LaDonna's Guestbook

Ladonna- Just a quick note to say Hello and hope that today finds you in a "happy place" while recovering and healing up from your surgery. Isn't it great to have it all behind you. Hope you are enjoying life!

Hello LaDonna, Just a note to say Hello and hope that all is going well for you. The photo of "Baby" is adorable and brought a great smile to the whole community I am sure. I hope you are into your healing time now and that we will hear from you when you feel like posting. Take care and be well.

I'm in Joplin too! No wonder you had docs who didn't address or catch your issues. Our docs here are pretty frustrating! I had my OHS in 2009 at Cleveland Clinic to get a mechanical aortic valve. I moved away last year but now back and going to try and find a better cardio dr than the one I had here before. Prayers for fast healing for you!

LaDonna, Friends and Family, Great news and thoughts, good wishes and prayers surround you from the "heart people" in our community tonight! All of you take care of her and LaDonna "Let your healing begin!

LaDonna, just wanted to let you know I have a friend who's mother 72 years old had a similar case as yours in India around 3 months ago. She is now hale and hearty. Don't stress. You will be fine. Hugs.

Thinking of you on the days leading up to your procedure. Safe travels coming up for you and your family, look forward to reading your continuing posts of recovery!

Hi LaDonna, I am going to tell you first that you probably will be given hospital socks throughout your stay as they are put on by the nurses, have the little skid proof thingy's on the bottom so you won't have any chance of sliding or tripping over anything (yourself included). They also keep your feet "cozy" and when you are up walking around very comfortable to amble along the hospital corridors. I don't know of anyone who used a robe offhand. I didn't wear any but found wearing the hospital gowns and short cotton (colorful) pajama buttons that fit loose at the waist(just like boxer shorts which are grand!) real comfortable. I also chose not to wear a bra as with the full sternotomy incision there was not going to be anything that wouldn't have gotten in the way of irritating that incision(not!) or the tubes and lines from surgery. I went from my date on the 20th. and rode home in the car the whole way without a bra as it was the most comfortable to just wear some loose cotton p,j's that went to the knee and soft cotton t-shirts thought being that no one noticed, no one cared and the comfort level and keeping the surgical area clean was all important. Coming out of surgery I was wearing what the hospital provided for the first couple of days and then I just settled for looking neat, clean and being comfortable especially for the ride home. Open cotton shirts at the top allowed for air and no restriction that would irritate the incision area were great. Camisoles are also good for those who feel comfortable wearing them with jeans or shorts. It sounds like you have a long ride coming so please think of making stops along the way for you to stretch and get your circulation going now and then meaning you want to be comfortable getting in and out of the vehicle. You are spot on with the blankets(make 'em soft) and different size pillows for propping what ever needs to be propped and keeps you from sliding or shifting back and forth.I don't know what kind of vehicle you will be in but they will tell you not to sit up front where any air-bags are placed as it is not recommended you are in a position for it to go off after your surgery. They say back seats.....I don't know how much time you will have to read because I found most of the time I was walking the halls with the nurse and my husband, sitting up at/on the chair a bit and the rest of the time visiting with the many people in and out of the room taking care of me or with my husband. If you have someone staying nearby or with you visiting often you will find what other little time you have to yourself will be hopefully getting a little sleep. I brought my own shampoo but ended up using the hospital's brand and not using conditioner(don't want to slip in shower.) Toothpaste and toothbrush. I want to add again that your choices of boxer shorts and the hospital gowns will cover all you need covered or knee length p.j's. Mine had wild colorful prints on them and I brought 4 different pair to slip on and off that were comfortable when having to walk the halls and drew a few smiles along the way! By the way I am 66 this coming May and had surgery 7 months ago yesterday. I want to wish you the best and tell you that you will do well. Be confident in your Team of dedicated professionals and promise to send them all candy when you return home and you will do exceptionally well!(We actually made the trip back when having my post-op visit with my surgeon filled with goodies for everyone who had taken such good care of me. The waiting is worse than the actual surgery. By the way, love all of your photos. Take care Heart Sister.

When you come home, I can help you out whenever you need someone. Please don't hesitate to let me know. I can cook, clean, run errands anything that would help. This seems like a good site to exchange info.

Hi LaDonna, yes, I am doing well. Thanks for asking! March 26th will be my 3 month post op mark & honestly, the time has gone by quickly. I'm getting back into a more consistent walking routine now. I should have forced myself to follow doctor's orders to walk several times a day to build up endurance & strengthen my heart. I developed a case of the blues that lasted a couple weeks, but thankfully, that has passed & I'm feeling more like myself every day now. Getting physically active, without being short of breath, is a great feeling! I'll be praying for your surgery to be a complete success, LaDonna! Waiting is the worst part, so much anxiety. Just know that all of us on this site are thinking of you. Take care, Jenni

LaDonna, praying for you often. When your mother had thyroid surgery, this is the verse I encouraged her to remember. She had it on a magnet on the fridge for a long time. Psalm 56:3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in You. I hope it will help you. See you Tuesday. Love you.

LaDonna, thank you for note. To hear that I have inspired you is touching. The moments in my life when I feel grateful and happy that I am doing well has also inspired me and has changed my life. I made a decision to let go of regrets, and resentments, to enjoy each day as if I've been given another chance at life. I am doing great, and only 3 1/2 months post-surgery. My new valve is functioning very well, and I can feel the difference in my quality of life. I can do all the things I need to do on a day to day basis without feeling like I'm fighting for my life. How about you, how are you doing? I read your story, and I can see your surgery is March 30th. We all have such similar but unique situations. I wish you great success with surgery and I know you will feel so much better soon! take care...take one day at a time.

Hi LaDonna,thank you for getting back to me. I wish you luck with your surgery. You are the only one who has come close to ansering my questions. I can't believe I am the only heart patient out here that needs replacement of the aortic and mitral valves replaced. I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you again. God Bless

LaDonna, stay strong. You will be fine. Just keep saying this again and again and it will seep in to you and you won't feel at all nervous or disturbed. I know you will live long and you will get through this with ease. And I am sure about this because I know for a fact that I will be around for a long time to argue politics with you :) Here's a prayer for you. Good luck and best wishes from Dubai! Hugs Ramesh

Hi Cousin, I'm sorry we are so many miles away. Wish I could be with you to help ease your fear. I know you have strong family support with much love including little old me. My prayers are with you daily. Just know if you like to talk I'm always here for you..