Jim's Guestbook

Hi Jim, Thanks for you post. I couldn't agree more. I just celebrated my 1 year anniversary last month, and grateful for my surgeon and hospital as well. Looking back, even though the situation the first and second Kaiser cardiologist presented to me was bleak, the 3rd opinion at an outside institution with a mitral valve specialist offered the hope of repair. It was anxiety and survival that kept me looking for answers, and I'm glad I went with the research. By the way, the person who had the multiple repairs that you mentioned in your post.... Are they doing well now? Did they have a successful repair on the 4th attempt? Gina

We are so thankful as well! What you are saying here is so true. Glad you had the right surgical team and God’s listening ear and guiding hand. 🙏🏻

Hi Jim, Just wanted to share that Helga was my nurse and of course I told her you said it goes to 11.... She laughed and said that I was in your exact room. Great care at Providence and I loved all my nurses. Bed mattresses were the best!!

I continue to pray for discernment, clarity, wisdom, comfort and peace for you, Danna, Jameson, Meredith and the entire medical team. We have a mighty God!

Hey big guy 😘 Sounds like you are doing good! Hang in there ... this will be behind you soon and you will be wearing your cape again😃 Love to my family 💕 Rest & recover🙃

Praise God for the successful procedure! Thanks for the update. We will pray for Jim as he recovers. May his pain be minimized and his healing be swifter than expected.

Are you ready, Jim? Faith? Check. Confidence? Check. Supportive family & friends? Check. Prayers from your heart "tribe?" Check. You are ready to go, Jim! We will watch for your updates... (and, special prayers for your wife and family while they wait and wait to hear the good news from your surgeon...)

Hey good friend! I am not even worried for you! I know God is going to have his hand over your surgery and recovery. You are gonna be awesome and be back on your feet in no time! Can't wait to see ya when your ticket is slicker! 😂😉Live you bunches!

Hi Jim, There are several videos on You Tube that show the whole angiogram procedure. I was surprised how involved it is, too. But, having seen the videos helps to understand it and what to expect when the time comes. Good luck!

Jim - the angiogram, aka cardiac catheterization, is part of pre-operative testing for the reasons you listed. Your doctor has an obligation to make you aware of every scenario. It's normal to be tentative and frightened. I had a radial cardiac cath last year and the diagnostic upside of this procedure far outweighs the risks. I opted to have it done without sedation - there was slight discomfort when the dye was injected, but tolerable - and the procedure itself only took about 15 or 20 minutes. (A small investment to find out that everything was all clear before I embarked on mitral valve surgery.) I spent about an hour or so in recovery to have the pressure on the wrist band slowly released, but it was all very manageable. You'll be fine. I'm grateful that medical advancements have made these tools and techniques available and that we have cardiologists and medical professionals dedicated to making sure that complications are kept to a minimum. The pre-operative testing can be scary. It helps if you think about this as a means to an end that will improve your health and provide a more active life. I reminded myself that my mitral valve was never going to get better on its own, so I had only one choice and that was to move forward. Take it one day at a time and, before you know it, you will be among those of us who have put all of this in our rear view mirrors. Best of luck! You can do this!

Hello dear "birthday buddy" - I have had you in my thoughts and prayers ever since our B-day lunch. Today's medical procedures are sooooooooooo different from what I went thru back in 1960. Robots? Those were things in outer space back then! Ha! Yes, this is scary. I get it. But you are strong and so well informed. You, my friend, will sail right thru this. You have THE BEST medical team on your side. And your friends out here rooting for you. Thank you for inviting me to be part of your journey. Biggest hugz, Dianne

You will be covered in prayer, and God will have you in His Hands!!! I will stop by on the day of your surgery to sit with Danna. Please let us know what else we can do. We are glad to support you through this!

Hi Jim, I am pretty new to this site as well. I'm so impressed to hear your Dr gave you a copy of Adam's Guide. That is so wonderful to hear. If I had received the news of MVP from my Dr. along with that book, it would have spared a few months of intense anxiety, worry and panic. I found it to be both informative and comforting.... and as a result- found my way via Adam's trusted Surgeon's Guide. Alas, I digress! It has helped me advocate for myself, and been so helpful to learn of other people experiences along this heart journey. I wish you well, and will follow your story.