Patient Pictures of Leona Resch

My Photos

753 days ago

Pamela Gregory, Susan Lynn, Grace Mason and 1 other reacted to this

Hi Everyone! It's been quite awhile since I've posted anything as life surely has kept me busy . I thought I'd relay a happy story of the silver lining in my ...Read more

Hi Everyone! It's been quite awhile since I've posted anything as life surely has kept me busy . I thought I'd relay a happy story of the silver lining in my surgical journey! Today is a special day for me as it is my friend, Amy Berger's one year heartiversary! We met on this website over a year ago after I had my surgery / this past Dec. 20th was my one year out!! The support (and laughter!) we had for each other through our recoveries was one of the greatest blessings of my life! We are both doing well and have remained good friends! Hearing her voice today just made me smile when I think of what a difference a year can make!! Here is a picture of us when we visited her and her husband last summer in Rhode Island! We are planning on another get together in March! Can't wait to see my good friend again!! There is so much life to live after surgery'. There's no other words to describe me before surgery than I was a complete wreck. My wish is that those of you going through the anxiety before can maybe find some comfort and hope after reading this!❤️❤️❤️

Melinda Donahue so wonderful...

Rose Madura What a great post and story! So glad you both are doing well. You all look very happy in the picture! ... Read more

Rose Madura What a great post and story! So glad you both are doing well. You all look very happy in the picture! 👍❤️‍🩹

Valerie Allen I second that, what an encouraging post for those of us still in the waiting room! Glad you two found ... Read more

Valerie Allen I second that, what an encouraging post for those of us still in the waiting room! Glad you two found a great friendship! Thanks from another (originally) Jersey girl.

Amy Berger Love that you posted this and ditto everything you said!! So excited to be creating new great memorie ... Read more

Amy Berger Love that you posted this and ditto everything you said!! So excited to be creating new great memories together. As our surgeries go further in the rear view mirror, we will always have a shared bond that only people who have gone through this will understand. Here's to many years of friendship to come!!

Daneen Douglas That is wonderful and so encouraging!

Ana Brusso Congratulations to both Amy and Leona. 🙏❤️

Sue Maize Wow! Love this! What a wonderful connection. God bless you both! 💕🙌🏻

Klara Čičić Wonderful!!!

Wishing you all the best!

Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary to you and Amy!! I love the photo!! Wishing you many, many decades of good healt... Read more

Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary to you and Amy!! I love the photo!! Wishing you many, many decades of good health, future celebrations, and beach vacations!

Leona Resch

1096 days ago

Timothy Andre, Grace Mason , Brady Busch and 3 others reacted to this

Yesterday, on Valentine’s Day, my husband and I also celebrated my 8 week post op aortic valve replacement- how appropriate!! This is us out for one of our ...Read more

Yesterday, on Valentine’s Day, my husband and I also celebrated my 8 week post op aortic valve replacement- how appropriate!! This is us out for one of our daily walks and we’ve been blessed with some warmer days here in NJ ! I’m up to 2-3 miles a day and feeling good!! I wanted to thank all the incredibly supportive people from this wonderful heart warrior group! With all of you cheering me on and the support of family and friends I’m amazed how I am truly progressing and getting through this! I’ve learned to give myself some grace when I am tired and embrace and enjoy the days I feel more energetic! Feeling so grateful and blessed to be at this point in my recovery . For those of you anticipating surgery , you can do this too! ❤️

Timothy Andre Wonderful post and lovely photo Leona. That's great that you are progressing well. Congrats on 8 wee... Read more

Timothy Andre Wonderful post and lovely photo Leona. That's great that you are progressing well. Congrats on 8 weeks. May your recovery continue in a positive direction. God bless you

Amy Berger

Grace Mason Congrats on your 8 week date. You look great and so does the weather!

Ana Brusso Great picture and recovery Leona, walking 2 to 3 miles a day is amazing. Continued good health and Go ... Read more

Ana Brusso Great picture and recovery Leona, walking 2 to 3 miles a day is amazing. Continued good health and God bless you both. Great smiles 😁

Rose Madura You are doing wonderfully! You look marvelous too. Both of your smiles says a lot. Congratulations in ... Read more

Rose Madura You are doing wonderfully! You look marvelous too. Both of your smiles says a lot. Congratulations in 8 weeks into your new heart. Happy you are doing so well.

Klara Čičić Lovely photo, radiates love! Continued good recovery! :)

Susan Lynn Lovely photo! What a difference 8 weeks can make!! Glad you're doing so well, Leona!

Pamela Gregory Beautiful photo! Congratulations!!!

Angela Meletiadis Congratulations, Leona!! You both look great!

Deena Z Congrats! That’s great progress. Going strong!

Robert Miller Congrats! It sounds like you are doing well. Keep up the good work with those walks. And yes, take it ... Read more

Robert Miller Congrats! It sounds like you are doing well. Keep up the good work with those walks. And yes, take it easy. After 3 weeks I spent about 1.5 days taking Christmas lights, decorations and the inside Christmas tree down and that was not such a good idea... Increase it steadily and listen to your body. Btw, I was also 2 months post surgery on Valentine's Day!

Leona Resch Thank you so much everyone! Feels so good to actually start thinking about the things I’d like to d ... Read more

Leona Resch Thank you so much everyone! Feels so good to actually start thinking about the things I’d like to do in the future and not always worrying. I thought my anxiety would be gone when I first came home but it took awhile to relax a bit and have faith in my recovery process. I’m praying I continue to do well and try to start to enjoy all the things I did before! I’ve learned not to push too hard- I hear you Robert!- been there done that ! - and not overdo it on those days when I feeling more energetic! And congrats on your two months out too Robert!! Never thought I could face this surgery and get to this point. Still hard to believe sometimes all that has happened. The support of this group is amazing! You have all been such an inspiration to me!! Bless all of you and wishing you all smooth recoveries and good health! Yay to all of us heart warriors!! ❤️👏👏👏

Leona Resch

1151 days ago

Deb Fisher, Brady Busch, Patsy Stewart and 5 others reacted to this

Hi Everyone ! It’s three days out from surgery and Im starting to feel like I’m turning a corner and starting to improve! The worst part was truly the days ...Read more

Hi Everyone ! It’s three days out from surgery and Im starting to feel like I’m turning a corner and starting to improve! The worst part was truly the days leading up to surgery. The anxiety was enormous. I almost left the hospital the night before! Here is a picture of me day three/ certainly not the prettiest but the happiest- my new lease on life! Anyone having upcoming surgery, you can do this !!!! Don’t let your fear overtake you like I did and when you feel if, remind yourself of all the wonderful health care providers to help you get through this ! They are awesome!’

Deb Fisher So good to have it behind you- when will you get discharged?

Ana Brusso Congratulations Leona, welcome to recovery. Continued good health and stay in touch. Merry Christmas ... Read more

Ana Brusso Congratulations Leona, welcome to recovery. Continued good health and stay in touch. Merry Christmas and God bless you 🙏❤️🎅🏼🎄👍

Leona Resch Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope to be discharged by beginning of next week’ I don’t care that I’ ... Read more

Leona Resch Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope to be discharged by beginning of next week’ I don’t care that I’ll probably be in the hospital for Christmas- best present ever!!!!

Klara Čičić Oh Leona I am so glad for you. Congratulations on a successful surgery! May your recovery be as smoot ... Read more

Klara Čičić Oh Leona I am so glad for you. Congratulations on a successful surgery! May your recovery be as smooth as possible! Well done, heart warrior!

Patsy Stewart Leona, you look fabulous! That smile says it all!!! I loved every word in your post! You radiate hope ... Read more

Patsy Stewart Leona, you look fabulous! That smile says it all!!! I loved every word in your post! You radiate hope! I’m so thankful your surgery went well. Welcome to recovery!~♥️

Susan Lynn Yay!!! Welcome to recovery, Leona! You look wonderful!

Susan Eckermann Congratulations, Leona! I am so happy for you. You look great! Welcome to recovery.

Rose Madura You look wonderful! And you did it! Congratulations and Merry Christmas 🎄. You have a great pre ... Read more

Rose Madura You look wonderful! And you did it! Congratulations and Merry Christmas 🎄. You have a great present from God, a new lease on life!

Marie Myers Congratulations! I think you look great!!

Pamela Gregory Great news! You look amazing at 3 days. What a nice holiday gift to have this behind you

Angela Meletiadis Bravo, Leona!!! May your recovery be smooth and painless!! Merry Christmas!

Timothy Andre Congrats Leona! Happy to see you smiling and beginning your recovery

Go easy on yourself and take ... Read more

Timothy Andre Congrats Leona! Happy to see you smiling and beginning your recovery

Go easy on yourself and take it one day at a time

Ted Niedziela Fantastic Leona! Great to see you on your way to recovery. I had the same procedures and NY Pres last ... Read more

Ted Niedziela Fantastic Leona! Great to see you on your way to recovery. I had the same procedures and NY Pres last year and feel 100% now. Happy Holidays!

Leona Resch Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your well wishes’ ! So glad to have this behind me! I was wonder ... Read more

Leona Resch Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your well wishes’ ! So glad to have this behind me! I was wondering if any of you were short of breath walking at first, had a hoarse throat and heart rates higher in the beginning of recovery? Ty!!❤️

Susan Lynn Leona - If you're concerned at all, please don't hesitate to ask your nurses, but I suspect they wi... Read more

Susan Lynn Leona - If you're concerned at all, please don't hesitate to ask your nurses, but I suspect they will tell you that the horseness is from the breathing tube and the elevated heart rate and shortness of breath are expected. Your heart is getting used to the increased efficiency and healing from the procedure itself. You're going to feel like you're healing quickly, but some estimates indicate that it takes a full year to recover from OHS. If your surgeon thinks you need medication to address your symptoms, he'll prescribe it before you're released. Please keep us posted and don't be shy about asking your nurses any questions. They are your best advocates right now. They want a good result for you, too!

Susan Eckermann Hi Leona - yes, although I was in good shape going into my surgery, I was huffing and puffing throug... Read more

Susan Eckermann Hi Leona - yes, although I was in good shape going into my surgery, I was huffing and puffing through those initial walks in the hospital hallway, and around the neighborhood when I got home. Every day it got a bit easier though. Last week, I was thinking I was not doing very well-lacking energy and feeling like the simplest tasks exhausted me. I looked back at my journal though and realized how far I've come in my recovery. I still have good days and challenging days, but there is definitely progress. My heart rate was also higher, and even now, 7+ weeks post-op, it is higher than in the past. Both my surgeon and cardiologist say this is completely normal and will adjust during the next few months of recovery. I would ask your surgeon about the heart rate just for peace of mind. Be patient with yourself, follow their instructions, and you will soon be blazing down that recovery road! Best to you.

Amy Berger Thank you so so much for posting your photo and sharing about your preop fears and how you feel now. ... Read more

Amy Berger Thank you so so much for posting your photo and sharing about your preop fears and how you feel now. My surgery is scheduled for January 24th and our stories are very similar. Your great attitude and words have given the reassurance I’ve needed. I even screen shot it to keep your photo and message as s reminder :) All the best thanks!!

Leona Resch Amy you will be in the best of hands !! The anxiety I had before was all consuming . You will have ... Read more

Leona Resch Amy you will be in the best of hands !! The anxiety I had before was all consuming . You will have great care and be amazed how fast you will be sitting up in your chair’! If there is anything I can do please let me know! The encouragement I received on this site was a lifeline to me!’keep me posted!!!❤️

Leona Resch Thank you to all who posted about post op symptoms. It is so reassuring to hear your experiences! Mak ... Read more

Leona Resch Thank you to all who posted about post op symptoms. It is so reassuring to hear your experiences! Makes me feel so much better! You guys are the best on this website!💕💕💕

Amy Berger Hi Leona - thinking of you and hoping you were well enough to go home for Christmas today!

Leona Resch Hi Amy! Went home yesterday! Best Christmas present ever!! Moving slow but that’s ok! You will do a ... Read more

Leona Resch Hi Amy! Went home yesterday! Best Christmas present ever!! Moving slow but that’s ok! You will do awesome. I know how you feel. The anxiety beforehand is truly the worst- all consuming. Believe in your team- they do this all the time! You’ve got this!! Please let me know if you need anything! Even just reassurance! Supportive kind people got me through this!

Amy Berger Leona - you are awesome!! I just posted on your new journal entry with a few questions for when you h ... Read more

Amy Berger Leona - you are awesome!! I just posted on your new journal entry with a few questions for when you have time.