Guestbook of Kim Lonergan

My Guestbook

On August 3, 2018...

Judy Shaw posted a note for Kim that says:

Thanks for your comment on my post. It is weird how one day we have too much energy then the next day none. After all that I did that day I couldn't sleep. I think I slept 4 hours. Then I got up and went to lunch and shopping with my daughter for about 4 hours. By the time I got home I was tired.

I should have rewrote that it was half gallon pitchers of water I carried but I used both hands to do it. Half way through the filling I took a rest break.

We do need to remind ourselves to slow down but if you're like me and have things that need to be done you do it if possible.

Hope you're doing well today.

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On July 26, 2018...

Anita Edmonds posted a note for Kim that says:

Hi Kim, Glad to see that you are doing well and moving forward.
We had the same medical problem and surgery a day apart, fun to keep up with your progress. I also have almost healed scars and pain in my chest and shoulder, specially when in bed. Hardest part for me was getting motivated to walk every day, we have 110-117 F outside, walking around my kitchen table looking at all the dust didn't cut it. Glad to be back on the computer and sharing with the group.

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Kim Lonergan Glad to hear your recovery is going well. I live in Texas and it has been over 100 for so many days I can’t walk outside either. I walk inside too. It makes ... Read more

Kim Lonergan Glad to hear your recovery is going well. I live in Texas and it has been over 100 for so many days I can’t walk outside either. I walk inside too. It makes me feel better to know I’m not the only one who has pain in my chest and shoulders at 4 weeks. I have been feeling like I’m behind in the healing process. I have days that I don’t have a lot of energy and I get tired easily. Are you planning on going to cardiac rehab? Keep in touch on your progress!

Anita Edmonds Hope your pain is better. I felt the same way about the healing process, until people kept telling me how great I am doing. Think we are hard on ourselves sometimes ... Read more

Anita Edmonds Hope your pain is better. I felt the same way about the healing process, until people kept telling me how great I am doing. Think we are hard on ourselves sometimes and reading about how other patience walk 5 miles a day, when I cant make it 5 times around my kitchen table does not help. I'm working on approval for cardiac rehab and looking forward to going. Hang in there and well take one day at a time.

On July 26, 2018...

Judy Shaw posted a note for Kim that says:

Congratulations on driving Kim. It can be a bit scary at first. My main issue is with the seatbelt rubbing my incision. My incision is bothering me a lot. Burning and stinging. Ihad my follow up with my surgeon July 16th. They said everything was great and I'm right on schedule. Referred me back to my cardiologist whom I see August 7th. I start cardiac rehab next week. How was your first driving?

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Kim Lonergan It did feel strange to drive by myself but it all turned out fine. Just a trip to buy my grandson birthday presents and by the pharmacy. I had a follow up ... Read more

Kim Lonergan It did feel strange to drive by myself but it all turned out fine. Just a trip to buy my grandson birthday presents and by the pharmacy. I had a follow up appointment on July 16 like you and I go for my final appointment with my surgeon on August 8.

Judy Shaw The NP from my surgeon's office told me to buy over the counter 4-5% lidocaine patches to use along my incision to help with burning and stinging. Driving yesterday ... Read more

Judy Shaw The NP from my surgeon's office told me to buy over the counter 4-5% lidocaine patches to use along my incision to help with burning and stinging. Driving yesterday and then a bit further today has irritated it. I just want to put an ice pack on it.

Debbie Chatzky Driving has been hard for me because of sore chest muscles and pain in my back near my shoulder. So turning my head or turning wheel sharp hurts. Lidocaine patches sound good.

On July 20, 2018...

Judy Shaw posted a note for Kim that says:

Hi Kim. I'm doing ok for 3 weeks postop. I still have pain around the incision and the muscles across my chest. I use a soft pillow to put just enough pressure to help. I am sleeping better, thank you. Some days are good days, some not so good but overall I'm progressing. I go for cardiac rehab orientation on July 23rd and I can start driving in a week. Hope you are progressing well.

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Kim Lonergan So glad to hear you are doing so well. I am progressing just dealing with low blood pressure and a higher heart rate than normal. I’m very tired and feel ... Read more

Kim Lonergan So glad to hear you are doing so well. I am progressing just dealing with low blood pressure and a higher heart rate than normal. I’m very tired and feel dizzy quite a bit. Hope the metoprolol will help me. Anxious to go to cardiac rehab soon! Keep me posted on how you are doing.

On June 27, 2018...

Michael Cline posted a note for Kim that says:

You will be in our thoughts and prayers Kim. Wishing you well. You will be fine.

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Kim Lonergan Thanks Michael! Anxious to be on the road to recovery!

On June 27, 2018...

Sue Tom posted a note for Kim that says:

Good luck Kim! Will be waiting to hear from you.

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Kim Lonergan Thanks so much! Ready to be on the recovery side.

On June 27, 2018...

Chris Purvis posted a note for Kim that says:

Hey Kim! Thoughts and prayers with you as well on your date. I hope you can try and find peace in all of it-I know it’s hard but it’s so worth it! Please let us know once your on the recovery road and I look forward to hearing from you.

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Kim Lonergan Thanks so much Chris! I hope to be as positive as you have been. I am ready to be on the road to recovery and looking forward to the future!

On June 27, 2018...

Judy Shaw posted a note for Kim that says:

Hey surgery "sister" my thoughts and prayers for you to have a successful surgery. I'll think of you also and look forward to hear an update from you.

Like | Judy Shaw likes this

Kim Lonergan Thank you Judy! Our day is almost here. I have faith we will both be posting about recovery and healing soon! Best of luck to you!

On June 7, 2018...

Marie Myers posted a note for Kim that says:

You asked what causes all the fluid retention post surgery. One of the answers is that the heart lung bypass machine is primed with saline -like fluid. You get a lot of fluid while having open heart surgery. The docs try to minimize the amount of blood and blood products that a patient gets by using fluid instead. Hope that makes sense. I lost my 10 lbs of fluid in the first week at home. It was not too bad.

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Kim Lonergan Thank you for responding Marie. It sounds like something we all have to deal with after surgery. I am hopeful I will lose the excess fluid soon after I get home too!

On April 8, 2018...

Ken posted a note for Kim that says:

Kim, I agree with Greg’s recent post to you. I would strongly consider the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Roselli as your surgeon and Dr. Kalahasti as your cardiologist. That’s who I have chosen. I encourage you to read as much as you can before you make your decision. You’ll see how the US News and World Reports has ranked the Cleveland Clinic #1 in cardiology. Read the patient reviews on the doctors and with Dr. Roselli you’ve got the extra benefit of watching some of his videos on YouTube. What you see is what you get. A very well educated down to earth person with an excellent bed side manner.

Best regards,

Ken

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On April 8, 2018...

Greg Brummett posted a note for Kim that says:

If you can travel, Dr. Eric Roselli at Cleveland Clinic is #1.
If you stay in Texas, Dr. William Ryan or Dr. Katherine Harrington in Plano TX at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano..............if you go to Houston, it would be Dr. Coselli.......I'm in DFW & have done all the surgeon checking.....I hope it helps and saves you some time .......

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Kim Lonergan Greg, thank you for the surgeon recommendations. I appreciate your help. It's a very daunting task trying to research all the options.

On April 7, 2018...

Phyllis Petersen posted a note for Kim that says:

Welcome Kim! You might want to put your request for information on surgeons in a journal post, which may be more visible. There have been several people on here from Texas who may have some insights on surgeons. Are you looking to stay local or can you travel?

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Anna Jones Hi Kim, I am in Austin. Welcome to the site. There are some really great hospitals and surgeons in Houston. Houston Methodist (where I am going for my surgery) ... Read more

Anna Jones Hi Kim, I am in Austin. Welcome to the site. There are some really great hospitals and surgeons in Houston. Houston Methodist (where I am going for my surgery) is ranked #16 nationally in heart surgery hospitals and is ranked #1 in Texas. Heart Hospital Baylor, Plano ties for 16th place nationally, and TX Heart Institute at Baylor St Luke's Medical Center is ranked #24. So, we have some great hospitals if you are willing to travel.

I have picked Dr. Gerald Lawrie to perform my MVR.

Best wishes that you will find the surgeon you are comfortable with.

Kim Lonergan Thanks for the info. What made you decide on your surgeon? I know the drive to Houston isn't an easy one but with the hospitals there ranked high I know it's ... Read more

Kim Lonergan Thanks for the info. What made you decide on your surgeon? I know the drive to Houston isn't an easy one but with the hospitals there ranked high I know it's worth the trip. Did you get to check out the hospital when you went for a consultation with the surgeon?

Kim Lonergan Thank you Phyllis. I am trying to stay in Texas for my surgery, but willing to travel to Houston if the best surgeons are there. Trying to coordinate with my ... Read more

Kim Lonergan Thank you Phyllis. I am trying to stay in Texas for my surgery, but willing to travel to Houston if the best surgeons are there. Trying to coordinate with my insurance which surgeons are covered.

Phyllis Petersen Good luck inn finding the one that's best for you.

Anna Jones Hi Kim, my cardiologist gave me the name of two surgeons. The first was Dr. Kessler in Orlando. I was very impressed with him, he spent 45 minutes answering ... Read more

Anna Jones Hi Kim, my cardiologist gave me the name of two surgeons. The first was Dr. Kessler in Orlando. I was very impressed with him, he spent 45 minutes answering my questions, he was patient. I really liked him. My cardiologist swears by his skills. But he said that he wasn't sure he could repair my valve (that was a biggie for me), and the hospital where he would do the surgery isn't top notch, so I decided not to use him.

Dr. Lawrie has really excellent skills. He operated on Barbara Bush. Very important people travel from all over the world to have him operate on them. He has very impressive credentials. He gets wonderful reviews. He was positive that he could repair my valve, and Houston Methodist is rated highly, so I decided to pick him.

You can find surgeon ratings in TX here: https://www.checkbook.org/surgeonratings/Heart-Valve-or-Bypass-Surgery/TX/?Page=1

Dr. Lawrie has an office at the hospital. So I saw some of it. It is a really huge place.