Elaine's Guestbook

Elaine Foster  OH my!  So happy to hear from you....I have been so concerned.  I am not on this site very often, as life tends to keep you in the here and now, and as I am very blessed with no heart problems I tend to forget about it.  I am so sorry to hear you have had a rough road and struggle these last months.  I am just so glad you are still on this earth.  I just got on tonight to check on you....so pleased to hear from you!!  I will be praying for you.  When you feel like it please keep in touch.  You can send it to my email, I will be sure to see it there.  foster1975@sbcglobal.net
With love and prayers, your forever heart sister.

Elaine Foster  Hello heart sister.  Hope you are doing well.  All is well here.  I am not on this site very often.  Life tends to keep us in the here and now, and being this far out post surgery I find I don't keep up on here.  Just wanted you to know I haven't forgotten you.  Elaine

Lilly Black  Hi, Elaine. Great to hear from you! I'm not on this site very much either. I'm glad you are doing well. Haven't forgotten you either, but as you said, life is keeping us busy. I still work part time from home and it is working out really well. I just had my 72nd birthday, and can't believe sometimes how well I feel. I am very well aware not to take my health for granted. As a matter of fact, I over did it, and my psoas muscle has been affected and I'm in pain. I'm working at it by swimming and walking every other day. It's helping a lot! Thank you for your lovely message.....we'll keep in touch!

Elaine Foster  Terrie, so nice of you to answer back. I am well. Slowing down some, probably due to some weight gain! (sad face) Still walking and bike riding most everyday, but not as long. Usually a 1 mile walk instead of 3. My water aerobics place shut down in March of course, and hasn't opened back up, and that has really affected my movement. (arthritis stiffness) But, all in all I am doing well. This is a crazy time in our world, and I am trying to stay away from all the controversary and keep my peace. Blessings to you my heart sister!

Elaine Foster  Hello Kevin, I did not opt to have the ON-X valve. I have the bovine tissue valve. My surgeon, who I totally respect favors it, but I did not want to be on blood thinner and at that time the lower INR numbers had not been approved. They have been approved now. I believe they have approved it for 1.5 -2. Each person has to decide what they feel is best for them, after researching and praying I had peace with my choice of bovine. Dr. Gerdisch is a great surgeon, very professional and top of his game. God bless you.

KEVIN RYAN  Good word, Elaine. Thanks. Does a bovine valve "click"...are you consciously aware of it? I like the idea of "tissue" valve, but fear re-operation. I am 59 y.o.

Elaine Foster  You are very welcome. So glad you are doing better. I know it's been a long haul, but don't give up!

Terrie Syvertsen  Hello Elaine- Hoping things are going well for you these days and that youre healing in all things! Take care and enjoy the summer!

Elaine Foster  Carol, I am glad to hear you liked Dr. Gerdisch. I think he is a top-notch surgeon. I am very happy with my results. As for St. Francis.--I felt I got adequate care. I was told by a couple of different nurses that they were short-handed, and yet when I asked how many patients they had, usually it was just 3. Administration wise, I felt it is very well run, the check in receptionist, and the pre-surgery people were great. I was glad i had done alot of research to know what to expect, (even though I still didn't realize all that was involved) I didn't feel like they informed me very well as to what all was going on after surgery. I didn't feel they did anything wrong, and they attended to my needs. Maybe my expectations were too high because of the high level I felt Dr. Gerdisch to be. No one stayed with me the first 2 nights. I was in ICU the first night because of bleeding from the groin. The 3rd night my daughter stayed with me because I was getting up and going to the restroom and it was very helpful to have her there. I hope this doesn't discourage you, I do believe they know what they are doing and everyone was kind. My biggest problem was nausea, so be sure and ask for something if you feel that way. The Dr. usually orders it, but you have to ask for it. I didn't learn that til the 3rd day. Please feel free to ask any other questions. I would go there again. I really liked Dr. Gerdisch and his staff, they are all on top of the game.

Elaine Foster  Thank you for your kind note. Glad you are doing well, and have lots of people around to keep you from getting bored. I am doing very well. We got about 4 inches of snow last night. It really is beautiful. Supposed to get windy tonight, so that will cause some drifting. My husband and I went to the grocery today(big store) and I walked all over it, and about half way through, I said to him, "I feel really good!" I can really tell I've made big strides in recovery the last few days. God has blessed me so much. I have not started rehab yet. They want me to see my surgeon first. Don't see him until Jan.20th. Will have echocardiogram then also. My incision is still sensitive to touch. I haven't taken a pain pill in over a week. Other than not lifting or running the sweeper, I am pretty much back to where I was before surgery. Hope you get a good report on Thursday! God bless you

Elaine Foster  Thank you Bob. Been watching you updates also, so glad you are progressing too. I haven't been able to concentrate enough to read a book yet. I'll check out Unbroken, when I get my pre surgery brain back! Rest and walk, and Have a Merry Christmas. So very thankful for the technology that has us fixed up and on our way to great future. Thank also to my Lord.