Jim's Heart Valve Journal

Jim Jones  Hey Tim:
Good afternoon to you. I did consider MGH 6 years ago after a bout of endocarditis and communicated with a MGH cardiologist and surgeon. I also talked ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey Tim:
Good afternoon to you. I did consider MGH 6 years ago after a bout of endocarditis and communicated with a MGH cardiologist and surgeon. I also talked to other cardiologists and surgeons at that time and ended up at the Brigham with Dr. O'Gara, a cardiologist. We followed the mitral valve for 5 years and in 2013 I elected surgery. I wanted a repair and the valve disease (Barlow's) presented a very complex repair scenario. I wanted a repair v. replacement if possible. I was referred to Dr. Adams at Mt. Sinai. He is one of the very top MV repair surgeons in the country and does the most MV repair volume east of the Mississippi. He also was at the Brigham for about 20 years. The complexity of repair led me to NYC because in 2013 Boston did not have a comparable MV repair option for me. Mt. Sinai is a valve reference center. For me, that mattered as their expertise aligned with my valve disease complexity. I hope this helps. My best to you Tim as you head towards surgery.

Jim Jones  Why, thank you and much love right back at you! It sure has been an eventful year. It shows you old guys can recover well too. Let's make the next year even ... Read more

Jim Jones  Why, thank you and much love right back at you! It sure has been an eventful year. It shows you old guys can recover well too. Let's make the next year even better still. I sure couldn't have done this without you but let's agree to not make this a regular habit! Here's to great health for all of us. xxxooo

Jim Jones  Well, Gabi, thanks so much for remembering and for your encouragement! It means a lot to me. I hope all is well with you and that your weather is a bit better ... Read more

Jim Jones  Well, Gabi, thanks so much for remembering and for your encouragement! It means a lot to me. I hope all is well with you and that your weather is a bit better than mine-it is grey and cool here. All the best!

Jim Jones  Why, Lynn, thank you and it seems to me today is November 7th. Does that ring a bell with you??? It sure seems that you and I are getting it done. Let us keep ... Read more

Jim Jones  Why, Lynn, thank you and it seems to me today is November 7th. Does that ring a bell with you??? It sure seems that you and I are getting it done. Let us keep that up this year. Is it a deal? Now let me leave a note on your journal!

Jim Jones  Carol:
You have moved from patient to guide. We will now call you Pathfinder. You certainly are the right person for the job! All the best to your Mom and the ... Read more

Jim Jones  Carol:
You have moved from patient to guide. We will now call you Pathfinder. You certainly are the right person for the job! All the best to your Mom and the gentleman facing surgery. And, as former "featured patients", I do believe that Adam holds us to a higher standard!

Jim Jones  Carol:
So glad to hear form you and I am so happy you are doing well. yes, it seems like this time last year we were having entirely different sorts of conversations! ... Read more

Jim Jones  Carol:
So glad to hear form you and I am so happy you are doing well. yes, it seems like this time last year we were having entirely different sorts of conversations!
I just returned last night from 2 weeks in Europe where I walked and ran 250,000 steps or more than 135 miles so it seems that both my FitBit and my repaired valve are both working quite well. Keep doing as well as you are and let me know when your FitBit can swim. All my best!

Jim Jones  Aubrey - So, so glad your are doing well. Your wife and you inspired me in my recovery. Thanks for having yours done first as my personal trailblazer. Here's ... Read more

Jim Jones  Aubrey - So, so glad your are doing well. Your wife and you inspired me in my recovery. Thanks for having yours done first as my personal trailblazer. Here's to a great next year for all of our 2013 graduating class!

Jim Jones  Hey, great to hear you like races, we have one this Friday! We are a team in all things. Your continuous contributions have been a big reason why I am doing ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey, great to hear you like races, we have one this Friday! We are a team in all things. Your continuous contributions have been a big reason why I am doing well - come on now. Much love right back at you!

Jim Jones  Well, Susan, I never figured you as one that gives up at all! Get rid of the fluid and feel better. So glad that things are better than before surgery. Now ... Read more

Jim Jones  Well, Susan, I never figured you as one that gives up at all! Get rid of the fluid and feel better. So glad that things are better than before surgery. Now the body can do its thing and heal more. I continue to follow your journey with extreme interest. All the best!

Jim Jones  Why thank you, Lynn! You also are a great role model. Perhaps we could share the cover?

Hi to Steve and enjoy dry and hot. We are having the best summer in ... Read more

Jim Jones  Why thank you, Lynn! You also are a great role model. Perhaps we could share the cover?

Hi to Steve and enjoy dry and hot. We are having the best summer in memory after a tough winter. Let's now head together toward the 1 year anniversary.

Jim Jones  Well, Dan, if you channel Forrest Gump you will pass me in no time! 1.7 million steps is not too shabby at all. It is amazing how many steps we actually take. ... Read more

Jim Jones  Well, Dan, if you channel Forrest Gump you will pass me in no time! 1.7 million steps is not too shabby at all. It is amazing how many steps we actually take. Thanks for your kind words, Dan, I will keep 'er up.

Jim Jones  Now that is lousy. Heal fast, Ern-dog! You may want to skip stretching before you run. I have stopped after many years. A walk for 5 -10 minutes at the beginning ... Read more

Jim Jones  Now that is lousy. Heal fast, Ern-dog! You may want to skip stretching before you run. I have stopped after many years. A walk for 5 -10 minutes at the beginning at a progressive pace would be less stress on your cold muscles. I hurt my left leg last year by stretching beforehand.

You can still reach your goal this year. My goal is also to run races before yearend. We can compare notes. A foam roller also works well after a run. Good luck, big guy!

Jim Jones  Jeez, Dan, I had not even considered that! (or, DID I???)

I want us to be sitting together poolside in FL when we are 90 extolling the virtues of the weather ... Read more

Jim Jones  Jeez, Dan, I had not even considered that! (or, DID I???)

I want us to be sitting together poolside in FL when we are 90 extolling the virtues of the weather and acting surprised that the original Fitbit battery from 2013 is still working!

I did send a Fitbit invite and look forward to teaming up with you!

Jim Jones  Big Dan:
I am so pleased to hear that you are doing extremely well. Keep that up!

Now, you better get rolling on your fitbit because I am closing in on 500 ... Read more

Jim Jones  Big Dan:
I am so pleased to hear that you are doing extremely well. Keep that up!

Now, you better get rolling on your fitbit because I am closing in on 500 miles since the beginning of the year. Let me know your email address if you want to and I will send you a fitbit friend invite. Lynn Ennis and I are already firbit friends so we are able to track one another's progress.

I have 3 weeks left in rehab. I continue to improve. I am running/walking in 1 hour workouts 5-6 days a week. It will take me time to get back to full running.
Looking forward to that day. Working hard and seeing improvement there also.

Thanks for reaching out, Danny-boy! Best to Mary!

Jim Jones  Carol:
I am so glad you are doing well! I am also happy you were able to get back to AZ - good for you.

I continue to improve. 6 more sessions of rehab left. ... Read more

Jim Jones  Carol:
I am so glad you are doing well! I am also happy you were able to get back to AZ - good for you.

I continue to improve. 6 more sessions of rehab left. I am working a full schedule but still have a ways to go before I am 100%. Healing does take time. (BTW, I think your journal was way, way better than mine!)

Looks like our Susan has her date. I am so pleased to learn that.

Have a great one and continue to enjoy your new health.

Jim Jones  Dan:

Thanks so much for taking time to check in. I am so pleased to hear that you are feeling good. I bet in several months you won't believe how much better ... Read more

Jim Jones  Dan:

Thanks so much for taking time to check in. I am so pleased to hear that you are feeling good. I bet in several months you won't believe how much better you feel. I'm impressed with your endurance. That is impressive. Keep up your healing.

I am doing well. It is 4 months post-op today. I am 1/2 way thru cardiac rehab. I have derived a great deal of benefit from rehab - monitored exercise, yoga, nutrition, stress management, and a great group of fellow heart travelers. I'd say that I am 70% there - the rest of the 30% will take the next 8 months, IMO.

We are doing well. Some New England travel with more extensive traveling coming up. I'm working full time and have a busy schedule as usual. Had a check-up on Monday and the takeaway phrase was "excellent recovery". I'll take it!

All the best to Mary, you and your daughters!

Jim Jones  Hey Sandei:

Welcome and thanks for dropping by! The very best to you with your surgery and recovery. Thanks for your kind feedback.

Where will you have the ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey Sandei:

Welcome and thanks for dropping by! The very best to you with your surgery and recovery. Thanks for your kind feedback.

Where will you have the surgery? What is involved?

Two good questions. It actually was groin swelling and it resolved itself within 48 hours in the hospital after copious doses of Lasix. They add lots of fluid to your body during surgery to protect the heart and support the procedure. For me it meant I had 25 pounds of excess fluid. With Lasix it was no big deal to eliminate the fluid.

My key takeaway from that experience is to tell them immediately if something is not right. They have protocols for everything. I also think they have seen everything.

I did not have what would be called clinically diagnosed cardiac depression. But I had and continue to have periodic low emotional moments. I'm not sure you can completely avoid low emotional moments. What I do is to read the heart blog and put in search terms for what is worrying or distressing me. I get lots of great information and comfort by doing that. I am also just now starting to read Adam Pick's book backward. That's because I want to be encouraged by my future rather than dwell on my mind and body "what ifs" or low energy. I take action - walk, yoga CD, connect with friends - actions that get me out of my ruminations.

I recommend that you line up your cardiac rehab before surgery as it is a sure fire way to avoid cardiac depression. The community of fellow travelers and the medical team are priceless in a good program.

Please let me know if you have any questions - I'm here to help as are so many others on HVJ. All the best.

Jim Jones  Lynn:

I really wish you were back East in my 7:00AM cardiac rehab class. We'd have a blast. I am so impressed with your exercise level. I too have overdone ... Read more

Jim Jones  Lynn:

I really wish you were back East in my 7:00AM cardiac rehab class. We'd have a blast. I am so impressed with your exercise level. I too have overdone it and felt like a 100 year old out of shape man the next day. Oh well, I'd rather overdo than "no do"!

It really is a longer road than I had figured on. I have had to develop patience and be flexible. I'll get back to extended running when I am able. The same goes for racing.

And, yes, bring on that lower heart rate!

All the best!

Jim Jones  Hey Brian:
How do you like running in this cold weather?! Yeah, the heart rate really does take some getting used to. My resting heart rate is now 79. That's ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey Brian:
How do you like running in this cold weather?! Yeah, the heart rate really does take some getting used to. My resting heart rate is now 79. That's down from 100 in the hospital. It can be amazingly sensitive to any change in speed or elevation. I look forward to it returning to normal.

I hope your training is going well and everything else is well in your life. All the best.

Jim Jones  Hey Louise:
It's wonderful to hear from you especially given your busy schedule right now. Ditto on the nice weather. I was dreaming yesterday of singlets, ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey Louise:
It's wonderful to hear from you especially given your busy schedule right now. Ditto on the nice weather. I was dreaming yesterday of singlets, running shorts, green grass and sunny weather. Let's hope for an early spring. I hope that Bill and you are doing really well. Enjoy the next couple of weeks. All the best.

Jim Jones  Hey Rebecca:
As always it's wonderful to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are enjoying retirement. It does take a while to adopt a new routine. ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey Rebecca:
As always it's wonderful to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are enjoying retirement. It does take a while to adopt a new routine.

Good luck on your exercise. I belong to a gym so my toughest activity is to get myself out the door. Once I'm at the gym I'm okay.

You also take good care. Thank you so much for your kind words. Have a great week! All the best.

Jim Jones  Tom:
Thanks for reading my latest post. I certainly have a lot going on. Juggling cardiac rehab, work and life is a full-time activity!
Thanks for the encouragement ... Read more

Jim Jones  Tom:
Thanks for reading my latest post. I certainly have a lot going on. Juggling cardiac rehab, work and life is a full-time activity!
Thanks for the encouragement as always. Right now I am running in 5 min. intervals followed by five-minute walks. I'm really looking forward to extending the run portion. Keep up your fine work training and racing, I continue to follow your progress. All the best, Tom.

Jim Jones  Ann:
Thanks so much for stopping by and thanks for your very kind words. I'm certainly glad that you've enjoyed my posts. Thanks much for your encouragement. ... Read more

Jim Jones  Ann:
Thanks so much for stopping by and thanks for your very kind words. I'm certainly glad that you've enjoyed my posts. Thanks much for your encouragement.

It must be quite something to be almost 3 years post surgery. I'm looking forward to getting the first year under my belt. As I'm sure you can remember, three months produces significant healing but I still have a ways to go.

I am also so pleased that you enjoyed Lise's posts to me. She has been absolutely incredible during this entire process. I don't know what I would've done without her (although I'm quite sure she has some ideas as to what she would've done without me!!)

Please keep those prayers coming and I hope you have wonderful health and an overall great life this year. All the best.

Jim Jones  Hey Clare:
Thanks so much for stopping by. I know exactly what you mean! It is the epitome of unfairness to take a runner off the road! I'm glad to see that ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey Clare:
Thanks so much for stopping by. I know exactly what you mean! It is the epitome of unfairness to take a runner off the road! I'm glad to see that you are a month post surgery and have already begun rehab. That's impressive. I waited to start rehab till the eight week mark.

Let's look forward to both of us getting back on the road and completing races. We can post our success. Continue your recovery well and all the best to you.

Jim Jones  Jeez, Ernie:
What kind of bare bones cardiac rehab were you in?
Here in Wellesley mine offers a wine and cheese bar, beer and a juicing station just for starters. ... Read more

Jim Jones  Jeez, Ernie:
What kind of bare bones cardiac rehab were you in?
Here in Wellesley mine offers a wine and cheese bar, beer and a juicing station just for starters. The positive sign is that we have 100% attendance and no dropouts. A possible negative sign is that many of our attendees are repeat members due to more surgeries. I see this as a coincidence. Have a good one, big guy!

Jim Jones  Gabi
Well, thank you for your kind words and concern! It's great to hear from my Aussie friend.

I'd say I am 2/3rds back about 10 weeks after surgery. I just ... Read more

Jim Jones  Gabi
Well, thank you for your kind words and concern! It's great to hear from my Aussie friend.

I'd say I am 2/3rds back about 10 weeks after surgery. I just finished 2 weeks of cardiac rehab with 13 weeks to go. It is helpful and something I look forward to each time. I have been working full time since the end of the year. I guess the doctors would say that I am right on track.

I hope to start running next month after I take another stress test. I have been out and about and I think folks are surprised how well I look based on their reactions. So, all in all, not too shabby!

Again, thanks so much for asking. How are you doing???

Jim Jones  Vicki
It was our pleasure. Once Rach is up and about we want to send something along that is a bit more fun then a get well card! Tell Rach we are her number ... Read more

Jim Jones  Vicki
It was our pleasure. Once Rach is up and about we want to send something along that is a bit more fun then a get well card! Tell Rach we are her number one fans in Boston, MA. Please ask her to not hold the Boston Tea Party against us - that was in the 1700s.

We are rooting for continued healing and a wonderful outcome. Our best.

Jim Jones  Ernie:
My racing over the last few years has covered races from 1 mile (road and track) to 10K. I'd like to focus now on 5-10K in 2014 and then get back in ... Read more

Jim Jones  Ernie:
My racing over the last few years has covered races from 1 mile (road and track) to 10K. I'd like to focus now on 5-10K in 2014 and then get back in 2015 to a few 1 mile races (these are hard) and 15K road races (these need solid training). I don't know if I will ever get back to either 1/2 marathon (last 2 were in 2006) or longer. We will see how I recover and what my cardiologist says. Plus, I would need some serious training time.

Jim Jones  Hey peter:

Thanks for stopping by. It is a bit chilly out there! First day of cardiac rehab today. Exercise at 7am, yoga at 8am and breakfast at 9am. Sounds ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey peter:

Thanks for stopping by. It is a bit chilly out there! First day of cardiac rehab today. Exercise at 7am, yoga at 8am and breakfast at 9am. Sounds like a schedule to me! 29 more sessions to go. I can tell it will make a HUGE difference. You two stay warm!

Jim Jones  Indeed it has been 2 months. It now feels like years ago, that is odd. Hopefully they award trophies and medals in rehab - I love both! Let's get this done ... Read more

Jim Jones  Indeed it has been 2 months. It now feels like years ago, that is odd. Hopefully they award trophies and medals in rehab - I love both! Let's get this done so I can race some races and start carrying my weight around here! XXXOO - Me (the heart patient)

Jim Jones  Hey Lynn
Looks like we did graduate indeed. Thanks for the support throughout. Now for the next phase. I hope that 2014 will be terrific for us both. Thanks ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey Lynn
Looks like we did graduate indeed. Thanks for the support throughout. Now for the next phase. I hope that 2014 will be terrific for us both. Thanks for your email address. Would love to meet you. My email is jjones@firstwellesley.com. You find yourself in Boston please let me know. I find myself in San Francisco I will let you know. To the best in health, cardiac buddy!

Jim Jones  Nah, Susan Smith can't really be your real name. For sure, Jim Jones is not my real name!

Thanks so much Susan for your continuous encouragement. I'm glad ... Read more

Jim Jones  Nah, Susan Smith can't really be your real name. For sure, Jim Jones is not my real name!

Thanks so much Susan for your continuous encouragement. I'm glad the posts were helpful. I am pleased you enjoyed the three musketeers-watch for the reality show we are debuting this year on Netflix. The first episode will be titled "Surgery, You got to be @#%$@ me!".

I sure will drop by and touch base as well as follow your exploits. Here's to great health!

Jim Jones  Hey, Cheryl, you think I would leave you now? Not a chance! Consider me your personal pathfinder. I will go ahead and figure out the next steps in this journey. ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey, Cheryl, you think I would leave you now? Not a chance! Consider me your personal pathfinder. I will go ahead and figure out the next steps in this journey.

I will receive your posts, follow your progress and cheer your success. Be well!

Jim Jones  Hey Laura:

Thanks so much for stopping by. Come on now-a MA resident that lives in NYC? Does it get any better than that??!

I am glad you enjoyed the posts. ... Read more

Jim Jones  Hey Laura:

Thanks so much for stopping by. Come on now-a MA resident that lives in NYC? Does it get any better than that??!

I am glad you enjoyed the posts. I see you have MV surgery in your future. If I can help in any way please feel free to post a note and I will get back to you.

All the best to you with everything and stay warm!