Joan's Guestbook

Hi Joan, I was in Cardiac Physical Therapy today and met one of our Heart Valve Surgery sisters (Kris). Anyway, I got to thinking about some of my fellow Heart Valve brothers and sisters that I haven't seen on the site in a while. And I thought about you and some others. I hope that you are past your set backs and well on the way to recovery. As for me, I'm still dealing with some set backs but was finally able to do physical therapy. Best wishes for good health to you and your family. Jim

Joan - I hope you're feeling better, mood-wise and body-wise too. As others have said, it's normal to have ups and downs both while waiting for surgery and then during recovery. I'm sitting here in wait mode for Jan 7 and I'm both confident and scared! Actually more scared than confident, honestly. This is unlike other surgeries I've had. Here in Colorado it's very cold, snowy and dreary today. Not a day for any outside activity. I'm looking forward to being able to go to cardiac rehab, as least I think so because that'll be a milestone. I do hope you're progressing ok, and just remember to listen to your body and take naps or rest when you need to. Keep us posted on your progress. I love your photos - you have a great smile and beautiful hair!

Joan i was reading a post that you wrote, don't give up on X-mas, it is a struggle I Know but remember " It's a wonderful life" (love that movie) and even more wonderful this year for people like us. Smile and rejoice!

No Joan i am not on blood thinners other than 81mg aspirin, woke ups this morning a whole lot better but will keep a close eye on my symptom thanks for the support .

Hi Joan, I'm coming up on my 3 year anniversary from total mitral valve replacement, titanium valve at Cleveland Clinic, Hillcrest Campus. I take Coumadin daily and will for life (64 now) so hope several years to go. Have blood checked monthly now the Coumadin is regulated. Hang in there and hope you continue to improve. I still have some problems with very loud heart ticking and some irregularity, but mild. Take care and get lots of rest!

Joan, so happy for you that this is all behind you and your heart is fixed. Was thinking of you and prayed for you as I said I would, and again, great, great news. Your mother was with you. :)

Wish you the best. My prayers are with you. All will be over soon. You will be back hale and hearty to live and enjoy your lovely family. With your children and your grand children. They all look so great along with you. Praying for you.

Joan. The prayers for your smooth surgery and prayers for your surgical "Team" are growing by the minute and will continue from today through your return home to the arms of your beautiful Family who will insure your "Healing" with plenty of love and support. Prayers to God and Universe this day for all of you for Peace and strength!

Joan i hope your day is restful and you are surrounded by all your loved one's , i will be wishing all the best tomorrow and hope to here from you in a few days , Best of luck !

Dear Joan, I am praying for Father God to give you the peace and courage He gave me for my surgery. I can honestly say it wasn't as bad as I had imagined. You are going to do great! Love, Tammy

Joan, Please know that, as you prepare for surgery on Nov. 10th, you are in my thoughts and prayers. God be with you, family members who will be waiting to hear the good news of your successful surgery; the surgical team of doctors, nurses, etc. Be at peace and know that God will TAKE CARE OF YOU! Much love, Carol

Thinking of you Joan, and hoping you have peace about your surgery on Monday. I will be praying for you. Is.41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Hi Joan! I see you are on the top of "the list" now. I am sending you all my best thoughts and prayers, and to your family and surgical team too! I meet with my surgeon next week and will then have my date for healing too. You are in my highest brightest thoughts! I'm sure i'l be wishing you well before your day, but just wanted you to know i'm thinkin of you.

Hi Joan, Thanks for your message about my daughter, Olivia. I am following your journal and look forward to reading about your quick recovery! If your MV cannot be repaired, I am curious what type of valve you are considering. Jeff V.

Hi Joan, I just read your story. About 7 years ago I had mitral valve repair surgery at Loyola with Dr. Bakhos! He was great! You are in very good hands! I had my surgery done robotically. I wish you all the best! Good luck!

Joan i have read your story and it is touching, i know you here it every day by every person you will be fine, take each day one at a time and enjoy each day with your family. Thoughts will be with you!

Joan, I just read your post of October 14th and want to say how sorry I am that you and your beautiful Family have lost your Mom and had to grieve a second time since hearing of the cause of her death. Not meaning to be intrusive I would like to share a story with you with the intent to lessen the pain. At the age of 5, my wonderful Grandmother Abe and I were in my Aunt's backyard in the garden where She spent a lot of her time. She lived with my Aunt and Uncle I loved being outdoors with her and watching her work her magic in the garden and loved the minutes out in her garden shed that had one of the most beautiful old stained glass windows I have yet to see that allowed the sun to fall on the table inside where I would watch her plant her seeds in tiny containers and ready them for planting. I remember sitting on a little stool up at the table and the amazement I felt that from these little piles of dirt would one day sprout little green things that would grow into beautiful additions to her garden. One of these days she put a tiny garden spade in my hand. She then motioned me beside her and began showing me how to sift thru the soil and at some point a flower was put in the hole that I helped to dig. She showed me the roots of the flower had to be gently spread and then into the ground it went. It is an image of her sitting in that garden with her long black & silver braid falling over her shoulder and long enough to drag in the dirt that I have held onto a lifetime. It is a time that filled my heart with joy as I felt the connection for the very first time of the earth in my hands and my grandmothers unquestionable love for me. This is the Woman I was most closest to in my Family for most of my life until She turned into her 70's and went from the Family home into a rest home. Just before She passed away unexpectedly we had an opportunity to have a very long phone discussion and I remember her telling me that She was worried knowing that I was still walking around late at night in the park near where I had an apartment. She expressed her concern that someone might sneak up on me and bump me on the head. I remember at the time that it touched me to the core that as sad as She seemed to be lately She was still intent on showing her love for me. We talked about my little garden at the apartment and then for some unknown reason She began talking about the possibility of her death. She said that She was very tired and ready for the Lord to take her anytime and a few other feelings She wanted me to know. At the end of what would be our last conversation, "Abe" told me that if She were to die she wanted me to buy a wind chime and place it in my garden as She believed with all her heart that it would be a way of keeping near to me and I would know of her presence by the sound of the chimes gently blowing in the wind it was a way to know I would always have her near me. She died not long after this conversation and I was glad to know we had spoken so recently. Needless to say I found the most gentle of chimes topped with an Angel to hang outside in my garden and was comforted for many days to come by the thought of my "Abe's" spirit filled with love, visiting often in the garden space. Joan, I tell you this story to ask you...if within you, you might find your Mother's final gift to you out of love for you, was intended to point the way to your bleeding disorder to be detected at this very time and possibly save you from the same fate and being "so much like her "I would pray you feel that with God's help- Your Angel of a Mother's Spirit surrounds you now and will be with you as you head into your surgery and head back home where your Husband and beautiful Family will continue to help and support you through the healing process. Sad that Her loss took her physically away from you but Blessed in her departure She passed along this Gift of awareness of this disorder that will now be a safer procedure. I Pray you feel your Mother' s spirit surrounds you and your Family and with God's guidance will be there during your surgery every step of the way. I also pray that you enter into surgery with Peace and confidence in your team of miracle workers. I hope you return home to find that maybe one of your beautiful children may have hung your own special wind chime in your garden to give you, too a place for your Mother's spirit to visit you in your own garden. You know there will always be a part of her within that new and healthier Heart. Bless you all.

HI Joan, I just read your post and please know I will pray for you and send positive energy your way. I felt a lot of peace after talking with my priest as well, the most calm I felt in months after meeting with him, so I am glad to hear it helped you as well. I am so sorry you may have to do something extra before surgery, but at least they know about it in advance....I know how you feel, just constantly having to find the strength ( at least for me) to cope with it all. But we are strong women..... You will get through this, as we all have, just take it one day at a time. Crying, so, so normal. It is a good release at times.

I recently found Native American Flute music online that absolutely is one of the most comforting and relaxing sounds I have experienced. I'm pulling for you. :>}.