Linda's Guestbook

Hi Linda. I was trying to reach you in Anchorage area and saw this while googling around. Wow. Major surgery and wonderful results!! Are you in Anchorage? Lori 

Hello Linda. David Tatu writing. Robyn received your letter and picture in the mail. Thank you so much for send those. I read it to Robyn and will save it for her to look at when she is better. She is getting medically better and I hope to move her back to rehab next week. She is getting some delirium from being in the hospital too long. But this is normal and tends to clear up in a day, or up to two weeks, after release. Glad you are doing well. A note from Robyn will follow at some point. Take care. David

Hello Linda- I meant to ask if you are spending time in Juneau or living there? I just read your story saying you are from Anchorage. Beautiful place, Alaska and you are one lucky person to be in Juneau. I spent my 25th. birthday playing guitar, hiking around Skagway, Alaska, Juneau, and going up and down the inland passage. Took the Train up through to Fort Bennet along the Yukon and into White Horse Canada. Loved Sitka when visiting again years later with my husband. I think Alaska is one of the most beautiful places on earth and the people some of the most wonderful I have ever met. It was a pleasant adventure that will last a lifetime and the thought of recovering in Alaska sounds great. (Living there, awesome) I hope your healing days ahead go well for you. Take it easy and I hope your "breathing" gets better as you go.

I'm so glad you are doing well. I had valve surgery from Dr. Gillinov just about a year ago. I am now in perfect health. Seeing your picture in the Cleveland clinic brought back a flood of memories to me. I love the nurses and Dr.'s there. I wish I could go back and tell them thanks. Is Becky Dr. Gillinov's Nurse practisioner still? I am so glad you are doing well. No need to worry when Dr. Gillinov is your surgeon and you are in Cleveland. (Easy to say now that it's over)

Linda, It is time for you to muster up all of the strength of those stubborn Irish genes and ready yourself for your big day tomorrow. I also have Irish(and Danish) genes and mustered up all and probably some loose cannon genes from God knows where! the day of my surgery and it worked for me so sure it will work for you! I hope as the time draws near for you to be wheeled into surgery that you take all of the love and energy from your Heart Brothers and Heart Sisters along with a multitude of prayers with you as you enter through the doors! I say this often but mean it with all my mended heart, Try to think of something in your life, someone, someplace or all of the above that has touched your life, your heart in such a way that the image stays with you until you are gently pulled away into a place where the next thing you know.....you will awaken with the huge awareness that it is you waking up!!!! You will be on the other side and able to move forward with your life. Have confidence in your Surgeon, Nurses, You're Team that No Matter what(especially being of Irish genes) you are capable-with their help and guidance to make it through whatever happens. Wishing you the best outcome and sending along some mighty powerful prayers and universal energy that will continue up to and when you have begun your recovery. By the way, your photo is beautiful. YOU CAN DO THIS LADY!

Dear Linda There is no easy way to face a thing like this. I know. Let me share this quote with you which helped me a lot, and I hope it will help you too: “If you put yourself in a situation of unpredictability and then find that it's completely possible to accept it, then you become an observer.” – David Tudor Keep in mind you're doing this for yourself. By doing so you're also doing for your family, your friends, and your love for life. Be confident that there are a lot of people that wish you well, which means we're all sending positive and loving energy your way. You may go alone into the OR, true, but that doesn't mean you're alone in the OR because you're not. All of the people that love you and care for you are there in spirit, waiting to see you again healthy and happy. I am sending you all my love. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Linda, thank you so much for your message. I like your very appropriate analogy of the sky divers! I ready your story and I hope that your surgery is a success. Just know, most of them are. If you have any questions let me know. I wish you the best! I woke up today feeling as if I am in a new phase of the healing process. I feel great! I will enjoy this time to the utmost fullest, and will count my blessings everyday. I will never forget that I have been given a second chance at life with an unbelievable functioning valve. I will continue to live one day at a time, happy and grateful for this journey.

HI Linda!! I see that you wrote to me on my guestbook. Sorry that I did not get back to you sooner. I am doing well. How are you doing? Try not to be too scared. I just saw my surgeon the other day for 2 week check up and I actually told him that it was not as bad as I had thought it would be. Feel free to contact me anytime!!

Linda. I'm 58 and asymptomatic as well. I'm seeing the surgeon on March 26. Already had a TEE and heart cath. I was scared as well UNTIL I read Adam's book, hung around this site for awhile and did my own research. I'm cool now. I'm GLAD they found my heart murmur and I'm GLAD they can fix my valve. Fifty years ago I'd be a dead man walking and not even know it. Today they have this stuff figured out. Of all the rotten things that can happen to someone, this doesn't rate a "one" on my scale