Emily's Photos

Susan Lynn  Emily- I'm so sorry to see you're in the hospital. We'll be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted. ❤

Mike Roskowinski  Hey Emily so sorry to see you back in the hospital. You have been through a lot with your heart at such a young age and still kicking butt running. Very big inspiration you are. Hope everything works out well and you get a clean bill of health. I just had OHS on May 6th so I am pretty new to this stuff. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers so you can get better and get back to living life again.

Janette Rehua  Hey there beautiful well this is a pickle what are you doing back in hospital😯 we cant have this !!! You are much too vibrant to be stuck in there so I am praying extra hard that you will soon feel much better have no pain and are back home again feeling better xxxx p.s how do you manage to look so pretty when you are not well?😂😕😆 big hugs girl take care ok xxx

Emily Rowley  Thank you all you beautiful Heart Brothers & Sisters for your well wishes, prayers and taking the time to see how I am, very much appreciated Susan, Mike, Gail, Kate, Petey, Jan, Linda. 😊🤗 I am home now thankfully 🏡 Yes, Linda I used my earphones whilist in Hospital to try sleep (I'd recommend it to everyone going onto Hospital!) 😴🏥🎧 Naww thanks Jan & Linda, I didn't feel like a beautiful lady in Hospital that's for sure. I will keep you all updated with any more news 📰 Unfortunately these Anti-Inflammatory Medication is making me very drowsy and I'm told I need to take them 2x day (morning & night) for them to reduce Inflammation of Chest Cartilage; Dr also told me to take it easy for 6 wks which is difficult, the meds are helping reduce my pain, first week felt like I just had a Sternum Surgety done which I know most of you will know what that feels like. Thank you Mike, I'm really happy to hear I am an inspiration to you. I will continue to get through this - your recovery is important too so please take it easy and know I am thinking of you (ps. Did you have a repair or replacement done?).

Bob Fessler  Emily....I remember you. Such a journey. Take it one day at a time. You will once again win. PS...I agree with Linda abt your hair. Gorgeous looking.

Emily Rowley  Yay you remember me Bob, naww thanks Bob for your compliment and yes I will continue to take it one day at a time. I hope all is well with you Bob, I'd like to hear how you've been. 😘

Trust me Linda when I say that photo was when my hair was looking okay - all my other photos and time in Hospital (especially as the days progressed & I only had body wash to wash my hair) my hair looked like a witch 🧙‍♀️ who had really oily hair. I actually juat got my hair done recently (I've gone darker colour like yours) and makes me feel better - what a difference simply girly things make us feel great again, more like us again! Strangely my skin in Hospital was really good - maybe all the rest +short cold showers without exfoliating my skin to shreds did wonders to help... 🤔 💁🏽‍♀️💇🏽‍♀️💆🏽‍♀️When I had OHS 2nd time I came out like I'd been at a Beauty Salon - I think they secretly spent alot of time doing my hair and face in the theatre haha 😂 shh 🤫🤭
Wow doesn't time fly, I hope you have been keeping in good health since Linda (I'll send a longer message on your page soon). 😘❤️

Robert Osmachenko  Sorry, just saw your post and have been off site for about 4 years. Why oh why? Please tell me all about it.

Emily Rowley  Thanks Bob 😁 Your fit it walking is very aspirational 🚶I don't always get up that high step count unlike you - keep up the great work!

Emily Rowley  Thanks Tracy. I was reading up on your amazing Rollarcoaster story, you too have completed long marathons (well done on your great achievement to be so proud of); I'm sorry you've endured having Ovarian Cancer. I'm here for you anytime you wish to speak xx

Emily Rowley  Thank you Ron 😊 I was trying to go for the Usain Bolt pose haha. I'm doing another Charity Fun Run in August. That run I did 20+ km although I walked most of it as I was too puffed out and exhausted, but I finished and had friends to support me throughout.

Sophia Ridley  Emily, you look wonderful! Have a look in your eye that tells you can conquer anything! Hope you had a lovely day.

Emily Rowley  Thank you for all your lovely compliments 😁 I had a really enjoyable time. It was freezing cold and windy that day.

Janette Rehua  WOW! You look just stunning girlfriend !! Gorgeous dress cant believe you wore no sleeves in the cold brrrrrr !

Emily Rowley  Aww thanks hun 😚 I had a thick lovely jacket I wore outside 👍🏼 I took it off for photos-some outside for the ceremony & lots more inside at the recption.

Emily Rowley  Thank you sweetie 💜 it's a very beautiful dress and heals, but I don't know if I will wear it again, well at least not in cold Winter. I wore a thick black jacket too. The wind was blowing along with my hair and dress lol.

Cheryle Bird  Emily, what an encouraging young woman you are. I've just read over most of your posts & each and everyone one has inspired me. It's great that you have opted to do this journey with such a positive approach. Brave Girl and you are not so far away from me. I'm heading into Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane on Tuesday 26th for tricuspid valve surgery. I was scheduled for the 20th but since I had a cough if it was agreed that I return next week. Whilst I am keen to get surgery behind me, I know it was a good call. Sending a virtual hug to you & praying for continued strength. Thx again for sharing.

Christine Oliva  Emily, You look very healthy. Great for what three or four months, would never know. Keep it up and it will only get better.

Janette Rehua  You look fabulous :) fit and healthy only those who know you would ever appreciate what you have gone through. To the eye of those who dont you look like a fit and strong young woman ~ thats the goal hun keep strong xx

Emily Rowley  Aww thank you all for your lovely messages. Wow Cheryl & Jan I feel so humble reading your message. I'm incredibly thankful to have the wonderful support from this heart community, my family & close friends. Wishing you well for your upcoming Operations, it is probably a good thing they have postponed your surgery to make sure everything goes to plan for you Cheryl-mine was postponed 3 times, hang in there & know we are thinking of you, I hope you are feeling better soon. I have my new glasses & heart bag my Mum bought me. I have alot of confidence in my new Cardiologist & place my faith in him along with my whole Surgical Team-He picked up something wasn't right before my Op. I hope by sharing I am to help others in a positive way, health does get better even if it may seem a long road ahead. Keep smiling 😊 There are good and not so good days like today being sick with the Gastro Bug but rehab helps-I feel the benefit. Know you are never alone. Love to you all and take care xx 💕

Emily Rowley  Naww thanks Joan :) I take that bag nearly everywhere I go now! My eyes are settling down when wearing my new glasses.

Joan Summers  Having your eyesight back to normal - or your new normal :-) is huge! Good for you for getting your new specs. You're doing great.

Emily Rowley  I still have been experiencing double vision and blurred vision-is this normal after OHS and what's it from? Good to hear from you Joan, take care 😊

Joan Summers  Emily, vision issues can have so many sources. Definitely check with your ophthalmologist. We are all still healing, so hopefully your vision issues will settle down. I will say some prayers that they do!

Emily Rowley  It was the yummiest non-dairy frappe I have ever had! I wish I lived there to get my frappe fix haha :P Theses are my new glasses and I had a haircut.

Emily Rowley  Naw thank you Tammy 😚 It feels good getting a simply hair trim+new glasses 👓 my eyesight has changed & now both eyes are the same which is great. Yummy 😋 What citrus drinks do you like? I wonder how they make it, I did ask but they wouldn't tell me-should be patient discount instead of Surgeon one, though they do work hard. I love fruit+vegetable juices, I've just discovered mandarin juice at the supermarket.
Ps. I also have a cheeky photo of me eating best chocolate cake that afternoon, it was huge-but I did share with my family 👪🍰🍫🍹🍺🍊🍑 which I might post?

Kate Watson  It's good to see this, so I can prep my family for how I will look. How are you feeling these days, Emily?

Emily Rowley  You're welcome 😊 For my first OHS (at a different Hospital) the Staff wouldn't let my family take photos of me In ICU-I really wanted to see what I looked like esp as I was preparing for my second OHS. Preparing your family is an excellent idea, I have heard it can be hard on some children. 👪 If there is anything I can do to help prepare please let me know. I'm feeling okay, better than how I did weeks ago thanks. It's not a quick fix and will take time. I hope you girls are travelling along okay. 💗 They even took video (be used for training purposes too) & photos of my heart with my chest open and beating, My Surgeon gave them to me on a flash drive to keep forever. Has anyone else had pics taken of surgery? 📹📷

Wanda Mroz  In my case I don't think anyone thought to do so since my surgery took longer than expected. Would have been interesting to see oneself! Heal on Emily! Hugs 💞

Emily Rowley  Before my Surgery, I asked "Will you be taking photo during my Surgery?", my Anaesthetist replied "Yeah I will take some and even a video". Normally that type of blood and organs would gross me out but it didn't, I actually found it quite interesting and my Surgeon explained the different parts that I was confused about. Naww many hugs in return Wanda <3 <3

Kate Watson  Wow, I can't imagine watching that video, I'd probably vomit :) That's pretty cool that you have it and found it interesting though!

Emily Rowley  I thought I would've vomited too, I couldn't last 5 seconds in my Science class when looking at an organ dissected without vomiting or in the blood bank without fainting. I even surprised myself, I'm becoming more tolerable of blood. If my scar isn't enough evidence already, well now I have glory pics+video. However it still doesn't feel like me when I view it.
Also bit of a warning the band that holds breathing tube in place (can see it in my other closer up photo above) can cause marking/crack on side of lips/mouth.

Kate Watson  Emily, I know that blood gas is a test they use to measure the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity of blood.

Emily Rowley  Thank you Kate, that is really helpful! 😊 Does it come in the form of some machine? I'm guessing it's more advance than testing oxygen saturation through finger machine... It came up on my bill for Intensive Care to pay for rounds of Blood Gas. 💉

Kate Watson  As far as I know, it's just a blood test, Emily. I used to see those test results all the time when I worked as a dietitian in the ICU/CCU. Kinda weird that they separated it the bill for that from other blood work, but maybe it's more expensive than others, not sure on that part!

Emily Rowley  Yeah it wasn't on the blood test bill but ICU bill. It's all so expensive-adds up! I know I was hooked to a million machines to keep me alive in ICU.

W. Carter  Love the new pic. God bless and good luck with your surgery. You will be twice as good in a few months!

Whitney Nelson  Beautiful picture Emily! Good luck on your upcoming surgery! I will be praying praying and praying for a successful surgery and smooth recovery! I can't wait to hear from you once you are on the other side!

Sophia Ridley  Everyone is walking with you on this. You've very well prepared, you have fantastic support with you and the best surgeon available. Be thinking of you.

Emily Rowley  Thank you Laura.
I love wearing scarfs. I try find ones that match my outfits and natural materials or handmade. I love the way they feel 😊
Also if you look closely you might be able to see my barely visible Post-Surgery scar from 5yrs ago. My Surgeon will be going through the same incision.