!!

Keep us updated. We truly care,
Old ElPaso Friends of your parents, Peggy Haning, Colorado

I do think I will by pass watching the
surgery video! Thanks anyway! Love Doris

We'll keep you in our prayers. Thanks for the updates. Love, Leah and Roger

Joel & Mary,
Prayrs are with both of you. We are so glad you are part of OUR family. We want only the best for you both. Thank you for always being there for the kids and grandkid WE love so much! Hugs, Anita & Dave

Joel,

Thanks for the very kind words about the Journals. I'm glad they are helping you through this experience.

It's a unique honor and privilege to be able to support you through this technology and my book.

Again, thank you. You just made my day! :)

Keep on tickin!

Adam

Joel,

With so many people behind you praying for you, it will all get better from here. Just think how much better you'll feel with the valve working properly.

Mike Ridlen

As you know, my prayers are with you and I'll be there for anything you need. LOVE always Doris

Joel & Mary,
Prayrs are with both of you as I am sure this will be a long process which ever way you go. May God Bless both of you!

Love,
Aunt Carole & Uncle Bill

Hi Joel & Mary!
Amazing website and information!
You & your family are in our prayers and our congregation. You've spent a lot of time researching the options and you've come to a prayerful peaceful decision. Your heart is in the best hands possible. Thank you for this website. I have a mitral and tricuspid (mini) prolapse (no valve)... I'm making a checkup appointment today. Oh, one of our Elders at Church is in his 90's and he has had heart valve surgeries & he's outlived all the predictions! :-) Tim & Ann Casey

Hey Uncle Joel,

I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you and will be praying for the best possible outcome for you and your family in this ordeal. I did want you to know that you can write me at any time or call if you want to. My boyfriend's dad is actually an excellent cardiologist in Pennsylvania, so if you ever have any questions that you would like me to find out answers for you, that could be arranged! And I know I'm young yet, but I have learned two VERY important things so far 1. exercise and eating better WILL save your life and make you feel a TON better. I wish I could keep up, but I'm working on that in therapy. 2. The love and friendship that you have available to you needs to be utilized for all the support possible. However, I don't think you have an issue with the latter! :) Good luck! Love you and Miss you! ~Alison

Joel.

Who would uf thunk, huh!
I keep putting myself in your shoes, and well, this has got to be a huge test of your Faith in God.
Gayle and I are praying it all goes well, of which we are confident.
Thankfully we know the future, and your name is written...
May God give you comfort as you face these tough decisions.
Scott and Gayle

Dad,

I think I learned more about heart surgery in the last 10 minutes than I have my entire life!

You keep your head up! We love you and will be here to support you however we can.

Chuck

Joel,

Great job putting down on paper the "pros" and "cons" of each valve replacement type.

Continue to add and review this list. You do not need to make an immediate choice. Let your mind be open to all alternatives and the answer will come to you.

By the way, if you would like to know more about the Ross Procedure, here's a pretty good link:

http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/07/31/ross-procedure-surgery-results-success/

FYI, I am aware of patient your age having this procedure done.

I hope that helps!

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Hi Joel,

Nice to meet you!

Your question about a mechanical or tissue valve replacement is a biggie. I mean a realllllll biggie.

That said, I'd take the time to create a pros and cons list to detail what is important for you now and in the future.

Like most things in life there is not a perfect answer to this question. It will come down to trade offs. That is why seeing it on paper might help you choice.

Here is some additional information that might help you. (I believe you will need to cut and paste the link in your browser.)

http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/08/29/mechanical-or-bioprosthetic-heart-valve-replacements/

Finally, have you considered the Ross Procedure at all?

I hope this helps.

Adam