Linda, thinking lots about you and your family. Wishing you all the best today.

- Mitch Friedman

I'm still praying for you & your family, Linda..... Have thought of nothing else today!!
Connie T

Hi Linda and Stephanie,

I'm praying for you Linda. Trust in God and the hospital staff. You've done all you can do now. Before you know it you'll be on the other side of the mountain!!!

Warm Regards,

Lee Castro

You are in my thoughts and prayers. I know you will do great. God bless you and your family. Janis Kielbasa

Just dropping by the check on my SC buddy. No news yet...will drop by later.
Linda D.

Thinking of you and your family today. Prayers are coming your way.

Vicki E.

Thinking of you!

Hug and a prayer,
Vicki D.m

Linda,
My thoughts are with you today.

Nancy B

Dear Linda,
You are truly a very brave woman to go thru with this major heart surgery. I just learned about you today ( Wed. Sept. 19 th at 1:40 am). Praying for you to come out wonderfully. God bless you !

P.S. I wish I am like you but I am just too very afraid to go for a major open heart surgery for mitral valve repair or replacement and maze cox.
Virginia

Just in case you're still up or maybe take a peek in the morning...just want you to know I'm thinking of you and praying that you will come out of this wondering what all the fuss was about!!! Remember...the breathing tube means...Yippeeee!!! I made it!!! Take the meds...that's what the Almighty created them for! Don't forget the neck pillow...and if you do...make someone go buy you another one! It helps immensely just supporting your head. You worked too hard during the surgery, don't need to mess with the trouble of holding your head up afterwards, lol. Remember...you are woman...hear you roar ( go Tigers????)!!!
Go rock this my sister, gonna make a Tiger out of you yet!
MUAH!!!!!!!
Linda THE Tiger!

Rock the house Linda!!!!! Just wanted you to know I was rereading your journal after your "stardom" of being in the newsletter. My thoughts are with you. Finally you will know....the waiting really is the hardest part!

- Mitch Friedman

OK Kiddo. Your turn to score one for the team! Just kidding, this is all about you and the wonderful gift you are to all of us. We'll see you back shortly with a big, wide grin. -- DVB

We are thinking about you Linda and know you will be just great when this is all over and done with!! So Sweet Sister-in-Law just "git r done" LOL Love ya!!!

Whoo Hoo! Linda...
You made the newsletter! You already reek of "star power"....now show Dr "YumYum" your true "stuff"....
Good Luck tomorrow...
Still praying...
Connie T

HI Linda. My father passed away from a AAA as well. I had my aortic aneurysm repair and aortic valve replacement in 2009 (at age 56). I'm now training for my first competitive road race in over 20 years on Sunday. 'Happened to be checking email and saw Adams information about you. Coincidence? I don't think so. Just remember that you'll feel a little better every day after tomorrow. You'll be in my thoughts, Linda. Regards, Bob

Yikes! Did get to finish my message (my heart is much better these days than my eyes). I'll be thinking of you, LInda! Bob

My prayers for your strength & full recovery!

Mario M

Hey there Linda..
You are finally at the end of your waiting game! You have gained so much knowledge here. You have a great list of what to & what not to take to the hospital, (as well as what not to eat..lol), you have an idea of what to expect the first few days after surgery and through recovery, but most of all you have gained a TON of friends and supporters. All of whom will be praying & cheering you on tomorrow!!! As they wheel you into that OR..I know you will feel all the love that goes with you! :) Remember who will help guide the surgeons hands...and the "special angel" who will oversee it all!!
We are all waiting for you Linda..... slow & steady as you slide down..... we will catch you if you stumble....no need to worry!! :)
Stay strong my friend! Keeping you in prayer!
Love ya!
Connie T

Wow, it is finally here! You are going to do great. I know it. Now go in there tomorrow and make us all proud. I will be thinking of you. Good luck my friend.

-Mitch Friedman

Good luck tomorrow! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers all day.

I hope everything goes smoothly and don't forget, your spirometer is your new best friend. Use it. A LOT!!
Ricki

Well, my friend, you are READY!! The best thing you are gonna eat in the hospital -- trust me on this -- is the ice chips you get in the ICU. The sheer pleasure of letting those little suckers melt in your mouth, combined with the knowledge that YOU DID IT! will make up for any number of really lousy hospital dinners. Ask for the apple sauce and the Italian Ices and you can generally get someone to snag you a plain turkey sandwich. :-) I'm thinking of you with all my prayers and just know you're going to be fine.
xoxo
Selma

Hi Linda, glad you had pre opt done yesterday and ready for the day. My pre opt is today and still a lot of anxiety at times. We will be fine and ready for recovery soon. May God Bless you and all of us during this stressful time. Don S

Hey Linda! Glad your pre-op is all done, now you can lay back and let the pros do their jobs!!! You are going to do great, and there are so many people praying for you, including me. Looking forward to you being on the other side with the rest of us!! You can do this..... keep those ice chips close and use the spirometer!!!!!!
Holly

oops-that was from Mollie

Saying prayers for peace and calm for you, Linda. I will also pray that God's hand will cover every person who touches you in the OR. You are almost there- and you can't imagine the relief of being on the other side. I believe you will do great!!
Looking forward to reading great reports on you.
"Cast your cares upon the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
Psalm 55:22

As they say, it's all over but the shout'n. You've done your part now the doctors take over. I'm so glad you have confidence in the doctors, that's really important. Take care we'll all be thinking of you!

Hugs and prayers,
Vicki D.

Thinking of you, sending hugs and prayers. Try and not worry, you will do great. I look forward to reading your posts of recovery. Janis Kielbasa

hi Linda..
Just wanted you to know you have been on my mind all day! The pre-op tests wore me out. It was a long day.
I know you probably have a few butterflies again today...but know you are surrounded by prayer & love from your HVJ family!
Stay strong...remember you are woman...hear you roar! (no meow's for our resident cheerleader) :)
Connie T

Hey Linda -

Charlie & I are praying and thinking about you. The worst....the waiting is almost over! God Bless you on your journey and we'll see you on the other side of the mountain.

Julia & Charlie :-)

Hi Linda,

Now the easy bit, just lie back, get a good sleep and let the surgeon do his work. You will wake up mooving on to a healthier and less stressed life. That mountain top is only a few feet away and yes, you can sled down the other side.

Safe journey and the very best of wishes on the way

Paul R

Dear Linda,
I know the feelings you are going through....It looks like you are having your surgery on a Tuesday....same as myself.
I am now 13 months post op....I feel reasonably strong...did 2 1/2 miles on a treadmill Saturday..
Just know you are in good hands
Pray, Hope and Dont worry...that is what I reapeated to myself as I entered the operating room....In two weeks you will be strong and on the road to recovery....
God Bless
JOHN MADONNA
LAS VEGAS NV

Your real butterflies will kick in when you are sitting there with the nurses getting you prepped. But just like I had my mom sitting there and I knew she wasnt gonna let me get up and run away. I will be with you holding your hand, dad on the other side and so will Grandpa and God.

I will see you Tuesday.
Love you mom!

Hi Linda, It sounds like they just wanted to check out your heart with a little fright before you are admitted :-). now the difficult part is just putting that behind you and looking forward to mooving down the other side. It won't be long until you can look back and say it was much easier than you thought!

All the best

Paul R

Good Morning Linda!
Just "stopping by" to let you know you are still on my mind, and in my heart.....Stay Strong as you are now in the home stretch.....focus on that yummy doctor...and how good he is going to make you feel... (with the surgery, Linda...with the surgery)!!!! lol...
Keeping you in prayer,
Connie T

Hey, you! Just wanted to let you know you are on my mind. I'm thinking good thoughts and hoping the "eerie calm" finds you. Remember: FFF - family, friends, and faith -- you got 'em!!
Love,
Selma

Hey there Linda...
Happy belated birthday!!!
Boy oh Boy.....it is almost time! This week will go fast.....you will be flirting with that good looking doc before you know it....and he will be in a part of your heart that no man has been before :-) He will work his magic to change your life forever...to make you healthy.
With two very special docs on your team...the good Lord overseeing it all....and your special angel (Dad) holding your hand....(not to mention all of us here at HVJ cheering our most precious cheerleader on..) with lots of prayers too....you will do great!
Just stay strong....keep the faith....you know Linda who carries you during the tough times....HE will not forsake you! :)
Still got my green & white pom poms ready...and now I am in cardiac rehab...so my cheers should be a little more "impressive" lol..
Love, prayers & hugs from Ohio..(you are...always on my mind...and forever in my mending little heart) :)
Connie T

Hi Linda, I understand what you are feeling. Our time frame is less than a week and the anxiety does kick in a little more these days. I read information regarding pre opt and what to expect day of surgery, etc and anxiety starting in high gear. We will be fine; it is just the unknown that I fear. We can only put it all in God's Hands and the surgeon. It is getting me to the hospital that may be a little more difficult. I plan on meeting my son and sister there, the day before surgery after my pre opt. Don S

Yes, almost there my friend. Stay strong. You can do this! I am still keeping my eye on you....

-Mitch Friedman

Happy Belated Birthday Linda! and so sorry to hear about your sister-in-law. You DO have alot going on in your life. I'm thinking of you as your date gets closer.... you are going to do just fine. I love your positive attitude and the way you are such a comfort and support to everyone on here. God Bless You!
Holly

Hi Linda, things were fairly calm today. I've been very fortunate with no dreams about the surgery although I wake up with anxiety. Start praying and I calm down. Requested information from Dr. office on what type of bovine valve with no answer. Received a call from an old acquaintence that heard I was having surgery, said she had heart replacement 12/31/2011 and feeling good. In fact, she and couple of other ladies are on a two week driving vacation visiting other states. Puts things in perspective. I called her Dr. nurse and visited with her. Although her Dr. will be out of town and the country till Oct., visiting with her I calmed down, giving me more confidence with my Dr. and his choice. If her Dr. would have been in town, would have probably switched and gone with him because they seem so open and upfront; answering questions. Instead of being difficult to talk with. Maybe I'm expecting too much of the old timey type Dr. with good bedside manners, knowing where the patient is coming from. But we will be fine; just a little difficulty for a couple of days after surgery. Then, we'll be wondering why all the worry. Almost like the colonoscopy, day before is the most difficult. Take care and let's stay calm. God will take care of us.

Hi Linda, calmness is difficult to come by at times. Keep having faith and we will make it through this just fine. Still 2nd guessing at times, the bovine versus the mechanical. Then, the anxiety kicks into high gear. Take care and we'll stay in touch. Don

Hey Linda,

I think you picked a very good day for your surgery, that's my birthday! :) I read some of your entries and it's amazing the work you've done to prepare for your surgery with the weight watchers and everything. You also mentioned your sister and a valve surgery too? My sister is named Stephanie too! She doesn't have a valve problem though.

I really love your phrase you sign off with,
Moving up! :)
Carolyn S.

Hi Linda, received a call today from an 86 year young man (mutual friend brought us together) and last year he had a TAVR and said he was up walking the next day about 200' and only a short stay in the hospital. He said it did not compare to opening of the chest 3 years earlier. He was so excited and doing great. He gave me inspiration and confidence that all will be good, even if this new tissue valve on the 19th wears out in 10-20 years; the next time, it should be much simpler. I had a lot of anxiety today and his testimony calmed me down considerably. God does answer Prayers. Don

Linda - It's great you have your date! Understand the anxiety too...I also had those little pills when I needed them the last two weeks before surgery. You have probably heard this a million times, but the waiting is the worst! I kept myself busy by building a man cave for myself in the height of my infective endocarditis...it kept my mind busy. It took me two months to build an hour or two each day! I am enjoying it now in my recovery. It is slow going afterwards, but I keep saying that I don't have to be in a rush! The peace and calm just before surgery is amazing, you will know that GOD has his arms around you...it is amazing. God Bless you will look forward to your posts. Thanks for posting on my site! Charlie M (surgery August 9th - WOW four weeks tomorrow - Aortic Stenosis, aneursym with infective endocarditis) P.S. Get a recliner...its the best thing for recovery and where you will probably sleep the first few weeks...I'm still in mine!

Hi Linda, I know what you mean about the anxiety. At times, all seems fine, then the anxiety hits me again. We will be fine. I'm thankful we are going through this now instead of 20 years ago, before all the advancements with surgery and valves. Too many difficult choices on valves though. Keep in touch and wishing you the best. Don

Hi Linda,

I'm so happy you have a date. Before you know it, the day will be upon you. Try and cherish each day and those around you. I followed DVB's recommendations by eating heart healthy, resting as best I could, and doing a lot of walking. I also cleaned some of the clutter in my home (with the help of some relatives).

Indeed, I was calm the day before surgery. I banished all negative thoughts and just became accepting and trusting.

I'm praying for you Linda. Thanks for your support before and after my surgery. It means a lot to me.

Regards,

Lee Castro (Surgery Aug 13, 2012)

Linda,

Your calm will last. You've gotten much stronger and now have the certainty and comfort of a date.

As usual, DVB is right on the money.

You can Choose to do well. Exercise that option!!!

You go girl! Life will be good.

Now that you're counting down, do the right things. Eat heart healthy, rest well, get some (mild) exercise. The exercise generates your very own protein messengers that jump start the healing mechanism. Basically you want to program you body to heal quickly.

Then treat yourself real nice before the big day. -- DVB

Linda, I am SO happy for you that you have a surgery date set.... and two doctors to work on you! Sounds like you are all set to finally get this done! I'm glad you are able to laugh a little and have some fun. Too much worrying is not good for you or the people around you..... but it is perfectly normal! Get those small things done around the house that you want done before surgery, then sit back and relax.....!!!! I'm following you and praying for you!
Holly P

Linda, God gives us blessings everyday. It is so wonderful to recognize them when they are happening. You sound as if you are in a good place. Stay strong and remember you are always in my prayers. See you soon, with love, Connie H