Henry's Guestbook

Henry Brouwer  Hi Melissa, I am doing good. Have been off all pain meds since Sat. Been doing walking as per instructions and feel pretty good. I have a cardio appt on May 27th for my first follow up so I guess they will be able to tell me then how new valve working. How are things with you?

Melissa Alfred  Hi Henry, Wow you sound like you're doing fantastic that's amazing! I wish I was having the same results over here, but I spent 9 days in the hospital bc I got complete heart block & then had to have a pacemaker surgery. my recovery is slow going. saw my surgeon yesterday who said ween off pain killers and forget sternal precautions, I should be reaching for everything and doing everything on my own now..a little tough love appointment.

Henry Brouwer  Hi Charlene, thx for your thoughts. I just had my aortic valve replaced on April 11th. The only meds I am currently on are Metoprolol (25 mg) and 1 x 81 mg Aspirin daily. My chest is still tender and not sure of how it will feel months out. All the best to you too.

Henry Brouwer  Hi Civita, I am closer to Toronto and have been a Leafs fan for years. Overtime game last night was probably not what the doctor ordered.....lol The waiting was definitely the hardest. They gave me something to relax me before surgery and then the only thing I remember is being rolled into operating room and them strapping one of my arms down and then waking up in the ICU. No pain. Breathing tube was taken out within 15 mins and that was no big deal. Recovery so far has been great, pain well managed. One thing I do suggest is keeping on top of pain meds. thought I was a tough guy and said I didn't need any pain meds on Wed and then it took forever to get pain back under control. Not a good idea and lesson learned. Take pain meds when they tell you. If you have any questions we can definitely chat. I had a long conversation with a buddy that had this done as well and that helped tremendously.

Civita Fahey  Hi Henry.. ah the dreaded Leafs!! I hope they beat the Caps in the end though.. not a fan of Ovi.. Yes OT in the playoff is not recommended for a heart patient. lol.. The Bs beat Ottawa in regular time.. but with one goal it was close.. They've had an up and down season so we shall see.
I thought my heart would beat out of my chest during the Super Bowl, at least the last 8 minutes.. :-)

I'd love to talk when you feel up to it.. here is my email formia0711@gmail.com.. If you can email me I;ll send you my number.. Thanks

Phyllis Petersen  I haven't been following hockey as closely as I used to, but you two have me wanting to watch again. I swore when I was in my 30's that I would give it up at 40 because I got too into it. It's still my favorite game to watch, but it does tend to be pretty stressful. I still love a 2-1 game, because you spend the whole time on the edge of your seat.

Civita Fahey  I've been a hockey fan since I was 10 years old during the Big Bad Bruins era, Im a season ticket holder... had to wait 39 years to see a Stanley Cup back in Boston and I cried like a baby.. hahaha.. hopefully we will see one soon , dont think this year, but soon .. hockey has changed a lot since the 70s. but I still love it.. playoff hockey is almost as exciting for me as Football playoffs.. ! so after hockey, I look forward to going to NE Patriots training camp and some games this season!

Phyllis Petersen  In the late 70's, a large group of us went up to Boston to see the Bruins play the Rangers. Unfortunately, at their last meeting, Boston had gone up in the stands at MSG after a fan. Security at Boston Garden were on edge, but we were there to drink and watch hockey. It made all the papers. A few years later, I moved to coastal NH and sometimes worked in Boston. I still enjoy visiting, but not driving there. Do they still go out and change the one-way signs at night?

Civita Fahey  Oh I remember those days.. the Big Bad Bruins.. and they had such a rivalry with the Rangers.. I was just a kid but so into it.. Driving in Boston is not for the weak as we say.. I try to avoid it all costs.. The T is a great option.. I think they still do change the signs.. I grew up in Boston after moving here from Italy so its really my home, l live north of Boston now in a small town call Topsfield home of the the oldest fair in the country.. but my parents still won't move out of the city so I go in often.. its a great city to visit and to live.. pretty safe for a big city.. if you ever come to visit let me know!

Phyllis Petersen  I was supposed to be there for a conference a couple of weeks ago, but couldn't pull it off. I lived in Rye, NH, and when I starting working sometimes in Boston, I would drive to Beverly or Lynn and take the train in. I once made the mistake of getting caught in the Chinatown loop. It took me 4 tries to find my way out. Last time I was in Boston a few years ago, I drove to the Best Western Roundhouse, parked my car and didn't drive again until I was leaving (headed up to meet a friend in Portsmouth, then spent a couple of days at her place in Berwick, ME). I don't know if I mentioned, I used to live in Brooklyn, then Staten Island, NY.