J H's Heart Valve Journal

Sheila Garrison posted a note for J H that says: You brought back some memories of our post of encouragements to the group of us going through OHS 5 yrs ago. I celebrated my 5 yrs in July. It's good to hear you're doing great. Take care, JH

Sheila

Jeffrey Shebovsky posted a note for J H that says: Way to go JH. So awesome! Same here. Could not be better. Was just thinking yesterday how time has flown and my 3 year will be here before I know it (March 7th). Glad to hear all is well and as always I am grateful to have met you here and had your most wonderful support throughout my journey.

Joel posted a note for J H that says: JH. Thanks very much for your response. I couldn't agree more. Every day I wake up I can't wait to start the day. Like you, everything feels "more" to me. It's hard to explain to others, and am always happy to converse with others that understand. Thanks again, Joel

Dan Sinclair posted a note for J H that says: JH,
Thank you for sharing your journal on this site. You are truly an inspiration to all of us that are about to make the journey.
Sincerely

Janis Kielbasa posted a note for J H that says: JH, Congrats on your 2 year anniversary. So happy you are well and enjoying life and family. I am doing great as well. Cheers to continued good health and much happiness, my friend.

Aubrey Elmo Jones posted a note for J H that says: I have exactly the same valve and full root replacement even though I did not have a root problem. My surgeon is very confident this is a pretty long term solution. Some people have had them for as long as 35 years with a porcine valve and still going strong.

I am 7 1/2 weeks,post op and did have second opening of the chest 6 days later to remove the PICC line which got wedged under a surgical clip. My recovery has been very similar to yours, I went back to work 6 1/2 weeks after the original surgery and this is my second week and I am headed out on a trip to Chicago tomorrow.

Not feeling 100 percent yet but feeling pretty good. Stamina is very good and still improving.

Thanks for the post and keep posting your great results.

Jeff Shebovsky (Ross Procedure 3-7-12) posted a note for J H that says: Hi J.H.,
Great post....as always. Great to hear from you again. Glad to hear all is well. I see you are still inspiring others, just the way you did me. Keep up the good work and stay healthy. Don't forget to contact me next time you're in Florida.
Jeff

Jim Jones posted a note for J H that says: J H
You are my hero! What a great story. Love your life and attitude. Your story is inspirational for those of us awaiting surgery and recovering. Keep it up, JH!

Ernie A.S. posted a note for J H that says: Thanks for the post JH. Very encouraging.

Jimmy Johnson posted a note for J H that says: Great update and I am glad you are doing well and taking advantage of the time and making it could with family. Here to many more years to come.

Jimmy Johnson

Hi JH,

Thanks for sharing your story and following up with us so many months later.

It motivates me to continue my story for others to learn from.

Regards,

Lee Castro (mitral valve repair, 8/13/12)

JH

I'm just reading your update, I'm so happy that you are doing well...you are such an inspiration...thanks for all of your wisdom!

Jamie McGuire!

Saw your note to Tom. Just wanted to share, like you, I too am on Metroprolol (50mg/day, 1 tab in AM). Probably for life. I too had AVR and repair of lower ascending aorta (just above my root). I consider my doc very conservative, but trust him 100%. It was nice for me to read I am not the only one on some meds for the long term. Take care,

-Mitch Friedman

Thanks for the info JH, very encouraging. I'm on the same dosage, Metroprolol 25mg two times per day, but the heart is still relatively fast. I'll be a patient, patient.

Tom Smeal

Way to go Sir!! Keep it going. Thank you for all your help as I was getting ready. It really made a difference!

Jimmy Johnson

How long did it take your heart rate to return to normal? How long were you on beta-blockers? 11 weeks for me and I'm still waiting for a normal heart rate.

Tom Smeal

Dear driveway basketball king -

So glad to hear to are still rockin' it! Keep up the good work. So glad you posted, the newbies need to know life is good post surgery. Thanks again for all your support during my early days. Like you, now I am "that really happened, right????" Life is indeed good.

Take care brother!
- Mitch Friedman

JH, Loved reading your 10 month update and knowing you are happy and healthy. You can keep up with your boys or at least try! LOL. We sure are blessed, aren't we? To be well and enjoying our families and life is a gift. Continued blessing and best wishes sent your way. Janis Kielbasa

That's awesome!! I am glad you are doing so well and has become a non-event.

Also wanted to say thank for encouraging me and sharing your story as I prepared for my surgery as well as encouragement during my recovery.

It also has almost become a non-event for me as well.

Enjoy the the new and improved you!

Jimmy Johnson

I'm so happy you are continuing to do so well. Your journal, positive attitude and messages helped me so much in my journey. Thank you for sharing your story and alway's giving such incouraging advise!! Good luck in your future and Keep living your life to the fullest!!

Jamie McGuire

JH, Amazing!! Positive attitude, hard work and that Mattingly swag has paid off. You are back and perhaps even better than before. I am so happy for you and for your family. Living well, being well is the best gift a person can have. Continued health and happiness, my friend!! Janis Kielbasa

Way to go JH. Great update. You 'da man!!! I would say keep it up, but you have already done it all. So, forget it and continuing having fun. Thanks for all your inspiration.

-Mitch Friedman

J h. You rock. So proud of you !! Don't ck often do glad I see u doing super

Stay that way
Nancy. St Louis

Way to live life to the fullest, J H!! I agree with you, that most of the time, I forget I had open heart surgery. Of course, it's been 10 months and my fitness & engery level are back to when I was in my 20's.

Continue to take care.
Sheila Garrison

Hi...Stephanie from Louisiville. Glad you reached out. I read your journals after you did and saw where Dr Ganzel was your surgeon. I had his partner Dr Pagni. Small world :)

I appreciated your msg. You are very uplifting in your wrds. Your journals show the progress you made over time. I may be a lil hard on myself. Im only 6 wks post op and still have cardiac rehab to go. Think where i will be in 15 wks like you :)

Anyway i appreciated the msg and the good advice. Really glad things are going so well for you. Plus it gives me hope that things can only get better! I love that you gave your wife props calling her an angel. I feel the same about my husband. He has been amazing!!! Didnt know what i would do without him before....but now...what a Godsend! Times like these show you how lucky you are in terms of your friends and family and I am truly blessed when it comes to both.

Thanks again....stephanie

Wow. Should spell my last name right

Nancy. Friedman. Aggg.

Hi. Did you see post by some one in your home town ? Sounds as tho she could use some JH. Help??

Just did my first program since surgery here at mohegan sun Went great.

Thanks again For all your support over the months. Trust you are doing well

Esy.

Nancy frisdman. St Louis.

Mitch and Jane p. at drivi g up fro NYC to meet me. What a hoot.

hi JH. thanx for the feedback. b/c we have similar stories, i have a couple of questions for you. at what cm was your aneurysm when the dr. wanted you to get it fixed? what made you choose the pig valve over the ross? r u still really active and can do all the things you loved to do before?
right now, i 'm trying to figure what dr's to get a second and third opinion from. i live in a really small town and would like to look at the bigger city dr for this type of serious operation.
-jen

Thanks JH for the encouraging news....12 weeks and symptoms mostly gone!! Bring it on,,,I am ready!! I see differences for the good daily...still waiting for the sternum to get better...still hurts but it is tolerable! I ask doc about it and he said it could be 3 months, 6 months or never! SO...I am leaning on the 3 month idea from you!! Cheers...watch that wild basketball playing! Jamie Todor

JH, you rock! Strong sternum and king of the driveway. What an inspiring recovery story. Thanks so much for it.

-Mitch Friedman

Dude! You are showing us how to do it! -- DVB

Ouch!! Very reassuring that your sternum help up though...That makes me feel better about mine!! Thanks for sharing!!

Jamie McGuire

Hi JH. My name is Rob Goldberg and I am from NY. Just curious I have pretty much the exact same thing you had. I have mild aortic regurgitation and my bicuspid aortic valve is doing fine. It has not changed in 10 years on the echo. Like you my aortic root aneurysm keeps growing. My root measures 4.8cm. I am curious how big your root was before you had the surgery. My cardiologist wants me to wait due to the very slow growth of my root. Thank you in advance for your input.

Only one thing to say:

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!!

(on healing so well you remain undefeated!)

Chuck Holmgreen

Great post man! You're amazing, inspiring and always positive. I do hope that rib heals soon. Thanks for everything JH. Your support and perspective are invaluable! Talk to you soon.
Jeff

Oh-my, JH, You Rock!! I nominate you King of HVJ. Way to go to take one in the ribs. Does your heart doctor know this???

So happy that you continue to live life to the fullest.

Sheila Garrison

Sounds painful to me! Thanks for the encouragment....glad to hear that things aren't as fragile as they sometimes seem. I am right behind you at 8 weeks....Sounds like you are a great dad! Jamie Todor

Ouch!! I sort of slipped getting out of the tub (didn't fall, my hand just slipped) a few years ago and just bruised my ribs. Hurt like the dickens and was very sore for weeks!!! Be careful out ther JH, this is a rough world!!! Glad you seem to be healing and are still king of the driveway!!!
Linda Dixon (1 week to go)

You are so funny. And so glad your sternum held up. Omg ! And to claim still to be KING OF THE DRIVEWAY. That's something. Better than king pin of HVJ Keep up the great work. Proud of you !

Nancy Friedman. St Louis.

Your last blog is awesome. What a pick up for me personally that you are so positive. I have to say im a week post surgery and i know i have a long way to go before i feel anything like myself again. I felt very uplifted reading your story and hope mine goes somewhat the same. Good for you! Claire tunmore

JH - Thank you!! That made my day. I was able to talk to a few people at my company that had the surgery 3 years ago and are doing great now. It was exactly what you posted here.

They said you will be amazed on how good you feel even if you don't feel terrible now.

Thanks for the song recommendation. I am definitely adding that to my play list.

So good to see you doing well and I think am to the point where I am ready. Let's do this because I have things to do when I am all healed up.
Cheers to becoming a “has been” (that when I know I will have made it)!!

Jimmy J

Thank you JH for your journal post today. You are very encouraging and this was just what I needed today. I have been complaining about having to wait so long, and I realized today that in just 2 weeks...I can say I only have 2 weeks to go. Looking back from this perspective, what has seemed like an intolerably long time, now seems to have gone by fairly quickly. This journal site has really helped...we've been able to share with those who have either been there or are getting ready to go with us. You have been a constant "positive" reinforcement. Thank you for being so willing to share. It won't be long now....Linda Dixon

JH, I loved your post today. Your journals have been inspiring and honest. You have been so kind and generous with your sharing, advice and info. Thank you! I am thrilled to read how well you are doing and that your heart is healed. I wish you continued good health & happiness. I know what you say is true, because at post op 6 weeks, I am amazed at my own healing and recovery. Again, thank you!! Janis Kielbasa

Hi JH,
Just wanted to thank you again for writing in my journal and offering words of support and encouragement. Hope you are doing well.,
Jeff Shebovsky

JH, after you recent post in my guest book, I decided to reread your journal. Just wanted to say you are awesome and I can only hope for the same experience you had. Your words of encouragment are so, so, so appreciate. Thanks again. All the best and may your days continue to only be sunny and bright. -Mitch Friedman

thanks for the note, JH
I appreciate hearing from one of the "Vets" of this surgery, especially one that had as good an experience as you have had. I'm sure you are right about it being over quickly and getting this burden behind me - I can't wait for that realization to hit me! I would appreciate any further insight into recovery you can provide.
Please stay in touch.
Dick

Jeff. I dont believe your pix was up when I org. started in here - or if I recall I was having so much trouble I couldnt get into the site

Anyway I'm in & I know you have posted on my journal
After reading more about your recovery all I can say is when I grow up I wanna be just like you ! Lol

If u can be doing that good after 2-1/2 mo I'm hoping I can ( a tad older than u but u don't need to know how much "tad" between us. !! :).

As I keep saying my main reason for getting well fast is not only for my family but for my business. Love what I do. My first. Presentation is 4-24. I go in 2-9. So that's 12 weeks. Seems dr feel I'll Be ok. I will be traveling a lot but I'll use the airport as my treadmill.

The site is great & I'll be teaching my husband & daughter to journal for me the first few days. Love my iPad. ( which was the reason I could not get into the site - initial sign up HAD. To be. On big computer

Thx so much. Keep well & in touch. As u know it means a lot.

If I didn't give u my www. - here it is. Just remember I am younger & thinner in person

If I did send it. Remember I,m a blonde!

Best Nancy. Www.telephonedoctor.com

JH,
Just read your journal (and not because I was bored - LOL). I must say we are indeed a lot alike, only I am 2 years younger :)
I only wish I recover as fast as you have. Your story is an inspiration. As Adam would say "Keep on Tickin'"
Jeff

way to go!

JH, as always...you are an inspiration! Loved your post. Thanks for sharing!! Janis Kielbasa