Guestbook of Sherry Bradford

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Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

1105 days ago

Sherry Bradford reacted to this

Jean Trausch posted a note for Sherry that says:

Congratulations, Sherry! Glad you're doing well!

I'm coming up on my 10 year anniversary in February!

Sherry Bradford Congrats to you too!!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

1106 days ago

Susan Lynn reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry ,
Congratulations on your ten year anniversary

Sherry Bradford Thank you Ruth!

Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary, Sherry! ❤x10

Sherry Bradford Thank you!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

1236 days ago

Chris Krager posted a note for Sherry that says:

That is amazing! I cannot believe it has been ten years. I hope you are doing well and enjoying retirement. The girls are growing like crazy, ...Read more

That is amazing! I cannot believe it has been ten years. I hope you are doing well and enjoying retirement. The girls are growing like crazy, I don't think you'd recognize either of them.

Sherry Bradford Hey Chris! Thank you. I think about you all often!!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

3382 days ago

Linda H and Elsie posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry, gee its been a long time. Like you, I just celebrated my 5 years out in Sept. It has gone by so fast. Doesn't seem that it has been that long. I ...Read more

Hi Sherry, gee its been a long time. Like you, I just celebrated my 5 years out in Sept. It has gone by so fast. Doesn't seem that it has been that long. I am doing ok except I now have a new ugly friend, his name is Arthur. My right leg was exrayed and it showed it was there. Now my left knee is doing the same thing but worse, so this is scaring me a little bit. I'm glad you are doing good. Well stay strong and keep it up friend. Until later

Sherry Bradford Congratulations on five years! Hang in there on the visitor! You are strong!!!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4119 days ago

1 person reacted to this

Chris K posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry: Thanks for the 2 year update. Glad to know you--and your heart--are doing well. I remember reading your journals when I was preparing for my surgery ...Read more

Hi Sherry: Thanks for the 2 year update. Glad to know you--and your heart--are doing well. I remember reading your journals when I was preparing for my surgery just over a year ago and finding your experiences and advice very helpful. I too find it hard to keep the exercises up when there are so many competing demands for my time--but I keep going at it. Some weeks I am better than others and I count all the little things that add up--even walking around the kitchen to cook a meal, up and down stairs for laundry, gardening, and parking in the lot farthest away from the buildings--all count. Have fun in San Diego!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4304 days ago

Linda H and Elsie posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry, Wow what a post. Did you go to a doctor to get all checked out? I think that is something we all fear. But glad you are ok. You take care and be ...Read more

Hi Sherry, Wow what a post. Did you go to a doctor to get all checked out? I think that is something we all fear. But glad you are ok. You take care and be careful. Happy Easter.

Sherry Bradford I called and we went over symptoms and decided no appointment needed. I am almost back to normal. My ... Read more

Sherry Bradford I called and we went over symptoms and decided no appointment needed. I am almost back to normal. My leg stopped hurting and I am feeling more "normal". The good news is my bone scan came back completely normal. No surprise to me, LOL! Thanks and hope all is going well for you!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4304 days ago

Susan Smith posted a note for Sherry that says:

Sherry did you go to a doctor to get checked out after your fall. Reading your post I am sure we all flinched and cringed. God watching out for you and yes ...Read more

Sherry did you go to a doctor to get checked out after your fall. Reading your post I am sure we all flinched and cringed. God watching out for you and yes life is precious each and everyday. Do take care and keep up the good progress.

Sherry Bradford No, I just called and we talked. I was not feeling "right" for awhile after the fall but that was slo ... Read more

Sherry Bradford No, I just called and we talked. I was not feeling "right" for awhile after the fall but that was slowly improving and now seems all ok. I imagine it was a bit like how people feel after a car wreck when the seatbelt causes deep bruising. It was a shame to get so shaken up and then have such a mundane story to go with it! No bungee jumping or anything thrilling! :-)

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4304 days ago

Kathryn Waymire posted a note for Sherry that says:

Sherry, what I want to know is,how is your energy level now compared to before? Thank you for sharing.God Bless You ! Grateful , Kathryn

Sherry Bradford I would say that I am more willing to admit when I am tired now and so rest more than I used to. Over ... Read more

Sherry Bradford I would say that I am more willing to admit when I am tired now and so rest more than I used to. Over the past year I have had some very serious stress at work and some difficult extended family trials. I had some serious anxiety and found that and the stress extremely tiring. So my energy has been down but not because of the surgery. I am consciously being more selective about what I choose to do because I don't want to add to my stress. But when I tackle things I enjoy, I find my energy is very good. I am my own worst enemy because I am not faithful to exercise. When I do I feel MUCH better.

I think a big issue is that we often have this surgery as we are getting older and our energy is different as we age - surgery or not. But I also think sleeping better, eating better, and more exercise would help me feel even better. That's my goal this year - to work on improving those three things.

Now, why do you ask? Are you facing surgery or have you been through it? How are you feeling?

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4478 days ago

Chris K posted a note for Sherry that says:

Sherry: Thank you for the one-year update. I am about 9 months behind you and have followed your journal carefully, learning lots from your experience and ...Read more

Sherry: Thank you for the one-year update. I am about 9 months behind you and have followed your journal carefully, learning lots from your experience and wisdom. Like you, I appreciate the challenges of getting enough sleep and exercise to keep me healthy going forward. I am retired, but I do a lot of volunteer board and committee work and babysitting grandkids. It is always a juggling match to free up time to exercise (although, actually the grandkids are great for keeping up the exercise) and then to slow down enough at night to get a good nights sleep. But, keep up the struggle to juggle!!! Take care!

Sherry Bradford Thank you! So glad you are doing well. I envy you the grandchildren to chase after! :-) We just h ... Read more

Sherry Bradford Thank you! So glad you are doing well. I envy you the grandchildren to chase after! :-) We just have to keep forging ahead and making the good changes we can as we can! Too bad when they put in that new valve they can't plus in something that would make us hate junk food and love exercise! Haha!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4480 days ago

Jean Trausch posted a note for Sherry that says:

Dear Sherry- So glad to hear that you're doing well! Keep it up and have a great holiday season :)

Sherry Bradford Thank you! You have a wonderful holiday season as well!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4512 days ago

Linda H and Elsie posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry, Happy to hear from you. Sounds like you are doing really good. I think getting a new love Mr B in your life is probably just what the doctor ordered. ...Read more

Hi Sherry, Happy to hear from you. Sounds like you are doing really good. I think getting a new love Mr B in your life is probably just what the doctor ordered. Animals know how to win our hearts over. Just wish they could do better so we wouldn\'t have to go thru all the surgery stuff. I still have a little nerve pain but it is starting to feel a little different. Once in a while I will get those shooting little pains that make me stand right up. I guess it just one nerve yelling to the other one wondering where shes been.lol. Or can I say it love at first sight when they meet and the hug is so much it makes us take notice. Just pasted both of my birthdays and I have been going around 1 year down 14 to go before I can start this all over again NOT. Unless something happens before I get into my 80\'s. I don\'t want to live until 200. Well friend you take care and keep in touch. Until later

Sherry Bradford So glad all going well aside from some of these odd pains. I hope we manage more than 15. Maybe we wi ... Read more

Sherry Bradford So glad all going well aside from some of these odd pains. I hope we manage more than 15. Maybe we will shock everyone and they will have to update their stats! LOL!

Hugs!
Sherry

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4512 days ago

Rebecca S posted a note for Sherry that says:

Sherry, at rehab I was told as he nerves start healing I would have sharp little pains and they could be even a year from now.

Sherry Bradford I have heard that too from some folks who have had other kinds of scars. Makes sense! Thanks for pos ... Read more

Sherry Bradford I have heard that too from some folks who have had other kinds of scars. Makes sense! Thanks for posting and best wishes!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4546 days ago

Ernie B.S. posted a note for Sherry that says:

Thanks Sherry for your post. It\'s very encouraging for those of pre-op. Hope you continue to heal well and get sronger every day.

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4563 days ago

Linda H and Elsie posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hey Sherry, Speaking of vertigo.I get it to but not to your degree. I thought it might be my bp meds as it does cause dizziness. I got off my bp meds for about ...Read more

Hey Sherry, Speaking of vertigo.I get it to but not to your degree. I thought it might be my bp meds as it does cause dizziness. I got off my bp meds for about a week and I still got a little dizzy and loose my balance often. So now I am going to be telling the doctor this month when I see him. Do you get ringing in your ears? I do off and on. When I got off my by meds Elsie started to beat real hard. I could hear it. It sounded like I was drilling for water. I got back on them and it isn\'t so bad, so guess Im doomed for that but I take it at night now instead of the morning. Well until later.

Sherry Bradford Hi there!! Sorry it took me so long to get back to post a reply. Yes until the Ear, Nose, and Throat ... Read more

Sherry Bradford Hi there!! Sorry it took me so long to get back to post a reply. Yes until the Ear, Nose, and Throat doc performed his voodoo procedure, I did get ringing from time to time. But that has all gone away. I hope you get help soon! I have been having really low blood pressure off and on lately and am thinking maybe I need a smaller dose of my BP meds. But the nurse told me that it is not likely I would ever be completely off BP meds after this surgery. She said one reason it is often needed is the valves are too efficient and thus creat additional pressure. Also when people are not on them there are spikes in the BP which is not good. So the meds evidently help flatten those spikes a bit. But maybe your dosage is off. Also there are lots of different meds for BP so it may mean you need a different one. Keep me posted! I go to my cardiologist in a couple of weeks for my first post- surgery full checkup. Fingers crossed it will be a huge non-event! :-). "

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4575 days ago

Chris K posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hugs to you Sherry for sharing so many of your ups and downs as you recover from your surgery. My turn is coming--July 29th. I find myself going back and ...Read more

Hugs to you Sherry for sharing so many of your ups and downs as you recover from your surgery. My turn is coming--July 29th. I find myself going back and re-reading your journal as I prepare for the big day and as I try to plan for what it will be like after. I expect that you won\'t want to update your journal as often as time goes on--but it is most appreciated when you do!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4596 days ago

Lynn E. posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry, I enjoy your blog so much...it has given me a lot of reassurance as well...I am similar to you in age/diagnosis and will have an AVR in October. ...Read more

Hi Sherry, I enjoy your blog so much...it has given me a lot of reassurance as well...I am similar to you in age/diagnosis and will have an AVR in October. I have no symptoms so it was hard at first to wrap my head around this but I accept what is real, even if I cannot feel it. I am having a cardiac cath in a few weeks. I hope I do as well as you post op!

Sherry Bradford You will do great! And I am so glad the postings are encouraging and helpful! So many folks on this ... Read more

Sherry Bradford You will do great! And I am so glad the postings are encouraging and helpful! So many folks on this site helped me through my prep, surgery and after. And still do! I just reached out to Mitch Friedman about getting rolling with running and was so encouraged by his response. This is a great place! The cath is not bad. You will be under anesthesia for most of it. Afterward they have you lay very still so you don't have any bleeding. Sometimes they have to put pretty hard pressure where the cath went in to be sure the area clots well. That is the only uncomfortable part and it is over very quick and sometimes they don't have to do even that. Just take lots of deep breaths and think about how great you are going to feel once all the waiting is over and you are on the way to your new life with a happy and healthy heart! Even though my symptoms were subtle, during the cath they were unable to get the camera through my very calcified valve. That convinced me firmly that the surgery was the right thing to do. I do believe getting through the surgery before symptoms are severe helps with recovery time. Hugs and prayers heading your way! Keep us posted!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4606 days ago

Deb Ziegler posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry, I just read your latest post about memory issues and sleep, and it reminded me of my dad. Last October, at age 85, my dad had emergency mitral valve ...Read more

Hi Sherry, I just read your latest post about memory issues and sleep, and it reminded me of my dad. Last October, at age 85, my dad had emergency mitral valve replacement. He was not in good shape going in, but he did survive the surgery. At four months out, it was very apparent to me that he was more tired than he should be......he was sleeping for about 20 of the 24 hours every day. and the hours he was up, he was extremely tired. His memory was also declining, but it wasn\'t good to start with. Anyway, at five months out, his doctor sent him for a sleep test. Turns out he has sleep apnea and was waking up 50 times an hour! He now wears a sleep apnea mask at night, and he is like a whole new person. He is literally at least ten years younger both physically and mentally. He is now up and actually working most of the day, and his memory is better than before surgery. It is pretty amazing. So, it might be worth getting a sleep test (especially if your deductible is used up...they are expensive). I\'m considering getting one for myself, as I have never been a good sleeper, and after seeing what a transformation it made in my dad, it sure can\'t hurt! Just thought I would pass that along. Hope you continue to improve.

Sherry Bradford Deb thanks for the tip. I may do this. I see a huge difference when I get a good amount of rest. I fe ... Read more

Sherry Bradford Deb thanks for the tip. I may do this. I see a huge difference when I get a good amount of rest. I feel like I am sleeping pretty well once I get to bed but I am not getting enough hours for sure. I will keep you posted and hope to hear from you if you get one done!

Best wishes always!
Sherry

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4617 days ago

Bill Bard posted a note for Sherry that says:

Just saw your journal today as I am just two weeks away from the Big Event. I agree that this supportive community is really helpful, and I think that blogging ...Read more

Just saw your journal today as I am just two weeks away from the Big Event. I agree that this supportive community is really helpful, and I think that blogging these last few weeks has relieved most of my pre-op anxiety. Your writing about courage with such passion and honesty was inspiring. I have a similar diagnosis as you did, and really had no choice but to proceed now. And I intend to follow your progress as I hope that we both reach the best new normal possible! Thank you for sharing your experience so eloquently.

Sherry Bradford Bill, thank you so much for your comments and I have you in my prayers for your upcoming surgery! I l ... Read more

Sherry Bradford Bill, thank you so much for your comments and I have you in my prayers for your upcoming surgery! I look forward to hearing about your recovery! We live in amazing times and the prognosis for a good recovery has never been better. Whatever lies ahead we have wonderful folks on this site with whom to share the journey!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4628 days ago

Michelle Wanke posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry, I just read your latest post and wanted to let you know that you are not alone with the memory issues. I have sticky notes everywhere and the timer ...Read more

Hi Sherry, I just read your latest post and wanted to let you know that you are not alone with the memory issues. I have sticky notes everywhere and the timer on my phone set to remind me of when to take my medication or appointments. I still struggle to get words out of my mouth and sometimes forget where I am going with a story right in the middle. It\'s so frustrating. But I survived and so did you. If I have to have sticky notes around forever it was not a bad price to pay for a healthy heart and a longer life. Don\'t get down on yourself for your feelings. Everyone recouperates at different rates. I have to remind myself of that. Take care and remember that you are not alone.

Sherry Bradford Michelle thank you! You don't suppose the maker of those sticky notes and the doctors are in cahoots ... Read more

Sherry Bradford Michelle thank you! You don't suppose the maker of those sticky notes and the doctors are in cahoots do you? Haha! The worst moments for me are when I have to recall someone's name or title at work. It was literally a no brainier in the past and now I dread those moments. Sometimes people who have known me a long time give me the saddest look - as if they are feeling sorry for me for slipping. But like you, I try to focus on the fact that I am alive and have a chance to enjoy so much more than I would have had without the surgery. I just ran a mile on my treadmill this evening and I could not have done that at all prior to surgery without feeling sick for days. Just hoping that I can post a year from now about a big improvement. Thank God for this site and wonderful folks like you! Hugs!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4628 days ago

Ron Wilson posted a note for Sherry that says:

Sherry, God Bless You for taking the time to write what you do and help others. I\'m four months out and you have helped me tremendously. Vertigo is at night ...Read more

Sherry, God Bless You for taking the time to write what you do and help others. I\'m four months out and you have helped me tremendously. Vertigo is at night and the Lipitor makes my muscles ache a little. As a macho and loving Grandfather, depression is something I never, ever worried about before, at 62 now. Doing great for what this body has endured, no regrets, no complaints. Sure am looking forward to, as you say, \"Normal\" again, or close to it. Please keep writing. God Bless. Ron

Sherry Bradford Thank you for your encouragement, Ron! This site was truly a Godsend to me and I am glad to hear som ... Read more

Sherry Bradford Thank you for your encouragement, Ron! This site was truly a Godsend to me and I am glad to hear some of my experiences are helping others as they helped me! This sure is an adventure, isn't it.?! I tell folks I don't recommend it for fun but it sure beats the alternative! :-). You are so right that our bodies have been through a lot and I try to remind myself of that when I am discouraged. Time is an amazing healer. I just wish it would do its work a little faster so I have more time to enjoy it when I get there! :-). Hugs and prayers for your continuing recovery!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4628 days ago

Lee Castro posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry, Yup, I have short-term memory issues as well. I\'ve changed my routine at home where I try to keep everything in it\'s place (like my keys!!!). ...Read more

Hi Sherry, Yup, I have short-term memory issues as well. I\'ve changed my routine at home where I try to keep everything in it\'s place (like my keys!!!). And......although I didn\'t like using them in the past, I use those yellow post it notes to write anything down, or I\'ll forget. I also try not do do too many things at once. Perhaps my memory will improve, but these strategies help a greatly. Congrats on your recovery!!!! Regards,

Sherry Bradford Thank you, Lee! I will have you in my thoughts and prayers (if I remember!) Haha! Just kidding! I ... Read more

Sherry Bradford Thank you, Lee! I will have you in my thoughts and prayers (if I remember!) Haha! Just kidding! I will remember that! I do the same. Sticking to one thing at a time is my prime strategy also. I am going to look into a brain games type computer program. They have mixed reviews but I figure it can't hurt! So glad you are moving forward also. It is very frustrating sometimes, but I am grateful to be alive. Life is good!

Hugs!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4629 days ago

Deb Ziegler posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry, Glad to hear you are doing better overall, but I know it is not what you were hoping for at this point. After reading your symptoms, I was wondering ...Read more

Hi Sherry, Glad to hear you are doing better overall, but I know it is not what you were hoping for at this point. After reading your symptoms, I was wondering if you are taking Amioderone. I know that can cause all the symptoms you are discribing. Many surgery patients are sent home from the hospital on Amioderone, but usually only for a short time. It is usually used for treating Afib. I hope you continue to feel better. I would say it took me a whole year before I felt more normal than not. Still can\'t say I\'m 100%, but I\'m good enough! Take care,

Sherry Bradford I was lucky and never had any afib so I didn't have that med. I am just on things I was taking prior ... Read more

Sherry Bradford I was lucky and never had any afib so I didn't have that med. I am just on things I was taking prior to surgery except they added meds for High Blood Pressure and daily aspirin. I think they may take me off the high blood pressure if I keep improving. They were hoping it was just the impact of increased throughput of blood and as my body adjusted it would go away. Hope so. The memory issues started immediately after surgery but were not really scary until a few months post op. It has improved in some ways but it is still much worse than before surgery. I am hoping things will continue to improve and it is encouraging to hear from you and others that they felt better and more themselves as time went on! Thank you so much for that encouragement! It means a lot!

Hugs!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4629 days ago

Connie T posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry.. It was great to see your post & know you are doing better... I have been wondering how you were doing. I too still have memory issues, vertigo, ...Read more

Hi Sherry.. It was great to see your post & know you are doing better... I have been wondering how you were doing. I too still have memory issues, vertigo, dizziness etc...etc... I was sure hoping by now that would be all behind me...but......not all of us are so lucky. The neurologist I saw tried to tell me my vertigo dizziness & loss of sight in one eye (TIA) had NOTHING to do with my AVR!... Reading the many journals here I found others suffered from the same, but when I tried to tell him about this site and others experiences...he said \"I don\'t know what those people are feeding you\".....so you guessed it...I never went back to him! lol.... anyway...another doc said it could be 1 yr to 18 months before the memory issues are resolved....yikes...like you said ...it can be a little embarrassing....I am sure my two major surgeries in 1 year didn\'t help that cause....he states it was from the heart-lung machine...so until my 18 month anniversary....I guess I will try not to worry about it!.....thank goodness for this site....otherwise... I really would have thought I was losing it! Continue to keep your posts \"real\"....I am sure you have no clue how many you have helped along the way feel \"normal\"... Thinking of you! Connie T

Sherry Bradford So good to hear from you! I hope they are right and the memory gets better over time. Some posts on ... Read more

Sherry Bradford So good to hear from you! I hope they are right and the memory gets better over time. Some posts on other sites say pump brain can result in behavior changes that are similar to post traumatic stress: anger, depression, etc. but no studies are published that I can find. That's why I think the doc you had before was so unbelieving. They have to get over that as they are doing more of these surgeries earlier in the cycle of heart dysfunction in hopes of keeping the really bad symptoms from occurring. But that won't help if folk's have diminished quality of life. We have to keep telling them so hopefully some will hear and make things better. They have changed how slowly they warm us up after the operation in hopes that will help. But more needs to be explored.

I don't know what I would have done without this site and folks like you, Linda and others! It helps so much to come someplace where folks are experiencing the same things and can help with kind words and tips!

Hugs!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4629 days ago

Adam Pick posted a note for Sherry that says:

Hi Sherry, Great to hear you are feeling better!

Sherry Bradford Thank you, Adam! Hope you and your family are doing well. Appreciate all that you do to make this s ... Read more

Sherry Bradford Thank you, Adam! Hope you and your family are doing well. Appreciate all that you do to make this site available!!

Sherry Bradfordgot a new guestbook post

4648 days ago

Hey Sherry, Well said. You said some things in here that fit me to a T. Thank you, made me feel a litle better as I have been having some of the depression, ...Read more

Hey Sherry, Well said. You said some things in here that fit me to a T. Thank you, made me feel a litle better as I have been having some of the depression, and that is not me, but I am fighting it by myself. Guess its time for another little blog as I havent\'t done so for a little while. You take care. LInda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/1

Sherry Bradford Hugs my friend. One step at a time is all we have to take. The journey will take care of itself. I ... Read more

Sherry Bradford Hugs my friend. One step at a time is all we have to take. The journey will take care of itself. I hope some doctors and nurses read these posts so they gain a better understanding of what we go through. We are a huge research population and hopefully they will learn and keep finding ways to help us recover better and with more information. Take care and do post! Hugs again!