Mark's Guestbook

Anna Jones  I agree with you Diane Maher. I think Mark is fantastic.... but I think I have already told him so, and I don't want his head to swell by saying it too many times :-) I also think we have a lot of amazingly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable people on this board.

Sue Tom  I agree with Diane Maher also. Mark, you are the "comforter-in-chief"! Above all, I appreciate your positive wisdom! I always feel better after reading your posts. Having uncontrollable fear at times with aortic aneurysm surgery coming up Sept 18.

Mark Wilbur  What a way to start the week! Thank you, Diane, for such a lovely compliment!
I learned a long time ago that if you can’t be in the game, you can cheer for those who are. Well, we’re all part of the same team, just that some of us are still on the bench, waiting for our turn. That’s my sports analogy. The spirit here is so positive and it is wonderful to follow others’ journeys and that makes us realize that we are not alone in ours. Like so many others, I was devastated to learn of my condition. After months of worry I found this site and began to realize that not only was I not alone, but that others faced even more serious difficulties… and that they overcame them.

I learn something new almost every time I read the comments here. The sharing of experiences is making my journey more tolerable and less frightening. I will be forever grateful to Adam for creating this website, and to everyone who has participated in this forum.

Thank you, Diane. And thank you Anna, Sue Tom and Susan Lynn for joining in. I am aglow with your compliments. You have made my day, week and year! God bless you all!

Mark Wilbur  Thank you, Anna. You are very kind to say so. My comments are always sincere and I'm appreciative that you have accepted them in that way. That means a lot to me. With just one more week to go, I wish you Godspeed.

Mark Wilbur  Hi Jim, I'd dearly love to see you next week; but, I'll be home. It's Marc Marelich from Wilsonville who's going to be your hospital mate, instead. And I hope you will see him before you're discharged. Easy to confuse like sounding names, but I'm still waiting for the doctor to tell me when it's time to proceed. Since you and Marc are at St. Vins next week, I'll be watching for your reports in the days afterward. I haven't decided on surgeon or hospital yet, so your comments will be carefully read! God bless.

Mark Wilbur  Don't be sorry! I'd have appreciated the opportunity to meet, if I was there. Lots of Marks and Marcs around these days; easy to confuse us all. As a kid, I recognized Groucho, Chico and Harpo -- the only other sound-alikes I personally heard of at the time. In school, I only knew one other Mark growing up, but felt a kinship when Mark Hatfield was elected Oregon Secretary of State, Governor and later, Senator. Now, it's a more common name as we see on this site. So, thanks for your original comment, regardless of the confusion!

Mark Wilbur  Thanks for your comment, Marc. I will watch with interest for your report in the days after your surgery, as I am still undecided about where to go for my procedure. Closest heart surgeons for me are in Medford and I haven't been able to get much information about them. My next echocardiogram is a month away and I'll be asking some harder questions of my cardiologist. Would like to stay as close to home as possible, but I also want to feel confident in the surgeon and his/her team!
Prayers for you and for your family, Marc. You all will be in our minds next week!

  Mark, if you are only having your aortic valve replaced and have no other problems with your heart, you should look in to TAVR. It is so incredible. I am out 5 months and have had zero problems.

Mark Wilbur  Thank you, Helen and Karen. I will ask about TAVR when I see the surgeon. I like the idea of having "zero problems!"
I always anticipated good health and longevity and can't let these surprises get in the way. These challenges keep us humble, but we will overcome them thanks to our Creator and the miracle workers of modern medicine!

Gerald Poulton  You look to young and to healthy for a TAVR 😀and I love your positive attitude. Life happens and we have no controll iver it but what we do have controll over is how we deal with it, I believe a positive attitude majes a big difference and you will do fine. 👍

Mark Wilbur  Thank you, Gerald. My next echo is scheduled for May and that will tell us how much closer to surgery I'll be. You and the others have made my positive attitude so much more possible because of sharing your experiences.

Don L  Hi Mark, I too have Grandmothers on both sides who lived to be over 100; overcoming multiple surgeries and keeping a positive attitude; I agree with Gerald, all positive energy focused on how we respond! Thanks for sharing.