Hmmm..I think we need more pictures. The last time I checked, your groin is no where near your belt line. I think it would be best if you snapped a few shots so we're not left wondering. :)
The cat story sounds painful. I have four dogs that I'm sure will be a pain. Luckily the little poodle is crippled and can't jump, but he insists on being in my lap 24/7 and JoJo, one of my Boston's is like a Mexican jumping bean. I think I'll have to drug her or something. :)

Nancy B

You crack me up! I love how you don't mince words. Great reports, keep 'em coming. And I hear you on the cat thing -- my cat has a way of jumping up on my chest as I'm lying down and I have a feeling that's gonna be an issue with a mini-sternotomy. Lucky for her, she weights WAY more than 5 pounds, so I can't pick her up and throw her!
Selma

funny as shit...

... but don't laugh too much, it will break your stitches!

and definitely keep the elephants off the bed.

Way to go buddy! Lay it all out there. Especially the get yourself moving even if it hurts. Especially if it hurts, 'cause that's when you need it. Now keep yourself moving and get yourself to cardiac rehab or self-motivated sameness in a few weeks and you are gonna be better than ever. Sorry it hurt so much. Prolly worth it by a lot though -- DVB

Oh my goodness Paul!!!! Now that's what I'm talking about, good, honest details. Thank you Thankyou for being so graphic!!!! You are hilarious and I was laughing so hard! My husband wanted to know what was so funny so I shared it with him! I will have help when I get home, thank goodness.
Thanks for mentioning the pictures, they are "interesting". Wonder if they do those same punctures/incisions in the same places on a female?? Sorry you had trouble with nausea, did they offer you anything for it?! Glad this is behind you and you are on the road to recovery! 3 days left for me!
Holly

Kudos, Kudos !!! I have read your 4/22 posting twice, and will go back many times. Graphic?? Yes. Realistic?? Yes. Informative?? Certainly so.

My situation is different...AVR scheduled for 5/4, hopefully mini sterno. But I am certainly concerned about mutual issues. Thanks again, and keep your insight coming.

Cordially, John Teeftt

P.S. A New Hampshire midget, or a southern belle?

Hi Paul & Kathy,

Glad to hear you are home recuperating. Get lots of rest and cuddle up with the cats.

Susan Hinton

Well that was about the best play by play surgery account that I have readso far! Scary,real and entertaining all at the same time! Sorry, but the passing of thewatermelon had me laughing out loud!

I'm having a mini thorocotomy too and I have to say...your incisions look pretty scary.

Isnt it amazing how after surgery everyone get so excited over a bowel movement? It's like you should gift wrap it and put a bow on it!

Glad to hear you made out okay and are safe and sound at home recovering.

Nancy B

Paul and Kathy,
So glad that Paul is home and doing well. I'm scheduled for the DaVinci Robotic Mitral Valve Repair on April 25th, just 4 days away! I'm curious about many things, such as..... how many actual incision/insertion sites did you have, and where were they? I was told I would be in the hospital 3-4 days, and my insurance approved 4 days, is that what you were told? Do you remember being taken off the ventilator? I've been trying to read information about the robotic procedure and don't see as much on here as the open method. Stay strong and keep moving!!!! (at least that's what they say)
Holly Pomeroy

Great news! Take it slow. Warm regards Lily Cardlin

Happy Birthday to Kathy! Glad to hear Paul is home where recovery is much more comfortable. One step at a time and soon you will be back to normal. I am glad everything is going well.

Jocelyn

Congrats Paul! Now on to recovery, just remember...slow and easy, listen to your body, you will find that at first you need lots of rest. I've been told that it is during rest that our bodies heal. Isn't it wonderful to have the surgery behind?? Take care and God bless!
Linda THE Tiger Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

So glad to hear Paul is home and getting some much needed rest. A very nice birthday gift indeed! We will wish a speedy recovery for him. Love, Jeanne and Chuck

Hi Paul and Kathy,

I'm so happy Paul was released on your birthday. What a gift! Please keep us posted. Looking forward to getting together again. Let me know if either of you need anything.

Take Care

Laurie B.

Kathy & Paul

That is great news glad to hear you are out of the hospital and on the road to recovery. we will see you soon.

dave and barb

We are glad to hear you are making such great progress. We hope you get released soon. Happy Birthday Kathy!

Peter and Jenn

The updates are looking better and better each day. We are thrilled that the entire process went well. Now, it's time to rest and recover fully. We will speak with you soon.

Jim and Jeannine

Paul it sounds like you are doing great. I hope you get released from the hospital today. Tell Cathy we all said happy birthday. Get well soon and I hope we can get together in a few weeks. Can you feel any difference after the surgery? Take care Chris

Hope you are able to be released tomorrow. Recovering at home is so much easier. Happy birthday to Kathy. We will call when we get back to the states.
love,
Lisa, Seth and the boys

Paul, I don't know you except from the Winni site but I wish you all the best. Have a quick and full recovery.
God Bless

Charlie T

Glad to hear that Paul is recovering nicely from his surgery. I hope that in the days to come each one sees a continued improvement in his recovery!
Louisa

Hi Paul,

Glad to hear your surgery went well. Make sure you get lots of rest. We are saving all the work that needs to be done here for when you come back. HA HA

Susan Hinton

Paul and Kathy,
My prayers are with you both, especially for a speedy recovery for Paul. Thanks for the updates - It sounds like things are going ok, and thank goodness that you did this sooner rather than later.
Best wishes,
Jill Slocum

Hi Kathy and Paul, Thanks for the nice post and best to you both. Every day will be better. He sure got of ICU fast, that is great. Keep up the good work., and good luck.
For the long haul
Linda H

Paul and Kathy,

Best wishes for a speedy recovery! This site is great, so I guess I am glad Mike called you Kathy even though it was the day Paul had the surgery! We will keep track of progress from here and wish you both the best!

Joe and Judy

Paul,
We are so happy that your surgery went well and that you continue to improve. We have been thinking of you and Kathy. Jim and I will give you a call when Kathy says it's ok. We are looking forward to speaking with, having a few laughs and getting an update on the animals! In the meantime, we will check the daily updates.

Jeannine & Jim

Hi Paul, I just found out through Amy's Facebook post that you had heart surgery yesterday. I hope you are continuing to improve. You and Kathy are in my prayers. Your cousin, Monique

Kathy,
I had surgery last week and was always in pain when I tried to lay in the bed. They let me sleep in the recliner chair and it was wonderful. Maybe see if they can do that?
Best of luck!
Kerry Thomas

Hi Paul, it sounds like you are progressing well! We will be stopping in to visit tomorrow - we are happy that the operation was a success!

Peter & Jenn

Hi Paul and Kathy,

I hope all is well with you! The worst part for me following surgery was getting into a sleeping position. best of luck with the recovery. We have a place in Suissevale on St Moritz.

Please let us know if you need anything (even keeping the dust off the car!).

John Harrington
VitaBene (Winni forum)

Paul and Kathy,
Glad to know the sugery went well and that now the healing can begin. You will be in our thoughts. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Jeanne & Paul Walker

Hi Kathy & Paul ..
Our prayers are with you for a speedy recovery ..
Good Luck and God Bless

My thoughts are with you. It sounds like you are hanging in there. We are thinking about you. God's speed. God bless. Amy

Very glad to hear that everything is going well. Impressive that Paul's sense of humor can still come through! There's a lot of strength for ya. Thoughts and prayers for a speedy and easy recovery!

Jocelyn

Good Morning Kathy & Paul,

So glad to hear the surgery went well. Keeping you both in my prayers!

Kathy C.

Paul, hope your recovery is short but disappointed that you didn't ask Vic and I to perform the surgery....John

Hi Paul

Thank God this is behind you. so glad they took the tube out you were worried about that. Wishing you a speedy recovery and can't wait to see you and Kathy.

Dave & Barb Walsh

This is a great format! Glad everything is going as expected. Of course the nurses are attentive to his needs. He is so funny that he his is, I'm sure, their favorite patient!!! God bless and keep us informed. Love, Ellen

Glad to hear that Paul is looking more like himself and hope that he is able to leave the ICU today. Take care of yourself Kathy - be sure to get some sleep! Jeanne

Wishing you a speedy recovery so you can get back to the lake!

Island Girl

Hi Paul & Kathy,
Riverat from the forum here. Great news that you are in ICU and recovering, you'll be up and at 'em in no time. Keep a positive outlook and think of all the things that are now going to be possible for you to enjoy in our wonderful area. I went through triple bypass just over 2 years ago and although a scary deal at first, it has allowed me to enjoy life more than I was able before the surgery.
Listen to these wonderful doctors and nurses and rehab girls and you will be good as new.
See you around the Lake, and may God Bless you and Kathy.

Hi Paul,

Sending you some get well cheer and wishing you a speedy recovery!

Warm Regards,
Anna Marie

Paul..Best wishes for a speedy cardiac recovery and
a short hospital stay !
Joan

Dear Paul and Kathy,
So glad to hear the surgery went well. Sometimes days like this are hardest on the person not being worked on!
Paul, you are going to be running marathons next!!!
Love, chryso and Paul

Way to go! Let the healing begin -- DVB

Paul,

Very happy the operation went well! Have a relaxed and happy recovery.

Fred and Marlene

Sounds like the surgery went quite well thankfully! Wishing you a speedy recovery. I will be thinking good thoughts for you and Kathy. This is a great way to keep everyone up to date!

Paul wishing you a quick and succesful recovery

Rick
FFR 4019 ( Zulu)

Hi Paul,
Dave and I wish you you an easy recovery!! You and Kathy visited us in RI one day with your sailboat. We would love to see you this summer also with or without your sailboat.
We send you our very best thoughts.
Dave and Adrienne

Hi Paul. Great to hear you are out of surgery and doing well. I'm really happy you had this done now instead of later.
Keep smiling Kathy and be strong.

All my best

Laurie Butler