Mindi's Guestbook

Mindi Wieseman  Hi Amy. Yes, 2 weeks today, but I'm not the person with the I can do this! attitude I thought I'd have in recovery. The valve replacement went well for which I'm grateful! I think I just need to stay connected here with fellow heart warriors to find and sustain mental strength. Thanks for your post, Amy

Klara Čičić  It is hard Mindi, it was very hard these first days for most of us... Mentally and phisically. Give yourself time. It is amazing how quickly things improve... 2 weeks is stil very very early! I am 4 months and still am not 100%. It is constant battle.... Hang in there! You can do this. Your body is doing enormous job healing right now!

Pamela Gregory  So glad you made it through successfully Mindi! You will feel better week by week. I thought day by day felt like a snails pace but weekly I could see and feel results. I am 3 months out and much better but still notice a weekly difference. Let your support people help you do everything you need and focus on resting and any rehab that they want you to do. You can do this

Mindi Wieseman  Thank you, Klara and Pamela!! I'm so thankful I came back here to all your support. Helps me accept what I'm going through in this journey rather than dwell on the "why me?". One day at a time Today is a good day.

Greg Lewis  Sooooo glad to hear from you Mindi! You can do this! I know you can!! 
After my surgery, I was having a hard time mentally. And so my wife talked me into going to see the mental health lady, at the hospital. I am so glad I did that! She explained why, I was feeling the way I was. A huge part was the anesthetic. I had a ton of it, and it really messes with your emotions. It does go away, though.



And also...we all get on the "why me" merry go round!  I have been on that ride many a time! Just don't stay on it! My Wife pushes me off, when she's had enough of it. 
Anyway, I am just so glad your back!!


PS...some things I learned earlier on ....get dressed every morning. Get out and go for a coffee or something, every day. Go see someone.  Achieve a small thing, every day. Do your exercises every day.  

Mindi Wieseman  Hello Greg! I am a bit, well, more than a bit, in that depressed state. Seeing a therapist would be a great idea. Thank you for your suggestions, Greg! In spite of the difficulty of this journey and the fear of it all, I'm thankful I'm now on the recovery side and have the support of all of you guys!!

Amy Berger  Hi Richard - thanks for posting to Mindi for us - how did you find her name? Do you just go through a lot of old posts finding her, or is there a way to search?

Richard Munson  That is exactly how i did it amy by going back a few days i found a post she made and clicked on her name and her site came up and i reclicked on sending her a message. All very high tech. Lol. I have been curious myself. Hopefully all is well. Your post prompted me to do it. 

Adam Pick  Hey guys, Would you like me to talk to our programming team about creating a search function to help you find members in our community? Let me know!

Donna Casaletto  Adam that would be awesome!!! Thank you again for this site!! 12 days away now from my surgery and I just love the support from this community you created 👏😍‼️

Amy Berger  yes - please!! I'm now in single digits away from surgery and your site is so important to helping me keep a positive attitude! Over the past few weeks every time someone has had surgery and not posted afterwards, my mind starts to wonder ... My husband hears about everyone on here all day long and he says he's so glad that I have all these new friends :)

Richard Munson  I said to my wife that if i were to kick the bucket no one would know on this sight. How about a rule that surviving family member must notify heart valve site. Maybe a richard won’t be coming down to breakfast post.

Leona Resch  Great idea Adam!! This wonderful group of people have gotten me through my surgery and beyond! We would love to know how others are doing post op too!👍

Ana Brusso  I am lifting you up in prayer for your successful surgery tomorrow Mindi. We will be here rooting for you and welcoming you to recovery. God bless you 🙏❤️

Susan Eckermann  You're in my thoughts and prayers, Mindi. Keep the faith. You've got this. Your surgical team is more than ready, and you will soon be a heart warrior in recovery.

Pamela Gregory  Wishing you positive results, prayers, and thoughts! You are going to do well and we all look forward to hearing from you as soon as you are able to let us know how you are doing.

Mindi Wieseman  My fellow Heart Warriors (I love that title for its strength and warmth!)...thank you for your good wishes and positive thoughts. I passed pre-op (did I have a teenie weenie hope I wouldn't?? Perhaps.) But I'm in (nearly) ready-to-go mode today. Just wish my legs weren't so weak and my anxiety would drop below 1000. But I know I have you guys and my family cheering me on, as well as my doctor and medical team! I can do this!

Leona Resch  Yes you can! I felt the same way the day before . I think the anxiety peaks then and it’s worse than ever. Keep talking to people and don’t let your crazy anxiety give way to irrational thoughts. You are in good hands and tm you will start your amazing recovery!!❤️

Susan Lynn  Mindi - So glad you passed all of your tests! You're going to feel like a rock star when you wake up from your 'quick nap.' Remember, you're going through the most difficult part right now. You will be thrilled to leave all that worry behind! Tomorrow's agenda: 1. Sleep 2. Eat the world's greatest ice chips! You can do that! We'll be waiting for you!

Amy Berger  I can totally relate to the tiny hope of not passing tests. I’m scheduled for January 24th so my count down is on. I remind myself of all the great posts and how many people say the waiting is the worst - I wouldn’t want to go through this waiting again

Mindi Wieseman  Thank you so much! Getting ready for maybe some sleep time if my mind will let me!! Up at 2:45am, drink 12 oz of G-0 Gatorade by 3am, and off to the hospital we go! You know I'm taking all of you with me, right? In my phone and in my ❤️. I plan to post here very soon while in recovery ❤️‍🩹❣️

Ana Brusso  Hello and welcome Jeffrey to our site and to recovery. Your surgeon is also very handsome. God bless you and keep on writing 🙏❤️

Mindi Wieseman  Jeffrey, thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement and positivity! Boy, do I need that today. One day away from surgery has me weak in my legs from anxiety. But I truly do have positive thoughts So happy to hear how well your recovery is going!

Susan Lynn  We sure will, Mindi!
Here's one for you, Richard:
A cardiac surgeon is picking up his Bentley from an engine repair shop.As the owner's mechanic fetches the car, the owner gets to talking with the doctor and says, "You know, engine repair is a lot like open-heart surgery."

"How so?"

"Well, it's the 'heart' of the machine. It's got fuel injectors like veins, an oil pump like an aorta, and pistons that pump like heart muscle."

"I see."

"It wears and tears like a heart, but without it, the whole car fails, just like a body. If it's not repaired right, a whole lotta problems happen and the engine can seize up."

"That's true," concurs the doc as the Bentley's pulled up to him.

"So how come I only charge you $10,000 to fix your engine, while a hospital charges around $400,000 for heart surgery?" asks the owner as the doc gets in.

The doc closes the door and rolls the window down. "Try fixing the engine while the car's still running," he answers cooly and speeds off.

Mindi Wieseman  That's a good one, Susan! Now Richard, don't be too funny. I don't want to bust my stitches! Tomorrow pre-op, Thursday new heart valve and beginning of a successful recovery. (Still scared but trying to be positive!) 

Mindi Wieseman  🥰🥰🥰you guys are so wonderful!! hugs to all of you 🤗🤗🤗 I can't tell you just how much you've helped me😘😘😘

Richard Munson  Of course you’re scared. We are all holding your hand. I was of course the poster boy for scardycatness but i made it. Its funny when they called my name in the waiting room and i hesitated answering i could not figure out why they were all staring at me. Then i realized i was the only guy in the room. Whoops. 

Amy Berger  Praying for you today and wishing you all the best tomorrow. Sometimes I feel like we are the race horse heading to the gate at start of big race - anxious anticipation:)