Gigi's Guestbook

Geri, So good to read your post to me. I think of you often and wonder what you are up to! I am touched that you passed my words along to others. I love writing and it serves to fill my heart. I totally agree that Macramé would be a wonderful way to enjoy your creative "self"! It is amazing what can be done with the tying of knots adding a collection of chosen items to intertwine as our fingers work their magic. It is also a great way for the mind to shift in and out of thoughts that help us tie the knots, one after another and many times the thoughts are healing ones and like sand through an hourglass, good feelings fill you up! I vote yes on the macramé. I also might suggest you try something small like little bracelets and a few pretty beads. My favorite things to make are wall hangings for small spaces using sea shells or beads. Check out a nearby used book store for macramé magazines or books as there are usually many in those types of stores. Unless of course you already macramé or have your own! I hope you find a great project. I am also getting ready to take a used $5.00 bowling ball, tube of cement glue and various shiny colored items(pebbles and such) to make a gazing ball for the back yard near the roses! Sounds great that you have an elliptical for exercise and I envy anyone who can do yoga as I have had some ongoing problems getting my sternum to mend well enough to do much of the positioning in yoga successfully. (I had to different viruses between Dec. and now and just getting over the second one. Chest wall was compromised with all of the coughing and lack of consistent exercise which I am glad to say I am back on top of! I am biking on our recumbent bike more regularly. I intend to make an attempt to get into a pool in the near future. You go girl and enjoy it! Hope your sternum gets better too. I am sorry to hear that your sister-in-law is dying. Oh, Lady....It must be so difficult for you to be on your healing path and witness one you love facing all that she must experience. Good that she is at home where like a nesting bird she will be surrounded with familiar things and have some quiet comfort hopefully. I am happy She was able to have you with her as it must have meant the world to her to have you near. I will add her to my prayers and send out one for you as well. Geri, it was weird that you mentioned ISIS in your post as I had been having up and down "cardiac depression" bouts (as I hear most of us heart patients do) and discovered when they hit it was mostly if I had read or listened to news of ISIS or some other country who hates.......or recently a young 3 day old baby left in a slough out in the cold who died cold and alone while his Mother stood screaming on the side of the road claiming that someone had stolen him. There are things in this world that are beyond comprehension and that we have no control of or can see an end to. I must say that to each and every country in this world I have to give thanks and heart felt prayers for all of the people who work to make each of our countries safe, to all the people who work at jobs with the intent on keeping us free and who give the young people in this world the chance to dream, hope and plan for a better world as they will learn from all of our examples not to give up and that if we all put aside some differences we may make a world that continues to turn with all that walk it able to experience the fact our lives are a gift and if we make the right choices we can all live and thrive together. Off my pulpit now. (Pardon me as my allergies are up and I took my first allergy pill an hour ago, ha. ) Investment planning, eh? Sounds great if you have something to invest in today's economy and I bet it could get interesting. I am just filled with gratitude that we have work, a roof over our heads, great neighbors and able to live one day at a time! I think it is a great time for a new project for you and will be waiting to hear what you chose to do with the macramé. What things you will tie onto it and what you chose to work with. Have fun getting tangled up! I love you Geri. You were there for many of us at the beginning of our Heart adventure and not one to be forgotten. Ginger and I think of you often and discuss the many ways your reaching out has helped and inspired us. I, by the way talk to Ginger(my heart sister) every week as I am using her to help with motivating me to get on that bike! She talks, we talk, I pedal! Yesterday was 6.028 miles at 40 minutes! Yes we talk and laugh a lot and I love the ride! Windows open, achoo, achoo! I will look forward to another post from you down the healing road! Love Terrie, Hunter, Kat!

Dearest Gigi, I have been spending part of my day delighting in the memories we all made together and the love and support we gave to one another as our heart valve surgeries loomed ahead of us and were then, thankfully, behind us, finding we all were doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. I pray that your days are blessed and you are healthier and more joyful. With love and hugs, Ging

Hello Gigi. Terrie here from Calif. Haven't heard from you in a long while and I was wondering how you are doing of late. Hope this finds you well and enjoying life and that your heart is doing well too! If you get a chance drop me a line? Take care and know I am thinking about you.

Hello Gigi. Terrie here. I was just getting ready to go to bed as it was a long day today and I am ready to let my sleepy head hit the pillow. Celebrated the first day I have been able to do a couple of loads of laundry, fold and put it away. When I think of the days before surgery I could fold a towel, step up the two steps and put it on the shelf and be breathless. The weather then was in the high 90's and low 100's so it made doing much of anything difficult. Now the weather has shifted and the leaves are turning and beginning their slow drifting to the ground on the lawn at the park across the street. The breeze from the Delta finds it's way in to us here in Manteca from the water and there is a much needed coolness in the mornings when I get up to start my morning with a mile walk. I wonder how you are doing and keep a look out for your posts and enjoy hearing about your progress! Isn't it great we, so many of us have made it past the surgery already"? I love reading all of the posts/journals as we all share the ups and downs of recovery. I especially hope that you are happy as you are one of the most energetic and filled with spirit personalities in our community. Keep up the healing. Keep being the fun-loving Lady that you are. Be Well, time for bed as Hunter is letting me know it is time for us all to go to bed! Love, Terrie, Hunter, Kat and Gary who I am sure is already sawing logs!

How is your cardiac rehab going, Geri? I think of you some afternoons when I am putting on my shoes to go to Fairfax Hospital's rehab center, trying to motivate myself to just get up and move it. Once I'm in motion all is well. Today I walked 20 mins. on the treadmill, and did 13 mins. on the recumbent bike, then 5 laps around the walking area and some stretches. Is Mount Vernon rehab similar? Are you doing well? Let me know how you are. I'm doing great, and enjoyed helping cut the grass on Saturday, and trimming up the overgrown roses, putting them to bed for the winter, with this cool weather we have been having. I realize how little of an autumn person I am now, hating the early dusk and cold temperatures. But I will enjoy the warmth of the fireplace and the coziness of home, and be grateful for good health. Best wishes to you. Eleanor

Headaches post surgery. Hi, Geri, I remember you celebrating the lessening of migraines after surgery. I was reading an article today and it attributes beta blockers with the reduction of migraines, so it might be due to the meds (Metroprolol and others)? Here is a link to the article: http://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-01-2013/drugs-that-can-cause-leg-cramps.2.html At any rate, I hope you continue well, and free of headaches. Eleanor

Hello, Ginger. I also have been thinking of you a lot lately. We haven't herd from you in a while. I hope everything is ok. I hope to hear from you soon.

Hello Geri! Terrie and Gary here wanting to give you a big Hello and a California hug from us including Hunter and Kat. I thought of you today and realized that I haven't heard what you are up to lately so decided to get nosey and write! By the way, Gary and I figured long ago your snowflake" pseudonym" but decided to watch and see where you went with it, chuckle! I actually love the name snowflake! I have this image of you looking and acting like a "betty boop" kind of character out there in this delightful world or maybe more like the "Greta Garbo" type. Either way you stood out as something special and still do, so there darling! You do have a special kind of energy level all of your own. Very unique! I miss hearing how you are doing and ths site changed to where I don't get the postings the way I used to so that I am sure of where to locate people or know they are getting my posts back. I want to know how you are progressing and what you are doing, maybe some tips on the recovery as I keep getting from all over. I am so excited now that the time is moving forward since post op and I see a little of me getting stronger every day. So if you have time and want to write you can also reach me at (tsyvertsen1@sbcglobal.net) unless we actually connect here again on site. I am here for you. Hope all is well and you are up to something fun! Have a good evening. Love and hugs (staple free) from California! Terrie, Gary, Hunter and Kat. BY the way. I would love to see a photo of your hand made kayak if you ever run across one.! Or an updated photo of you since your surgery. So glad we are past and on to recovery Lady!

Hi, Geri. I had logged onto mychart and tried it again, but don't see medicines that they gave me in the hospital. I have printed out a Request for Medical Records and will submit that, asking for type of anesthesia (worked well) and pain meds (didn't work at all) administered. Hope this will help me in the future. Speir's PA, the young man David Young told me to not think that because Dialudid did not work this time, that it would never work, and to not obsess over why they didn't work. But it was not him in pain for 26 hours with the chest tubes. Guess they messed that part up, or something, they seem to think one of the tubes was touching a nerve under my right breast. Anyway, want to know what pain meds I received so I don't go through that again, as I expect I might have to if I outlive the valve. I imagine you got a St. Jude's Trifecta bovine valve, that's what I got. Hope you are keeping well and improving daily. Isn't this cool (cold?) weather amazing!

I am glad you found Speir, glad I did too. And, I'm glad you didn't do the TAVR, for now the valves are not lasting as long, hopefully they will improve on those by the time we need it next. I had found the information on Speir on line, and liked that he was the one often interviewed, but in a low key modest way, and that he was publishing papers on cardiac care. I did not like the first cardiologist I was referred to, he was scattered among 4 offices, absent minded, and never gave me the sense that he was really engaged in cardiology. Years ago, in the 90s, he had been my mother's cardiologist, then took time off to pursue a musical career and she changed to another guy, who helped her get through a series of cardiovascular minor things, until her death at age 92. My daughter was getting really upset with Dr. No 1, so I looked at VA Heart and picked Dr. Joseph Kiernan. I've only seen him once, prior to surgery, and will pick up with him on the 18th, but feel I'm in good hands with him. I read the Cheney book, not that I am a fan of his, but I loved the history of cardiology told by his cardiologist and co-author. Nice photo of Cheney looking great 4 days after transplant, with a smiling Speir. Do you know what pain meds they gave you? I still have to fill out the request for medical information, but I believe they gave me two dosis of Dilaudid, which didn't work, then something else which worked maybe 40%. Tough day or so for me, not from the incision, but from the chest tubes. The PA said it was nerve pain, who knows. Lots more energy now and mental acuity. I'm back to playing on Lumosity. Have you tried that website? its free brain games, kinda like the video games our kids played. AARP also has something similar on their website, I was doing it before surgery and am testing myself now to see if I'm "smarter" (not!) or slower (maybe in some ways). Fun, anyway. Yes, we can have lunch or dinner some day when we are both mobile. Keep healing well, take good care of yourself. I am very partial to those living alone. I lived alone for a year or two, and it was fine, but I enjoy having a house mate in my nephew, who lives downstairs, and helps me a lot with yard and animal care. He's a good guy, as is my daughter who lives at Key Towers (Landmark) but has been back in her room in my house since mid July. Nice having her in residence again too, especially for the dog who loves her to pieces. Keep well.

Hi Eleanor, I see what I did wrong, I wasn't inserting my email above submit Now. my cardiologist Dr. Rachel Berger with Virginia Heart had suggested I see Dr. Garrett the head surgeon at Virginia Hospital Center, I met with him and he explained the surgery, gave me a disk to download, I'm sure he is very competent but I later learned he does the traditional sternotomy, my cardiologist also gave me a list of surgeons at Fairfax Inova, I selected Dr. Speir , whom I saw four years ago, he emphasized that I needed the surgery and breathing capacity was very limited, though I didn't experience, only thru tests , I was frightened to be put on heart lung machine, read of cons happening during surgery, such as a stroke, put off making a decision, I continued seeing Dr. Berger who told me my condition would not improve and I run the risk of damaging heart muscles which harden and get enlarged, still I didn't want surgery, was hoping the less invasive method would become available in a few years, I even called Wash.Hosp.Center, they legally can only perform the new TAVR or something similar on high risk patients, those unable to have open heart surgery, after numerous ekg's, and other tests even the technician told me how fortunate I was to have the choice of surgery since he had an inoperable condition, I did notice a weakening of my physical endurance, shortness of breath while walking uphill, unable to have the strength at fitness and yoga as previously, visited another cardiologist in D.C., she told me after reviewing all my tests that I was playing "russian roulette" and it was my decision not to have the surgery but I should be aware that I could drop at anytime, my cardiol. told me in different words the same thing, as did Dr.Speir, meanwhile I was often getting calls from VA Hosp.Center stressing the importance of having the surgery , this was five years ago, I felt it was like a marketing plan and didn't like it, even my internist Dr. DeBass said they kept calling her to persuade me. I kept in mind Dr. Speir and appreciated his stellar performance and experience which I researched online, also learned he did the heart transplant for Dick Cheney so selected him for my surgeon, my cardiol. tried to subtly get me to surgeon at VA Hosp. but I wanted Dr.Speir who also was experienced with the mini sternotomy. I am happy that I selected him, he is an awesome surgeon and his team (also). I have had a remarkable recovery though still recovering, my b.p. is a nice 118/77 where previously it was very low 107/57, I can almost feel the oxygenated blood circulating thru a clear valve, hope the cardiologist will see the same results. I'm curious to learn what the delay has caused my heart, see the cardiologist around the 25th, she is on vacation. Virginia Heart has several offices and I am very pleased with their cardiologists Hope we get to meet in person when we all can drive Best wishes

Hello Geri. Please go to my journal page and guestbook as I wrote you twice to day after an appt.; that made me a little "wobbly". in the head, Ha! The posts are directed to you. Hope you can read them if not I will try again later as it is in regards to your "keppler"! Love you.

Hi, Geri. I saw your note in my Guestbook, so I will try responding here, in yours, to see if it sends you an email alert. I, too, had the mini sternotomy, with chest tubes coming out under my right breast (that was the origin of so much unrelieved pain for me). I feel great, feel a bit more tired than before, but also have lost the symptoms of shortness of breath, slight dizziness and fatigue after climbing stairs. I see my cardiologist, whom I have only ever met once since I didn't have one pre-surgery, didn't know I had a problem! I see him on the 18th. I will probably take the rehab at Fairfax since I live off Annandale Rd. between Gallows and Graham. About 5-10 mins from my house. I will let you know. I'm still sleeping in the electric recliner as my attempt to sleep in my bed did not go so well. They sent me home with a sleeping med. but I've not used it (Ambien), using the Benadryl the PA recommended instead. I sleep well, waking only once during the night, and sleeping 8 hours or more. No daytime naps, but "rest periods". Able to walk quite a bit, then get in the car with my daughter and walk a bit more in Bed, Bath & Beyond, Giant, or Home Depot. Sounds like you are doing great as well. I wondered, how did you hear about Speir, did your cardiologist or someone recommend him? I did a search for myself of surgeons at Fairfax Inova and came up with his name as the best. I was pleased, even though the chest tubes gave me hell. I really trust his ability, and liked his demeanor. Very caring, and of course his PAs (except one in the ICU who was unresponsive, and rude to my daughter) were terrific young folks as well. Best wishes,

Hi Eleanor I am not getting message alerts from anyone in my email, unless I individually go into guestbook of you and Terrie and Ginger would not be aware of incoming mail. thanks for the kind offer of grocery shopping, my neighbors have been most helpful and I also hv taxi script for over 70 folks in Arlington county, half price taxi costs I wanted to mention we have access to our hospital records at Inova,  MYCHART.INOVA.ORG I mentioned some questions re heart effected by delaying my surgery for four years, she said I can check individual records on that site, which I did, all the blood test results, etc. are shown, now I must be sure my internist and cardiologist have access to all this bloodworm hope you continue with a good recovery and after we can drive hopefully we can get together best wishes

You seem to be doing really well, geri, I'm proud of you. But be careful going up and down stairs, don't overload yourself, so you can be prepared if you feel a bit dizzy. It really is true that each day is better, with a few days of not much progress, followed by others of great improvement. I have worried about you being alone, I would take you grocery shopping if I could drive! But then, if I could drive, you would be too! I hope you're well, and if you need anything let me know and I can send my daughter by.

Hi Eleanor sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but somehow my heart valve email alerts are going into spam mail. did you have the mini or full sternotomy?Sad that you are experiencing pain with lying on bed and getting out of which is rather difficult, we practiced a lot in the rehab center, I should have purchased a recliner but failed to shop in time to get one and some of them looked cheap, will probably get one since occasionally having hip injury it would be easier to get up from then bed. it is a patient slow process, I walked outdoors for the first time unaccompanied for 25 minutes, will try again today the home nurses and physical therapist are a great help, I did some laundry yesterday and Fieke helped me to retrieve it , suggested smaller batches to carry upstairs in paper bag, easier than plastic clothed basket, also hand must be free to balance going upstairs, holding on to rail. also my two shower chairs are a necessity , sit on when showering and shampooing and other to sit on when exiting shower I feel 90% recovered, balance improved when walking, I just must moderate my actions and not overdo things, yesterday I changed a queen sized upper sheet and pillowcases, did not attempt the bottom fitted sheet which involved pulling I had heard others complain about the pain meds, the ICU nurse I shall not forget, I think her name started with letter K, she asked what is the problem in an accusing manner, she said maybe I wasn't using the call bell, even though I was still slightly dazed from drugs I said it did work, someone answered twice in an hour and a half, saying they would be right over, none came, finally a tech with equipment showed up and I begged her for liquids, the recovery unit people also said the icu nurse only has a few patients, I heard some arguing going on outside my icu room, sounded like employees arguing who did what to a mediator, maybe there already was an existent problem, I just fear it happening to someone else, if it happened to both of us and fortunately your daughter was with you, imagine if you were alone? p.s. I asked for and was given a list of the nurses and techs in rehab hospital, at recovery I jotted down a few favorites, will try to get name of the guardian angel lady who came to my aide the first night in recovery/stepdown where the nurse and aides answered the call button but also disappeared for two hours, that is when I somehow managed to get out of bed with all the octopus tubing/wires attached and go to hallway and told first and second person no one was responding for an hour and a half to my call button, yet I could hear laughing and talking going on, and as before someone said be right over, after 1 1/2 hours no one appeared so I attempted drastic measure of getting out of bed dragging all the equipment, I may be chronologically an old dame but I sure as hell don't act like one, after my complaints I was treated royally which I never wanted just regular professional help, I think the nurse and assistant had skipped off the floor, as I say I am a former government employee and used to mia folks

Hi, Geri. I am glad you are home, and able to get into and out of bed. I'm still in the electric recliner. I did try the bed one day with dire results, on my side it felt like I was crushing my ribs, on my back it felt like I was stretching the chest too much. I had a really bad ICU experience too. I was in a lot of pain since the Dilaudid did not work, even the second dose which did zip only made me sick as a dog. I had my daughter with me, which was a lifesaver since she could speak for me and say "this is not normal, the pain meds are not working, my Mom is not a complainer". The ICU nurses only have 2 patients, but I waited over an hour each time. I was SO glad to get to the step down unit. On the survery that Inova sends out, I plan to Xerox the section on nurses so I can rate the step down unit folks highly and the ICU very poorly, even the PA there gave my daughter a hard time. I hope whatever they gave you for pain worked - for me the only real relief was the removal of the chest tubes. The ICU experience was not one I would want to repeat, but I blame it on the lack of effective pain medication. The sternum never hurt, only where the chest tubes were pressing on a nerve, I believe. Glad it is over! I've been released by Speir, and yesterday by the visiting nurse. Don't see the cardiologist until the 18th, then I guess I will start cardiac rehab. I'm pretty active in my house, going up and down stairs now with ease, still being careful about reaching out or up to get things. But, being home is the best. Hope you continue well.

Hi Eleanor I returned home last Friday evening, my son Claude arrived from Denver and arrived at Mt.Vernon facility around 8pm; lovely ride from Alexandria to Arlington, we drive thru Old Town and he wanted to stop but we decided to return later, I felt elated and headache disappeared as soon as I realized I would be home bound. Roomie was a sweet 86 yr. old but was always cold so I couldn't turn on the room fan to circulate the air, frankly don't know how some folks stay alive, she had history of leukemia, 4 stage cancer, renal failure, hip replacement and now other hip broken, she lived on strong pain killers, this recent accident while visiting her daughter in Virginia, forgot also congestive heart failure. the visiting nurse and pays.therapist started this week, son left this evening, I am progressing amazingly well, Thank God, had the same claw grab pain a few times but only for seconds, therapist said it is common, not to worry I was surprised that Inova Fairfax didn't give me a review or send me one before leaving while items are still fresh in memory but the ICU nurse (maybe the anesthetics) got to her , not to respond twice for an hour and a half, yet say I will be with you shortly, I shall write about, how frightening that was, I could hardly speak at the time, was parched as the dessert, am so grateful that throat tube was removed while I was Out, heard horror stories previously wonderful that you are improving daily, they told me to walk, even if around the house for 20 minutes plus daily. Claude and I did some walking I wanted to get a recliner but wasn't able to find one in time so have been using bed and sit up chairs. I can feel the daily improvement in my balance Dr. Speir's office had an X-ray done of my chest two weeks after surgery, that means 4 in last few weeks happy to hear from you, Eleanor, somehow my son shared my gmail account and somehow hear messages went into spam, reason I didn't respond sooner best wishes Geri

Hi, Geri. I hope you are doing well at Mt. Vernon and getting ready to go home. I am enjoying reclaiming my life, little by little. I was released by Speir's office two weeks after the surgery, and today by the Inova home visiting nurse. Stronger every day, feeling less of the "bear claw" that reaches around and grabs my chest and ribs from time to time. Still sleeping in the recliner, couldn't find the right position in my bed, but resting, using that dreaded spirometer, walking and getting back to normal. Let us know how you're doing, I wish you the very best.

Yay! I would have missed this, were it not for Terrie's vigilant detective skills, who alerted me you had posted in your Guestbook. So good to hear from you, and know that all went well. Sounds like Mt. Vernon Rehabilitation is doing a great job. When you are better, we can talk about your experience, and mine, if you like. I, too, had some issues with the ICU, but then the step down cardiac unit was like paradise and I cannot say enough good things about them. In that unit each nurse has 8 patients, in the ICU only 2, but more difficult to get a nurse there. Let's compare notes. You will be asked to fill out a survery on how everyone did, but since they group "Nurses" under one broad category, I've decided to Xerox that page and specify ICU Nurses and Step-down Unit Nurses. Anyway, we survived, and you seem to be thriving, so pleased for you.

Well, Well, Well Ms. Geri! I was on the site tracking any and all information on you since we hadn't heard yet and ran across your August 2nd. Post. Made me Cry you little brat! I know, I know, I know you were very busy recovering and thanks be to God and this wonderful Universe for letting it be! I knew from your Posts that you might be one of those patients who could be a handful! So you had a mini sternotomy aortic valve replacement???? Great News that you are reporting all the information as you go. I am going in for pre-op on the 15th. and surgery is the 20th. I hope to read that you are doing excellent with your recovery program before and after I get back home, God willing! Ginger, "M", Rebecca ,Mia and others are in recovery now and we are all planning some worldwide "Ice Cream Extravaganza" somewhere in the future! Lots of people recovering all over this planet! Yeah! for all of you heart people and continued progress! I am looking forward to joining all of you! Again, so glad to know you are dong well. Sending love, continued prayer's an wishes. Can you give me somewhere I can send you a card? (email me at:tsyvertsen1@sbcglobal.net if you want. Love, Terrie

Hi to all my Heart angels, sorry I didn't write sooner but I went from a mini sternotomy aortic valve in the hospital at Inova Fairfax, Dr. Speir was the brilliant and competent surgeon (he did Dick Cheney's heart replacement surgery) amazing how gifted the nurses and assistants were, they operate all types of machines nowadays, a few minor incidents in ICU and first night in recovery due to some disappearing nurses but I dragged all my wires, tubes onto the floor till someone cane to my aide, after that superb care. I worked for the federal government and their are always a few characters who make it bad for the majority of good workers stayed in recovery till Friday evening where I was sent to Mt.Vernon rehab.place part of INOVA Fairfax super attentive professions looking after the patients, I had to be told not to walk by myself, like under house arrest with bells and whistles, I couldn't get away with any foolishness Occupational therapist, physical therapist,speech therapy , even memory testing, three hours a day of various therapies which can be tiring their job is to prepare the patient to care for herself at home, maintain balance, etc. As far as the actual surgery I'm happy to report they called me a "rabbit" fast recovery, I did not have painful moments, no need to take pain killers, only after a week in the rehab I started to get headaches, which is usual for me, due to the allergies and humid weather outdoors I am really blessed to have succeeded so well and I thank all of you for your kind prayers, I'm sure it was the main reason for my quick recovery I wish we could have a reunion and meet with each other I will go into more detail later special wishes to Terrie , Ginger, Rebecca,Eleanor, Dora, Merredith, Julie, Joe

Hello Geri- Just want to say hello and hope that you are off in recovery. If anyone gets a chance to post we would appreciate hearing from you! Love and prayers- thinking of you. Terrie

Hello again Geri(Gigi), Just me again leaving you a message and hoping this post finds you in recovery mode/walking the halls/getting stronger and feeling better. Love to you. Terrie

Hello Geri, Just me "Hovering" over our site hoping to see if anyone has posted how you're doing. Good thoughts and prayers going your way and we will all be happy to hear about you! Hope you are headed for a smooth recovery! love to you