Guestbook of Amy Steele

My Guestbook

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

1630 days ago

Rita Savelis reacted to this

Civita Fahey posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, I'm glad you posted on my comment. I was thinking of you the other day. I hadn't seen a post from you in a while.. I hope all is going well with you. ...Read more

Hi Amy, I'm glad you posted on my comment. I was thinking of you the other day. I hadn't seen a post from you in a while.. I hope all is going well with you. I just became a Grandma last week so I am so excited that I've entered that phase of my life.. Best to you and your family.

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

2356 days ago

Phyllis Petersen posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, I'm glad that the heart is doing well. Sorry to hear you're dealing with the foot now. I guess it's good the kids aren't home and needing you to drive ...Read more

Hi Amy, I'm glad that the heart is doing well. Sorry to hear you're dealing with the foot now. I guess it's good the kids aren't home and needing you to drive them around. I've been at TCM a few times in the last few months and, of course, thought of you. Take care! Phyllis

Amy Steele I read your update... You certainly have had a rough go of it over the past months! My prayers are w ... Read more

Amy Steele I read your update... You certainly have had a rough go of it over the past months! My prayers are with you!

Phyllis Petersen Thanks! We will have to get together and catch up at some point when you're up to it. Will the kids b ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen Thanks! We will have to get together and catch up at some point when you're up to it. Will the kids be home for the holidays?

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

2393 days ago

Denise Kirchner posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, I just celebrated my 3 year Mitral Valve Re-repair anniversary on Sept. 13th and am doing well. I really need to post an update in my journal. ...Read more

Hi Amy, I just celebrated my 3 year Mitral Valve Re-repair anniversary on Sept. 13th and am doing well. I really need to post an update in my journal. So glad to hear you are doing well. I think It’s wonderful that you are volunteering at the heart hospital and helping other heart patients on their journey. Take care and happy scootering! ❤️🤗❤️

Amy Steele Thanks, Denise! Glad to hear that you're doing well too!

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

2890 days ago

Civita Fahey posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy.. saw that you posted an update but I don't see it.. hope you are doing well!. best Civita

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

2914 days ago

Phyllis Petersen posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, I hope things are going well for you. We still need to get out and take that hike. Phyllis

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

2914 days ago

Phyllis Petersen posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, I hope things are going well for you. We still need to get out and take that hike. Phyllis

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3135 days ago

1 person reacted to this

Craig Wise posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy. I hope you’re getting more comfortable. Please feel free to call or email me to chat. As hard as I have looked, you are the only other person ...Read more

Hi Amy. I hope you’re getting more comfortable. Please feel free to call or email me to chat. As hard as I have looked, you are the only other person I’ve made contact with that had sternal plates like me. Best to you. Craig

Amy Steele Hi Craig - Sorry I didn't see your post sooner... Thanks for being persistent :-) I'm almost 3 week ... Read more

Amy Steele Hi Craig - Sorry I didn't see your post sooner... Thanks for being persistent :-) I'm almost 3 weeks out from surgery and doing better. I gave my surgeon a hard time about telling me that this surgery wouldn't be very painful... Boy was he wrong!!! My pain was totally uncontrolled for about the first 3-4 hours while in recovery despite being given the maximum dose and strongest pain killers allowed. ...And I usually have a very high tolerance for pain! I'm not taking pain meds on a regular basis anymore, only if I overdo it and have pain above a 5 or 6. I have a 3 inch strip of numbness along my scar and there's also a constant pain/ache in my sternum no matter what I do. I guess my nerves just need to continue to heal and my body needs to get used to the plates. I'm hoping that the constant deep ache will go away and that things will feel more normal soon. I met with my surgeon last week and he didn't seem concerned, but what does he know... He hasn't gone through any surgery with his sternum cut in two.
How are you doing? Your post from about 4 weeks after your surgery said that you were feeling much better. I hope your recovery continues to go well and that you're feeling more normal now.

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3147 days ago

Craig Wise posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy. I am thinking and praying for you. I hope we all hear from you soon. I also had sternal repair on a Wednesday. Wasn't home until late Saturday. ...Read more

Hi Amy. I am thinking and praying for you. I hope we all hear from you soon. I also had sternal repair on a Wednesday. Wasn't home until late Saturday. Was quite a few days or a week after getting home that I felt well enough to be back on the site. God Speed to you and prayers. Craig

Laura Jacobs All the best to you Amy. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Amy Steele Craig - I don't know why I didn't see your post sooner! I have several others that I missed as well. ... Read more

Amy Steele Craig - I don't know why I didn't see your post sooner! I have several others that I missed as well... Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. It helped me so much to know that you'd gotten through your repair surgery and even though the pain was worse, you're doing so well now. I hope your healing continues go go smoothly!
Blessings. Amy

Craig Wise Hi Amy. I haven’t been on site in awhile. How’s your pain and recovery? I’m progressing bu ... Read more

Craig Wise Hi Amy. I haven’t been on site in awhile. How’s your pain and recovery? I’m progressing but it’s very slow.

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3148 days ago

Phyllis Petersen posted a note for Amy that says:

How are you doing, my friend?

Amy Steele Hi Phyllis! I don't know how I missed your guestbook post... I'm doing better every day. My husban ... Read more

Amy Steele Hi Phyllis! I don't know how I missed your guestbook post... I'm doing better every day. My husband is making sure I don't over do things and I'm slowly weaning myself off the pain meds. There's much more pain this time, so it is a very slow process... The sooner I'm off the narcotics, the better as far as I'm concerned! Hope you are doing well...

Phyllis Petersen I'm doing fine. I hope that the pain subsides quickly and that you heal properly this time. Use the p ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen I'm doing fine. I hope that the pain subsides quickly and that you heal properly this time. Use the pain meds while you have to, as that'll help you heal. Then, move to something lighter when you can. My orthopedist gave me tramadol for the residual pain and then I moved to Tylenol 8-hour. My offer still holds if you need anything.

Amy Steele Thanks, Phyllis! I'll keep you on the list of volunteers if I need anything... As soon as I can dri ... Read more

Amy Steele Thanks, Phyllis! I'll keep you on the list of volunteers if I need anything... As soon as I can drive again, we should get together for coffee.

Phyllis Petersen Definitely! We still need to do that hike, but it'll have to wait awhile.

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3149 days ago

Loretta Elliott-bruinmae@yahoo.com posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, I wrote you a note a few days ago but it disappeared before I could post it. Was glad to hear that you were scheduled so soon. Bye now, ...Read more

Hi Amy, I wrote you a note a few days ago but it disappeared before I could post it. Was glad to hear that you were scheduled so soon. Bye now, you are on the road to recovery. I am anxious to hear,from Ken or Pat , how the surgery went. You are in my prayers. I received a nice thank you note from Aaron, which began, "Dear Mrs. Elliott". Please tell him how much I appreciated hearing from him but from now on "Cousin Loretta" is fine with me. So glad Ken will be able to work from home and give you his loving care. God bless you. Love, Loretta

Amy Steele Loretta, sorry I didn't see your guestbook post earlier! I had one from another friend that I didn't ... Read more

Amy Steele Loretta, sorry I didn't see your guestbook post earlier! I had one from another friend that I didn't see in the past few days either... By now, you've probably already seen my update. I'm doing well and Ken is making sure I don't do too much. The pain is much worse this time, so it's taking awhile to wean myself off the pain meds. Hopefully it won't take too long though. Thank you for your card.... I'll be sure and share it with Mom.
Amy

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3162 days ago

Andrea Trina Petalvo reacted to this

Susan Duggan posted a note for Amy that says:

Soo good to hear from you, but sad about the news. But fixable sounds good. I have a nephew that ended up having his sternum removed - can't imagine what that ...Read more

Soo good to hear from you, but sad about the news. But fixable sounds good. I have a nephew that ended up having his sternum removed - can't imagine what that must be like. Will certainly be praying for you, and that this may be done in good time. Your comment abt. your son - if you don't want to say where, that's OK, but out of the SW?

Amy Steele Hi Susan! So good to hear from you... I had a feeling that I'd be facing this repair surgery, but w ... Read more

Amy Steele Hi Susan! So good to hear from you... I had a feeling that I'd be facing this repair surgery, but was hoping not to. Aaron ended up going to The Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University in Tempe. He sent in applications to almost 20 universities, and surprisingly wasn't accepted at any of his top choices. The other out-of-state choices where he was accepted and considered attending cost $50,000 - $60,000/year with minimal scholarship money. Most of the scholarships these days are financially-based, not merit-based. We fall into the weird area where we make too much money to qualify for much in financial-aid scholarships, but not enough to actually be able to afford the price-tag without taking out loans... He did get the largest scholarship available at ASU, which pays for most of his costs... He has to live in the Barrett dorms and did opt for the full meal plan and a private room (long story), so that's where the excess is coming from. So he's 'away' at college, but close enough so that he can come home for holidays and weekends if he wants. (...That definitely makes me happy!)

Denise Kirchner Hi Amy. I am sorry you have to go through another major surgery to close your sternum, but thankful ... Read more

Denise Kirchner Hi Amy. I am sorry you have to go through another major surgery to close your sternum, but thankful your new valve is working perfectly. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. ❤️🙏🏻❤️

Mark Hall You're only going to be more perfecter...

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3208 days ago

Craig Wise posted a note for Amy that says:

Amy, might you be willing to speak with me by phone? I live in Nashville. My cell is (704) 957-6547. Thank you Craig

Amy Steele Craig- Yes, I can certainly give you a call tonight or tomorrow. If you'd like to email too, you can ... Read more

Amy Steele Craig- Yes, I can certainly give you a call tonight or tomorrow. If you'd like to email too, you can reach me directly at amy@desertsteele.com .

Craig Wise thx Amy. I received your email, and I would welcome a call whenever convenient for you.

Amy Steele Craig - Our family just got home, and it's late where you are... We're two hours behind you here in ... Read more

Amy Steele Craig - Our family just got home, and it's late where you are... We're two hours behind you here in Arizona. I'll call in the morning.

Craig Wise thx Amy. I'm trying to get CT scan today. I hope we can chat sometime.

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3313 days ago

SUSAN Z DUGGAN posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, Was surprised to see the two recent posts, and just called my pharmacist to see which I was taking. I am taking the succinate and I have been feeling ...Read more

Hi Amy, Was surprised to see the two recent posts, and just called my pharmacist to see which I was taking. I am taking the succinate and I have been feeling oddly apathetic and lethargic, although it is a year since my operation. And this is something that has really only got to me recently. I believe I was beginning to feel it before the AZ trip, but hoped that would rejuvenate me. - Actually what it did was make remember just how much I loved AZ and my friends there!! I do see my doc in two weeks and I'll ask him about it then. But it was very interesting to see that you brought it up and several people had the same reaction. Thanks for posting!! Love to all, Susan

Amy Steele Hi Susan. It was great to see you! Hopefully, you'll be able to visit again next year? Ah, those me ... Read more

Amy Steele Hi Susan. It was great to see you! Hopefully, you'll be able to visit again next year? Ah, those meds... My system just doesn't like the succinate. I felt much better the next day after going back to the tartrate. Let me know what your doc says.

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3314 days ago

Loretta Elliott posted a note for Amy that says:

Amy, So sorry to here about your new problem. Hope it doesn't interfere with your visit to us. Love, ...Read more

Amy, So sorry to here about your new problem. Hope it doesn't interfere with your visit to us. Love, Loretta

Amy Steele Hi Loretta. I don't think this should keep me from coming to visit. It's something that needs to be ... Read more

Amy Steele Hi Loretta. I don't think this should keep me from coming to visit. It's something that needs to be taken care of, but I don't think it is an emergency. After all, I've been living with it for 6 months and even went through cardiac rehab doing weights, stretches and all kinds of other exercise. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3316 days ago

Loretta Elliott. posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, Hope the doctor solves your prescription problems soon. We are all looking forward to Loren, Barb, Pat & your visit. Hope you will be feeling ...Read more

Hi Amy, Hope the doctor solves your prescription problems soon. We are all looking forward to Loren, Barb, Pat & your visit. Hope you will be feeling really good, so you will enjoy the visits with all the family. Sending my love to all, Loretta

Amy Steele Hi Loretta! I'm looking forward to our visit. I've gone back to the other formulation of my medicat ... Read more

Amy Steele Hi Loretta! I'm looking forward to our visit. I've gone back to the other formulation of my medication and already feel much better today!

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3439 days ago

Loretta Elliott. bruinmae@yahoo.com posted a note for Amy that says:

Dear Amy, It is wonderful that you have made so much progress in your recovery. Hope you & family had a nice Thanksgiving. I treated Mark's family to ...Read more

Dear Amy, It is wonderful that you have made so much progress in your recovery. Hope you & family had a nice Thanksgiving. I treated Mark's family to turkey dinner at Mimi's. It was delicious. We have had a good rain twice. Now I have a big clean-up job to do, from the winds. We really needed the rain & a lot more of it. I am busy with all my organization's events and Christmas shopping. Football season is finally over.UCLA's team was a disaster but at least our basketball team looks good. Love to you & family, Loretta

Amy Steele Loretta, thanks for the guestbook post! I got your card too... Thanks!

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3440 days ago

Civita Fahey posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, hoping your recovery is going well..

Amy Steele Hi Civita! I'm doing well, thanks for asking. Today is 8 weeks since surgery and I'm back to doing ... Read more

Amy Steele Hi Civita! I'm doing well, thanks for asking. Today is 8 weeks since surgery and I'm back to doing most of the things I did before surgery. My stamina isn't quite there yet, but I do things until my body tells me that I'm tired... I still have some pain in my sternum and right chest which is getting better slowly. I'll be sending out an update tomorrow after an appointment with my Cardiologist and an echocardiogram. Hope you are doing well...

Civita Fahey Great to hear.. yes, feeling good. as I mentioned before my surgery date will probably be in late Mar ... Read more

Civita Fahey Great to hear.. yes, feeling good. as I mentioned before my surgery date will probably be in late March early April if all goes well.. trying to space where I can get some walking done outside to rehab.. Boston Winters are not very conducive to outside walking.. freezing rain has already started. Feeling anxious of course, but, trying to keep telling myself that it will be better in the long run.. Still keeping as active as I can,..its great to have someone to talk that has been through it and is close in age .. I'll look forward to you updates. Best, civita

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3456 days ago

Barbara Laurie, Phyllis Petersen reacted to this

Christine Claar posted a note for Amy that says:

Thank you for the encouragement! I've actually been afib free the past 27hours after four episodes the previous day. Hard to stay "up" as recovery is slow. ...Read more

Thank you for the encouragement! I've actually been afib free the past 27hours after four episodes the previous day. Hard to stay "up" as recovery is slow. Hope you ar feeling good and moving along in your recovery :)

Barbara Laurie Hugs Amy!❤️️

Amy Steele Christine - Yay! We will hope that the Afib stays away for good. Thanks for letting me know. I'm fe ... Read more

Amy Steele Christine - Yay! We will hope that the Afib stays away for good. Thanks for letting me know. I'm feeling good, thanks for asking. I still have to be careful how much I do during the day so I don't get too tired. It'll be 6 weeks since surgery tomorrow (Monday 11/14).

Catie B I hope you are feeling less and less fatigue as time goes by, Amy. I hope the afib completely disapp ... Read more

Catie B I hope you are feeling less and less fatigue as time goes by, Amy. I hope the afib completely disappears, too!

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3456 days ago

Christine Claar posted a note for Amy that says:

I finally got discharged from CC on Wednesday. Still,episodes of afib each day at home :( I'm afraid it's slowing my post op progress as when I get a bout ...Read more

I finally got discharged from CC on Wednesday. Still,episodes of afib each day at home :( I'm afraid it's slowing my post op progress as when I get a bout of it I have to lay down then rest and recover after. Hopefully, it doesn't last much longer.

Amy Steele Hang in there, Christine. Remember that it takes awhile to recover. I'm at almost six weeks post-op ... Read more

Amy Steele Hang in there, Christine. Remember that it takes awhile to recover. I'm at almost six weeks post-op and still have a little Afib and arrythmia. My biggest difficulty is patience and can relate. Rest is good...

Ellen Leng I have had the post op afib as well. It is tough, but mostly gets better by 6 weeks. Agree with Amy a ... Read more

Ellen Leng I have had the post op afib as well. It is tough, but mostly gets better by 6 weeks. Agree with Amy about patience...wish I could buy some :)

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3461 days ago

Lila Richards reacted to this

MARIE PICUN posted a note for Amy that says:

I just want to say you have inspire me . My name is Marie Picun and I am in the waitting room. My echo gram will be done in January. Thank you for telling ...Read more

I just want to say you have inspire me . My name is Marie Picun and I am in the waitting room. My echo gram will be done in January. Thank you for telling your story. It really helps us who still are in the waiting room

Amy Steele Marie, I'm so glad that you found this site and that reading about what I've been going through helps ... Read more

Amy Steele Marie, I'm so glad that you found this site and that reading about what I've been going through helps. I found great comfort when I first joined this site reading the stories of others who had gone through similar surgery. Just knowing that there are plenty of others who have gone through the same things helps so much. You've been through so much more than I have... Please don't hesitate to ask questions or share your fears. There are plenty here on the site that can provide answers and encouragement. You can do this! You are in my prayers as you go through this scary process.

MARIE PICUN It is scary, I some times just break down and cry to myself. Thank you for answering me. The funny pa ... Read more

MARIE PICUN It is scary, I some times just break down and cry to myself. Thank you for answering me. The funny part is I am 62 lost my job and went into retiement.
I lost my mom, then told I have aortic stenosis. I have two small grand chrildren. My family is very supportive for me. Thanks again

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3462 days ago

Christine Claar posted a note for Amy that says:

Amy, thank you for your kind thoughts and encouragement. In and out of afib for a few days somrecovery was set back a bit. Hope to be heading home Monday! ...Read more

Amy, thank you for your kind thoughts and encouragement. In and out of afib for a few days somrecovery was set back a bit. Hope to be heading home Monday! Hope you are doing well.

Amy Steele I hope your Afib settles down and that you'll be able to go home on Monday. You will continue to be ... Read more

Amy Steele I hope your Afib settles down and that you'll be able to go home on Monday. You will continue to be in my prayers.

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3468 days ago

Loretta Elliott bruinmae@yahoo.com posted a note for Amy that says:

Dear Amy, I always look forward to your next post. Sending you best wishes and congratulations on your one month anniversary, of your very successful ...Read more

Dear Amy, I always look forward to your next post. Sending you best wishes and congratulations on your one month anniversary, of your very successful heart valve surgery. Happy Halloween to you and family. Love, Loretta

Amy Steele Thanks! I really am glad to be on the other side of surgery and feeling better every day.

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3477 days ago

Christine Claar posted a note for Amy that says:

Amy, so glad to hear your doctor visits went well. Although dealing with the monitor is probably aggravating. Hope your HR returns to "normal", you can start ...Read more

Amy, so glad to hear your doctor visits went well. Although dealing with the monitor is probably aggravating. Hope your HR returns to "normal", you can start driving and continue on your healing path.

Amy Steele Christine - Thanks for the encouragement. You'll be where I am soon. I know what those weeks before ... Read more

Amy Steele Christine - Thanks for the encouragement. You'll be where I am soon. I know what those weeks before surgery are like. I was on an emotional roller coaster, and this website helped me a lot during that time. Just reading about everyone's experiences helped me realize that what I was (and am) going through is normal. Don't hesitate to ask questions, there are so many here who have been in your shoes. You are in my prayers!

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3478 days ago

Loretta Elliott bruinmae@yahoo.com posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, So glad your visits to the doctors were such good news. Love, Loretta

Amy Steele Thanks for the encouragement!

Amy Steelegot a new guestbook post

3479 days ago

Loretta Elliott bruinmae@yahoo.com posted a note for Amy that says:

Hi Amy, Just checking in to let you know I am thinking of you. Thanks for the photo. Your face looks a lot thinner. Have you lost a lot of weight? ...Read more

Hi Amy, Just checking in to let you know I am thinking of you. Thanks for the photo. Your face looks a lot thinner. Have you lost a lot of weight? Appreciate the update. It is obvious that you are making steady progress. Does your mom check her email regularly? I have been sending her things. Love to you and family, Loretta

Amy Steele Yes, I am making good progress, but my body definitely lets me know when I've done too much. It seem ... Read more

Amy Steele Yes, I am making good progress, but my body definitely lets me know when I've done too much. It seems like a long time, yet it's only about 2 1/2 weeks since my surgery. Yes, Mom checks her email regularly, and she has told me about some of the things you've sent to her.
Thanks for your post!

Upcoming Surgeries

Robin Thomas
Mitral Regurgitation
May 1, 2026

Roslyn Curry
Aortic Stenosis
May 1, 2026

William Dillon
Aortic Stenosis
May 7, 2026

Surgeon Finder

Find and research over 1,500 patient-recommended heart valve surgeons.

Search Now

HOME

ABOUT US

COMMUNITY

LEARNING CENTER

DOCTOR FINDER

HEART HOSPITALS

VIDEOS

ADAM'S BLOG

NEWSLETTER

STORE

CONTACT

JOIN US

SIGN IN

Amy's Guestbook

Amy's Guestbook

Upcoming Surgeries

Surgeon Finder

Surgeon Spotlight