Guestbook of Steve Neal

My Guestbook

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1398 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Hi steve

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1435 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Hi steve ,
I hope you ‘re doing okay and managing to sleep a bit better .

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1457 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Great stuff steve

When I ‘m feeling a bit bothered / bit stressed my breathing becomes shallow chest breathing , rather than deep diaphragm breathing in... Read more

Great stuff steve

When I ‘m feeling a bit bothered / bit stressed my breathing becomes shallow chest breathing , rather than deep diaphragm breathing in through the nose and exhale through the mouth . Check your breathing . Simple but it can make a big difference & affect your pulse .

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1459 days ago

Steve Neal reacted to this

Martin Smith posted a note for Steve that says:

Hello Steve from a fellow heart valve patient in Canada. Wishing you strength as you negotiate the recent bumps in the road.

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1459 days ago

Steve Neal reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Steve , you ‘ve been through a huge life change .
you are doing really well .
We are all different to how we used to be pre finding out we had a heart... Read more

Steve , you ‘ve been through a huge life change .
you are doing really well .
We are all different to how we used to be pre finding out we had a heart valve condition /surgery , but we are all still here .
Well done

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1459 days ago

Deena Z, Holly Wale, Steve Neal reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Hi steve ,
It ‘s still very early days . You have had open heart surgery and covid . You will get back driving , but perhaps not quite as quickly as you ...Read more

Hi steve ,
It ‘s still very early days . You have had open heart surgery and covid . You will get back driving , but perhaps not quite as quickly as you as you hoped .
As different activities are increased , the chest can feel a bit sore , it ‘s worrying , frustrating and a bit scary . Suddenly life seems to have so many activities that involve pushing or pulling and that affects how the chest / sternum feels . Over time it changes again and you ‘ll be able to do lots more .
try sleeping on your back or right side , the noise will be quieter . Background sound distracts and helps too .
focus on what you can do , rather than what you can ‘t do . You are doing really well , be nice to yourself . One day at a time .

Steve Neal Thank you

think I'm just going through a dip over the past couple of days so only looking on the ne... Read more

Steve Neal Thank you

think I'm just going through a dip over the past couple of days so only looking on the negatives

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1468 days ago

Steve Neal reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Laughing " heartedly " will too !!!

damp kitchen roll over your nose will suppress a sneeze !!!

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1476 days ago

Adam Pick reacted to this

Ella posted a note for Steve that says:

So glad to hear your home I know how you feel it took me a While after I got home from my Valve Surgery To feel safe. Next week I will ...Read more

So glad to hear your home I know how you feel it took me a While after I got home from my Valve Surgery To feel safe. Next week I will celebrate 4 years After having my aortic valve replacement Just keep putting 1 FOOT in front of the other and soon you'll be saying you're celebrating 4 years

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1476 days ago

Heather Kelly posted a note for Steve that says:

So glad you made it home. Be confident that you are home because you have improved. It is a battle for sure and your are right about that little voice but remember ...Read more

So glad you made it home. Be confident that you are home because you have improved. It is a battle for sure and your are right about that little voice but remember you have to remind yourself that you will improve day by day. You are goi g to do fine and I will be praying for you. Keep us posted on progress. God bless. Heather Kelly

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1476 days ago

Barbara posted a note for Steve that says:

Congratulations, Steve, on your discharge, I had a similar course 10 months ago, with AVR followed by complete heart block and pacemaker placement and ...Read more

Congratulations, Steve, on your discharge, I had a similar course 10 months ago, with AVR followed by complete heart block and pacemaker placement and a small pericardial effusion. Fortunately for me it was small and did not require draining or extend my stay. I was home in 9 days, and now 10 months later, feel great! I was also somewhat afraid to go home. You will feel a little better and a little more secure every day, and then suddenly realize, that you feel better than before your surgery. Best of luck!

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1476 days ago

Adam Pick reacted to this

Camille G Martinez-Couperus posted a note for Steve that says:

Steve
i had my avr end of the year and My thoughts are with you. My advice is to take one day at a time. Time is now on your side. With each day you will ...Read more

Steve
i had my avr end of the year and My thoughts are with you. My advice is to take one day at a time. Time is now on your side. With each day you will begin getting stronger. I am just ending my cardio rehab and it has made a world of difference.
Prayers are with you on this journey.

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1477 days ago

Adam Pick reacted to this

Nancy Ridgeway posted a note for Steve that says:

Get strong, Steve. My aortic valve is doing great. Many years wished to you!

Adam Pick Ditto that Nancy!!! Go Steve! Go! (And, I absolutely love the you used our new photo upload picture... Read more

Adam Pick Ditto that Nancy!!! Go Steve! Go! (And, I absolutely love the you used our new photo upload picture to send Steve a smile!

)

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1477 days ago

Deena Z, Adam Pick reacted to this

Elise McCune www.elisemccune.com posted a note for Steve that says:

Hi Steve,
I had an aortic valve replaced twenty years ago (I was in my early fifties)and
all good. I too, heard my valve at first and my
nurse ...Read more

Hi Steve,
I had an aortic valve replaced twenty years ago (I was in my early fifties)and
all good. I too, heard my valve at first and my
nurse patient educator said 'look upon it as comforting, dear'
when I told her about it. After a short while you will
not even notice it. My grandchildren (when they were babies)
used to fall asleep on my chest easily and I'm sure this was because
them hearing my heart beat (perhaps they heard their mother's heart beat in the womb).

All the very best and we are so fortunate to live in the modern world and
have access to such wonderful medical care. The doctors are great plumbers!

Elise McCune Australia

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1477 days ago

Adam Pick, Rose Madura reacted to this

Ron Davis posted a note for Steve that says:

Steve,
I had my AVR done on Feb 3rd of last year.....SURPRISE...complete block too and after 4 days ended up with my Boston Scientific buddy. I had fluid ...Read more

Steve,
I had my AVR done on Feb 3rd of last year.....SURPRISE...complete block too and after 4 days ended up with my Boston Scientific buddy. I had fluid on my lungs as well and was in for 8 days. A year later,I feel my surgery to be a complete success and my pacemaker doesn't bother me one bit. We are blessed to have this second chance. You will be just fine, sir...

Adam Pick Ron, Thanks for sharing this very relatable story with Steve and our community.

I am so happy to h... Read more

Adam Pick Ron, Thanks for sharing this very relatable story with Steve and our community.

I am so happy to hear of your good health one year after your procedure!!!

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1477 days ago

Jeannie Sullivan posted a note for Steve that says:

Welcome home Steve! It sounded like a tough go. I had pericardial tamponade. No fun . We wish you great healing at home

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1477 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Hi steve , yay you ‘re home !

!!
it does feel a bit scary going home and starting life post surgery with a noise ticking away that you hadn't had before .... Read more

Hi steve , yay you ‘re home !

!!
it does feel a bit scary going home and starting life post surgery with a noise ticking away that you hadn't had before . It ‘s keeping us alive though , so that ‘s good .
sometimes I think of the valve sound as a little grandfather click ( ticking away !) , outside and when you're walking quickly it can sound like a little hammer on an anvil ! Sometimes , if I ‘m sat somewhere quiet with people near me that don't know me - I ‘ve had funny looks as though I ‘ve got a huge watch or I ‘m smuggling bombs !
I listen to the radio at night to mask the sound and at first post op slept slightly propped up on a sofa downstairs . Now 18 months down the line I tend to sleep almost flat or on my right have side ( it ‘s quieter !) . Eventually you will adjust to it but it will take time .
Be kind to yourself and just think what your body has been through and now you ‘re alive and life will go on . This wonderful community that adam started is here to support and help you too .

Martin Smith Happy days are on the way!

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1480 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Hi steve ,

I hope you ‘re doing okay .

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1483 days ago

Steve Neal reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Steve , you are doing really well .
There are so many ups and downs but things do start to improve slowly but surely .
Most of the time I now only need ...Read more

Steve , you are doing really well .
There are so many ups and downs but things do start to improve slowly but surely .
Most of the time I now only need monthly I n r checks , but it can take time and effort to work out how to balance everything out .
When I had my op I was in hospital for five weeks in total . Three in Halifax and then transferred to Leeds for two weeks . Going home will feel great but you might feel slightly apprehensive too . Be kind to yourself and pace yourself . When you get out of hospital , the fresh air will feel amazing !

Steve Neal Thank you, can’t wait to be out now 👍

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1491 days ago

Deena Z posted a note for Steve that says:

Hi Steve, thinking of you. Hope things are getting better!!! Take it day-by-day.

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1493 days ago

Holly Wale reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Steve , You are doing really well. I found intensive care very noisy , very loud and too bright but needs must ! Take things one day at a time . I found ...Read more

Steve , You are doing really well. I found intensive care very noisy , very loud and too bright but needs must ! Take things one day at a time . I found having a pad of paper and a pen helped me a lot, just writing little notes about that day / saying how i was feeling . I took a photo of my notes and sent this to friends and family - this saved having to keep texting them and stopped people worrying about me . Radio 4 and radio 5 overnight were really helpful too and audio books , Especially as there were no visitors allowed on the ward . Make sure you eat plenty of fruit and veg and start walking as soon as you can . When you have your first shower , this will make a big difference to how you feel ! Keep on going , you are doing really well.

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1498 days ago

Steve Neal, Andrew Dial reacted to this

Sandy Harvey posted a note for Steve that says:

Prayers for you tomorrow. You got this!

Praying for you tomorrow. May God bless you and your surgeon team. We will be here to welcome you int ... Read more

Praying for you tomorrow. May God bless you and your surgeon team. We will be here to welcome you into recovery. God bless you

Todd Hanson Wishing you the best today Steve!

Steve Nealgot a new guestbook post

1500 days ago

Holly Wale, Scott Kinghorn, Steve Neal reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Steve that says:

Good luck and best wishes for your operation on Friday Steve . I had a severely leaking mitral valve and had surgery in August 2020 . My surgery was urgent/emergency ...Read more

Good luck and best wishes for your operation on Friday Steve . I had a severely leaking mitral valve and had surgery in August 2020 . My surgery was urgent/emergency surgery at Leeds general infirmary . It was a surreal time , during all the covid pandemic and no visitors allowed . My husband and sons, we would text one another and meet at the ward door , when it was opened by the staff 😊. I have a st. Jude’s mitral valve and take warfarin . I got home a week post op . My youngest son is studying optometry in Bristol , it’s his first year . I have list that keeps growing in my head , of all the things I have been able to do post surgery . Life is precious and I nearly lost mine , so it ‘s important to be kind to yourself , pace yourself and do what you can , when you feel able to . Enjoy every day . You will be okay on Friday , it will make a big difference to how you are feeling now .