Guestbook of Dawna Wickdahl

My Guestbook

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

4306 days ago

Mary Newman reacted to this

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Dawna that says:

Get a workout partner or trainer and that'll help keep you working out and motivated. This new valve has given us a good chance at a longer life. Don't waste ...Read more

Get a workout partner or trainer and that'll help keep you working out and motivated. This new valve has given us a good chance at a longer life. Don't waste it. Good luck.

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

4456 days ago

Fiona posted a note for Dawna that says:

Hi Dawna, I had open heart surgery just over 2 years ago now. The incision has healed up really well but I still have a numb feeling and nerve tingling ...Read more

Hi Dawna, I had open heart surgery just over 2 years ago now. The incision has healed up really well but I still have a numb feeling and nerve tingling sensations under the scar. How long in your recovery did this take to settled down?

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

4459 days ago

Michele posted a note for Dawna that says:

Hi Dawna. I had AVR November 2010. My surgeon suggested tissue valve, I was 42. He said I would need another surgery in 10-15 yrs I looked at him like he ...Read more

Hi Dawna. I had AVR November 2010. My surgeon suggested tissue valve, I was 42. He said I would need another surgery in 10-15 yrs I looked at him like he had 2 heads! So what is it like with the mechanical valve can you hear it (my dr said I would be able to hear mech)? Do you think the weight gain & fatigue are caused from the meds/valve as well? I recommend having your thyroid checked out if you haven\'t already. Prior to the heart issue I found out I had hypothyroid. Looking forward to hearing from you, Michele

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

4829 days ago

Hi Dawna, I had many issued with warfarin, my INR just didn\'t want to stay in one place, I just kept eating all the greens I like, I told my doc that eating ...Read more

Hi Dawna, I had many issued with warfarin, my INR just didn\'t want to stay in one place, I just kept eating all the greens I like, I told my doc that eating tacos without lettuce was just not right and that staying away from avocados was torture so I ate them, and had chamomile tea to my heart\'s content. I was on warfaring for over a year and I had bloody gums, one time my blood was too thin that when the nurse put an iv in, my blood just sprayed all over the floor, me and the beding, but I got to the point were I could tell when my INR was too low or too high. I\'ve lost a total of 41 lbs since last year and have not been hungry, I eat healty now and will not put potato chips or greasy chicken in my mouth, I refuse to drink sodas and have stopped eating table salt, the weight just came off. Try yoga, it has worked for me.

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

4829 days ago

Dawna, I was on Coumadin for about 8 years until 2 years ago. You do not have to completely cut out any food. You just have to remain consistent so that your ...Read more

Dawna, I was on Coumadin for about 8 years until 2 years ago. You do not have to completely cut out any food. You just have to remain consistent so that your INR is consistent. In other words, if you eat salads now, you can continue to eat salads, just don\'t suddently start eating way more of them than normal. The one thing that you have to be very careful of is herbal supplements. Many of them, although \"natural\" interfere with the Coumadin. But as for food the main thing is consistency, no big jumps one way or the other. I really had no problems with the Coumadin. Good luck! Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

4830 days ago

Hi Dawna- Have you considered Weight Watchers? It really does work. I lost 31 lbs about 8-9 yrs ago on the program. Walking is also good for you. Karen ...Read more

Hi Dawna- Have you considered Weight Watchers? It really does work. I lost 31 lbs about 8-9 yrs ago on the program. Walking is also good for you. Karen Campo

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

4830 days ago

Sorry to hear you are having some issues, I am 3 months post-op with the mechanical valve as well, tick, tick tick. Friend of mine reminded me that the ticking ...Read more

Sorry to hear you are having some issues, I am 3 months post-op with the mechanical valve as well, tick, tick tick. Friend of mine reminded me that the ticking s good, worry if it stops and don\'t go towards the light! I\'m also a paramedic with strange friends :). But my advice other hen what you know is talk to another doc if yours don\'t listen. It\'s your body and they need to see what is going on. Good luck. Steve

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

4831 days ago

Hi Dawna! It has been too long. I\'m sorry to hear you are tired. The weight might have something to do with it, but there are probably other factors. If ...Read more

Hi Dawna! It has been too long. I\'m sorry to hear you are tired. The weight might have something to do with it, but there are probably other factors. If I could tell you one thing to do that will take weight off and perhaps have other benefits, it would be this: Avoid wheat! I have done this for several months, and it makes belly fat go. Of course, it will take a lot of discipline. So much of our diet has wheat in it or around it! And working in a bakery has you surrounded by wheat products. But once you settle into a wheatless routine, it gets easier to stay on it. My second piece of advice is this: avoid sugar as much as possible. These two things will do more for you than anything your doctor can tell you. Keep in touch. I am really interested in how you are doing. Don F.

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5329 days ago

Hi Dawna, Amazing that it has already been 5 months. Enjoy Mexico! Keep on tickin! Adam Pick

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5378 days ago

Hi Dawna, Im happy to know that you are so well, just relax and dont push yourself to be stress when you start to work. its just a little friendly reminder...lol, ...Read more

Hi Dawna, Im happy to know that you are so well, just relax and dont push yourself to be stress when you start to work. its just a little friendly reminder...lol, good luck!!! I have also a mechanical valve and i\'m still working. thanks, with heart hugs.. andro d.

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5382 days ago

Hi Dawna, I was about to ask you to write in your journal! Glad to hear all is well. Too bad you will have to go back to work! I guess I should write an ...Read more

Hi Dawna, I was about to ask you to write in your journal! Glad to hear all is well. Too bad you will have to go back to work! I guess I should write an entry. My recovery is surprisingly fast. I am about where I was 6 months before the surgery. love, don PS: I guess you are getting used to the clicking?

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5382 days ago

Dawna: We had surgery the same day for the same problem. Congrats on going back to work. Don\'t be too upset when you get there to find out that things seem ...Read more

Dawna: We had surgery the same day for the same problem. Congrats on going back to work. Don\'t be too upset when you get there to find out that things seem strange for awhile. That\'s normal. Best of luck. Terry C

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5431 days ago

Hi Dwana so glad you are doing well that valve clicking I know is annoying I assume we will get use to it I am about to put an entry in of my last few days, ...Read more

Hi Dwana so glad you are doing well that valve clicking I know is annoying I assume we will get use to it I am about to put an entry in of my last few days, a set back unexpected Susan V NC

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5432 days ago

Hi Dawna, Sounds like you are doing great! I\'m happy for you! I wonder if after a few months the sound of the valve clicking will be soothing rather than ...Read more

Hi Dawna, Sounds like you are doing great! I\'m happy for you! I wonder if after a few months the sound of the valve clicking will be soothing rather than annoying. Don

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5432 days ago

hi, glad to hear that youre doing well. 5 weeks is great! just remember one thing, i was told for my age that i would feel great in a short amount of time. ...Read more

hi, glad to hear that youre doing well. 5 weeks is great! just remember one thing, i was told for my age that i would feel great in a short amount of time. while thats somewhat accurate.........it actually took well over a year to feel 100 percent !and actually youll pass that and probably feel 150 percent due to living with that your entire life like i did. i honestly feel stronger than i ever have. my one year anniv i was lifting furniture to paint the den in my house.i hate painting but i was happy to be alive in a way,silly ,right?but im sure you know what i mean now! fyi, my dr\'s office pricks my finger twice a week for my levels,its so easy.mite be an idea for you. jeff jeffstoveken@yahoo.com feel free to email me.comparing recoveries etc can help !

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5433 days ago

HI, i too was born with a bi-valve ! was diagnosed at 40 and had surgery at 45. im 2 years post op now. i have a st judes mech valve,what did you get? im an ...Read more

HI, i too was born with a bi-valve ! was diagnosed at 40 and had surgery at 45. im 2 years post op now. i have a st judes mech valve,what did you get? im an active person and i think i feel better than i ever have ! so how many weeks are you post-op? jeff jeffstoveken@yahoo.com ps. youll be off coumadin? im on it for the rest of my life !

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5441 days ago

Hi Dawna! Time we heard more from you. Any change from at three weeks? Any more angina? If so, I wonder what your dr. says about it. Mine says I shouldn\'t ...Read more

Hi Dawna! Time we heard more from you. Any change from at three weeks? Any more angina? If so, I wonder what your dr. says about it. Mine says I shouldn\'t have angina, but when I walk a bit too fast I have just about the same feeling in my chest that I used to get before the surgery. Less than two months before your Mexico trip. By then you should be able to do just about anything you want. Don

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5452 days ago

Hi Dawna - Good to see you doing well! Russ M

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5469 days ago

We all miss you like crazy! See you soon:) Trina & Staff~

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5473 days ago

Good luck with the surgery tomorrow. I am also in Canada and see that you and Don are heading in the same day. I will be thinking of you guys tomorrow and sending ...Read more

Good luck with the surgery tomorrow. I am also in Canada and see that you and Don are heading in the same day. I will be thinking of you guys tomorrow and sending my best thoughts your way. Hope you have a speedy recovery and get home to Parksville soon.

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5473 days ago

I\'ll pray for you... Goodluck! andro d.

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5473 days ago

Hi Dwana thinking and praying for you, hang in there Susan V

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5474 days ago

Dawna, Good luck on your surgery, I will be keeping you in my prayers. Theresa C.

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5474 days ago

Dawna, Best wishes to you. I\'ll be following in your footsteps in about three weeks. Gary Vice

Dawna Wickdahlgot a new guestbook post

5474 days ago

Hi Dawna Isn\'t it amazing how incidious stenosis can be when you are are not sure why you are not as energetic and why? I wish you well and know I am thinking ...Read more

Hi Dawna Isn\'t it amazing how incidious stenosis can be when you are are not sure why you are not as energetic and why? I wish you well and know I am thinking of you Susan V