Guestbook of Thomas Smeal

My Guestbook

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4670 days ago

Hi.....I hope you\'re still monitoring this site. Every time I see a bike team on the road I just wonder when you can start riding again. And I\'m sure you ...Read more

Hi.....I hope you\'re still monitoring this site. Every time I see a bike team on the road I just wonder when you can start riding again. And I\'m sure you have it timed down to the exact day, hour , minute Get peddaling, cuz!.

Thomas Smeal I am permitted to bike ride and hike the hills but they want me to wear my heart rate monitor to keep ... Read more

Thomas Smeal I am permitted to bike ride and hike the hills but they want me to wear my heart rate monitor to keep my rate at 140 bpm max....dammit! We just returned from our business conference in Florida so I'm anxious to get back in the saddle before the cold weather get here.

Keep an eye on that Sal guy and take good care of yourself cuz. See you in November.

Tom

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4729 days ago

I\'m back in the saddle as of last Saturday and today! I spoke with a Cleve. Clinic cardiology department nurse practitioner a few days ago and she said to ...Read more

I\'m back in the saddle as of last Saturday and today! I spoke with a Cleve. Clinic cardiology department nurse practitioner a few days ago and she said to speak with the experts at my 3-times a week therapy sessions and devise a work-out plan (biking & hiking between therapy days). Boy was that a good idea. I was given some heart rate parameters to work with on my own. I\'m now starting a biking and hill-hiking regiment using my heart rate monitor to keep in range. I\'m stil on a drug to keep my heart rate and blood pressure down since my heart is still beating high 80s at rest. This is normal and could last 3,6,9 or 12 months but shouldn\'t hold me back from getting back in shape. After this weekend I\'m going to start playing sand volleyball again, nurse said my manly chest is healed enough for this type of activity now. Other than that, \'anxious\' is the understatement of the CENTURY! Tom

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4730 days ago

So, I\'m just wondering how you\'re new ticker is treating you. You must be anxious to get back on the bike. Each time I see a line of cyclists on the road ...Read more

So, I\'m just wondering how you\'re new ticker is treating you. You must be anxious to get back on the bike. Each time I see a line of cyclists on the road I think of you. Huff huff.... Sweat sweat....

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4748 days ago

Hi Tom, It is good to know you are healing with such a good sense of humor! Keep going. God bless, Renee

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4752 days ago

HI.......You can do it! Will you bike to Aunt June\'s house on Thanksgiving? That, I\'d like to see!

Thomas Smeal I should be ready by then for sure! It's only 11 miles or so through the Metroparks. As long as it is ... Read more

Thomas Smeal I should be ready by then for sure! It's only 11 miles or so through the Metroparks. As long as it isn't snowing.

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4753 days ago

Hi cuz. Wow, that\'s quite a moniker for a part bovine heart. Bet you can\'t say that five times quickly without getting tongue tied. Every time I see ...Read more

Hi cuz. Wow, that\'s quite a moniker for a part bovine heart. Bet you can\'t say that five times quickly without getting tongue tied. Every time I see a cyclist on the road I think of you. Carolyn

Thomas Smeal I think I'll try to shorten my St. Jude Medical Trifecta Pericardial Bovine Heart Valve bioprosthesis ... Read more

Thomas Smeal I think I'll try to shorten my St. Jude Medical Trifecta Pericardial Bovine Heart Valve bioprosthesis #25 to 'SJMTPBHVB#25'. Darn, I'll never be able to remember that either!

When I see a real bicyclist on the road I use cuss words to lament and whine about my condition. I'm still not allowed to ride any of my fabulously smooth, full carbon-fiber bikes because doing so will put pressure on my healing chest bone.

Thanks for the note Carolyn, take care of yourself and say hi to Sal for us. We are always thinking of you guys.

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4757 days ago

Tom, One step closer to a healthy heart! Give my best to Dr. Pettersson. He is an amazing guy. Did you know about the book he wrote? Keep on tickin! Adam ...Read more

Tom, One step closer to a healthy heart! Give my best to Dr. Pettersson. He is an amazing guy. Did you know about the book he wrote? Keep on tickin! Adam Pick

Thomas Smeal Thanks Adam. If I ever see Dr. Petteson again I'll mention you.

At this point I only see his Cardia ... Read more

Thomas Smeal Thanks Adam. If I ever see Dr. Petteson again I'll mention you.

At this point I only see his Cardiac Nurse Practioner Sharon David. Her 1000% knowledge of my surgery and condition are quite amazing so I have nothing to worry about during my recovery.

Tom

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4758 days ago

Hi Tom, I had two valves repaired last October and have artificial rings in both. I was also given cards with ID numbers and told to check before having an ...Read more

Hi Tom, I had two valves repaired last October and have artificial rings in both. I was also given cards with ID numbers and told to check before having an MRI. I had to get an MRI on my shoulder in May (due to rotator cuffs being torn during heart surgery!) and I was told by the makers of my rings that it was okay for the MRI. Guess we each need to check with the makers of our spare parts before we have medical procedures done. Cheers! Deb Z

Thomas Smeal Just great! And yet another thing to remember. (LOL) At least MRIs are ok for us, and especially in ... Read more

Thomas Smeal Just great! And yet another thing to remember. (LOL) At least MRIs are ok for us, and especially in your case. How in the world did your rotator cuffs get torn during heart surgery, yikes!

What if there's a recall???? I gotta stop thinking about it.

Cheers to you Deb Z,

Tom

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4766 days ago

Good for you Tom! push yourself, but in doing so you are in a safe place to do it. Hopefully this will help to get your resting heart rate a little lower. ...Read more

Good for you Tom! push yourself, but in doing so you are in a safe place to do it. Hopefully this will help to get your resting heart rate a little lower. It took several months to get my heart rate back down to \"normal\". Healing the heart takes a while, even if we feel perfectly fine!!! Holly P

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4766 days ago

Yeah, push it as much as they\'ll let you. I did intervals on the treadmill & elliptical to keep it interesting. -- DVB

Thomas Smeal Interesting, I'll have to ask the therapists if and when I can do that. Intervals would definitely im ... Read more

Thomas Smeal Interesting, I'll have to ask the therapists if and when I can do that. Intervals would definitely improve the quality of the workout and make it very challenging! Time to start googling treadmill workout routines!

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4767 days ago

Rehab is one of the things that I am looking forward to. I have spent a lot of time on treadmills and stationary bikes. It is all about having a goal, the ...Read more

Rehab is one of the things that I am looking forward to. I have spent a lot of time on treadmills and stationary bikes. It is all about having a goal, the right music and the ability to get lost in thought. I am glad to here everything is go good for you. Dave

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4767 days ago

Hi, Aunt June said y\'all had a nice 4th of July and that she wouldn\'t let you do any heavy lifting. I guess that was Rick\'s job.

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4775 days ago

Hi Tom, It looks like you are healing well. I am so happy for you and Donna. God bless, Renee

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4776 days ago

Hi Tom, Can you believe you stomped up and down some high peaks in Colorado with not only one bad valve, but two! You are in good shape and will no doubt recover ...Read more

Hi Tom, Can you believe you stomped up and down some high peaks in Colorado with not only one bad valve, but two! You are in good shape and will no doubt recover nicely - given time. I can empathize with your impatience as I too am impatient when it comes down to limiting my activity. Looking forward to seeing you back in CO next summer. Take advantage of the heat this summer, follow your Dr.\'s orders to balance activity with rest and stay cool. Tammie

Thomas Smeal Thanks Tammie,

I'm finding that this is the issue:

�Is it hard?' Not if you have the right attitude ... Read more

Thomas Smeal Thanks Tammie,

I'm finding that this is the issue:

�Is it hard?' Not if you have the right attitudes. Its having the right attitudes thats hard.� ? Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4777 days ago

Hi Thomas... Great news on your recovery! Driving again....wow...independence once more! :) My surgery is July 17 at CC & posts like yours have certainly brought ...Read more

Hi Thomas... Great news on your recovery! Driving again....wow...independence once more! :) My surgery is July 17 at CC & posts like yours have certainly brought peace, to what I am sure, would have been pure hysteria! Although I know, it is not the way I would like to repeat my summer vacation...I am confident I can climb this mountain...and come out better on the other side, both physically & mentally. On behalf of all newbies.....thanks for sharing....it helps sooooo much! Continued Success! Connie T

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4777 days ago

You\'re gonna like rehab. Own it. -- DVB

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4781 days ago

Boy, I wish I was home so I could give it to you in p erson........just kidding, younger cuz. I\'m sincerely impressed at your attitude. You\'ll be back in ...Read more

Boy, I wish I was home so I could give it to you in p erson........just kidding, younger cuz. I\'m sincerely impressed at your attitude. You\'ll be back in great form before you know it. Carolyn

Thomas Smeal GREAT NEWS!!!

I can now SNEEZE without excruciating pain....ain't that just wonderful? This recovery ... Read more

Thomas Smeal GREAT NEWS!!!

I can now SNEEZE without excruciating pain....ain't that just wonderful? This recovery period is so exciting....soon I'll be able to carry the vacuum cleaner upstairs to finish my really exciting weekly chores!

I meet with my Cardiologist Thursday to see if I am healed enough for cardiac therapy....be still my racing heart.

Patience is a virtue? I'll have to think about that.

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4788 days ago

Tom, Since you are only permitted to lift a max of 10lbs, how many calories can you lift with one hand? Dave

Thomas Smeal Speaking of calories...I have found the perfect food/exercise combo - a milkshake with a straw! They ... Read more

Thomas Smeal Speaking of calories...I have found the perfect food/exercise combo - a milkshake with a straw! They want me to daily breath in and out of what's called an 'Incentive Spirometer' device they gave me (keeping the lungs clear this way prevents infection). By consuming a thick milkshake through a straw I really exercise my lungs well while consuming mass quantities of calories!!!.

It appears that most of the calories I consume are relegated to healing my sliced and diced heart muscle and aorta, hence I'm almost always feeling tired. I can't wait to be back on the off-trail hills in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park with you so I can suffer a lot more!!!

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4788 days ago

Since the staples are stainless steel, refrigerator magnets won\'t work. But Martha Stewart says that we can simply use Christmas ornament hooks, just make ...Read more

Since the staples are stainless steel, refrigerator magnets won\'t work. But Martha Stewart says that we can simply use Christmas ornament hooks, just make sure that you clean them first. Get well soon. Dave Tobiasz

Thomas Smeal Ha!

I was able to wash the car this morning and I only felt faint twice. Of course I'm not allowed t ... Read more

Thomas Smeal Ha!

I was able to wash the car this morning and I only felt faint twice. Of course I'm not allowed to drive for another couple weeks....something about air bags deploying and causing my partially healed sternum to explode!

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4792 days ago

Sounds like all\'s well and am very happy for you!!!! Stop whining to the nurses they hate that ( only kidding) Hope to see you as soon as you are up and about.... ...Read more

Sounds like all\'s well and am very happy for you!!!! Stop whining to the nurses they hate that ( only kidding) Hope to see you as soon as you are up and about.... you always make me smile!!! Love ,Patty...Tom

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4797 days ago

So glad to hear all went well with your surgery - will pray for a speedy recovery for you. Take care and God bless! Denise kirchner MV Repair 05/29/12

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4799 days ago

My thoughts are always with you for a healthy, painless recovery. Love always, Aunt June

Thomas Smeal Thanks June, glad to see you found me.

Tom & Donna

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4800 days ago

Russell and I are glad to hear your surgery went well! Looking forward to you coming for another \"Southern\" visit! Much love to you and Donna. Debra and ...Read more

Russell and I are glad to hear your surgery went well! Looking forward to you coming for another \"Southern\" visit! Much love to you and Donna. Debra and Russell

Thomas Smeal Thanks Debra, now its just a long time until I'm fully recovered. And its really nice to be home.

Thomas Smealgot a new guestbook post

4802 days ago

Good for you Tom! You made it and can focus on healing and recovery. It\'s going to be tough at first, but each day will get better. You\'ll probably experience ...Read more

Good for you Tom! You made it and can focus on healing and recovery. It\'s going to be tough at first, but each day will get better. You\'ll probably experience several bumps along the way, but pay attention to your body and don\'t be afraid to ask questions! Use your spirometer!!! Take care. Holly P