Dick's Guestbook

Came across your journal while looking for links for a friend who may be facing the same thing. Mike did mine last July and I started back to work 2 weeks later. I loved having a highly skilled Christian surgeon! All the Best, Brad Mattes

Dick. Thx. I also think aortic valve is dif. Either way we re blessed a the pace we are doing. I wake up amazed every day Did u ever happen to know folks at the cinn post ? Paul knue? Old timer but good friend years ago small world ! Stay well. Nancy. St Louis

Dick on the robotic surgery. I hv heard its not for all valves - & not all folks. I know you\'re not \" old\" wondered what category you get into ? Sorta doesn\'t matter now I guess as they had to do by pass as well on me - so no getting around it just cruious.thx and stay well ! Nanc

Dick, so glad to hear you conitnue to do well. Robotic surgery, or full sternotomy, does not matter. Your progress is an inspiration to us all. Please keep us updated. As 2 weeks post op, it is helpful to see others progress. All the best, -Mitch Friedman

Thanks Dick, your support means a lot to me. We are a very special \"club\" here on the HVJ. Thank you Adam! Keep up the great recovery! Gooooo Tigers!!!! Linda

Hi Dick, So glad to hear you are doing well! Yeah, there are not so many people here that had robotic surgery. I guess we are few of the lucky ones:) I am just about 8 weeks post-op and I feel like surgery has never happened:) I had no restrictions since I left hospital, did many things that I have never thought I would be able so soon after surgery... I remember that after 4 weeks on I was feeling better by each day/week, mo medications, no naps etc. You will be surprised how good you will do in the next 4 weeks! Good luck! Ivana

Hi dick. Great upbeat post. Thanks for that Cannot believe you are 4 weeks out already. Marvelous Im closing in on 2 weeks next Thursday & that sounds weird. I\'ll be going to surgeon for a few things removeved. But feel great - doing what I can 5-15 min a day have not started exercising yet. That\'ll come. We trying to get to our fla Condo end of next for a weeks or. So. That\'ll be nice We got lucky and everything\'s falling into place. Continued speedy recovery. Best. Nancy

Hi Dick! You sound great! I just read you post and it it wonderful that you are doing so well. Thank you too for your well wishes for me as my day is FAST approaching. I find myself getting a little more anxious as the day gets closer. Hope this will pass. I am not a candidate for robotic surgery, but hope to have a mini sternotomy. That is what Dr. Gillinov\'s nurse told me he hoped to do. It is not clear though if he plans to repair the dilated aorta, it is 4cm so I will not know about that for sure until I meet with him on the 12th. I hope he will repair it though, just to get it over with. Can\'t see having to have CTs every 6 mo or every year until it\'s big enough to go back in! Keep up the good work and ask the Lord to send me some of those \"healing rays\". REALLY getting closer....Linda Dixon

Dick, great to hear that the worst is behind you. Keep in mind that you may have a few ups and downs but recovery from the robotic mitral valve repair is really quick (relatively speaking). Make sure you get plenty of rest and let your body heal. Your fellow robotically repaired mitral valve patient from Columbus, OH. Venkat Ashok.

Dick great post. I\'m sincerely thrilled you\'re doing well..and hope the \'cold\' goes away. I too am very afraid to get something before the 2-9 surgery. your commets really help even tho no vodka with the ice chips. am keeping soooo busy I only think about it when my head its the pillow at night. And praying myself that I don\'t need a full stern. Will know more after the CATH. did you get mini? I apologize I forget. either way; these positive posts really help. enjoy your family and we\'re thinking of you...for a speedy recovering thanks so much Nancy