Bill,
I'll be praying for you. You sound like you are in good hands. Talk to you soon.
Patrick in STL

Hi Bill
I get to see the good doctor tomorrow. Glad you had a great impression. How long were you with him? When you're up and walking, find my room and say hello. Remember to look for the 2 tall attractive women who are my daughters. Prayers to you for a fantastic outcome.
Fran Zilko

Lori know you will understand Love you Bill all my thoughts and prayers will be with you tomorrow. Know you will be ok, i knew you when you knocked the neck off glass beer bottles chugged the beer and never got hurt. who does that. Surgery will be a piece of cake! Hugs to you and Lori

Hi Bill
Well, it's showtime soon so break a leg! I'm wishing you a good night tonight and an especially good day tomorrow. I've been through it. Lots here have and Bill, it's nothing you can't handle. You'll do it your way and I sense you will eventually be sharing the more humorous parts with us. You are in my prayers as your ship sets sail but tomorrow, you are NOT the captain. Dr. Gillinov is going to be at the wheel and you know you are in good hands.

Hi Lori
Guess you're going to be the transcriber for the next while. I sense Bill might be a hard man to keep tied down so good luck with trying to keep him entertained. I hope your waiting goes well tomorrow and that you keep yourself rested as possible under the circumstances. As many of us take detours now and then towards our full recoveries, don't let that get you down. In the end he'll be okay and the pair of you will be back on the lake in no time. Good luck. Prayers. Cheryl, Ontario

Cap'n Bill, we'll be thinking of you this week. Hope you get some rest before the big show begins. Look forward to your updates.

Amy and Matthew Machtay
Raleigh, NC

Oh Captain, my Captain!

Let's hope it's not Red Green assisting on the surgery.

All the best

Steven in Calgary

Hi Bill
They had me going from place to place faster than I could think. Can't say I saw you, but knew you were in one of those rooms. Hope the MRI turns out okay. Tomorrow is my cath so can't meet in the cafeteria. Hope the goodies in your goody bag are super (LOL), will have to wait till Wed.to get mine, I guess.Enjoy your drink. You are in my prayers. We'll meet one way or the other.
Fran Zilko

Hi Bill! Do'nt let the b------s get you down my wife said I lost my sense of humor for several weeks after surgery. I think she was right.Do'nt tell her!If your wife is as wonderful as mine you need to let her run everthing and sit back and enjoy!!!I do'nt get to do the corresponding in the jounals! Sargent Susan took command of it. I do want to wish you the best and recover soon.We will be watching your journal. God bless, Richard from maine

Hi Bill
Even though we got to J1-4 30 minutes early this morning, never did spy you. Where are you staying? If you're at the same hotel as us maybe we could meet? If not, we'll have to meet post op. Take care and do well. Don't tire the good doctor too much before my surgery. Will be praying for you on St. Patty's day.
Fran Zilko

Bill,
Well the big day is here. I know that you will do just fine. You will be in Carols and my thoughts and prayers.
Jim

Bill,

Did you party in the Flats?

Wanted to wish you the best before you imbibed in all that green beer or do they just put food coloring in your IV?

Waiting to here from you soon.

Sandy Gilbert

You are welcome and anytime. I can tell you have not headed for Tahiti yet from your last entry. Of course, there is still time. Sounds like your trip started off about the best that it could be. See you in a week or so.
Linda

Capt. Bill,
Good luck....and from an Irish lass..the luck of the Irish will be on your side. I will be praying for you and can not wait to hear of your adventures. You are such a funny man and have brought lots of laughter to this site.
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ

Good luck & God speed Cap'n Bill! I'll hoist a green beer in your honor. You will sail thru your surgery as you are in my prayers.
Kathy Jamison-Patnode

Howdy Captain Bill!

Welcome to Ohio. Man, that is not a BIG lake; that is a GREAT Lake. This coming from a Michigan boy! Gotta get it right.

Seriously, Bill, great talking with you. You and Lori are close in our prayers. Now, go out and have a dreadfully boring routine surgery! Do as I say, not as I did!

Love & Prayers,

Duane & Peggy

NO GREEN BEER? The woman is insane, mad I say!

Cap'n, I'm wishing you a fair wind and a fine sail. See you on the other side.

Steven in Calgary

Hi Capt'n
Wishing you good luck and looking forward to seeing you on the post-op side. I hope Lori manages the wait well. It will be nice to know Peter, Fran and family are close by as well. Safe boating. Cheryl, Ontario

Oops forgot to sign previus entry at 4:04.
Love Tim, Kristi, Kyle & Alex

Bill & Lauri, we hope you have a wonderful trip to Clevland. We will say prayers for you both and for the Physicians performing your surgery. Soon you will be back in Tulsa having a cocktail and sitting in your hot tub. We love you guys- good luck!!!!!!

Ahoy there, Capt. Bill,

Best of luck to you in the next step of your journey. I see Fran has already arrived in Cleveland, doing some advance research for your guide to "Cleveland After Dark".

Thank you for all your wonderful journal entries, which have given me so many laughs and much cheer in the days since my surgery (mitral valve replacement in Jan.).

You will be in the best possible hands with Dr. Gillinov, one of the best in the world from what I hear.

I'm thinking lots of good positive thoughts for you as you prepare for surgery, and looking forward to updates.

Cleveland will never be the same after next week.

Warmest wishes,
Susan Murphy (Overland Park, KS)

Safe travels, we're already here. We'll be looking for you on Monday!!
Fran Zilko

Captain,

Thinking great, healthy heart-pumping thoughts for you.

I could be wrong but I think your surgery is just a few days away.

All the best... And, give my best to Dr. Gillinov.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Hi C.Bill, all I have to say is along about March 16th those nurses don't know what they are in for. I thought about giving them a heads up for their own good and yours, but I have a feeling the nurse that saved from being banned from the hospital for life after the testing/stabbing of the fake heart valve the day of the open house has already "spread the word" - Ohio will never be the same (ha-ha).
Seriously though, We sure will be thinking of you and Fran both. March 16th is our son's birthday so I know you will be in our thoughts and prayers!
You and Fran getting to meet is going to be pretty cool. It should be an enjoyable diversion for you both.
Looking forward to hearing good healthy postiive updates from you.
By the way, don't be surprised, as amazing as your sense of humor is, if you don't have some of it for a few days - Richard has a great sense of humor and always makes me laugh but I must say his was somewhat tepid the first few days or so. May not be the case with you but it is possible. I have to say, you sure gave me some really good laughs today as I caught up on your journal entries.
Thank you for your entry into Richard's journal. I am glad Richard did not see the part about "riding in the front seat is OK as long as you sit backwards" I would have been hystrical had he tried it, or would it have been hystrically laughing - either way, I would have ended up hystrical - so don't give him any ideas(smile).
Yes, Richard agrees this journal has been a blessing, to us both - it is all those people like you and Cheryl and Fran and Penny and Duane and others - not to even mention all of us having such supportive family and friends, right!
Warm thoughts for your upcoming day!
Richard's wife, Susan

Ahoy there Captain. Looks like your ship's about to sail and we'll be sending up a few prayers of our own on your behalf next Thursday. Penny says you and your travelling mate have a bed waiting for you in Scotland and it would be my please to show you around the best whiskey distilleries in the world! And they're only 45 mins away from my house. Until then, take care - Georgie

Hi Bill,
Lori said to pick you up on Sunday at 6:00 am, but due to daylight savings time, it is really 5:00 am. I assume you already know this little fact. Since you wrote this last at 4:00 am, I imagine you will just stay up and sleep on the plane. See you Sunday, if not before.
Linda D.

Hi Capt'n
Just wanted to be sure I didn't miss you in sending my prayers and well wishes for your surgery on Tuesday. I'll be looking for a positing either from you or Lori updating us on how things stand. I know where your happy place is so I pray you stay there until you're out of the deep water. Prayers to both you and Lori. Cheryl, Ontario

Good morning, Just read your post to me. i know, it's time isn't it? It's been too long to be waiting, but since we wanted the #1 hospital and surgeon, that's what we've had to do. As far as the Krispy Creme donut, easy for you, since you've already had your angiogram and your pipes are clean, still need to find out about mine.After my lab work I have a CAT scan scheduled so I can't eat or drink till after that. Probably will be past the point of hunger then! Enjoy your evening out tonight. Where are you staying during this whole thing? Seems you said something about downtown but am not sure. We are staying at the Intercontinental on the hospital campus. They had a suite situation will work out for us. Have 2 daughters who will be there for my surgery. With the small fridge and micro, they can at least have breakfast. Well, we leave early Friday, so my next post will be from OH.Will look for you Monday.
Fran Zilko

Thanks Bill for the encouragement but the Cleveland after dark scares me more than the surgery. I lived in Cleveland for the first 38 years of my life.

My best for you,

Sandy Gilbert

Placitas, NM

Capt Bill,
You are hysterical and bring a smile to my day. I have been home for a couple of days now and am so happy. I will be praying for Fran and you. I do not doubt you will do well....your humor and outlook will carry you through. After all, they can not let something happen to our comical genius.
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ

Hi Lori
Don't let this guy near sharp objects!
Cheryl

Bill, your journals make my day. I hope everything goes well for you in Cleveland, and I hope that there's someone there for you to keep your spirits up like you do for us.

Steven in Calgary

Good Morning
Sorry the big heart was a bust!! Did you get to walk inside and see the aortic valve? Did they have the appropriate labels on everything? Hope you checked out the mitral valve for me as I have one up on you as I'm having a 2fer or BOGO free as the Publix supermarket says. I will look for the Capt'n Bill t shirt and will alert my family. Hope it has long sleeves for that cooler weather. Don't you know our colder than normal winter will come to an end later this week as we get ready to leave on Friday.But, will have warm weather for my recovery walks and sun sitting. Will get my Vit.E naturally. Cheers
Fran Zilko

Captain Bill,

Love the cheesy inflatable heart! Was the picture taken before or after you stabbed it?!

Please know that you have some friends in central Florida who have targeted you for some intense praying in the days ahead. Now, go out and bore us all with a very uneventful routine surgery and recovery. That's an order!

Duane

Hi Lori and Capt'n Bill
Just wanted to drop by and say I was thinking of you both as you get ready for your holiday in Cleveland. Do you leave on the 12th as well? Are you having any tests before your surgery or are all your tests complete? I think Fran has to have her angiogram first and a few other things. Anyway, I'm thinking of you and wishing you well. Prayers. Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Capt.B,
I love your list. Some of the things you said we did actually do when Richard went in for his surgery. We did bring candy/cookies for the nursing staff, we had slippers, a robe is a good thing to bring, by the way. I did bring a camera (probably shouldn't have, but I got a few post-op pictures and actually the comparison of then and 5 weeks later is remarkable).
You are a funny guy and made me laugh with your latest journal entries. Hope you had fun with your "big heart." I'll just bet you really have one yourself.
Richard's wife, Susan

hi Cap'n
Sun tan lotion--hmmm. That's when I asked about scar treatment, I said you men probably think of it as your badge of honor. Surprise. surprise, my peaceful place when I listen to the tapes is on a beach at the ocean. Grew up in MA and as kids (there were 8 of us) our parents took us to the beach every Sunday. When my father retired he had a home on Cape Cod with a beautiful beach. The smells and sounds of the ocean have always been special to me. When we chartered sailboats we were on the beaches of the BVI. So even though I am not a good swimmer, love the water. You are in my prayers, too. Don't be too hard on Dr G, he needs to take care of me the next day.
Fran Zilko

Good Morning
Wish I could call that hospital and tell them to install a metal detector. Think of all the kids you'll scare and besides you'll drown in the rush of blood (lol). It's really a neat idea. Check out the mitral valve for me as I'm having both aortic and mitral. See you soon.
Fran Zilko

Hi Capt'n

Just wanting to send you some sea breeze thoughts and well wishes. Hoping you and Lori are managing to keep positive as you get yourselves ready for your trip to Cleveland. You are both in my prayers. Cheryl, Ontario

Dear Captain Bill,
Good luck on your impending surgery. I just had my surgery on March 2 and am recovering very well. I had a Mitral repair done and it was a success.If you have any questions, I would be glad to answer them. I enjoy your journal, you are so funny and have a great outlook. Good luck.

Theresa Callanan Howell NJ

Capt'n Bill and Lori
Thanks for the note. Just finished listening to my guided imagery tape. Hope I will easily be able to visualize the peaceful place they talk about finding.It was odd to realize this morning, that exactly 2 weeks from today they will be operating on my heart. You will be 1 day post-op, yeah!! Yes, will look forward to finally meeting you. This heart valve journal has been a blessing to me. Hope to be able to meet Adam in person one day. If I don't hear from you I know you're busy and that's good, should make the time go by faster. Our only grandchild, 6 year old, Michael will be spending the weekend with us. He knows about my upcoming surgery and he is looking forward to me being able to run with him. So, that's one of my post op goals. Only positive thoughts and prayers.
Fran zilko

Captain Bill!

After watching the video, it’s a blessing to see how far medicine has become, to receive the opportunity of a second chance to you and others the quality of life, which you deserve. Dana & I think the world of you and Lori, and wish you the very best in your procedure and for a speedy recovery.

Best regards,
Tommy

Howdy Captain Bill,

Well it's almost here. Feel the hot breath on the back of your neck? Excellent packing list. You might not need the teddy bear, though. If Cleveland does what many (if not most) places, including Florida Hospital Orlando, do, you'll get a heart pillow. I have hugged and cuddled my heart pillow so much, my wife gets jealous. It's my new teddy bear, and I fear I have attachment issues.

Seriously, as your surgery date approaches, know that you've got prayers, support, and love coming on your behalf from right here. When do you actually leave for Cleveland?

I seem to remember a guestbook entry from you doing my days of fog and haze that you have a buddy in Winter Haven. Am I imagining that, or is it true? If so, I'd love to look him up.

Sail on, Captain.

Duane Hunt

Hey Bill,
Are you taking that bag through airport security? I'd like to see the look on the face of the person who has to rummage through for explosives!

How are you doing otherwise? Biting the nails yet? You and Fran will be having our full attention these next two weeks as you get yourselves ready for your dates with Dr. Gillinov. I'll mention to you too about perhaps making sure you take something to journal in. It'll be useful to make notes especially of anything doctor related.

You and your dear wife Lori are in my thoughts and prayers. Did you enjoy that hockey game last night?

Cheryl, Ontario

Good Morning Capt'n Bill
Yes, I too turned the calender page and there was my travel dates for Cleveland and the BIG day highlighted. Will I call you Capt'n Bill when we meet in person? Haven't made my list yet but am sure it'll be a lot more boring than yours. I love the schedule they've given me, it'll never be the times they've stated. I'm having a CAT scan done after the labs, xray and EKG. Won't be able to eat or drink till after that, probably about 10am when it finishes (or later). Oh well.Everyone says you gain weight in the hospital due to fluid retention. I'll just look at it as a good start in weight loss. take care. Will post again before we fly to Cleveland on the 12th.
Fran Zilko

Hi Capt'n Bill

With you and your wife having to travel by air you'll be expected to travel light so I'm sure that's why you were checking out those leopard thongs, your HH smoking jacket with a pocket for your unlit cigar! Sounds like a fashion statement to me.

My husband gets his cigars from JR Cigar. When he goes golfing next month he'll have his order waiting for him at the resort they are going to. Already he has been going through the brochures seeing what he needs for his humidor. Yeah, really! His highlight of going to Cuba is strictly for the cigars although he tries to tell me it's the island and the people.

Are you hanging in there okay? I think it's pretty cool that you and Fran are going to be billeted at the same digs. Stay strong. Cheryl, Ontario

Bill,
I started reading your website in Atlanta. Haven't had time to sign your guestbook until now. It's a great idea and I love the pictures. I was there is some of them. See you soon, hopefully. You are in our prayers.
Linda Dunham

Bill,

Good luck with the valve job. My sister had a valve replacement 2 years ago and she is doing fine. She says the only problem she has is if it is very quiet she can hear it click.

Kevin Greene

Hi Capt'n Bill,
Just a quick ahoy there before I check in at 2pm (UK time). I always think when you go quiet that you have done a runner. Look forward to catching up with you this time next week when I plan to be back at the keyboard. Keep grinning!
Penny

I FRICKEN LOVE YOUR STORY!!!...."tme for a valve job!" I like it,....quick & self explanitory!!! People in are shoes should NEVER mince words!!Lifes too short, huh? Best to you all!! D.Pullano

Bill, just heard from Fran & she gave me your name.I just figured it was Cpt.Bill!Anyway I hear you & Fran r going into same hosp. at roughly same time.,...a wk bfr my 41st brthdy[GOD WILLING!!!}. My best wishes to you on the big day!I knw 4 me it was incredibly hard to let go of control on faith! If you need 2 talk ,..Im here!!Peace be with you & yours!!D.Pullano