Karen's Heart Valve Journal

Hi Karen, I was glad to see your update, although I'm a little late. I just don't get on as much as I used to, and I really need to update my journal too. maybe soon. It's great to be feeling so well and to hardly think about it anymore. How was your lab work?
Keep posting once in a while, it's great to hear from you!
Holly P

Hi Karen,

I am glad to hear all is going well with you. I too would love to continue with the cardiac rehab - phase IV, but it would be tough to work around my work schedule, plus we cannont afford the added expense at this time. I have exchanged phone numbers with a couple of the women who have been in my class and we hope to keep in touch. The hospital is only a few minutes from my work so I told the nurses I may pop in from time to time to say hello.

I am sure your lab work will come out just fine since you are not symptomatic.

Take care and keep in touch! Denise K

Hi Karen,
Glad to hear your feeling good and life is back to normal.
You can't shovel snow?? really? Or are you just using that as a convenient excuse? :)
Maybe we'll luck out and have nothing to shovel this year...we can always hope!
Take care,
Nancy B

Hi Karen,
Glad you are well and back to work. That's great! I can't imagine that right now; I've had a rough few weeks. I don't know if it's a change in meds, the heat, the humidity, or an increase in activity, but my pulse has been high again (like post up high) and my blood pressure has been irregular.. normal to very low... most importantly, I feel awful, esp. in the a.m. Seems I was doing well and improving .. mid July started to have increased symptoms. Getting a bit frustrated and depressed, I must admit. My husband is back to work (meaning he's gone 5 days/week - travels) and so I am running the household.. just wish I felt better. Thanks for checking up on me; I should update my blog.. but I hate to be the bearer of bad news..
I am so glad you are well - that is just great. Are you on your feet all day? Is it hard to get up and out the door for 7:30 am? Best wishes for the rest of the summer - ejoy those beautiful kids!
Kind Regards, Kate ps - can you send e-mail address? krcott@mindspring.com

Hi Karen, I was glad to read your update and know that you're doing well. Good for you being back to work and taking it slow...I enjoyed cardiac rehab too, and wish I was still going! It was great exercise and I enjoyed getting to know the others in the class. Keep on healing! It gets better each day!
Holly P

Karen
It is wonderful to hear about your progress , both spiritually and physically !
My one year anniversary of my mechanical valve is on August 9 th. The time just flies by!!
Just this week I have started volunteering in church to assist in their gift shop.
After the surgery and recovery we have been through I just feel so humbled and thankful to God that I survived. Because there are many people that dont make it.
We are blessed. I will look for you on Facebook
God Bless
John Madonna
Las Vegas NV

Good Morning Karen,
You may remember me, I wrote to you and connected to you because your surgery was May 25th the day after my Mom JoAnn on May 24th. I regret to tell you and it is with a broken heart that I share that my beautiful Mom did not make it. She passed away while in recovery on Memorial day the 28th of May at 8:06 pm.
She had been doing well and walking etc. I talked to her twice that day and Dad talked to her at 4:00. We thought we'd be seeing her at home in a couple days but the Lord had different plans for Mom and she is truly home now. No one understands or has any idea what went wrong, probably a blood clot. She got up to go to the bathroom, made it to the bathroom and dropped to the floor, gone before she hit. (do NOT lock your bathroom door, for those having surgery yet.) Why the hell would they have locks on bathrooms in the heart floor? They were in there in less than a minute though thankfully. I should probably connect with the guy who started this wonderful site for some encouragement ....Mom was 77. Married to Dad 59 years on July 17th coming up.....he's pretty lost......
I like the way you look in your photos and feel like we know each other. I have been following your updates with a sad heart but praying for you the entire time. Please be thankful for each minute of each day because you made it! :-) ♥♥ My Mom had an antique shop in Ely MN for 41 years and I have moved to Ely to live with Dad and run Mom's wonderful shop until September! I love each day and her spirit is all around me ♥ How would you like to answer the phone and someone says is JoAnn there? yep it happened a couple times....ugh......maybe you and I will always stay connected becuase of my Mom. Please email me when you can Karen. glendajo72@gmail.com I'm from the Milwaukee WI area. Grew up in the beautiful North woods of Minnesota (Ely) Very happy to be here~ With love and prayers to you and your family and friends.
glenda

Hi Karen
I have been reading your journals and learning so much from you along the way. I am so glad you have been doing so well!

For myself, the tears these days, seem to come out of nowhere. (I am scheduled for July 17th)...so it sounds like I have awhile to go before I can expect them to pass......but never the less, you have been one of my heros here at HVJ and I will continue to cheer you on....during your personal journey!
Thinking of you..
Connie T

Hope today is going better.

Trent V

Thank you for today's post. I am 2 1/2 weeks out of my pulmonary valve surgery. The scar is itchy and the muscles ache, but each day is better. I will have family with me until 3 weeks out then I will expect the tears to come. We will continue to be here for each other.

Hi Karen,

Glad that you are feeling better. I was reading Tiny's guestbook an I read where you explained to tiny that before surgery you had pain in the back of your leg and knees. Did you ever find out if this was related to your CHF at the Time and did it improve after the surgery?

Stephanie Dennard

Hi Karen! I know what you mean about the tears. They seem so close to the surface right now. Like you said, it's not because of depression or anything like that, but sometimes I want to shake people and say "DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH?" Of course they don't, it is our journey, and only ours. How we handle it says more about our character than anything else. but sometimes, I get so frustrated. especially with my incision situation, still working on getting it healed. One of my doctors said "remind me not to do surgery on you"! that made me feel really good (not), he said it because of my reaction to the sutures. I can handle it, just pray that I don't get endocarditis from it! Glad rehab is going well, it really motivated me to get going with an exercise program! Thinking of you!
Holly P

Glad to hear your recovery is going so well.

Blessings,

PDL

Karen - So good to talk with you after your MD appt. and so glad you are getting stronger each day. A few tears now and then is to be expected. There is a very close connection between tears and laughter. As the days go bye may you have more days of laughter, happiness and a healthier YOU. We miss you here at JVS. Hope you got to talk with Michelina as she was so pleased to hear you wanted to speak with her. You know she was the person who got the ball rolling to do something nice for you. She is such a caring co-worker. We'll talk again soon. Elissa

Hey Karen. Glad to hear you are doing well. Like I like to say. Relax, take it easy. Baby steps and keep an eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
I have to tell you however that I just looked at your photos and the last one with Matt smiling while you are all unconscious with the tubes hanging out, just plain made me laugh. Sorry, but I laughed pretty hard at that photo. Just being honest. Any way. Just be careful, good luck with the rehab and get healthy again. It's a new life, a second chance, to enjoy it all. It's a precious gift we all got back to use for a better good.
God Bless..
Paul G.

Hey karen, u posted on my guestbook and i was looking at yours and wondering what were your symptoms prior to the mvp diagnoses?

Hi Karen, glad to hear things are going well for you. I think you will enjoy cardiac rehab, I did, and it helped prepare me for going back to work! It sounds like you are on the right track! Enjoy your time at home, it will go by fast!
Holly P

Hey Karen, glad to hear you are doing well. I am doing great (considering) and plan on heading back to work tomorrow which is just over 4 weeks post-op. Going to ease my way back into it but I am feeling good enough to get back to work.

- Steven D

Hi Karen...if u dont mind me asking can u tell me what symptoms u were having when u were diagnosed with mitral regurg? thanks,,and great to hear your doing well....

Hi Karen.

I hope you're doing well! I am scheduled for surgery on Monday the 18th at Mt Sinai. Do you mind my asking which incision you had? I have to decide between mini lower sternotomy and mini thoracotomy. I still haven't decided!

Wishing all the best to you!

Gina H

Hi Karen. Glad to read that things are progressing well for you. Keep up the healing and stay well. Praying for everyone here is a full time job...LOL!
Paul G.

Hi Karen, thanks for the update on Nancy. Glad to hear you are doing well and up to walking, I look forward to my walks now, and hope to ramp it up next week! Enjoy the food that people bring in, it is so nice to not have to cook. Keep using the spirometer too!
Holly P

Way to go Karen! Gotta love those walks, they really help accelerate the recovery. Stay strong -- DVB

Hi Karen,
So happy to read each and every update. I go for my surgery on Friday so I am right behind you!
As a nurse I want to reinforce take your pain meds! You will rest better. You will move better, You will heal faster because of those two things.
Take care.
Joanie Dorsey

Hi Karen,
Thanks for leaving a comment in my journal. To answer your questions, I do still work half time, although I am 73; I just like what I do a lot. I'm a psychology professor, so I have some flexibility, but I plan to start working three months after my aortic valve replacement. Fortunately, I will have a research leave next year, so most of my work will involve writing. I may just retire in a year, although I'm leaving my options open for as long as possible.
My neighbor, who is in his fifties, had mitral valve repair last October and stayed off work for three months and that worked out OK for him.
Hope this helps,
David M

Hi Karen,
Glad you made it home- you'll get a little better each day. Keep up the walks and try to get as much rest as you can also- I found an afternoon nap each day for the first two weeks helped me a lot. I too found that a pain med before bedtime helped me sleep better- back and shoulder soreness were my main discomforts. Stay positive!!
Gary D

It's wonderful to hear that you are home and doing well :)


Best regards,

Patricia D. L.

Hi Karen,
Just thinking of you this a.m.; I bet it feels so good to be home as you wake up this a.m. You are in my thoughts and prayers - as people told me... the hard part is over... good for you! Just enjoy your surroundings and take it one day at a time. I look forward to following your progress - best wishes, Kate R

Hi Karen Yeah your back home welcome back. Take it easy and listen to yourself dont over do. Good luck to you in your recovery.
For the long haul
Linda H

Hi, Karen --
Glad to hear you're home. Nights are kind of tough, but they'll get better.
Selma

Just checking in to see how you're doing. Any word of a dismissal date yet? Hang in there, it will get easier. Stay strong!
Holly P

A friend of Brian Willinsky's :-)

Hope you're having a great day!

Zach

Your walking plan sounds great! Not much else to do, eh? Keep on moving - it really helps kick start the recovery. -- DVB

Hi Karen,
So glad to see such great progress with your healing process. Great job by your wonderful press secretary(Matt) on keeping us all informed on all your daily happenings. God has truly blessed you!
Best wishes & keep up the tremendous improvement,
Lynne T

Hi~ Kathy and I tried your room today when we got back from New Haven, but you must have been getting a bit of exercise and away from the phone. Thinking of you and hoping that you continue to heal really well and quickly! Love, Aunt Nancy (Uncle Marc says Hi too! : )

Hi, Karen and Matt --
Thanks for the check-in. Hopefully they'll have you in a room soon and you'll be on your way home before you know it. You didn't miss much these past couple of days on the "outside" -- HOT HOT HOT and no fun for recuperation.
Selma

Karen and Matt,
So good to hear from you! I was getting worried.
I hope they find you a room in a step down soon and are released when they feel you're ready. Hang in there.

Nancy B

Hi karen! Glad i got to see u and have a few laughs and more importantly that the laughs didnt send u into a coughin fit! And thanks for listening to my problems even tho u have such bigger things to worry about.
I love u and am glad ur my sister! I wish i could have sprung u from the hospital as u requested but u kno that is the best place to be for now. Seems like the staff is great and are very attentive to u. If not ill be back to hav a chat with them ;)
Take care and i will see u soon.
Love
J

Karen, I'm a friend of Brian's and wanted to stop by and let you know I'm thinking about you. Sending positive thoughts your way! I love the picture of you and your son too! Take care and be strong! Love, Zach Servideo

hi - i sent your link to mike, jeannie, nancy and dad. not sure if we didn't receive it the first time around or what. you looked great yesterday considering you had such an extensive surgery. you'll be back to normal (and i won't say "in no time" because it's going to take a good amount of time). i'll be thinking about you and will call you. Love, your bro Brian W.

Karen,

Everyone is rooting for you, so keeping going with the recovery and the updates. I am glad things are moving along, and I am sure not much fun at this point.

I keep wondering if I am going to be able to update as well as Thomas, Selma, Paul, and the others have in their posts.

Trent V

Karen - You're amazing how you are able to focus so well on your journey to recovery. Keep up the good work as we keep up the good thoughts and prayers here at JVS. Your son is remarkable at writing at his age and we'll put out our feelers and see if we can find him a publisher. Warm wishes your way, Elissa

Keep up the great work Karen. So good to hear updates from you. It sounds like they are very close to letting you out of the ICU. Just focus on the recovery and worry about HVJ later if you have to...right now your breathing and walking excecises are so important. We will keep praying for you and and your family.

-Thomas H.

Praying that you have a good night and all those things work themselves out!!! Stay strong and think positive thoughts, you will get there! Keep walking and getting stronger, each day will get better!
Holly P

Hi Karen, Hang in there! Just take a day at a time and you'll get there! You are in my thoughts and prayers every day! Take care,
Pat

good for you, Karen! You're in my thoughts ad prayers every day and night. Hang in there! Kate R

Hi, Karen -- I think there's Eastern Daylight Time, and Eastern Standard Time, and Hospital Time. Hospital Time is a pain in the butt. It never goes as fast as you'd like it to, and it's interrupted at least once an hour by someone coming to check one of your body parts, or a tube connected to one of your body parts! But....it's good they're keeping a close watch on you and making sure everything is operating smoothly before step-down. My "hospital time" issue came when it was time to go home....first they said Wednesday, then Thursday, and finally Friday. Don't worry....you'll get there.
Selma

Hi Karen,
Hand in there, it sounds like you are in good hands and I'm sure you will be able to come home soon. I'm Steven Dean's mom. He's doing really well, but this is a big thing and you all are amazing, brave and strong.
Take good care and please know that there are many more people praying for you than you can imagine.
Hugs...Linda

Karen, It was good to see you today. You are doing very well considering what you've just been through. I know you are strong and will make steady progress,even if it is at a snails pace. Slow and steady will help you win the race. Many prayers and thoughts will be with you all of the way.Keep up the good work. Hope to see you again soon. Call any time you feel up to it. Love, Mumm

Hi Karen,
I hope you are feeling lots better today and that they get you out of ICU and to your room asap.......that alone should make you feel better. I've been following your story/journal and I love your upbeat personality. I just know you will do well and I will keep you in my prayers.
Many blessings,
Joan Davenport AVR on 6/12/12