Craig's Guestbook

Hello Craig- wanted to let you know I am sending prayers your way! Also for Yvonne, thank you for your words of support (I am Becky- Eric Wattleworth's wife). I was at a very low point and your words of encouragement and support meant so much. I have caught a lot of flack (sp?) even from family members about setting the boundaries, but my husband is a very private person and wants me to be the only way there in his time of need. You don't know how much it means to hear from another caregiver. I think we should have a support group for the caregivers! Eric's surgery is Wednesday and I am really struggling. I have been doing part of his job (band director), my job- Science/Math teacher, juggling his care, trying to get lesson plans together for the weeks I will be gone, and we have three children at home. Uggg. Really stressed- I know that he will be fine- I just struggle with the journey that I know that he must go through. Thank you again and thanks for listening! Best, Becky Wattleworth

Craig: Your wife placed an entry on my journal a while back and I missed it. Please tell your wife that it was her prayers that pulled me through, I clearly needed one more good reference and she provided it !! Thank you to her for her thoughts during my dark and dreary adventure. I'd hug everybody on this site if I could.

I am so happy to hear that things are going well with Craig's heart. I continue to pray for both of you as he recovers from the effects of the sepsis. You are both an inspiration to me in your perseverence in spite of the obstacles you face with Craig's MS. I have 2 cousins with MS and understand the challenge it presents to both the patient and the caregiver. Thank you for asking about my recovery. I am doing well and back to work full time as of the first of the year. I am scheduled for another echo and follow up visit wit Dr. Roselli in July to keep an eye on the mild valve leak that has developed since surgery. I am hopeful that it remains stable as I am having no symptoms that would indicate progression of the leak. Take care and God bless you both and keep you in His care.

Hi Craig and Yvonne. I am just checking in to see how you all are doing. I hope things are inproving for Craig. You are both in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and God bless you both and keep you in His care!❤🙏🏻❤

Hi Uncle Craig! It's so great to hear that you're doing well! Christina and Rory just got out to Denver to meet Isla and we were all sitting here thinking about you. We are wishing for you to have a speedy recovery and we can't wait to see you next time we're home! Lots of love, Ryan, Amy, Rory, Christina and baby Isla

Craig..I'm so relieved that you are doing as well as you are. I'm sorry you're in so much pain. Yvonne will make sure that that issue gets taken care of, if I know my sister. If it doesn't get taken care of right away, there will be H.E. Double Toothpicks to pay until it is taken care of STAT!!! I think of you each and every day and constantly throughout the day. I wish that I could be there to visit but I know the last thing you need now is to entertain someone. You and Yvonne both need your rest, peace and quiet. If I don't visit while you're in the hospital, I'll visit when you get good and settled at home where I know you'll be more comfortable. I'll bet you miss Mr. Bentley as I'm sure he misses you too! :~) Let Yvonne and the staff take care of you and before you know it you'll be running around your subdivision with Bentley! Eat, Read, Watch TV, Walk, Breath into that doohicky thing a mibobby, Sleep, and Love. Have Yvonne show you the pictures of Isla Marie McNeal..she's a cutie, and I'm finally a Grandma! I love you Both very much. You're Both VERY important to me. Take care of yourself and I hope you'll be out of that God forsaken JAIL very soon!!! If there is anything at all that I can do for you or Yvonne please don't hesitate to call me. I can hop to it in absolutely no time at all. I'd give you a hug but I know you'd hate that right now!! Stay peaceful and do what the Drs tell you to do and more importantly do what Yvonne tells you to do..she should be a Board Certified MD by now will all she's done and all she's learned!!!! At the very least she should be a Nurse Practiciner! You're in my thoughts and I wish you the speediest of recoveries.

Craig and Yvonne my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family tomorrow and throughout your recovery. I will also be praying for your surgeon to be on top of their game and demonstrate precision and skill in your surgery.

Thinking of you right now. Best, best wishes for tomorrow. I hope all goes smoothly and you will catch us up on all the good things that happen as soon as you can.

Hi Craig and Yvonne: Thinking of Craig as he and I prepare for tomorrow's surgery. You are in my thoughts and prayers. We've got this Craig - God will be guiding the hands of our competent surgeons! Take care and God bless!

Best wishes Craig and Yvonne, You are in my prayers. I hope this surgery is the answer to your health needs. I would also like to thank you for your story. I learned from you that Cymbalta may have side effects that I am going through. I will talk to my doctor. Bless you.

Hi Yvonne, WOW! what an ordeal Craig (and you) are going through. i hope you've given his GP the what for. that's incredible, really. Im so glad he's now getting proper care. Good for you for being persistent with the doctors. My thoughts will be with both of you this week!! wishing Craig the smoothest surgery possible !!

Yvonne,You mentioned in a previous post that you are advocating for a mechanical On-X Valve for Craig, and that the surgeon has agreed to use it, but has not done that valve before. If your Surgeon wants, the company will often send a representative ,trained in the replacement using the On-X valve, to help advise during the surgery. To arrange this, you or the Surgeon should reach out to the valve Manufacturer - http://www.cryolife.com/products/on-x-heart-valves/ I reached out to them to get a list of surgeons doing the valve in my state, they were very responsive, I was able to talk to the local Representative for the company with a day or two. Its a common practice when the Surgeon isn't 100% comfortable with valve or the procedure. Many people electing surgery at non- major heart centers arrange this as well. Ask for the Anatomical Sewing ring too!