Rena's Guestbook

Hi Rena We \"old timers\" are always happy to read a success story. Was the kidney infection something that occurred in the hospital? Hope this second round clears it up.Don\'t forget to rest occasionally. Sometimes we feel so good we overdo and then pay for it the next day. Wishing you continuing good health. Fran

Good for you Rena! It\'s hard to believe what we were facing just a few weeks ago. I\'m glad you are doing well and pray for your continued recovery. Jon Farmer

Morning Cuz, I just finished reading your entry for 6-25-2011, Sorry th hear bout your kiddney infection hope they get that cleared up real soon, I think they can be pretty painful in the lower back area and you don\'t need that. I think it is going to get hot again this week so you will be able to get in your pool, hurray for you. :). :) you have traveled such a long journey to get there so I hope you really enjoy it... I am still keeping you in my prayers, I have said from your first hours after surgery that you were an AMAZING YOUNG WOMEN !!! Love You. Laura

Hi Rena, sorry to hear bout ur pain u had when u woke up the othe day, what happen , what caused it ? Hope u r better now. I read about all the walks u have beeb taking I should b doing it with u. I have put so much of my weight back on YUKE and I feel it. Have u been able to get in ur pool yet? Well love u lots sending hugs and kiss ur way. Hope to see u soon. Love Laura

Hi Rena, glad to hear you\'re feeling better. Sorry I haven\'t been over for a few days. Darn bronchitis! I\'m sure I\'ll be able to visit on the weekend. Keep on walkin and stay off your side. Ouch! Love you, Mom

Great news, Rena. Going to your daughter\'s graduation and seeing friends is a great morale booster. Makes you feel part of the real world! I assume it cooled off today from the 90\'s so that you could get all that walking in. I remember measuring my distance by driveways too. It\'s a good way to track your progress. If you have some days that are not as progressive, just remember to measure your progress by the week, not the day. Sounds like you\'re doing great. Fran

Oh hi.....So getting bored...I LOVE IT!!!!! That\'s a sure sign things are going well...Can\'t keep a good woman down...Keep at it babe...this will all be behind you SOON...Then you can get back on schedule...All uphill from here... Love you, Aunt mary

Rena, Your strong will has helped you to get this far, keep hanging in there, remain strong, and this journey will be behind you before you know it. Still holding you in my prayers. Lester

Hi there, I totally can relate to you Rena on some things. I had my surgery on May 17th and I have been progressing steadily but the pain pills are a pain. I took myself off of them for three days thinking I could tolerate the pain because they made me sick. I was taking percocet and on my 9th day followup the PA @ Cleveland Clinic asked me if I wanted to switch to vicodin. Big mistake. I should have stayed with the percocet. The vicodin made me sick sick sick with a terrible rebound headache and nausea. I got my primary care to switch me back to percocet...but then I got sick from that. I decided to go cold turkey and that lasted all of three days. Well...the pain was not bearable...but the three days helped me to sort of get out of them. They are a narcotic. Anyway...I started taking one (the percocet) just ever 12 hours now verses 2 every 4 to 6 hours and that is working for me. I was experiencing throbbing and pain in my chest at every little jostle going cold turkey. When we have these major surgeries we have to have good pain management. Will it ever stop? we both know it will. I hate not being able to drive. Losing independence is totally the terrible. It will get better for me and you both. As long as you see little differences each day, it\'s good. I love my little 4 inch scar too. My scar concoction is vitamin E, Aloe and wheat germ oil from basic Organics. It is healed and on it\'s way to flattening and dissapearing totally. Congratulations on a successful procedure. Mona Smith

Hi Rena, I was so excited to see u were able to write on your Journal. I check it daily, right now it is so hot out side I think you are better off in side the humidity is so bad you walk out and instantly feel it sitting on you. Sorry to hear that you are having all that pain, is the home nurse or Dr saying it is all because of surgery and heart is ok?? I will try and make another visit soon was going to sAy maybe thursday but forgot I am working for someone it is my day off but she needed it off, so I offered to work for her she covered for me a lot when I was off with my mom. Well talk to you soon Love Ya bunches hugs and kisses Laura

Hi there, glad you are home...I know you are to. We pray for a speedy recovery for you. The size of you scar is amazing...dad\'s (Virgil) was quite a long scar...really glad for you, they do things so different now...glad for that!! We love you and think about you often. Sandy and Lonnie

Rena just wanted to say it was very nice visiting with you today, Looks like ur mom doing a good job taking care of you I will check in with u later love u Laura

Hi Rena. I know lots about narcotics as I had back surgery years ago and needed them for a long time. I stopped taking all of them 2 years ago. When I had my Mitral Valve repair in January I was determined to take as few as possible. After the hospital stay I only took 2 Vicadin the first night and 2 the second night. After that just Extra strenght Tylenol. The itching is because of the codeine. Narcotics can act as a stimulent so it can be hard to sleep. I would just try to take tylenol. The side effects of narcotics can be worse than the discomfort from the surgery. You will see your pain level drop daily! Feel free to email me for more information Gene

Rena I had those hallusanations from either morphine just like talking to people who were not there (lol) except I scared Jamie I also scarred my self I got mad at tom thought he went some where (don\'t know where) with out me seen dirty pictures in the celling a few other stuff too. So happy u r home please post on here when u r ready to see vistors love u cuz see ya soon Laura

wow!!!! Home already? I am so happy for you and I am very sympathetic towards your ordeal with the pain meds....I can relate. I hope your doc and nurse will find something that helps. Counsin Sherry Painter Claiborne

Hi Rena, Today is Sunday! Now that the rain has stopped I thought I might come pay you a visit (I said I just might........). Decided I better check just to make sure you were still in the hospital. Was I ever surprised to find out you have been discharged!! I am a bit disappointed becasue I wanted to visit but it is even better that you have been able to go home. 5 days is a quick hospital stay so you must be feeling good enough to go home. Please post to let us know how your surgery and recovery have been. I am rooting for you!! Lori Wakat

Rena was so very good to talk to u on the phone yesterday (5-27-2011) you sounded pretty good, as I said make sure you are ready to go home, not cause they say u r ready you r the one who knows how u feel and if u need another day tell them. Hope u continue to improve and gain strength slow but sure step by step and day by day. Well will see u soon god bless Love Ya Laura

Good morning Rena, I thank GOD that you are doing well, and also that the kids made it home safe. You and the family are still in my prayers. Can\'t wait to hear your voice, GOD is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Karl

Good morning Rena, from the poat your mom added yesterday sounds like you are doing better. I hope so sounds like u were in a lot of pain from the drain tube. You are truly an inspiration to Any one and every who has had or who will have this surgery the other word that keeps popping in my head is AMAZING .... So with that I will say I Love you cuz And so does GOD I have thanked him many times for watching over you. Talk to u soon Love Laura