Amy,
I never heard from your friend that you contacted me about. If she still wants, she can call or write. If not, that is fine. I hope you are doing great, ...Read more
Amy,
I never heard from your friend that you contacted me about. If she still wants, she can call or write. If not, that is fine. I hope you are doing great, and enjoying life.
Thanks,
Theresa C.
Hi Amy,
Just using the shock of Duane\'s news to take a moment out to reconnect with the friends I made more than a year ago on the website. Just to remind ...Read more
Hi Amy,
Just using the shock of Duane\'s news to take a moment out to reconnect with the friends I made more than a year ago on the website. Just to remind you that you were my inspiration and that I was so determined to look as glamourous as you in my photos on HVJ! I only managed a couple of games of golf last summer before the early snows hit so I am looking foward to next month when we are off to Spain for a week of R&R and sunshine! I really appreciated your note on my anniversary but would love to hear more news from you! If you have a moment please let me know how you are and what you\'re up to!
Love and hugs
Penny xx
Dear Amy,
I was so happy to hear from you, and understand why you have not been on here. I was glad to hear from you especially because your last update said ...Read more
Dear Amy,
I was so happy to hear from you, and understand why you have not been on here. I was glad to hear from you especially because your last update said you did not get a complete medical clearance and were trying medications,,,well it sounds as if the medication and your dedication to exercise has you on a positive track. I too have had an easy recovery compared to a lot of patients on this site. Lori B. hit us all so hard and I too will never forget her or her family.
I am doing great...am exercising on my own..treadmill, weights, bicycle etc. I AM NOT as disciplined as you are, but I am trying to improve this. I received a good report on my follow-up echo, and my medication is being reduced. I would love eventually to be off all heart medications. I wish you and your family an extra-special celebration during the holiday season. If you have time in the future, drop a line. Your positive outlook and dedication to exercise are an inspiration!
Wishing all the best for you,
Theresa
Amy,
I was just checking in to say a quick hello. I was wondering how you are doing? I have finished cardio rehab and am now exercising on my own. Are you still ...Read more
Amy,
I was just checking in to say a quick hello. I was wondering how you are doing? I have finished cardio rehab and am now exercising on my own. Are you still pushing yourself...you have such a great exercise routine....how is the golf? Well if you have a moment to update, I would love hearing from you.
Take Care,
Theresa C.
Hi Amy
Thinking of some of the dear people who I followed on the HVJ and hope you are doing well. i assume your heart rate is down. Are you still on the Coreg? ...Read more
Hi Amy
Thinking of some of the dear people who I followed on the HVJ and hope you are doing well. i assume your heart rate is down. Are you still on the Coreg? My heart rate was very high post op and my cardiologist kept doubling my medication (metroproproal) till we got to a dose that worked. Am in rehab and doing well, am hoping at my 6 month check up (Sept)I will be able to get to a decreased dose. Anyway, just stopping by to say hope you are doing well and enjoying life. I hope Kimberly\'s recovery improves, she certainly is having a difficult time.
Fran
Hey Amy,
As you know, Kimberly is also at the East Carolina Heart Institute, and I just wanted to let you know that Sandra is one of her care givers and that ...Read more
Hey Amy,
As you know, Kimberly is also at the East Carolina Heart Institute, and I just wanted to let you know that Sandra is one of her care givers and that she remembers you and your husband.
We were talking about the HJV and she remembered a patient and her husband who were here that was also using the same website.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you were remembered.
Take care
David and Kimberly
Amy,
Glad to hear back from you. That is good news that your heart rate is coming down...mine is down some since I first came home, but I have been on medication ...Read more
Amy,
Glad to hear back from you. That is good news that your heart rate is coming down...mine is down some since I first came home, but I have been on medication the whole time. My cardiologist said he would eventually like to get me off all medications...that would be great. I do enjoy cardio rehab and am going three days a week. Because I had the fast heart rate, I liked the fact they take your blood pressure and keep track of your heart rate throughout the workout period. You are doing great with your exercising and raising your heart rate. I hope to continue on my own after my scheduled sessions are completed. Enjoy your visit with your son! It would be great to stay in touch.
Theresa
Amy,
I was just wondering how you were doing since you started on your medication. Is your heart rate lower and when will you have another echocardiogram? It ...Read more
Amy,
I was just wondering how you were doing since you started on your medication. Is your heart rate lower and when will you have another echocardiogram? It is amazing that there are so many new members on this site, and that almost three months have gone by since my surgery. I hope all is going well for you...I can not believe how much better I feel.
Take Care,
Theresa Callanan
Amy: John and I are so glad that things are going well for you since your surgery. We keep you in our prayers.
All of love and best wishes,
Judy and John ...Read more
Amy: John and I are so glad that things are going well for you since your surgery. We keep you in our prayers.
All of love and best wishes,
Judy and John Stout
Hi Amy,
This is Joanna Castlen, remember from the good ol AdvoCare days in TN. I found this site by Googeling your name. I am amazed by what you have been ...Read more
Hi Amy,
This is Joanna Castlen, remember from the good ol AdvoCare days in TN. I found this site by Googeling your name. I am amazed by what you have been going through. Hope that you are doing well. I am still at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Look me up on their directory sometime and sent me an email.
Joanna
Hi Amy,
I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse as a teenager. I had my first echo in my early twenties and was told it was fine. After having my son, ...Read more
Hi Amy,
I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse as a teenager. I had my first echo in my early twenties and was told it was fine. After having my son, I started having the symtpoms and when he was 6 months old, I had my tubes tied and had some cardiac complications that led to my 2nd echo to find my prolapse had become moderate. So the cardiologist put me on two heart meds and watched me for a year. When I had my 3rd echo one year later (this past March), my prolapse had become severe and I was told it was time to fix it.
Thanks,
Melany
Hi Amy,
I just read your post for Kimberly. Did you have the minimally invasive surgery as well? I did to and my biggest pain was from the chest tubes. ...Read more
Hi Amy,
I just read your post for Kimberly. Did you have the minimally invasive surgery as well? I did to and my biggest pain was from the chest tubes. I am 5\'3 and 177 lbs and still have soreness and occassional muscl spasms on my right side. It\'s been 4 weeks for me, but every week, the pain is less. I will continue to keep you in my prayers and look forward to seeing your updates!
Melany Strader, NC
Hi Amy,
Thanks so much for answering the question I had about the chest tubes. I can imagine it must have been more painful for you considering how tiny you ...Read more
Hi Amy,
Thanks so much for answering the question I had about the chest tubes. I can imagine it must have been more painful for you considering how tiny you are! I am also very thankful for the link you sent me. I will be reading those stories after this. I think the days leading up to surgery are the longest...of course I say that now, check back with me after the surgery:)
Happy Mother\'s Day!
Kimberly S.
Amy,
As I am sitting here hiding on Mother\'s Day as I do on most holidays..it was meant that I opened this incrediable entry to see how blessed I am today. ...Read more
Amy,
As I am sitting here hiding on Mother\'s Day as I do on most holidays..it was meant that I opened this incrediable entry to see how blessed I am today.
I am so sorry about your dear friend as I have one so close in Santa Fe with MS and cannot imagine not talking to her daily.
My greatest condolence for another challenge in your life!
I am still here , caring and thinking about you. Keep on searching for what works for you internally with your doctors and know that all of us especally me feel very close to you! Love to you and your whole family.
Kelly
Happy Mothers Day and Most of all happy friends day everyday!
Dear Amy,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Life is hard to understand why things so senseless occur. I want you know I am thinking of you ...Read more
Dear Amy,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Life is hard to understand why things so senseless occur. I want you know I am thinking of you and saying a prayer for all the victims of these terrible floods.
Theresa Callanan
Hi Amy,
First of all, I wanted to say that I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.
Thank you for writing to me and your suggestions were very helpful! ...Read more
Hi Amy,
First of all, I wanted to say that I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.
Thank you for writing to me and your suggestions were very helpful! Can I ask, how big were the tubes they put in your chest?
Kimberly S.
Hi Amy,
I just read your story and I too had the minimally invasive mitral repair. Dr. Owen in Greensboro, NC did mine. He trained, worked and taught under ...Read more
Hi Amy,
I just read your story and I too had the minimally invasive mitral repair. Dr. Owen in Greensboro, NC did mine. He trained, worked and taught under Dr. Glower at Duke. My surgery went well and my recovery is going great. I start rehab Monday. I hope you continue to do well also and pray that all will be ok. So sorry to hear about your friend.
Melany Strader, NC
Hi Amy
I am sorry to read of the death of your friend. to die in this manner seems senseless, doesn\'t it? Apparently she was a very special, loving person ...Read more
Hi Amy
I am sorry to read of the death of your friend. to die in this manner seems senseless, doesn\'t it? Apparently she was a very special, loving person and God must have a need for her. If you are a Christian you know she is safe and without fear, but it is those left behind to mourn who are feeling so much pain and loss. Just wanted you to know I care. Prayers to you and her family.
Fran Z
Hi Amy,
I just met with Dr. Chitwood yesterday and got my surgery date for the robotic mitral valve repair on June 3rd. I agree with you that he and his staff ...Read more
Hi Amy,
I just met with Dr. Chitwood yesterday and got my surgery date for the robotic mitral valve repair on June 3rd. I agree with you that he and his staff are amazing! The waiting is definitely the hardest part right now. I am very symptomatic and my quality of life has pretty much diminished right now. I will be 40 next month, have 3 children and have so much that I look forward to doing! My husband and I read your journal last night and it has been the most helpful thing to me I have read so far in letting me know what to expect. Thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration and I hope to start my own journal this weekend. Best of luck with your \"new\" heart:)
Kimberly S.
Hi Amy,
You definately get more information over there than we do, and maybe sometimes it can be a blessing sometimes not. Here we don\'t get told our EF and ...Read more
Hi Amy,
You definately get more information over there than we do, and maybe sometimes it can be a blessing sometimes not. Here we don\'t get told our EF and I haven\'t asked but if it hasn\'t made any difference to what you can do then try not to let it make a difference to how you feel. My heart rate is still faster than it should be and I AM on heart drugs (Digoxin and Verapamil)but I am hoping that the fitter I get and that as my heart and lungs recover from the trauma that I will get a better result as I wean off the drugs. We both have to keep reminding ourselves that we are only 8 weeks post op! Stay positive, lots of love and hugs Penny xx
Good Morning Amy,
Was about to write to you to see how you\'re doing! You have such a positive attitude,and your doctor is on top of things. Sometimes we shouldn\'t ...Read more
Good Morning Amy,
Was about to write to you to see how you\'re doing! You have such a positive attitude,and your doctor is on top of things. Sometimes we shouldn\'t read the side effects of drugs. I was prescribed Ambien (not sleeping more than 2 hours at a time) and after reading the info sheet about possible sleep walking, sleep driving, sleep eating, sleep sex (still haven\'t figured that one out), have yet to take it. Of course that\'s a lot different than a heart drug. My heart rate is also high but am only 1 month post op. It\'s pretty amazing when you realize what our hearts have been through!!! Glad you are golfing and enjoying your activities. Post again, always like to hear from you.
Fran Z
Hi Amy,
Good to hear from you. I too have had a fast heart rate since I have left the hospital. I have been on metoprolol and the doctors also feel it is the ...Read more
Hi Amy,
Good to hear from you. I too have had a fast heart rate since I have left the hospital. I have been on metoprolol and the doctors also feel it is the trauma of the surgery and that it will eventually calm down. I am patiently waiting, besides this I have had an uneventful surgery and recovery.
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ
Hi Amy, Good luck tomorrow on the green - I\'ll be thinking of you. (I kept looking at the photo thinking \" Matt looks different...\")Love and hugs Penny xx ...Read more
Hi Amy, Good luck tomorrow on the green - I\'ll be thinking of you. (I kept looking at the photo thinking \" Matt looks different...\")Love and hugs Penny xx
Upcoming Surgeries
Kevin Grant
Mitral Regurgitation
February 26, 2026
I am from: Raleigh, North Carolina
