Hi Michelle. I am glad recovery is going ok for you. I got to come home yesterday and sleep in my own bed last night...wow. I can't speak of the back pain that you refer to but praying that it goes away.

Todd Breeden AVR 1-24-13

I'm so grateful you are here too
Have you tried therma care heating disposable pads for backs
Xoxoxo
Marcia

Michelle - congratulations on being home and starting to find a routine! It is hard to be patient with your body while it adjusts!! From its perspective it has been through a major traumatic event and it has to sort through the healing process, overcome the impacts of the heart lung machine, adjust to the new chemicals, etc. but you will be amazed at how quickly much of that gets sorted out.

For your back, try alternating an hour of heat, then an hour of cold. It makes a BIG difference and brings down the inflammation which is a big part of the pain.

God bless you in your recovery!

Hi Michelle!

I'm bummed that I didn't get chance to say goodbye to you, but thrilled that you are finally home with your family.

It was such a pleasure to meet all of you and to see you come through this with such strength!

Thank you also for supporting my dad, too!

I hope we always stay in touch!!!


Emily :)

Of course you did it! I will tell you, the back pain was really the only real discomfort I had. They say it is from the way we were positioned on the OR table. It will eventually go away, I used heating pad a lot and Biofreeze (got from chiropractor). It did take several weeks though. Just listen to your body, you will continue to be tired for a while, just nap whenever you need to. So.....it looks good from this side doesn't it??? :-)
Take care and hang in there!
Linda THE Tiger, aka Linda Dixon

Stay strong. You are doing great! Thanks for sharing your experiences. For those of us soon to follow, it really helps.

Remember the Little Engine that could
He knew he coul he knew he could
The only one who doubted your strength was you
Can't wait to celebrate with you
Dinner Your choice
Lots of love Marcia

Hey Michele, I'm glad your home. I think you will heal quickly now that you are in your home. Say hi to Mike and your children. I'll call you when I get home. I Love U Man! Bob

Hi Michelle,
Doesn't it feel GREAT to be home??!!
I'm glad everything went well for you and it's done and over. You must be so relieved!

Nancy B

Michelle we are very happy that you are home.Keep up the good work love Tio Manny and Tia ELISA

Welcome home!! You did it!! Be so proud of yourself and warmed by how much we all love you!!!

I am soooo happy for you! Diane

Amazing what can change in a week. You are doing great, Michelle, keep up the good work! It's all uphill from here!! xo Sue

Yup, I knew you had it in you girl. You're now a new woman so live with urgency and keep God first every day. So proud of you.

Big Hugs,

Chris Dixon

Hi Michelle,
Sorry your still there...Have they talked about Lovenox to you?That's why I was able to go a little early.I hope today is the day for you. :)
Al

Lays week at this time you were terrified at the possibility of not going home
Now you Know you Will go home
:) marcia

Well sorry you have not been released yet but glad to know we are off to the recovery side of this. Good luck and I will continue to check in with you.
Alex Vigil

Michelle - I hope they get your Coumadin levels figured out very soon so you can go home. I had a TEE and heart cath done yesterday and doctors told me they want me to get the surgery done in February. While we were talking with the surgeon about in stay hospital time, he really stressed how important it is to figure out the right amount of Coumadin for each person. The search will be on for me to decide on a surgeon and hospital. I will keep reading your posts for insight. God bless you in your recovery, Jean Trausch

When do you expect to be home?

Michelle,
Hang in there - it's almost over - soon you will be home with your little ones. I recall the anxiety; I had my surgery in 5/12. I have a 7 year old ; soon you will be home and your little loves will be waiting on you hand and foot! Best wishes for a great recovery, Kate R MVP repair 5/12

Well you Must be feeling better since you feel like you're going crazy
I have Meds for that :):)
We also have blood thinner issues in common:(
Love you

Hi Michelle,

I know it's frustrating but let them get it right so that you can go home knowing that they did everything in their power to send you home stable. I know I would want that too. And, my countdown is now 8 days...I hope to be doing as well as you and the others that have gone before me.

Your recovery is in our thoughts and prayers.

Steve B.

Hang in there Michelle. Praying for your quick recovery. Leticia

Michelle, glad to hear you are doing well.
Uncle Pit & Jack

Hi. Glad to hear that you are doing well. I had a valve replacement done just over 3 years ago. People always ask me how I am doing. My answer:"if it weren't for the scar on my chest I would not know I had anything done". The aches and pains of recovery eventually go away and it is great to wake up each morning to a brand new day. God bless you in your recovery. Tim McC.

Hi Michele, still traveling around. I have been keeping up with your procedure and sounds like you are doing well. Luv U Man, Bob

Glad to hear all went well and you are doing well. Hope to hear you are coming home soon.

Leo and Elaine

Yeah! So glad to here your "voice". Love ya! Diane

I knew you could
Just like the little engine that could
I'm so proud of you
Love
Marcia

Congratulations Michelle!

We are so happy to hear you reached the other side and it gives us hope that we too will be there in less than 11 days. We look forward to hearing your progress in the days ahead.

Steve and Aida

Hi Michelle, finally!!!
Its great to see your post. I hope your recovery will be fast and you will go home soon to be with your kids.
Aga

Hi Lady!!! I was thrilled to see that you posted today which means you're getting stronger each day!!! Yay!!!! Keep up the great work!!! We can't wait to see you!!!

Hugs and prayers, Maria and Mike

So glad to hear Michelle is doing better. Tell her to continue to be brave. She is done with the surgery and recovery is now in progress. Tell her she is in our prayers and we are wishing her the very best! Leticia

Hi Michelle,

I hope you're doing better today and the back pain has eased up!!!

Hang in there :)

Emily

Michelle,
Finally meeting you yesterday was a real high point for me. I had been looking forward to it since you first signed my guestbook early on(thanks Joanne!). You look awesome and I know that you will have a full and speedy recovery. I think in the future we will both look back on this and wonder if this really did happened to us.I could see and feel the love your family has for you in our short visit yesterday afternoon and know that you'll be well taken care of.In the end,all we really have is our family and friends to carry us through life's journeys.I feel that I now have a very special bond with you now that I will carry close to me...I'll check in on you later when I'm doing my laps and maybe we'll have a chance to walk and talk some more.
Al Zebal 😃

Hi Tio Manny and I are very happy w/the good news keep up the good work.
We will keep praing .we love you.

Thanks for posting updates! So glad to hear her progress!

Yay for you, Michelle! Will continue to keep you in my prayers. Good luck on your recovery. - Jean Trausch

Michelle,

I am so proud of you. I had NO doubt in my mind that you get through this surgery. Not long before your recovery is over and you will be back to your life your "new" life. I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH! Stay strong- only amazing things are to come! <3

Always and forever,
Allison

So glad to hear the tubes are coming out one by one! Keeping you all in our prayers everyday!!
xxoxo
anita & chip

Yeah Michelle
Knew you could
Love u
Marcia

Michelle Plona and I are glad to hear that you are doing better. We have been worried about you. We are praying everyday for you!!
Love,
Andrea and Michelle

Hi Michelle - you are in our prayers and thoughts. Steve said it was okay to put you on our 2 parish prayerlines. I have gotten many responses and there are many prayers going your way.
Love and God's Blessings to you and your family - Patty and Bob Sears

Hi Michelle! I have a page on this site too but hardly get on which I should more. I have 3 kids that keep me pretty busy. Tryin to keep up with everyone is hard to do sometimes.
I have also had aortic stenosis and had a mechanical valve put in. Will be 4 years ago in March. Heart from what I last heard was doing and sounding great. Next echo checkup is in May.
Anyways, I just wanted to tell you welcome to the other side of the mountain. All your thoughts were normal. Had very similar for my own surgery. God will take good care of you. He only puts you through stuff he knows you can handle. he wants to show you how strong you are. If he was to take you home with him its only cause you have probably done all that he has asked of you and wants you to come home.
Your a brave lady and your family will be proud of what you went through.b
Stay strong you will get through this.
God Bless!

Stephanie

We love you! You are one strong woman! Love, Dawn and Joseph

So happy for you, this is finally over! Come home soon and please take the time you need to feel better. Enjoy all the pampering, you deserve it. Ti Lucia

Wonderful news
It is hard to believe the surgery is finally over
Michelle's fan in is rooting for her now and always
Love
Marcia

Dear Michelle,
My uncle is Al Zebal and I got the pleasure of meeting your mom and your husband yesterday. Let me just say that you have a wonderful family and I can see so clearly how much they love you and how supportive they are of you.

I wish you nothing but the best in your road to recovery. You are very fortunate to have Al as a friend. He, Jane and Emily are amazing people and those of us who are blessed to know them are some of the luckiest people on Earth! Welcome to the club!

All my well wishes to you and your family,
Serenity Maher
Milford, CT

Good morning lady! 😃 So happy and relieved that this is behind you! The worrying is over, now you can focus all your energy on recovery! Keep up the great work! Love ya💜Jen

You and your family are in my prayers:)