Susan's Guestbook

Susan Jones  Hi everyone.   I know I’ve been absent from this site for a while.  I’m feeling so much better.  Dealing with my heart last month has totally changed my whole outlook. New cardiologist is wonderful.  Echo scheduled in May.   He’s hoping my ejection fraction will improve. My blood pressure has been rather low.  Not where it used to be.  But I’m still feeling best I’ve felt in a long time. Just realized I can’t go and do like I did 5 years ago.  Stress was killing me.   At least my valve doesn’t look worse and aneurysm hasn’t grown. The weather in central PA is starting to change so I can start walking outside again.  Change my whole outlook. Getting ready for kidney surgery 3/20.  Small mass on kidney growing that was seen during CT scan for heart and confirmed with MRI. Chances are it’s cancer but surgery should remove all.  Small mass but I have enough hanging over me. Ready to fix this problem at least.   Very positive God will give me strength to deal with what ever comes next. These experiences are removing a lot of the fear of unknowns that when my time comes for heart surgery I’ll be strong enough to handle what ever comes my way.  Keeping positive 😊   With everything going on this year I’ve learned I can only deal with what’s at hand now and the future will take care of itself.  To paraphrase Corrie ten Boom- I can’t carry tomorrow’s worry with today’s strength.  That’s two days at once.  Thanks for checking in.  Happy St Patty’s day 🍀

Grace Mason   So glad you are feeling better! I will say a prayer for your successful kidney surgery. I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with so much. You are strong and can handle this, as u said, one day at a time

Susan Lynn  That's the spirit, Susan! You're stronger than you know! Best of luck with your upcoming surgery. Please keep us posted!

Susan Jones  Thanks for everyone's love and concern. Diagnosed with coronary microvascular disease. Appointment with new cardiologist next week. Pcp visit yesterday. Went well. All things considered. I think my personal biggest challenge is stress management. That and learning to be gracious about accepting help. Dealing with new heart issue with meds. Going back to work today. Actually looking forward to it. Miss my friends and feeling useful. Have to quit complaining about how old I feel and learn to live my best life. We’ll see what next week’s cardio visit brings.

Susan Lynn  Susan - Glad you're headed back to work. Stress can be all consuming - work can be a good diversion. Trust your cardiologist and keep looking ahead. You can do this!

Greg Lewis  Oh good! Glad you're OK. Sorry,  didn't see your post. Good luck with your new cardiologist.  Your words about working are inspiring. Thanks! 

Susan Jones  Thanks for everyone's concern and well wishes I am back home. Another cardiac cath with great results. No bypass needed. No stents or balloons either. New meds to control my heart beat that tends to race. Good news is with new echo my aneurysm hasn't grown. Geisinger couldn't have been a better place to be! Their team approach is so comforting. All the physicians work together. Dr Robert Anderson was my contact cardiologist and he was the best!! God has been so good to me. I know there are challenging times ahead but some of my fear is gone. This was my the first ambulance ride and overnight in hospital. It was hard without my husband there with me but I guess I am stronger than I think. Love you guys. Can always turn here for support. THANKS.

Klara Čičić  That sounds great! Sometime we're not aware how strong we are indeed. I am glad everything is fine. 

Susan Lynn  Susan - That's such great news! I'm glad you received great care at Geisinger and a good report! I'm sure you were frightened, but you did it! Wishing you continued good health.

Susan Jones  Thanks for your kind words.  I’ll try to draw on everyone’s strength.  I’m in such a dark purgatory.  Praying and working on getting more positive.  Just feel a big part of me will be gone and not sure what will be replacing it.  I hate the unknown and am having a very hard time

Ed Eller  Susan, I can echo  J H's encouragement. I'm only 3 weeks post full sternotomy but am doing very well with no complications and no pain. I'm focused on recovering and I'm following the guidelines of the doctors, nurses and PT folks who are caring for me. It's working for me.  The pre-surgery worry was worse than the healing.

J H Mattingly  Susan...a big part of you will not be gone.  The part that is giving you some issues will be fixed and you can move on knowing its good now!  The unknown is what its going to feel like, etc.  Just know, the surgery will be over in the blink of an eye and when you are on the other side...you know its over and you are on your way to healing and getting back to your normal self.  You got this!!!!!!!!!!   

Susan Jones  Thank you Ruth. Having such a hard time with the unknown.  Don’t know how I can do this for possibly years.  But I will do it for my fur-babies  

Susan Jones  Thank you Ruth. We knew my aortic valve was as an issue and had adjusted to what the future held. Just overwhelmed. Tomorrow will be a better day. I knew I'd find support here.

Susan Jones  Right back at ya with a healing hug. I appreciate the pep talk.  I really have work on handling the anxiety better.  

Yvonne Deane  I understand Susan! I have the same...we'll just keep walking together on this journey. Big healing hugs to you!

Susan Jones  Thanks for your kind words Timothy.  It’s been a whirlwind since March.  I keep reading and educating myself.  The unknown is scary. Felt so out of control.  Learning to take a deep breath and just breathe. Have a good day   God bless to you too.