Ilana's Heart Valve Journal

Hi Ilana~

Luther, here. I miss seeing you at the shelter and going on walks. Joe and Diane are trying to fix me up with Bebe - she's cute and brown and furry, like me. We get along together as long as we are on leashes. They are afraid she'll jump my bones and hurt my back - lol! I'm really happy after some play time with her and think I'm in love :) I'll tell Monty and everyone else that you are doing better. Glad to hear it! See you when you are all healed! Woff.

Hi Ilana,
So glad to read your post. I've been thinking about you and wondering how you're doing. Glad to hear you're feeling better. I can relate the vein thing as I have the same issue. Sorry to hear you needed blood. What caused that? Well, I guess bleeding during the surgery. By the way, would you refresh my memory? Who did your surgery? I hope your experience at CC has been a good one. I leave Saturday for my surgery on April 21. Feel well and best wishes for a wonderful rest of your long life.
Ruth

Amore!!!!
Glad U're Ok! And, I bet ur quickest condition of recovering is just bc u'r veggie :) LOL. That helps. Stop Peeing, otherwise I'll think you are an Old lady and, we still have many years to live still there. :) Love U, Paty.!!!!!

Ilanaa, so good to know u are well and your surgery went well... I know your recovery will be fast and you'll heal soon. Also, josh did call your phone, he thought Ethan was gonna answer, and you answered the phone. He was so surprised and happy to talk to you.
XOXOXOXO

Hi there ! I just wanted to write you a little note. I am 29 and am having open heart surgery in 8 weeks. Thanks for giving me a little more courage! I see everything turned out wonderfully for you :)

So glad you're feeling better--I hate that you've had to go through so much discomfort, but it's all in hopes you'll be better all the time. Still, boo. :) Tell Ethan we said to take good care of you and give you a hug from us. :)

Kim Riley

How's the beautiful girl doing? Thinking of you.
Ruth Howell

Hi Ilana-
You've been in our thoughts and prayers. We are so happy to hear that the surgery went well. It's great that they were able to do a repair! We wish you a speedy recovery. Stay strong! We hope to see you soon!
Love,
Jenni, Eugene
Addison, Parker and Cassidy

Hey Ilana~

So relieved to hear that your surgery was a success!!! We've missed seeing you at the shelter and hope you will come and visit us after you recover. Take care~

~Phyllis and all the 4-legged furballs at STAF

Great Job llana!!! You did it!!! All the best to you and your husband and I know you will have a speedy recovery. :D

Mona

Ilana, my thoughs and my heart were with you thruout the day. God bless you in this journey.
Love Josh and Elis

Congratulations. Welcome to the club.

Richard Volpe

Ilana
I'm so glad to hear your surgery was a success. Aren't you glad thats over with!? Now just stay strong, do your breathing exercises with the spirometer and let your family take care of you.

So proud of you and so relived for you that its over! Thinking of you!
~Tara Gambardella

Congratulations Ilana!!! I'm so glad to hear Dr. Tom was able to do a repair. I wish you a very speedy recovery and hope you're up and about soon. I am following your progress. Did they have to do a sternotomy? Also, do you happen to know if the problem was with the posterior or anterior leaflet of your mitral valve. Mine is the anterior leaflet which, I am told, is more difficult to repair. Best of health to you.
Ruth Howell

Amazing news!!! You go Ilana! So glad to hear everything went the best way possible. Love and kisses to you!

Jim and Paola

I am so glad to hear that the surgery was a success and the breathing tube is out. It is great that she had a repair>wishing a speedy recovery

Sa Ra(4 months since my mitral valve replacement)

PS: Forgot to sign it...
Clarissa!

Very very very happy to hear that the surgery was a success and that our beloved friend is being so much loved and taken care of.
Thank you Ethan and please, send her a huge hug from her "Q.J.M" friends!


Graças a Deus deu tudo certo!
E pare com essa brincadeira de dar susto na gente, viu??
Bjossss

I am so happy to hear the surgery was a success! II have been praying since the morning and was confident she was going to be fine. I am sure Ilana is on her way to a fast recovery.
Bunches of kisses for Ilana!!
Paola

Hi Dear!
Im praying here to my ANGEL-veggie-friend :) and sending u lots of hugs.
Love much.
Paty.

Have been saying prayers for you all morning, dear. Hoping for news that you're out of it soon and recovering well. :)

Duh. I forgot to sign the guestbook. :)

Love,
Host Mom Kim, Mother of Bootyshaker :)

Have been saying prayers for you all morning, dear. Hoping for news that you're out of it soon and recovering well. :)

llana,

Congratulations on having your surgery!! I pray your recovery is speedy. Looking forward to hearing about your progress.

Mona

Hi Ilana,

By now you are " on the other side". Best of all things in your recovery. I went to CC and had Dr. Tom and it was far better than I ever dared to hope. You may have read my journal and thus know my story.

After coming home, I never spent a day in bed or hanging around in my pajamas. I was up and felt pretty good. I had a big event nine weeks after surgery and I was 110%! You will be surprised at how it goes.

You are in the hands of the best there is!

Anne Shannon

Vai dar tudo certo, Ilana.
Estou mandando muitas energias positivas!
Good luck!
beijos

Thoughts and Prayers are with you. Good Luck Tomorrow.

Stacy (CA)

Ilana,

Good for you that you managed all those pre-0p things today and had your apt with Dr. Tom. You have to know he is one of the very best, if not the best surgeon on earth you could have for this surgery, and, he's working with probably the best team in the world to take care of you. I don't know how it will be for you, but I can tell you when I was taken into the operating room and put of THE TABLE, it was with complete calm and confidence...I knew I would soon wake up and it would be all over. And, I did wake up with the surgery all over, and they did such a good job I didn't even have that breathing tube in my throat when I woke up. May that be your situation, too. ....Barry on the Mtn in New Mexico

Dear Ilana,
Our thoughts and prayers have been with you this past month. Tomorrow, you will wake up having gone through this and on your way to a fast and strong recover.
We cant wait to see you for the concert, hurry up and get well soon!
We cant wait for the great news tomorrow after your surgery.
All our love,
Jim and Paola
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hey Ilana, you know you're always in my prayers, can't wait to see our kids making a mess together!!
=p
Do not worry, our heavenly father is watching over you all the time.
Remember to relax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See u at my wedding!
Love you,

Clarissa O'donnel (soon to be Mrs. da Mata)

Hi Ilana,

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Give my best to Dr. Mihaljevic.

I look forward to you next update!

Keep on tickin!

Adam

Ilana,
I know exactly how you feel. I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve as well. I had valve replacement surgery when I was 29. Please know that you'll be in my prayers. God bless you.

Thinking of you Ilana - You will do wonderful.

Randa G

Hi Ilana,

If its any consulation, most of my meltdowns occurred prior to surgery. On my day (Dec 15) I was ready to roll; I was relaxed, well rested, and confident in the process. When they wheeled me into the OR I asked the head nurse for a group prayer and she summoned the Dr, who was on the phone and that was the last I remembered. Then I woke up and it was over. Three days later I went home; that was over 3 months ago.

Best wishes and good luck!
Terry T.

Hi Ilana,

I am so thankful I read your journal.I am going to CC and requested Dr Dr. Mihaljevic also. He introduced minimally invasive to the Cleveland Clinic. Although there are many great surgeons, in my eyes, he must be the best in that area. Your strength is inspiratioal. I hope and pray that I get a date soon like you did. Please share about your experiece as it will give plenty of encouragement to me and may others. Thank you.

I know exactly how you are feeling.My prayers are with you.The homestretch is the toughest period., once you have passed this stage the recovery will be a piece of cake, and you couldn't have picked a better surgeon. He was on my short list but decided to go with Dr,Cohn at brigham and womens because of his proximity. Try to relax I know that it is easier said than done. but try anyway. Goodluck and best wishes.

Sara

Hi Ilana,
Please know I'm thinking of you! I know how stressful this week will be. I hope it helps you to know that you have a whole online community praying for you. Try to remind yourself that these surgeons do this surgery several times a week and they know what they are doing. Remember you will be given strong drugs so that you don't feel a thing and when you wake up you will be so thankful that the worst is behind you.

I'm thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way!

~Tara Gambardella

Best wishes Ilana and stay positive!

Randa Gaalswijk

Wish the best to you, Ilana. Dr Tom did me March 11th. I went into OR with full calm and confidence, knowing Dr. Tom is quite probably the top heart surgeon in the world with the top team working with him. Waking up with the breathing tube gone was a delight. Having surgery on Fri, the 11th, and being released early afternoon Mon the 14th gave us plenty of time before our return flight Fri the 18th to enjoy a little Cleveland. Say, if you could, tell Dr Tom the guy for who he autographed Ellen Charnley's Book (the Ironman Arizona lady), that guy...me...Stone...says thanks...and is hoping his daughter is OK that went to the ER somewhere when Dr Tom was working on me. Don't know if he would be interested, but I completed a 1/2 Marathon walk by the Rio Grande River, Tuesday, March 29th, not quite 2 1/2 weeks after the surgery. Dr. Tom is #1 in my book...and his team. Best to you....Barry (Ralph B.) Stone on the mtn in New Mexico

Ilana,
Try not to say negative things to yourself because your brain absorbs and believes it; "I'm going to have a meltdown." Instead tell yourself positive things like, I'm calm and peaceful and looking forward to having this done. It works for me. I wish you every success. You're going to be in the best hands anywhere!
Ruth

Ilana - Thanks for your note. I had read your journal earlier and I feel for you. While I am told I am young in terms of valve patients - you are even younger. It is just amazing how this effects people of all ages, histories etc,,,There are a few of us having surgery the week of April 4th - Carol M, you, me - it will be a busy week. And with luck and a few prayers - all will be positive. Good luck to you. I will look for your updates that all is wonderful when you are done.

I will be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts for the best outcomes!

Randa Gaalswijk

Hi IIlana, and God Speed to you. You and I, dear, will be in surgery the same day for the same exact thing...

We will compare notes, afterwards.

Carol

I am going in on Thursday March 10th for the same operation. Mine is being done near my home in Worcester,Ma. I also am nervous but hear once I recover I will feel so much better and that is what keeps me going. My surgery is at 7.30am. I am told I will be home in 5 days if all goes well. I will post on my journal and let everyone know how it went. Good luck and prayers with you.

Ilana,

I think you got such a quick surgery appointment because Dr. M. was out of the country on an emergency and had to re-arrange his schedule, probably had a cancellation and they slipped you in because you live nearby and didn't have to make a lot of airline arrangements. I don't think you should assume that your situation is worse. I think you just got lucky.

You can call Dr. M's nurse any time and discuss any questions or concerns you have. I believe her name is Cathy Keilar. I have her email address if you want it.

By the way . . my husband and I will be staying at the Intercontinental SUITES right on campus. We visited there in January when I had my consult. The place is newly re-done and absolutely beautiful. You get a suite; a very large bedroom, a large living room, a fully equipped kitchenette, 1.5 baths, 2 TVs, a sleeper sofa, a recliner chair - and the suites are gorgeous. There is a really excellent restaurant on the first floor and they provide room service. The cleveland clinic rate is $135. per day (for patients) and I believe you get a discount if you pay ahead - like now. You can call the concierge person and she will make the arrangements and they will also send a limo service to pick you and take you back to the airport. Ilana, you may have to ASK about these services in order to get them.

Our last trip we stayed at the Guest House on campus and it was pretty crummy and the same price as the suites. I understand they will be renovating the place this summer, but I would NOT recommend it.

My husband just made all our reservations, etc. So if you need any info. about how to do that just let me know. But I can assure you, will LOVE the suites. You can request two queen size beds or one king size bed. We wanted two because I thought I might be more comfortable having a bed to myself.

Ruth Howell
ruthjohnhowell@gmail.com
Someone on the HVJs suggested Walmart (of all places) to get a sports bra. I went there last week and picked up 2 with a hook and eye closure in the front. When I tried them on at home they were amazingly comfortable and really hold me in and the closure doesn't touch my chest (I will have a sternotomy). And..... they were 2 for $10.!

You can get better ones at a running store, but there aren't any near me.

Ilana,

My thoughts are with you...

Great job finding Dr. Mihaljevic!

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick, HVJ Founder

Ilana,
That's great news on getting your surgery scheduled so quickly. Mine is April 21 at CC and I've been waiting three months for Dr. Gillanov. I know exactly how you feel having gotten the date. It makes the whole thing real! I got pretty freaky after getting my date and even freakier when I received the packet of information in the mail. It took me a few weeks to calm down again.

Please be sure to listen to pre-surg. and relaxation CDs as they work very well. I don't think the ones offered by CC are all that good, however. I purchased my own. If you look at my journals I've listed the names of some.

I have heard nothing but rave reviews about Dr. M. You're in great hands. Please keep us all posted. I will be following your journals. I wish you a very successful surgery and a quick recovery. And don't forget those sports bras!!!

Ruth Howell

well,

Ruth, Terry and myself will be cheering you on - as we are guardian angels - no, forget Ruth and Terry, they're sissies - I'll be floating above your operating table in the astral world, cheering you on!

all the best to ya,

the silly atheist (Pete)

IIana,

I had minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on January 7th. I am now 7 weeks post op. I have a 4 inch incision down the middle of the sternum. Kinda hurts still :). But not taking any meds.

I was out of the hospital 4 days post op and back at work 17 days post op. Not sure I would rush back to work like I did as the body does need time to heal !!

The smaller incision will reduce recovery time no doubt and the surgeons in Cleveland are the best. I had Dr. Svennson perform the surgery.

The worst part about the surgery is the anticipation. I would suggest you talk to others who have gone through it as it really puts your mind at ease. I would be happy to answer any questions for you and you can see by journal for more info.

You are in great hands and will come through this with flying colors !! All the best, Dean Muglia

Sorry...forgot the name on the 23rd...Barry Stone

Hello IIana,

I know of only one way, right down the middle. My scar is only 3 inches long. Remember not every surgeon has a lot of experience with minimally invasion surgery. I went with a surgeon who had done alot, you want volume! You have one crack at it make it your best, that's what i did and look Im still hear, it's a beautiful thing. I know it's a lot of stress trust me, but in the end all you can do is do your homework and you'll be fine. Your welcome to check out my journal @ Richard Volpe. Thank god it's 2011.

All the Best,
Richard

IIana,
I forgot to add I also had minimally invasive surgery. Quick recovery, I was driving in 4 weeks.

Richard Volpe