On February 3, 2012...
Hi Robert. Well I Thot I was next on 2-9. But you get the pleasure. Thinking of you & as I told Mitch. Take good notes ! Believe it or not I just met someone from Ethel la. At a meeting. Small world ! Best to you

Nancy Friedman. St louis.
Robert Hartner  Hi Nancy,

Hells Bells Loretta.... It is a small world!! Mitch looks great and now the healing begins ... Read more
On February 3, 2012...
Robert, I am right behind you on 2/20. Good luck and hang in there. I wish you a safe/healthy/speedy recovery.

Jimmy Johnson
Robert Hartner  Thanks Jimmy. My daughter will keep up with posting and I will start as soon I can. Hangin' in there! ... Read more
On January 30, 2012...
Hi Robert, just wanted to "drop by" and say I am thinking about you and praying for you, along with all my HVJ family, as your date draws closer.

I expect the "nerves" will pop up now and then, as it does for us all, but I know you will do fine. As someone said earlier in their journal, to the surgeons, this is just another day at work for them. I'm guessing, kind of like running into a burning building is for a firefighter! To the rest of us it seems like something we would be terrified of, but to those who are trained and know what they are doing, it's something to be respected, but not feared.

Good luck with your pre-op stuff, and remember your HVJ family is here for you!

God bless!
Still waiting...Linda Dixon
Robert Hartner  Good morning Linda. Thanks for the encourgement. Had a good weekend and kept my mind occupied. Talked ... Read more
On January 25, 2012...
Hi Robert thanks for signing my guestbook. I wish you much success..and since you'll be a week ahead of me..you can fill me in. I"m a tad older than you but doing well... and they say i'm "young & Healthy" I like the young part. These postings help a lot.. I'm still keeping very busy; working almost to the FEB 9 surgery; and keeping a good attitude. Know I'm in good hands.
Is Ethel? near New Orleans? will be there sunday FEB 5 giving a presentation for an association at the Conv. Center. love that city.

be well and keep us posted. thanks.

Nancy
Robert Hartner  Hey Nancy--

Ethel is a 30 miles north of Baton Rouge and 100 miles north of New Orleans. It is a sma ... Read more
Robert Hartner  It's early...hit the wrong button.I have lived here for the last 15yrs. Will have my surgery in B.R. ... Read more
On January 25, 2012...
Hi Robert --

I'm a newbie here at HVJ, awaiting the rescheduling of my open heart surgery for severe mitral prolapse, which was to have taken place yesterday. You sound like a pretty strong guy, but I'm betting you're having fears and jitters just like I am. This online community is a wonderful way to calm those.

I, too, am a strong believer in the power of prayer and will be lifting you up as your day approaches.

God bless!
Judy near Seattle
On January 24, 2012...
Welcome to the "broken heart" club Robert! It's amazing how many of us there are! I see that you are in Louisiana, I am in South Carolina, so welcome fellow southener!

I also found out in November that it is "time for me to be fixed". I have known for years that it would eventually happen, but hearing "it's time" was quite a shock actually. I have just in the last couple of months, while waiting on my surgery, which is March 13th, begun having some very vague SOB and fatigue, don't know if it is symptoms or anxiety.

Will put you on my "pray for" list and ask you to do the same for me if you pray.

I have a very good friend who is a firefighter, thank you for putting yourself in harm's way to serve your fellow man.

Keep us posted and hope you have someone to fill us in while you are "down for a while".
God bless!

Still waiting...Linda Dixon
Robert Hartner  Thank you Linda for responding. My son lives in Columbia, South Carolina! It is a deep spiritual rel ... Read more
On January 24, 2012...
Hi Robert, welcome to HVJ! This is an incredible community. Everyone here is so sopportive and informative. I go 4 days before you. I encourage you to read other HVJs and put it all out there on your HVJ. What you will get back will amaze you.

I will simply repeat what I have heard over and over, the waiting is the worst part.

Good luck to you!
-Mitch Friedman
Robert Hartner  Hey Mitch, Thank you for the response. You were one of the first stories that I read. My neighbor rec ... Read more