Craig's Guestbook

Craig, So happy to hear all your good news and that you are home. Wishing you restful nights, bright days, and continued progress in your recovery. Warm Regards, Nancy H.

Glad to hear that you are home and comfortable. I was just thinking about one of your previous visits the the hospital; you wanted out real bad and they wouldn\'t let you leave. I\'m amazed that you are home so quickly. Take care and follow the doctors orders!! Although you didn\'t get the chance to have a traditional Thanksgiving; I\'m sure you have many things to be thankful for. D\'Anne

Hi Craig, My thoughts and prayers are with you for a quick recovery. Of course someone always knows someone that\'s been in the same situation so why would I be any different? My mother-in-law had her valve replaced last year and she\'s 84. She was amazed at how good she felt a few weeks later. Literally a new lease on life! I wish the same for you. She got some teasing from her sons about having a pig valve, but she felt so good that she was up for the teasing. Beth

Hi Craig, D\'Anne sent me this link. I am glad to hear you and your Drs. have finally found what is causing all the issues you have experienced in the last year. I will be thinking about you today, and praying for you. One of my employees husband just had this done and he was in great shape, he feels like a new man. Take care, Judene

Craig, Scott had filled me in on the surgery, just wasn\'t sure when it was scheduled. I will check for updates as I will be thinking about you today and wishing you a speedy recovery!! At least you have finally gotten some answers to all the health problems you have had over the last year. Hang in there!!! D\'Anne

Craig, You are not alone by any stretch...there seems to be hundreds or maybe thousands of us in similar situations all of whom will come out just fine. Terry T. Mitral VAvlve

Hi Craig--- sounds like you will be a new man in a couple of days!!! You are in good company week. You are very wise to keep busy and get things done; I feel the same way and have been buzzing around getting lots done here. I will add you to my prayer list and be thinking of you...... Best wishes, Nancy H.

Craig, hope you have had some time to process all of this....it is very overwhelming....read as many entries in the HVJ as you can, I agree, all the stories show a wide range of experiences, from extremely easy to some hard times.....am going in on Tuesday, beat you by one day!! there are 6 or 7 of us just this week. good luck Laurie C

Hi Craig Welcome to Heart Valve Journal, a site that will allow you resources, information and a group wonderful fellow valve issue friends. We share our fears, anxiety, as well as triumphs from onset of diagnosis to recovery. Your entry caught me eye as I am a former cheesehead, grew up in Fox Point, River Hills area and of course know exactly your area. I am a 3 X open heart sternotomy congential heart defects of hole repair age 37, repair of a valve age 47 and a recently a mechanical valve at age 59. Please know we all have felt where you are right now whether one admits it or not, I sure have. Good thoughts will be with you and know if you post you will get responses to questions, concerns etc throughout your journey. If you have time read a few of the journals it really helps. Susan VandenBussche North Carolina

Craig: You look too young to need a hip replacement! I had a full median sternotomy (the long incision) to replace my aortic valve 8 weeks ago Friday. I\'m 71. I was amazed at how quick the recovery has been and how most of the \"bad\" part was just the first few days. I think you\'re very courageous to plan both surgeries so close together. Very best of luck. Please let us know how you do, and don\'t overdo between now and Wednesday. Terry Chase