tina's Guestbook

tina fluhrer  Thank you Tammy. His wife called our mom this morning and they had him in the big chair. His wife washed him up today. she said he is in better spirits today and off all the medications except tylonal. They were waiting any minute to go to the achiograma and echogardiogram testing to see if they can find the problem. The word "problem" is new for me to process because I have settled with "challenge" ~ I know challenge and complications..... but what direction will problem go. Last night when she was told they would change rooms and then 15 minutes later said he would be staying. She had her first melt down. The night must have been stable and we are waiting to hear any time if the problem is found!!!!!!!! it is a roller coaster because right at this moment I am calm because of the report of his good spirits today and no iv drugs...... that is all I know till I get the next update....................... I have done a bunch of reading up on journal updates. (stomach flu is at my house with youngest son Logan and my husband Lloyd) I need to work a bit, good things PRAISE GOD my week is SUPER SUPER SLOW WITH NOT ONE EMAIL COMING MY WAY TO PROCESS! That is a praise report because I am tired with this week. :)

Tammy Pilcher  Thanks, Tina, for the update. It sounds good that he's in good spirits and able to just take Tylenol already. I hope after his tests you'll get a good update! I hope your son and husband feel better soon too! Stomach flu can be rough when it sweeps through the whole family. Keeping you all in prayer, Tammy

tina fluhrer  thank you Tammy, I received a tad bit of news, all I know is that the test showed no blockage and he will not need a stint. They will adjust his medication. His wife said he was still out of the room and being wheeled back to icu room. She will call again when he is in his room....................... I call this good news and hope to get a good report on his spirits again too. Its been a roller coaster of calm and not, calm and not. :) I will love to report he is moving to the step down room. We will see. I am not at all worried if he isn't moved I loved Sinta;s perspective. That this is just a window in time. and its best to be slow and steady. I will report back pretty soon.

Nancy D  Slow and steady and monitored closely until everyone is satisfied that he is doing well. Good news that it isn't a blockage needing any intervention. Praying this issue will resolve quickly, and his spirits stay high!

tina fluhrer  YES! Good news>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> YA ALL............he is in his step down room. ~ He texted me from his own phone that he is doing good! I rest easy ~Thank you so much Nancy, Bob Tammy.......... all of you all who bring encouragement to this site. Everyone on this site CARES. Its the best "Caring" I have ever witnessed!

tina fluhrer  Yes Nancy.........I loved how you said no recovery is flawless. That helped so much. and I read so many journal entries that I was able to see the big template of recovery. I needed that. He reached through Bob! :)

Bob M  Your love for your brother is absolutely awesome! With you on Joe's heart team, his recovery will be perfect! You are awesome!

Lori Beuerlein  Tina, joe is a lucky man to have you as a sister! Thanks for the update. Tell him his heart brothers and sisters are thinking about him!

tina fluhrer  Thank you so much. I am worried about him. The day or two after is intense. They are looking at him closely to regulate heart rate and blood. He made
his first steps today with the therapist. I am so worried about surgery complications now...........ugh....sigh.........

Nancy D  No recovery is flawless. The heart is trying to recover from surgery, and can be easily irritated, and have some normal post op swelling around the wound. Staying one more night in ICU is where he apparently needs to be for now, but hopefully will go to his room soon. I call these speed bumps in the road to recovery. Shouldn't affect the overall success of his healing and recovery, but he is in excellent hands. I developed A-Fib on the 3rd post op day, which is fairly common after mitral valve surgery or so I was told. They adjust meds until the heart is less irritable and your brother should be fine. Think positive thoughts, as we will for him, and I am sending prayers his way and for the concerned family. He is lucky to have so many care about him. Hang in there, it will get easier.

tina fluhrer  oh Nancy, your words are calming. thank you so much, I needed to hear this. Its so hard to see my big brother down and out like this. This is hard stuff. I see the progress he is making and it pains me that you all have to have gone through an intense recovery from heart surgery. Thank you Nancy!

tina fluhrer  Thank you Lori :) I look forward to telling him all about how you all helped me through his first week of recovery.................................... His wife is by his side 24/7. sleeping in the small recliner when she can..... she is doing so well......

Nancy D  He will recover well with the support he has!!! Remind him of the progress he is making and to celebrate the little steps, because those add up and are more frequent than the big steps!! Some days he won't feel like he is progressing but you supporters can remind him from where he came! He will need lots of rest, your body just needs it initially, even though you want to visit or walk or do something productive he will have to rest. But, soon he will be better than before surgery! Take good care! and try to stay positive!

tina fluhrer  Thank you Tammy. Wow.....I am so happy this is behind you. I will show Joe your success story. THANK YOU for reaching out. This is a tough journey for us......thank you so much......God Bless you Tammy.

Tammy Pilcher  You're very welcome! I too have a sweet sister named Tina that was one of my biggest cheerleaders and helpers! Your brother is blessed to have you on his team!

tina fluhrer  ;) I am amazed at how intense leading to surgery is. This site is so wonderful. I will be keeping you all posted.

tina fluhrer  Thank you Adam! Joe Cresswell also just signed into the community just 15 minutes ago. My brother bought your book early last year and has been following you on Youtube. His surgery is Monday! WE ARE NERVOUS! YOU have been his biggest resource. THANKYOU!

tina fluhrer  Hi Joseph, Joe is in day 2 post op. He shaved. He walked. He is doing well as can be expected. They were going to move him out of ice and then moments later after looking at the final echocardiogram, found a concern with his heart beat. Trying to stable with meds, if that does not work a stint......... I accept challenges, but worry so much about complications............This is intense. How did you feel the first week? and how did you do/feel? any challenges on for you?