Rhonda's Guestbook

Hello Rhonda, My surgery is also the 29th of July. I really like how you mentioned you would rather go thru the surgery than have your children go through it. I agree my new heart sister. Gingers surgery is the 31st, I will remember you in my thoughts and prayers. My surgery is scheduled for 800 am. Sleep well and keep up the positive attitude!I had an emotional moment tonight with tears. Am good now. Look forward to hearing from you! Hugs from Michigan

Hello Rhonda- Happy for you that your surgery is moving forward for the 29th. I can only imagine how happy you must be to have the "waiting" over. I am going in for surgery if all goes according to schedule on Aug. 20th. for AVR as well so will be looking forward to reading about your surgery and recovery! There are many of us all headed for surgery near one another and I am sure the prayers and well wishes will be with everyone and will help carry you through!. I will be sending out special prayers for you on your day as well as for Mia who shares the same scheduled date I believe. I am sure you will be busy getting packed and ready and hope the time from now until Tuesday you will have strength and confidence that you will come away with this experience feeling ready for all of the good changes that a healthy new valve will provide you! Take care and be healthy until your "date". I

Rhonda, Major biggie that God was seeing to it that your carotid artery, so important because they supply blood to your brain, was found to be problematic before the surgery. And I love that you are giving your Guardian Angel some time off for great work. Way to roll with the punches! My Mom used to tell us, if you are flexible you will not break. So true! We will continue, as Terrie noted, to continue to cover you in prayer. You are going to end up healthier than you suspected when all of this started. This may have saved you from a stroke or some other unwanted malady. Thank you Lord for directing the care of Rhonda today. She is an important part of our family and we praise You for the wonders You continue to work in our lives. Great love to you, Rhonda

Rhonda!!!! I just read your response to Geri and want to tell you that I just about lost what is left of teeth I had left in my head after my Dental Visit on Thurs! when you spoke of the people who were expected to be "unresponsive"!!!! I read that aloud to Gary(husband)and he is still in hysterics at your great sense of humor! You added some great smiles on this site today dear Woman! You also are getting some great replies and have a "cloak" of support coming your way. Count me in! Love, Terrie

Rhonda, I will be following you soon with surgery scheduled for the 31st. It may be a comfort to you to know that many (the majority) of the people who have journals on this site and are post-op say the surgery was not as bad as they had expected. And remember that you are not expected to just bite the silver bullet, but should have excellent pain management as this area of medicine has improved by leaps and bounds over the past years. I had a major surgery for breast cancer in February of 2012 and can honestly say that my pain was extremely well managed, so I was not constantly thinking about it. Just remember that if you are uncomfortable, you or someone with you needs to inform the staff so action can be taken. You want to use your energy for healing, not for fighting pain, and the staff understands this so much better than they did even 5 or 10 years ago. Look for the good things, like how much more you will be able to do without shortness of breath, not to mention the crowd of paramedics and firefighters - all of whom are EMTs, at least in our area of the country. God was with you that day and He has not left your side. All you have to do is turn to Him for strength. It appears He has further plans for you, and He is seeing that you get the care you need to be prepared for what lies ahead. Sending hugs along with prayers,

Hi Rhonda wishing you the best and God Bless you with a good surgery next week. mine is scheduled the day prior to your 7/21, amazing that you fainted at a funeral, fortunately it didn't happen while you were driving the weather here in Arlington,VA is similar to Charlotte,NC ghastly hot and humid, I dared not go out walking our Heart sister Terrie is quite a Poetess, her engaging words of courage are imprinted on my mind for the night before surgery, I even copied and sent it to friends and family "Each of us feel the presence of Angel Wings on our cheeks as we drift off to sleep tonite and awake in the morning"

Hello Rhonda- Sorry that things came on so quick in a way but you at least don't have the task of waiting long which can be gruesome to most. If you have time before you head for the hospital try to read as many of the posts that you can as the people on this site are very forthcoming on what their surgeries have been like and quite a bit on their recovery. Meredith is one I pay a lot of attention to as she has great advice to share. They say that every persons experience is unique but I am finding that the majority of people say it isn't as bad as they IMAGINED. And you learned a very important thing from Meredith today that I will remember when I am done with my Aug. 20th surgery for AS. "NO FLYING TACKLES AFTER OUR PETS AFTER YOU GET HOME! Really, Meredith? That had to hurt, ya think?!!! I wish you great success with your surgery and will watch for your continued postings from those who can and will give you info you need now! One thing that is great to know is yes there will be an amount of pain but the alternative in doing nothing is no life at all and it is worth it to fight the fight! Have confidence and wishing you strength as you head with those of us in the community who are headed on the same journey. By the way. I am Terrie, 65 yrs. old and going to have a "Bovine "tissue" valve replaced on Aug. 20th. I will keep an eye out for your posts. Take care and know you are not alone! I am certain you will be hearing from other heart sisters and brothers soon.

I was scared of the pain, also. The worst pain I experienced throughout surgery & recovery was 1: One of the nurses didn't do a good job of getting an IV in my arm the morning of surgery. I remember crying, and it left a pretty good sized bruise. (I don't remember anything after that though!) 2: The incredible back pain on days 2-3 after surgery. It was immensely relieved by the removal of the drainage tubes. The physical therapist helped me get rid of the back pain completely by telling me to stand up straight as often as possible, and to make sure I give my neck muscles several rests each day by laying down. I mean, I did some stupid stuff after surgery, like a belly flop on the bed while chasing a cat, and trying to scrub the bathtub. But seriously, the most intense pain I experienced was the nurse's mistake. And I'm sure that doesn't happen very often, as many times as I've had a needle stuck in me the past 6 months. I feel better today than I did yesterday, and I'll feel even better tomorrow. I know it's scary. It'll be over soon! Deep breaths and calming thoughts - go to your happy place!