Glad to hear Sheila is recovering and walking around the unit. Please give her my best for me and let her know that she is in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

All the best,
Matt Fountain

Thanks Beth..I loved that last post. You are good friend to have near by. Give Sheila a squeeze for me. As your friend says Sheila....slow, slow, slow...soon you can get back to the Fast and Stop mode...xxooxxoo kit

Beth,
Thanks for the update on Shelia. Please tell Shelia that I send my best regards and I am now in my 23rd day of post op from AVR. Things are going really well for me in that I had no complications from surgery ( thank God) but I also wanted to resume my regular activites a bit to hastily. I think this is all part of the adjustment period to post-op for those like Sheila and me who were so active and pretty healthy before we knew of AVS.

Tell Shelia that I feel physically and psychologically stronger every day but the recuperation period does take its time. Going for an early Sunday walk to build my stamina and I will say a little prayer for Sheila so that she can stay at the hospital for as long as it takes to address the AFIB issue.
Best,
Pamela

Thank you so much , Beth, for the update! Sheila, take it slow and let the healing happen. that was a blessing to be waken up that time. That is one thing I never liked, besides the food, about being in a hospital, the constant interruption of your sleep to take vitals and then they insist that you get some rest. LOL! I am so happy you are walking Sheila, but take it slow, you do not want to tear or open up your wounds, especially the inside. Thanking God for your quick and complete healing!!! xoxoxo Adrianne

well sweet cheeks if you weren't so ready to leave....thanks to your friend for the update, and Tom Finney....isn't that just like a hospital to wake you up...HMMMM...and they will get all the vitals where they need to be, and you will be on your merry way.....thanks for the update...xxooxxoo kit

Hi Sheila,
Hope all is well, that you get out the hospital quickly and get to go home. I will try to e-mail you on a regular basis. Please take care.

Thoughtfully,
Don Callahan, your massage client!

HI Sheila,
I am on day 16 after aortic Valve replacement and I am home and walking (slowly) for 10 minutes twice a day and taking things slowly. Take care of yourself and be gentle dont expect too much.
From Sharon (Australia)

Go Sheila GO!!!!!! The removal of the tubes was the toughest part for me! Life gets easier after they come out! Sit in the chair as much as you. Walk when you have the help. Like Mari said, breath deep with/and without the machine.

Baby steps, Sheila!

God is goooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Christy

Please tell Sheila that I am so happy to read that she has made it through surgery and is doing so well.
This is my 21 day since I had an aortic valve replaced and I am home walking, climbing steps, going to dinner and doing most things that I feel up to. Sheila will be progressing nicley I am sure and I will looking forward to reading her Journal entry's when she is up to it.
Pamela

Thank you Sheila's friend for the more detailed update. Praise God for the tubes coming out and she is able to breath deeper, because I know that was something Sheila was not happy about when I spoke to her yesterday morning. We know that Sheila is truly a warrior and will come through this victoriously. So glad the recovery is moving right along. What a blessing! Please give Sheila a gentle hug from her friends. We love her much!

God bless,
Adrianne :-)

yes, thanks to your friend for the update!! and to Tom who posted on his wall, and then i reposted his update on your wall. Of course you came out like a champ!! Looking forward to hearing of your speedy recovery!! xxooxx kit

Sheila... Thank you for having your friend update on your progress. I have been looking since Tuesday just to see how you are doing. Sounds like you are right on course.
Hang in there girl!!
I know I didn't have much of an appetite the first 2 weeks or so but now things are back to normal. It gets better and easier for sure!
Keep waking and breathing deep! :)
Take Care and Keep the updates coming
Follow Your Heart
Mari :)

Sheila - So glad to hear you are doing well. I could only eat fruit for the first few days - nothing else sounded or tasted good. It will come back slowly and then you'll be eating everything in site. I just had my 2 week follow up and it went well. I'm sending you my prayers and thoughts for a speedy recovery and hope you are home very soon!! Tammy Golchert

Yay!!! Double Yay! Finally to hear that things are going well! It's great news! Knowing that you are getting up and looking forward to discharge is great. I know you will do all you can to recover even the difficult physical therapy.

Thank you Sheila's friend for updating us all on Sheila's progress. I have been anxiously awaiting news. Sheila. I'm so happy that you are well on your way to recovery and that things went smooth. I look forward to being able to talk to you about it more. Get plenty of rest and know that we are all rooting for you.

Much love,
Melissa

Thinking about and praying for your complete quick recovery, Sheila. Take it slow. xoxoxo

Adrianne

Just thinking about you on your surgery day. It is a tough first few days but it will be worth it in the end.
Take Care
Mari :)

Everything is going to be ok! :-) We will all be waiting to hear from you when it's all over, but it's all going to be good. :-)

Hang in there, Sheila.... :)

Wade

Hi Sheila! I am over in yor guest book, so I'lll
drop in herer to say hello and to wish you a speedyrecovery
Don

I'm so glad, Sheila, that you have the love and support of so many people as you go through this.......if I can be any help at all as you recover and so on, please let me know, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump from here to where you are.
By the time you will be able to read this you will be out of surgery and recovery will have begun but right now it is 7:20am on Tuesday and I am thinking of you as you enter the OR and everyone is in place. God's giving you a great gift here and I know you will continue to use your life for his glory.

Dear Sheila,
Some of the best advice that I recieved to help me manage my anxiety about OHS was to hand all of my worries to my surgeon and God when I am in the 'holding area" . You are on vacation until you begin your recovery which will keep you very busy.

Relax and I am praying for your successful operation and recovery. You are in good shape and great spirits. I just went through this and all was so much better then ever expected.
Pamela

Hi Shelia,

Everything is going to be ok!

Take Care

Bill

Sheila, as you said Jesus will be with you in the OR making sure that the doctors and medical staff takes care of his precious one. It is normal to be a little nervous, that is a normal body response. God is awesome like that. Keep your mind stayed on the Lord, for you are a faith-filled, over comer walking in victory!

This is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. You are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. By Jesus' stripes you are healed. He is with you always and is your comforter, healer, deliverer, peace joy, strength, hope, refuge and protector. Your balm in Gilead.

I look forward to speak with you soon so that you can share the testimonies of this phase. Love you much, my sister friend! Fasting and praying for you today.

Adrianne :-)

Will be praying for you as you go in shortly - that you are in perfect peace that only comes fro
Him.
Roxanne Dropko
Fellow hvj

Just think Sheila, by tomorrow this time you will be out of surgery and recuperating. I know you will do fine--you are still young and so active!! It is interesting how so many of us with valve problems are very active people and we love life. You'll be back to doing everything you did before--and MORE!! My aortic valve replacement was 13 years ago!! I felt so much better after the surgery. Honestly, I don't even remember it being a bad experience. Cardio rehab was so much fun.

I'll be thinking about you and praying for you. Stay calm, (take deep yoga breaths) and dream about everything you're going to do in a few months!!
Hugs, Shirley Howerton

Sounds like you got a great support team behind you! Sorry you're feeling anxious. Surprised they didn't give you something to calm you. But everything WILL be okay. And a few months down the road when your back to being active and exercising and you're doing it all without huffing, puffing, and spinning, you will look back on this day and smile. I will be thinking of you all day tomorrow and be waiting for an update.

Much Love,
Melissa

And the same back to you, Sheila. What are the odds that two people are having the same surgery, at the same time, just a few miles apart?!?!?

Hey Sheila,

I'm just checking out your journal...I'll be thinking about you Tuesday morning and say a little prayer for you. Don't worry about it, everything will be just fine.

Wade Clark

Oh that would send me in a spiral downward. I don't want to wait a second longer. I'm glad I'll be first of the day at Loma Linda!!!! I'll be thinking of you as they wheel me into the OR.
Dan

Hello Sheila. Yes, one more day to take care of things and maybe do something enjoyable to relax yourself.

p.s. your featured surgeon is really "cute"....~wink~

so glad you are flexible!!! One more day of prayers and well wishes your way!!! xoxoxo

Sheila,

Ditto what Paul said below. Except for the part about Canada... Love, Your Little Brother

Hi Sheila. How are you doing? After tomorrow you'll be on the other side of the hill. You're going to do great. I'll be praying for a fast recovery for you.

Looking foward to reading your recovery posts.

Thoughts and prayers,
Matt Fountain

Hi Sheila,

You are going to do great tomorrow! No worries! :-) You have a positive mental attitude and that is the most important thing to possess. We will all be looking forward to hearing from you post-op. :-)

Love and best wishes,
Kendra

oops typos! (I ususally do word doc and then import)

Sheila, how very kind and thoughful of you!

I will certainly pray fervently for you tomorrow, in fact right now.


Lord, I lift up Sheila before you. May your loving arms surround her as she moves forward to her surgery. Grant her the peace that passes all understanding as she casts all her cares upon You.


Sheila, everything is going to be alright
and you're going to be Ok because you are in His care.


Blessings from Canada. I 'll keep you posted as my journey unfolds as well. The eternal God is our refuge and underneath are His everlasting arms. Deut 32:27


Paul

Sheila, how very kind and thoughful of you!
I will certainly pray fervently for you tomorrow, in fact right now.

Lord, I lift up Sheila before you. May your loving arms surround her as she moves forward to her surgery. Grant the the peace that passes all understanding as she casts all her ctes upon You.

Sheila, everything is going to be alright
and you're going to be Ok becuase you are in His care.

Blessings from Canada. I 'll keep you posted as my journey unfolds as well. The eternal Gid is our refuge and underneath are His everlasting arms. Deut 32:27

Paul

feeling the love!!! Good for you on your big date tomorrow! keeping you thoughtful and prayerful!! xxoo kit

Sheila,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. This will probably seem like the longest weekend of your life. I hope you can get some rest and relaxation. Sounds like with the manipedi and massages you're already doing a pretty good job of it. I'm gonna want all the details after your surgery. All my questions are centered around recovery so I will be following yours closely. Will be looking forward to your updates. Hope you will have someone doing them for you while you are unable to. Good luck to you and the new heart parts you are about to get. Such an exciting time for you.

Much love, Melissa

Hey Sheila.... Thinking about you during this time. I know the waiting can be tough as I am reading your blog and remembering my own thoughts 4 weeks ago.

You are going to do so well. Think about how lucky we are to be this time in medical history when we can be fixed for good. It truly is amazing. Keep your thoughts positive!!!!

Follow Your Heart
Mari :)

Stay positive Sheila. In just a few days you will be all fixed up. Praying for you. Jon Farmer

Hi Sheila,
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you courageously get closer to your date for surgery.
I am celebrating my 15th day of recovery from surgery. Had my 1st post op physical wmy cardiologist andI received an excellent review. I feel stronger every day and my family has been incredible and have been the best recovery team ever.
On my way to the beauty salon but will take it easy afterwards.
You will be fine eve though the first few days are a bit challenge .
Best,
Pamela

Go Sheila go!!!! You can do it!!!!! Walking, using the spirameter and a positive attitude will help you bounce back quickly! We are thinking about you.

Christy

Ha, Ha....it will take two for your job....that's great...yes, hoping you get your swimming in for sure...enjoy your week-end...and remember this is voluntary surgery, and thank God not emergency, so you will sail thru....love and Hugs....kit

Hi Sheila,

The wait is almost over. July 11th will be a great day.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

Hi Sheila,
Yes I did the preop on Thursday. All my tests had been done two weeks ago so it was an introduction type morning. I did answer the same questions a few more times. So everything is done. Just waiting now for Tuesday morning. Gotta be there about 5:30 am.
I seem to have got over the hump of concern and worry. For the last 10 days, my fears have floated away. I'm really confident that I will handle all the post op stuff well.
How about you? Your day is Monday so I suspect you won't sleep Sunday night.
Dan Cline

Hi Sheila, just a short note to let you know I am still checking on you and following the "count down". It's good to hear that your doing well and your day is getting closer. Talk to you soon! John Tuttle XO

Sheila,
I will be thinking about you and praying for you!! Thank you for supporting me through my mitral valve repair. It went really well and I'm very glad to be home. I noticed a difference really quickly after surgery in my energy level. My mom keeps having to remind me to slow down and rest.

I know you will do well and recover quickly. Have a wonderful rest of your week and NO WORRIES!!

Tammy in Dallas

Sheila, I read your story and can relate to all you are going through. First, I want to tell you that I am 68 years old and also alone, but have awesome friends and a wonderful church family. I will be having a mitral valve replacement in 2 weeks at the Cleveland Clinic and I also stay awake at night with anxiety..wondering, worrying and praying. Now, I want you to know that I went through an aotic valve replacement 13 years ago and it is just a memory now. I honestly don't even remember the pain, although I have a scar to remind me. You can hardly see the scar--looks like clevage!! I went through cardio rehab which was great!! I also was active before my sugery and after the surgery I definitely got my energy back. I still dance 3-4 nights a week and still go--go--go!! Didn't believe when I found out I needed the mitral valve done. Anyway, I will follow your journey and keep you in my prayers. Please keep up the positive attitude. You will be back doing all the things you did before and you'll have alot of wonderful, active years ahead of you!! Remember, you've still got alot of living to do--you CAN do this!!
Shirley Howerton