Kerry's Guestbook

Dear Kerry, Like you, I was a runner. I took up my "magnificent obsession" at 52 yrs. old and completed 4 full marathons by the time I was 58, with numerous half marathons and shorter races in between. Once my mitral valve markers progressed from mild to moderate to severe. My joy of running was severely curtailed and self-preservation trumped everything. I'm giving myself a complete year of rehab and training-then once cleared by the Docs, it's back to the trails. Lord I can't wait! Many Blessings!

Congratulations on your half-marathon! As a former marathon runner, I can imagine how amazing it was to cross the finish line. My surgery was 4 years ago. I am doing great...still jogging, but way too slow to do any more races! So I took up kayaking instead! Good Luck with your running!

Hi Kerry! Congratulations! That is awesome! I am three weeks post op today and so far I\'ve walked with my husband 1.25 miles at one clip. I ran my first 5K last July before I knew I had severe MVR and was diagnosed in October. I am looking forward to seeing what it is like to run with my valves repaired! Thank you for sharing your experiences with all of us who are behind you! Take care and keep on getting stronger, better, faster! Sophie Marsh

Thanks so much for sharing! Very encouraging to see the path back. I\'m 3 months out and itching to get back to running, but trying to listen to my heart. Keep on running and getting stronger! Brian Walsh

Hi Kerry! Congrats on your half marathon! That\'s awsome! So glad to hear you\'re feeling great. Just curious...what do you set your max heart rate at? I\'m feeling really good too. My BP has been a little high so we\'re watching that. my max heart rate is usually around 140 (I don\'t wear a monitor though) . Nancy B

HI Kerry, Good for you! Great job with the race. From 1 runner to another I can assure you time will be your friend. You will be kicking your running mates butts soon. Once I hit 10-11 months my heart completely normalized and can now run pre-surgery speeds with a lower rate than ever. I am thrilled about your race. 13.1 GREAT!!!!! AWESOME!!! \"RUN YOUR OWN LIFE\" Stephanie Cole

Congrats on your half! I have not been on in awhile and, ironically, I saw your post when I checked back. Why ironic? Because I finished my second half today (13 months post op, 1st was 8 months). Isn\'t it a great feeling to be able to do this after all we have been through?!?!? May there be as many more half marathons in your future as you want. All the best, -Mitch Friedman AVR 2-2-12

Hi Kerry, I forgot to sign my name, bc I thought it would come thru. I joined but did not get the confirmation email so now I don\'t know what to do. I don\'t see any way to contact the site administrators and I can\'t recreate the account bc it says there\'s already an account with that name. I was so looking forward to using this site. And creating my own journal. My email address if you\'d like it: tojacig@yahoo.com. Thank you, Jaci Gallman

Hi Kerry! I just read thru all your journal entries. You can imagine how excited I was to find them. Thank you so much for them. I am having exactly the same surgery and Dr. Massimiano is my surgeon. My date is April 4th and I live in Purcellville. I have so many questions I would love to ask you. How are you now at 11 mos. post surgery? Looking forward to talking to you!

Hi Kerry! So glad to hear you\'re feeling great. I\'m a little concerned that now the days are getting shorter and colder that I\'ll slack on my exercise regimen. I\'d tend to hibernate in the winter. Hope your winter is a mild one in VA compared to CT! Nancy B

Happy Birthday Kerry! You have every right to celebrate and brag about it, especially now. Each one will be cherished from this point out, at least for me!!! I too, have that nagging little voice that keeps asking, \"am I really healing like I am supposed to?\" I wonder about every little ache and pain, and every \"funny\" little heart beat. There will always be the fear of returning regurgitation/leaking. I try to focus on the positive, and enjoy every day God chooses to give me! Hope you were able to celebrate in a special way yesterday!! Holly P

Hi Kerry, For some reason I have not been getting your journal update notifications. The same thing with Chris Dixon...I don\'t get his either. Sorry I haven\'t \"been there\" to help support you through your recovery. I\'ve been going through your journal this morning and I just want to let you know that you are not \"alone\" in the recovery process and it can indeed take some of us longer than others. Me for example...I aced the surgery itself...was practically a non-event for me. I was so happy to survive, relatively pain-free (never got over a 6 or 7 and that was only 1 time...I think, lol). I get home and the \"recovery gremlins\" take up residence. For me there have been 2 issues mainly. Neck/shoulder discomfort for about 6 or 7 weeks and scar sensitivity. The shoulder discomfort is finally gone but there is still scar sensitivity. I also developed bronchial pneumonia 3 weeks ago and am just now feeling human again. So...word of caution...be careful. We want to \"get back to living\" again, but I think our immune systems are still working on taking care of our repaired hearts, so those nasty bugs out there head straight for us! I fought the depression as well. Even though I had a great surgery experience, the isolation of not being able to drive for 6 weeks and my reluctance to \"ask for help\"(yes, I\'m one of those) really gave me the blues. I was all set to start cardiac rehab and here came the pneumonia...another bummer! So Kerry, don\'t fret about all of the feelings of depression, don\'t worry that you aren\'t progressing as quickly as some. You are completely normal!Just remember...you survived open heart surgery...you will survive recovery as well, lol. And by the way....HAPPY BIRTHDAY IS COOL!!! Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

Happy Birthday Kerry...hope you have a wonderful day and a super & healthy year!!! You are so inspirational that\'s for sure!! Best wishes, Barbara Michalick

Happy Birthday Kerry! I\'m new here - mostly just reading & learning so far - I can\'t speak from experience on the after-surgery adjustment - but, I can imagine it is difficult. It sounds to me like you are doing great, but am sure it is hard. Take care & have a great week! ...Vicki.