Melissa's Guestbook

Melissa, my friend, I\'m thinking about you anxiously awaiting word on how your surgery has gone. Before I knew you had this problem, I still will always wonder if picking up my couch had anything to speed up your surgery! Gosh, I hope not!!! I value your friendship and am looking forward to many more years of being your neighbor! My heart and thoughts are with you. <3 678-264-8585

Melissa, I have enjoyed catching up with you and your wonderful children on facebook. I was truely saddened to hear of the tough procedures you are facing. I will be praying for you and your family on this journey. I know what an amazingly strong woman you are, so\"Don\'t worry about anything;instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.\" Phillipians 4:6 I look forward to talking to you soon. Laurie Underwood

Melissa,, I was you 5 weeks ago. I kept thinking what if I don\'t make it and what will happen to my kids. I cried everyday and I couldn\'t stop the tears from coming. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. The day I left for Boston was the hardest because in my mind I looked at my kids like I would never see them again. In hind sight everyone said the waiting was the worst and I waited 4 months. I am glad to be here on the other side and you WILL get their to. I am here if you need to talk anytime. You can email me at mmdecarlo@hotmail.com. Hang in there Michelle DeCarlo

hi Melissa, I had the catheta thru my ... i don\'t remember. wow. they gave me some pretty wild drugs so even tho I was not fully conscious i was conscious to talk to the PA sitting at my head. Mine was clear and I had aortic stenosis also. The stenosis was life threatening so i was zapped thru tests and into surgery. Peg

Hi Melissa. I had the wrist catherization done last month and I must say its much better during recover to have it performed like this. Praying for you and the others waiting. Todd Breeden AVR 1-24-13

Hey Mama, I just want you to know that I love you and am hoping and praying for the best! You are such a strong and capable woman. You have taught me to be the same way. I know that you will be fine. There is no other option for you! You can do anything! If anything can be done, and if anyone can do it, IT IS YOU! I have never known you to doubt....and to be quite honest, the fact that you are is a little scary to me....I don\'t doubt you. I don\'t doubt that you will make it through everything just fine! Once this surgery is done, and you are back on your feet you will be a force to be reckoned with! Look out world! Melissa Cave is about to be even more strong and even more capable! Lets just hope that we can all keep up! I love you! Lunch date soon! Layna Oh, by the way...you really have no choice but to be fine :) You have three beautiful grand daughters who need their Sugar to spoil them! 143

Hi Melissa, I empathize completely with all that you are feeling. I found out last November that my mitral valve had become severe and needed to be repaired or replaced soon. Then came the questions regarding valve replacements if my valve cannot be repaired. This site has helped me immensely. I have cried; I have been angry; I have asked \"why me?\" All of these emotions are normal. Try and build a support system of family and friends. This will help. Please feel free to read my journal entries at Michelle Wanke. You will find that I am experiencing all of the same emotions as you. Remember you are not alone in this journey. Take care, Michelle W

Hi Melissa, Well i dont have a simular story to tell you of having heart surgery but i want to tell you that i love your heart !!! YOU have a heart of GOLD and now it will be trimmed with a silver lining ( you could say sort-of) You are the most strong natured person that i know. With this repair to your heart you will be a Super Bionic Women!!! :) And i will be here for you along this journey to help you wipe away the tears and fears...Just remember that ordinary things dont happen to extraordinary people I Love You very much!!! Your Best Friend in the World! Jana

Melissa, Thanks so much for joining our community and sharing your recent experiences with all of us. Although my BAV procedure was 7 years ago, I still remember the strong wave of emotions you describe in your posts. Of all the emotions out there, let me offer you the feeling of comfort. We are here to help you. We are here to answer your questions. We are here from now until the point you are recovered. Please let me know if there is anything I can personally do to make your journey easier. Keep on tickin! Adam Pick

Melissa, I am 6 wks post op and I know exactly how you feel. I too, spent many a days pre-surgery crying off and on, scared of the what ifs! No one can talk you out of your fears but be reassured that you can do this as so many before you have. I have said it to many pre surgery people but see yourself beyond your surgery, make plans for a vacation or like. I started to help with arrangements for my moms surprise 80th party. It made me feel that there was life after this surgery. I can say that its been in the last two weeks that I have turned a corner and feel very close to normal again. You will do fine!!

Hi Melissa, My name is Anthony Downes....feel free to email me on anthony.downes@cslbehring.com.au...take care...and remembeer you will be fine...you got an op date yet? :-)

Hello, I have passed my one year anniversary of having surgery for not only an artificial heart valve replacement but also I was walking around with an aneurysm because the base of my heart was swollen and i was in dangerous territory. I to was given six months to get the surgery...Needless to say I had to get my affairs in order fast. There was a lot of things that had to be done.. So you have been out of surgery now for a year and I hope you are much better than before I know I am... I have to follow a low sodium diet not to exceed 2000 mg a day..I have joined Curves and exercise there four out of seven and at my place three times a week...Be watchful for pre-diabetis...Don\'t let the 40 calorie bread fool you....It is not good for you...stay away from sugar if possible...Life goes on.....God Bless and hang in there...I am...

Hi Melissa, I am in Melbourne, Australia. I had my Open Heart Surgey on March 13,2012....so I am approaching my 1st Birthday....to add to the other 38 years. Scary shit this Open Heart Surgery I know where your head space is at. Listen very carefully....you will be fine....as scared as you are....know that you will be ok...it is an operation to fix you....it is a good thing....you will be fine...take care and email me if you want...happy to support you. I

Hi Melissa, I know how you feel and it is so hard to grasp it. It takes time and eventually you will be in a place where you can talk about it. My surgery is ten days away. I remember being so overwhelmed with the details and had so many fears. I have been learning to trust God more and have been doing some artwork with bible verses that have the word heart in them. Art for Hearts. Please feel free to look at my photos which have the art I have done so far. I hope they will bring you peace. I\'m still scared, but I am thankful that we live in a time where we can Jane these surgeries and live more fully than before. Praying for you, Melissa!

Hi Melissa - I had a lot of the same feelings that you say you are having when they told me I needed my aortic valve replaced. I found out the week before Christmas 2012 and only my husband and I knew until after Christmas. I wanted to enjoy Christmas and not have my family all consumed with my news. I think it helped me to have a little time to myself for a few weeks to deal with my own emotions. This website has been a real God-send as the only other people that I knew of that had had heart surgery were older men (my dad, father-in-law, and some uncles) in their 70\'s or beyond. I wanted to hear how a woman had dealt with it and what I might expect. I have been following Michelle Decarlo\'s posts, too, and it has helped me a lot. I\'ve known since I was 14 that I might need this surgery, but hoped it wouldn\'t be until I was in my 60\'s (if ever). After being on this website and reading several people\'s posts, I feel so much less anxious and feel like I can do this! My surgery is scheduled for this Tuesday, Feb. 19th. My husband will update my posts, so you can follow them if you like. I\'m praying for a successful surgery and healthy recovery. I will keep you and all of my other friends on here in my prayers. God bless you, Jean Trausch

Hi Melissa My daughter age 41 just had her aortic value replaced a month age and she is doing super. My daughter was diagnosed at the young age of 12 months and for all these year they have told us that somewhere in future she would have to have it replaced and it finally got here. You can read her journal under Michelle Decarlo. It might help to see what she went through while she waited for 4 months for this surgery. It was very difficult at time to see how stress she was and how frighten she became the closer it got. I was very proud of the courage she showed on the day of surgery. She is now starting cardiac rehab next week and itching to get back to work. Please read for some insight. Michelle\'s Mom

Hi Melissa I absolutely understand your situation now as I am going thorough the same things.My operation for replacement of the Mitral valve has been set for 11 of March ,see you are not alone,just we have to be strong and positive. Naz

Hello Melissa, I too feel exactly how you feel. I have cried many times since knowing that I will be having a valve replacement in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. They are experts, and so I have decided to stop crying because it only stressed me out even more. You know, this internet community blog has helped me since I have received many replies from some people. I have to tell you, I am nervous about the post surgery symptoms: dizziness, sore neck, double vision etc... but most people who have written to me says that not everyone gets the same symptoms after the operation. I am a biscupid heart valve and the cardiologist still has not booked my appointment with surgeons. I will be having the blockage check Feb. 22nd, next friday. Hope, like you, that I have no blockages. Anyway, you look very young and I am 60 and feel very young. So no matter what age ........it is a traumatic shock to know that one has to have heart surgery. We are all in the same boat........ some younger than others. Anyway, cry if you want, but like you said, what is the point other than, it does take some stress out of your brain. If you wish to write to me: my private email is dimonette@sympatico.ca Ottawa, Ontario Canada