Steven's Guestbook

Steven - Reading through your Journal, you are a Real inspiration and someone to look up too on healing in so little time, thank you again for helping me get some of my Anxiety is a little bit more leveled off. Don’t get me wrong this A type personality Guy still is deep down scared for tomorrow but I can get through this! Thank you!

THANK YOU Steven! I found your journal very encouraging! Weeding already at just 2 weeks? Are you bending over or is it a raised bed? Did your surgeon suggest the mini Sternotomy? Was it robotic assist? I have not seen any posts that mentioned it, and not a lot on the internet. Just enough to get my interest, could it be not for everybody? I do have a lot of questions. Will meet surgeon on May 10th.

Best of luck today!! I'm 25 days post op. Had my aortic valve replaced and my ascending aorta replaced in Lewiston, Maine at CMMC by Dr Paul Welder. I feel fantastic, walking 2 miles every day. Driving again, sleeping well. I'm waiting patiently for the green light on April 27th to return to whatever I was doing pre-op (my sternum should be fully healed on that date!!). Hang in there, you'll be fine!

Hi Steven, I just wanted to wish you all the best for today and a speedy recovery. My partner had his valve replacement surgery today and he is now in ICU and the breathing tube came out around 6pm. I live in Singapore so although you have the same surgery date as my partner, I’m about 12 to 16hours ahead!

Hey Steve. Wishing you well. You have a positive attitude and strength to get through the surgery and to recover 100%. Thank you for being an inspiration to the community. Your 2018 vegetable garden will be one for the record books!!!!

Hi Seven, Sending you a special note to my "OHS twin" wishing you all the best on Tuesday. I'm from the Boston area and you are for sure in a great hospital, you're in great hands. If I was back home in Lowell that's the place I'd want to be. Will you see you on the other side of recovery.

Hi Steven, Your surgery is right around the corner and based on your posts you seem to be as ready as you could be. This community is so supportive and it really helps with easing the stress. Thank you for reaching out and I look forward to hearing about your uneventful, full and successful recovery. Are you going mechanical or tissue?

Steven - I suggest taking pajama pants and a robe to the hospital. I was provided with everything I needed, including the socks with the rubber bottoms. I couldn't wait to start walking around and was out of bed as soon as the tubes were out on day 2. I would also recommend getting a shower chair for your recovery at home - they're fairly inexpensive on Amazon. I bought one and, although I didn't have to use it, I felt more confident taking a shower knowing it was there. While I had exceptional care givers (my husband and twin sister), I didn't want either one of them to have to help me with routine tasks. My energy returned pretty quickly, but initially, you may feel a little tired during or after a shower. Best of luck - stay positive. The worst part is waiting for the big day! You'll be fine once you've joined the rest of us in recovery.

Hi Steve, I live up in Maine I just had open heart surgery to replace my mitral valve and an SVG graft. I guess my days of flying single engine are over. My doctors do not me being a pilot in command of a small plane. your thoughts.