Lori's Guestbook

Hi Lori, Glad to hear your up and around. Hope everyday is better. I had my aortic valve replaced 2.5 years ago. Been on Coumadin ever since. I wish you the good luck with it I've had. I'm now at 6 weeks between checks. Numbers have been consistent and my bursing has been minimal. Take care and enjoy the 4th weekend.

Good morning Lori, My name is Mary (Mia) from Michigan. I will be having a mitral valve repair or mitral valve replacement on July 29th. Thank you so much for posting your experiences. You have helped me to relax a bit more about this upcoming event. My dear you have really experienced a lot in your young age. I am thankful for all the medical advances that help each of us to live each day to the fullest. I totally agree with you about Stop and smell the roses. In this busy world people are rushing all the time. I often ask myself"Why" ? Everyday you will get stronger and will be able to enjoy each day. Feel free to write me anytime. In less than 28 days I will have a lot of quiet time and would love to hear from you. Sending bunches of hugs your way!

Good morning Lori. My name is Terrie. I just finished reading your story and journal with a hot cup of decaf coffee. I am glad that you posted June 30th and want you to know how much I appreciate your opening up about your individual and unique journey. I think there are many(I am one) who do not have the Family or support available at the time of their diagnosis and beginning of their/our own journey who look to this heart community for ways to learn, get that support to gather strength and encouragement that is necessary to make it through it all. For instance. Reading what you have to say about your "tunnel like vision just going from one thing to the next"at one point made me smile as you described my present state. And then you wrote about "How fortunate to have access to good medical care" which was a topic a neighbor of mine was having with me yesterday as the people who haven't been in the place we have all been pulled into haven't a clue and are so amazed at the advancement in cardiac care we now embrace. It helps to have all of these journals and stories to read as it is a source of "empowerment". I also think that sharing your other health "challenges" has brought to light that we all have other health issues that come along with the current heart diagnosis and we can learn from one another healthier attitudes to take forward as we go from diagnosis to the surgeries that amazingly are there to make us "whole" again. I have to say I am impressed that you come across in such a positive manner where a great many would be far less able to do so. I think your Husband and Family play a big part in that and Hey! how great that your co-workers stepped up to help! I am glad you found your "Coumadin Club" as with your mechanical valve that has to be a tremendous boost of information and source of support too. I am happy to say that this site (with people like you)have given me a sense of "Family" and support that makes facing the surgery totally different than it felt before and that I am looking forward to my AVR surgery on Aug. 20th. in a really positive way, looking forward to the "healing time" with all of this "waiting time" behind me! My husband and I both keep learning and gaining strength reading about people like yourself who have gone through it and are now at a "Healing Time". So Lori, continue to gain strength and I wish you the very best and look forward to reading more of your story!

Hi Lori! I am reading about your heart valve surgery - I hope that you are feeling better each day. I have many "bionic" patients leading very active lives - so I hope you will continue to heal. Stay strong - just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you!

Hey Lori, you have the technology to rebuild yourself and I admire your courage and determination to make it happen. Sometimes I feel we haven't learned to live until we are asked to rise up to a challenge and then we are thrust into something new. I am still not sure what I must learn but maybe I can learn some things from your story. May you be surrounded by the white light of the Holy Spirit.

I refer to myself as bionic, too! I have an ICD and a mechanical aortic valve...like a car or machinery, just needed some parts and running again like new! Enjoy and take advantage of feeling tired/sluggish by napping and resting. You'll be feeling peppy and slowly back to your new normal before you know it. Best wishes!

Being active is relative! When I was 3-4 weeks post op, it was a struggle for my "watchers/caregivers" to get me out of my chair and walking. I just wanted to sit there! But I always felt better after I got up, even if it was just to walk to the mailbox. Plus there's a benefit - you can get some practice standing up straight, which can hep with any back pain you might still have. I know it feels like recovery is taking forever, and most of us feel/felt/will feel that way. I promise, it gets better!

Lori, Sorry to hear that you don't feel good. The 2nd week after my surgery was the hardest. I was coughing non-stop & you know how much coughing hurts. Hang in there. Hopefully it will get better. If not, call the doctor. Best wishes to you.