Deena's Guestbook

Deena Elani  Andrew, feel really good.  I can now push my heart rate up high while riding hard a bike without my heart pounding on my chest like it is going to explode. ---Seriously.   

Your surgeon is excellent.  He was trained in one of the top US medical schools and has an awesome track record. Check!  What you can control, at this point, is your mindset.  Just keep on doing those outdoor things and whatever else that are your passion.

You will continue in my prayers until I know you are safe and sound.
Nice fish.  Humm....coho salmon??  

Deena Elani  Richard, yicks.  That is what my husband and brother tell me too.  .  I really am clueless.  Thanks for keeping it real for me.  (sorry Andrew, we kinda butted into your post:)

Richard Munson  My wife and i are taking puppy shifts. Small time period in a dogs life span but important one. It is a whole family process. In the end however i can honestly say that my 10 years with cassie were some of the most rewarding ever spent. And yes, the end hurt more than i care to admit but you get out of it what you put in. Vet visit friday, exam, shot schedule, loose stool issue, possible ear mites but lots of kisses also. If you recall the first picture i ever posted on this site was my first day home from mgh with cassie on the bed with her head in my lap. 4 hour visit. Hmmm, no one else did that as i recall. 

Deena Elani  That photo with you and Cassie is cemented in my memory forever.  She was there for you and knew what to do. 

Richard Munson  One point i have discovered in my long history of dogs which is all i can speak about, as it is all i have ever had in my life. My box turtle as a kid does not count. They are very perceptive when it comes to the health and well being of their family. Cassie instinctively knew i was in need after surgery, and provided love and companionship. It was my turn this winter in her time of need and i hope i gave her the most love possible until the end. That bond we enjoyed and still do even though she is not physically here will always remain in my repaired heart. 

Marie Myers  Deena, so sorry to hear about Maxie. It is hard when you loose a longtime companion as well as a link between generations like that ! Loving thoughts going your way.

Deena Elani  Hi there Patsy, heart valve gladiator. Thank you for your kind filled note. I read your recent posting re: pulmonary therapy, as well as not being able to venture-out because of Covid. You have a lot to complain about and rarely do. - impressive, strong. I hope you go for car rides to beautiful places, so you don't feel confided. Most of all, as the Spring sunshine, warmth and flowers arrive each day, I pray this annual re-birth provides you with the same.

PS. Yes, March 18th was my one-year anniversary! I remember you providing me with guidance about "undergarments"; and each and every one else's guidance. Susan L's late night note to me was unforgettable, as one of the warrior's was telling me I still had time to back-out of having the surgery the next morning. Herb provided so much great info on his Cleveland Clinic experience, etc. I was beyond a sponge in soaking it all!!! Thanks everyone. You were my heroines and heroes.

Deena Elani  Hi Jeanne, yes, very similar!
I was incredibly tired. It took 4 weeks to feel a lot better, meaning I didn't have to sleep every afternoon. At five weeks, I started driving. At eight weeks, cardiac rehab. @ 3 times per week. The rehab helped “normalize” me. It’s been almost 11 months and I can push myself as I hard as I want, but still retire earlier to bed than before the surgery. Takes about 12 months to fully heal, so i l learned from Susan Lynn on this website and the Cleveland Clinic website.
I saw Dr Adams for 4 or 5 minutes about two days post op. and my other lead surgeon Dr B.for about the same. If you were sleeping when they did their icu round, there may not have been another try. The baton is given to the PAs and NPs. One month after surgery, a NP from Sinai called to check up on me and told me to call her at any time.

The greatest time you will get with one of your lead surgeons may be the follow up visit post hospital discharge.. And I would ask for them. I did not stay in NYC for this visit; kinda regret it.

Know that when our sternums were so gently😂 opened, a lot of blood was lost. My hemoglobin was down to 8 instead of 13.5, so impossible not to be throughly exhausted. Eating red meat really helped get it back up. Took about 4 weeks. So check your hemoglobin number.
One other thing- while I am still a bit more tired at the end of the day than before the surgery, I can push my heart beat way higher, to 144 beats per minute, without feeling like I may have a heart attack! So all good! You will feel so much better in two more weeks!!! Nice to check-in w each other!

Deena Elani  Hey Patsy, thanks so much for the congrats re: my latest cardiac recovery milestone. Love all the emojis you sent my way. That's the creative artist in you! On the hierarchy of inspiration you are way above me, but I hope that I can help others as you have helped me as well as so many others.

Deena Elani  Hi Kimberly,
Maxie is 27 years old and is a Maximillian Pionus parrot. Was my mothers, but she has been with me for 21 years! Crazy long, huh?!
Cockatiels are such sweet birds. Your son must be very patient to have trained him well. Not that easy! Love the top of the head- lol!

Kimberly Eisenhut  Wow! that is a long time!
My son had started wearing a hat around the house so when the bird wants to sit on his head, he doesnt have t wory about droppings(yuck!) lol
We only let him out once or twice a day for a limited time, but it does keep him healthier and lets him stretch his wings :)

Deena Elani  You have a sweet, giving son, if he is wearing a hat to provide a safe landing spot for his bird! Super nice.