Janette 's Guestbook

Janette Rehua  hi Em its jfrehua@gmail.com yes I know a little of this place but its my first surgery for me here :) its Sir Charles Gairdiner also known as QE11 not far from the swan river Crawly area.

Janette Rehua  Oh Thank you both so much Its kinda surreal but Im very calm and just want it over with xx hope you are both doing well x

Bridget Sawmiller  I can relate, I got to the point that I was ready for the surgery and actually all the anxiety leading up to it was tough. I will be 4 weeks post op tomorrow and it has been a tough couple of weeks, but I can say I am starting to feel better and my energy level is getting better. Looking forward to your post op posts, prayers again for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!

Janette Rehua  they are such a great gift aren't they? I truly believe my Dolly was sent as a distraction and delight for me so I could deal with this heart rubbish! The couple of times recently I have needed twilight meds the last thing I have pictured is Dolly and I walking along the beach together .....me trying to keep her out of the water lol

Janette Rehua  Aw hi Thanks Emily I have a great hubby and family but only a <3 patient can really 'get it' . Its lovely to touch base with so many who are in some way dealing with heart 'stuff. Im doing my best to not worry and since I believe its all in Gods hands anyway (phew big relief in that) ! I am very optimistic and looking forward to surgery being in the 'past' and making plans for the 'post op' life I will enjoy PLEASE keep in touch lovely to hear from you God Bless x Janette

Emily Rowley  That is wonderful you have great support around you plus you have us. Family is a blessing especially at hard times like this, mine were/are always there for me. Very supportive community and can easily relate to-I know what you mean (literally) 😊 Having faith in God and your Surgical Team is important. Sorry about taking over one of your journal posts. For me, my heart journey will always be with me/in my heart-it's big part of my life especially at the moment. I will be praying for you along your journey. Where abouts in Aus are you from? Aww I look forward hearing from you. Take care xx Em

Janette Rehua  HI Em :) Im in Perth W.A and its the biggest help EVER to have found lovely people like yourself who are willing to share their experiences to help and comfort those of us on the 'wait list'. Every step of the way is paved with prayer and I have a friend doing the 'Cammino walk' at this moment who recently prayed in Lourdes for our heart health. Keep me posted x

Emily Rowley  I heard it's beautiful place over Perth WA, what's it like living there? I'm from country NSW 😊 Aww and lovely people like you with a big heart too ❤ That is lovely, I would love to hear more about the Cammino Walk. I knew I was having my heart op in a few days but when I saw it up on our surgeries board I was like "Omg I'm having Open-Heart Surgery in a couple of days", I wonder how you will feel. I will do, I also have an email address too I use. Look forward to hearing your updates. Have you met with your Surgeon?

Janette Rehua  HI Em My goal is to also one day do the Cammino my friend and her son are having a wonderful experience doing it so i made it my goal in life to one day to be there. I love WA Im English and spent several years in NZ having my family but we live in country WA and I just adore it here so serene and peaceful and only 1.5 hours drive to the city. My email is jfrehua@gmail.com if you ever want to use it. At the moment I have good and not so good days. Today I felt out of breath and grumpy most of the day but Im a 'do-er' I cant sit for long so I keep busy. I meet the gang next wednesday and have been prepared to expect to have pulmonary valve replaced, hole in the heart fixed and possibly some 'electrical work' done ! Im up for it because the breathlessness is not fun! I have two dogs I love to bits and they need me as much as the humans in my family! I have great hopes Royal Perth is a terrific hospital. Roll on the 27th ......

Emily Rowley  That is a wonderful goal. Where is it held?

That's great to hear, I was looking through your photos and was thinking you have New Zealand heritage in your family?

Thank you. My email address is emily.rowley94@outlook.com 📧

You're like my Mum can't not do nothing. Very determined, which will help you in your recovery.

How are you feeling about meeting your team and who are they? I would suggest writing down questions to ask like is a repair possible, how long will the results last you. And take along your family. Let me know how it goes for you. 27th April meeting your Surgeon?

I had holes in my heart. Where are yours positioned? Wow sounds like a good Hospital, sounds like Royal Prince Alfred Hospital we have here in NSW. Is it public or private? 🏥

The world needs you here and all of your family wants you in each of their lives plus we enjoy having you in our community.

Janette Rehua  Hello Em ;) had the meeting took along my Mum and Hubby and we left feeling confused! Very odd! Now Im told I dont need the valve replaced "what the????" But still need open heart to fix the hole ...more tests to come more meetings ahead .....the prayers are creating miracles! Im speechless

Emily Rowley  Hello Jan, Sorry for the late reply!
I read your journal post regarding your Doctor having another patient's documents in your file. In my honest opinion, I would be seeing another Doctor. Changing Cardiologists was one of the best things I did! My old one said how about we wait 3-6 months I'm not sure there is anything wrong-I spoke up and said no I want a second opinion and glad I did, as my condition was severe and I might've been dead by that time. Now I have a far more experienced Cardiologist, who also bulk bills :) In the meantime, take care honey xx

Janette Rehua  Thank you I have spoken with my own GP who has convinced me the Cardiologist is worth persevering with! He also explained (what they didnt) that in fact they will be considering very seriously what to do with me. It seems the dilemma is the valve is not crappy enough to warrant replacement surgery alone for it BUT the hole in the heart and oblation DOES need to be done, so the dilemma is do they do the valve while Im there on the table or do they leave it but potentially have to do it years down the track? I have put ALL of this into Gods hands so that I do not worry about it so much and we are moving house which is dragging on so Ive been too preoccupied to think about it :) How are YOU doing Em?

Emily Rowley  Where is your holes located and how many mm in size? They might have a look at the valve while you are in the operating thearte. The question is do you feel comfortable and trust your GP. Wow that is a lot, are you moving far and closer to the Hospital? Thank you for asking, I'm quite ill at the moment, I have been sick with the gastro bug then had a bad reaction to the flu shot so I apologize for any late replies and not been on here much.

Janette Rehua  Oh sweetheart DO feel better soon I refused the flu shot like I do each year ...stubborn I guess ! i trust my GP he knows me well and Im comfortable with him. We are in the same little town no further no closer but happier :) Im feeling amazing I will keep you at the forefront of my prayers and add you to our parish prayer circle as well xxxx You will feel better very soon I know it dont push yourself stay positive and know you are prayed for xxx

Emily Rowley  Nah, you are wise-I was sick last year from it so I won't be getting to flu shot again. I am reluctant to get the Annomia Vaccine. That is good to hear, how is the moving going? And have you talked to your Cardiologist again and I was wondering how it has been going with you and your heart? Aww thank you-means a lot to me. I have been praying for you. Take Care xox

Janette Rehua  I have felt the prayers Thank you please dont stop and I updated things on here the other day :) I just downloaded a lot of bible inspirational quotes to reflect on Im still getting my head around the fact I now have a surgery date ....its all REAL now whaaaaa!!!! I seem to jump wildly from feeling strong and tough to crying my eyes out!!!

Janette Rehua  I have felt the prayers Thank you please dont stop and I updated things on here the other day :) I just downloaded a lot of bible inspirational quotes to reflect on Im still getting my head around the fact I now have a surgery date ....its all REAL now whaaaaa!!!! I seem to jump wildly from feeling strong and tough to crying my eyes out!!!

Emily Rowley 

I'm glad my prayers have reached you. That is lovely you have bible qoutes. There was an eldery lady in Hospital across from me in the same ward when I had my first OHS. She gave me a beautiful mini Bible (which I still have kept safe and cherish). I think she has since passed away-but there is a longer story if you would like to hear it. This time I had my 2nd OHS in Catholic Hospital (St Vincent's Private) and my Pastoral Care workers gave blessing before my surgery. Then after a beautiful picture with an inspirational qoute and sent me lovely poem about an angel that related to the gift I gave them as my way of thanking them for all their help. Also at the Chapel (I'm sure they will have this in the Hospital where you are going) they have a prayer book and often strangers will read the prayers and prayer for those. Alternatively you can request your own minister or Rabi to visit you in Hospital. So it's hit you now, how do you feel about all of this? Someone asked me week before what I'm up to over the next week and I said "Going to Sydney to have Open-Heart Surgery" then I thought OH MY GOSH I'M HAVING OPEN HEART SURGERY IN A WEEK. But then it was post poned few times. Your Surgeon will probably look at your valves while in there. I just read the last part of your message, I tend to reply in each section. I know this is a very emotional time for you right now, you have my full support (even know I am over in NSW) and I am here for you honey. How is your family coping? Do you feel scary thoughts at night? Have faith in your Surgical team, you are strong. You may have people tell you you will be okay (which I know you will come through), I did before mine from people who hadn't gone through this and it was the last words I wanted to hear, reality we don't feel okay and get upset at these people who may mean well but unsure what say. I found having a busy Holiday before surgery (while feeling like I have done what I need to get done) really helps place the mind at ease. Don't stress if things are left undone, they can wait hun. I will give you a tip-it’s worthwhile have a calendar or board to write important things to do done like Appointments.
When scary glum thoughts come in, try think of how well trained your team is to cope with any situation, how we are thinking and praying for you, how you will get to see the lovely smiles of your family when you come out. And when you wake up remember to not pull out your breathing tube! Talk soon xox

Janette Rehua  aw thank you such lovely words. I feel that you approach everything with a sense of peace and acceptance and Im aiming to feel the same. The only thing that calms me is to pray often and repetitively no one can truly understand but I think often of people I know who have had huge surgeries, a friend who had a ten hour operation to have a brain tumor removed , and now lives a full and happy life. I look to people who inspire me by their ability to fight and accept and especially those who have gone on to live wonderful healthier lives. However Im still not delighted by the breathing tube idea I can see me yanking that thing out in my sleep!!!!!

Emily Rowley  Aww really, I was just thinking I never have the right words to say esp when people are in need as I just said to a special friend of mine something I should of never said or thought and regret saying at a time like this when their elderly relative is sick in Hospital had surgery. My friend is mad with me, what I said and how I think. I don't know what to say or do to make it all better, do you have any suggestions?

Emily Rowley  They will look after you honey. I kept saying to myself don't pull the breathing tube out and I didn't (the second OHS). Sometimes they take the breathing tube out of you before you wake up. My first Op I took it (it doesn't yank out) because I was not told about a breathing tube before my surgery, I had no clue what OHS was all about, but if this happens they quickly place you back to sleep. ☺ How many holes do you have in your heart? (Sorry if I have already asked this question).

Janette Rehua  HI Honey oh as far as your friend being upset just remind yourself what you said was out of love not with any bad intention. Unfortunately when people are scared, worried or upset they can pounce on those in their firing range so maybe forgive and move on xxx Let hem be and Im sure they will calm down and just pray for them. Its always hardest to pray for people who we are not happy with but its what we are called to do, The past year I have destroyed three friendships, two were close friends. I would like to blame my health and say this was pre heart drama but that would be a cop out...I just couldnt forgive. As for this dreaded tube I have told the surgeon and expressly said PLEASE dont wake me with a tube in my throat I will freak out he was very kind and sympathetic and said he didnt want me to worry (I told him I dont need to worry thats HIS job hahaha I just lie there and sleep! ) he has done THOUSANDS of surgeries and I am confident in him, I feel so well (spent all day gardening ) that Im questioning do I REALLY need this?) Anyway I have an angiogram next weds on our SILVER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY can you believe it! Some celebration that will be hahahaha anyway since we need to leave at 5.30AM to get to the city on time and then knowing I will have to lie around for a few hours after its done I think we may just find a nice cheap hotel and spend the night in the city maybe see a movie .....very low key ;(

Janette Rehua  oh sorry didnt answer you I had a hole in heart as a baby fixed at 3 yrs of age so now have another and I will have the original hole re-fixed as they apparently get a little crusty / calcified over the years :) I will also have a 'maze procedure'. Not worried about either have given all this to God told him I am not dealing with this hahahaha AMEN xxxx

Emily Rowley  I am sorry for my super late reply hun! I have been keeping you in my thoughts. Whoa, did they perform OHS when you were a baby? Any more updates from your Surgeon/Cardiologist as to repairing your hole soon (September?)? Do you experience A-Fib or is the Maze Procedure done for precautions? My apologies, I was bit confused about your last sentence. Hope all is well with and your family xxx

Janette Rehua  Hi Emily how are you going? Ok sorry for not being clear. I had OHS when I was born and at 3 they repaired a hole then I was fine but for a murmur and pulmonary stenosis. Scoot forward 46 years and now I need another hole repair as well as a maze procedure and oblation. Thats pretty much it really I was being considered for valve replacement ~which is how I found THIS page~but after some further testing, MRI and angiogram it was decided I can manage with the valve I have for some time yet.

Emily Rowley  Wow at birth, it's amazing what they can do at such a young age! Did they detect your valve problem at birth? My Heart Condition wasn't picked up at birth, not until I was 15. Ah Maze Procedure for A-Fib, how long have you been experienxing A-Fib for hun? You are in good hands ☺ Do you see the good Cardiologist since moving? I am thinking of you xx

Janette Rehua  hi hun yes as far as I know the ablation is part of the maze procedure. I have my pre admission on the 25th so will ask questions at that point. Ok so in trying to be more clear I made it all more complicated hahahaha I deleted some words and it changed the context of what I wrote !!! I was 3 yrs old when I had OHS I was blue fainting and couldn't eat as a toddler no one knew what was up with me till Mum found an old Dr who suggested a proper check of my heart. THEN they discovered the hole ......

Janette Rehua  so I had surgery at 3 then regular checks and no problems till suddenly in Feb this year I had Afib and they discovered another hole