Renee Merrill posted a note for Rita that says: Thank you for your kind words Rita! I to had Hodgkins disease and had to much radiation and am in the same boat as you...but you waited 9 years after diagnosis to have surgery? can i ask why? i hope i dont have to wait that long...i have ocassional shortness of breath and i'm tired alot and i have chest discomfort alot lately but i wonder how much of that is stress? God bless you and thank you for commenting on my story :)

Jean Raber posted a note for Rita that says: Rita, just checking in to see if you are all right. Thinking of you, soeur.

Jean Raber posted a note for Rita that says: Note of thanks for sharing your experiences with bone marrow biopsy. Went just like you said; most pressure, very little pain. Staff was great and it went fast. Not sure I even needed that Ativan. At any rate, it's over.

steven a husted posted a note for Rita that says: i dont know if that feeling in my sternum will ever go away i am one year out and sometimes i still get a small pain or funny feeling in my sternum not all the time but several times a month maybe i am still healing or the nerves in the incision are pulling on each other what ever it does not last your heart brother steve (popeye)

Terrie Syvertsen posted a note for Rita that says: Hello Rita, I just read your post and want to tell you that it is common to hit the place you
describe yourself as being and also for us to experience cardiac depression as well that if
you are lucky will come and go quickly. The plateau is difficult when you have achieved so
much by surviving such an experience which is our surgery that you don't realize sometimes
takes a hefty weight of energy off body and soul. This is where your challenge lies. It is important to make sure you feed yourself well. Get enough exercise and sleep. Follow up by listening to
your body and it speaks volumes to us and tells you what it needs if you listen well. It is hard not to move as fast as the mind wants to run in celebration of being "behind" this surgery we have had.
The mind Is an amazing thing. Being able to manage all of the emotion that builds before/during/ after surgery is crucial to moving forward with the months and days ahead of your recovery period and it is difficult when sometimes it seems to go slower than we expected. I suppose it doesn't help
much hearing that it is common to feel as you do right now but as your body rebuilds its strength, it will bring more clarity to each day and that mended heart of yours will help you feel like your old self, even better, your new and better self. Rita, as I look at your photo sitting among the pieces of driftwood I see a thing of Beauty. I see a Beautiful Survivor who is not that far into her recovery period and a Lady with a full life stretching before her who needs to know that it will get better as
your body continues this elaborate game of "catch-up" so that you can once again move on knowing
you are feeling the changes and that it is for the better. Time and Patience are your gifts. Please take care and be well. I am at 11 months pre-op tomorrow and felt much as you do today but want
you to believe it will turn around for you too!

steven a husted posted a note for Rita that says: i agree i think there are cycles after open heart surgery where you feel better for awhile then you feel not so good for awhile then back to feeling better again hope this may help someone steve (popeye)

carlnkathy@verizon.net posted a note for Rita that says: Your story sounds like what I'am going through now. Is their help I do not know how much more I can take.

Peter Willard posted a note for Rita that says: Rita I had a bovine valve put in my aorta in FEB 2010 at 67 and at 73 so far good and you also will do great so keep a positive outlook.

Ellie posted a note for Rita that says: Thank you for sharing this site Rita. As I write, you are probably deeply sleeping. Your body is already beginning to mend. You are one day closer to full recovery.

That coloring book idea is a good one. Will look for one subversive enough to amuse you! Sending you love every minute of every day.

Terrie Syvertsen posted a note for Rita that says: Hello Rita- Just wanted to add my positive thoughts to the rest in wishing you a smooth surgery and that you have confidence in your surgeon and the team of people who dedicate their lives in helping all of us heart people! I know you mentioned depression earlier as one of your concerns. I ask that you think of the fact that with depression you will have a whole-large family of heart brothers and sisters to get in touch with who will be supportive and give you comfort should you find that depression finds its way into your thoughts after surgery. It is helpful to realize that having someone to talk to/with or people to touch base at your fingertips will be instrumental in helping you find your way to surgery and be the greatest gift upon heading towards your recovery so please take heart(pun intended) in knowing you are SO Not alone and have many prayers, universal energy positively flowing in your direction now and throughout the time of your surgery and recovery. Believe with all your heart that you will do and be well as it is the best way to enter into this surgery. Take care Lady and if there are any questions you still need answered keep asking right up until you enter the hospital if it will help you!

KT posted a note for Rita that says: Tu esi stipra...turies!

Lenore Mitchell posted a note for Rita that says: After reading your story, Rita, I have a suggestion for trying to avoid post op depression. Try to keep busy within your capability, that is. You won't want to overdo it physically, but staying active as much as possible, as in beginning with slow walks and working up to more time is one good thing. I found that coloring in a great little book my daughter gave me was fun and mindless, so very relaxing. The book has intricate pen and ink sketches of flowers, insects, etc, and I usually did a page or two with colored pencils most days. I'm not particularly artistic, but I do love flowers, and this seemed like a good activity, along with daily walks when the weather permitted.
Good luck, and aim for serenity.