"Birds of a feather, flock together!" The support both given & received here, is the best. Even when the waters are choppy, the support & knowledge shared, ...Read more
"Birds of a feather, flock together!" The support both given & received here, is the best. Even when the waters are choppy, the support & knowledge shared, helps to smooth things out. Tomorrow is the first day of Rehab at the Hospital.
Meredith Geneja All of your shining examples have me pumped & ready to go. Courage, Brave Hearts! whether waiting o ... Read more
Meredith Geneja All of your shining examples have me pumped & ready to go. Courage, Brave Hearts! whether waiting or recovering. Press on. We are not alone. Thinking of each one. Grateful, Thankful, Blessed!
Jennifer McInerney I patiently wait for my rehab to start on Nov. 26. Hope you find yours helpful
Meredith Geneja I think we both will, Jennifer. Will keep you posted. Looking forward to it. I'm sure it will "stretc ... Read more
Meredith Geneja I think we both will, Jennifer. Will keep you posted. Looking forward to it. I'm sure it will "stretch" us, but that can be good. We need to be on a solid path after our surgeries, that's for sure!
Meredith Geneja All those walks along the chilly waterfront paid off yesterday. The stress test was not as stressful ... Read more
Meredith Geneja All those walks along the chilly waterfront paid off yesterday. The stress test was not as stressful as anticipated:) Now to meet with the Nurse, Physiotherapist & Dietician, next Wednesday. Speed on a treadmill is one thing, a steep uphill incline, another. Adding more inclines to this week's hikes.
Meredith Geneja As others have reported, weeks 7 & 8 of the healing process can be such a sweet relief. After what so ... Read more
Meredith Geneja As others have reported, weeks 7 & 8 of the healing process can be such a sweet relief. After what sometimes seems like a long roller coaster ride, (or "grind"), things are beginning to even out. We all heal differently & these incisions need time. Freedom to do the many tasks needing to be done without a backlash of pain or fatigue or both is such a welcome part of this journey. Be wise, don't overdo it. "One step at a time then, we start feeling fine." KOKOPOR as Rob Sparling & his Dad would say.
Special outings have been like lighthouses for me, throughout the healing process. In between groceries & errands a quick break. (And who walks in?? My Cardiologist, ...Read more
Special outings have been like lighthouses for me, throughout the healing process. In between groceries & errands a quick break. (And who walks in?? My Cardiologist, and then another. Small world. Saturday, everybody loves a bakeshop, even Vegan & Gluten-
Meredith Geneja Gluten-free options).....The shop is called, "Glazed & Confused". Many days we can all relate to that ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Gluten-free options).....The shop is called, "Glazed & Confused". Many days we can all relate to that:)
Meredith Geneja Starting Cardio Rehab in 17 days, and will be driving by then. The incision(s) all calming down well ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Starting Cardio Rehab in 17 days, and will be driving by then. The incision(s) all calming down well for the most part, still aches & pains here & there, but just 5 weeks yesterday. Rest is key. #strongereveryday #lovemyfriends&family #we don'tdothisalone
Rob Sparling Shop name is very witty! Congrats on getting out and about!
1st meeting with Cardiologist post-op this Monday @ 3:30. Writing out questions & concerns at this 3rd-week point in time. Still not driving, so have had my ...Read more
1st meeting with Cardiologist post-op this Monday @ 3:30. Writing out questions & concerns at this 3rd-week point in time. Still not driving, so have had my practice walk to his office:) Looking forward to this meeting. It will be targeted & brief.
Meredith Geneja Thank you, Marie Myers! Positive to be seeing a Dr. & getting some feedback at this point. I will su ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Thank you, Marie Myers! Positive to be seeing a Dr. & getting some feedback at this point. I will sure appreciate getting some answers to my questions. Some days it feels like we're all in a bumper car race:) Love hearing from others further down the road.
Meredith Geneja Meeting with Cardiologist went well today. ***Only 3 more days of a half dose of Metoprolol.*** Ver ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Meeting with Cardiologist went well today. ***Only 3 more days of a half dose of Metoprolol.*** Very happy about this. Will not miss the side effects. Dr. was pleased with my healing thus far. Next appointment in December. So grateful for a positive meeting today. One artery does have 30% blockage. Dr. has advised to keep doing all the right things to stay on a good path. Will do:)
Enjoyed a beautiful fall walk today through one of my favorite gardens. Once the frost hits all will look very different once again. Walking is such wonderful ...Read more
Enjoyed a beautiful fall walk today through one of my favorite gardens. Once the frost hits all will look very different once again. Walking is such wonderful therapy on all levels. Feeling gratitude for daily progress.
Diane Maher Beautiful photo Meredith. Here on the west coast, we are also enjoying a sunny and mild fall....grea ... Read more
Diane Maher Beautiful photo Meredith. Here on the west coast, we are also enjoying a sunny and mild fall....great motivator for walking❣️
Dan Vechiola Wow great photo Meredith! So peaceful and healing.
Taken a few days ago while on the mend at my sister's home for Canadian Thanksgiving. Came home 4 days after surgery on October 1st. We had a great time together ...Read more
Taken a few days ago while on the mend at my sister's home for Canadian Thanksgiving. Came home 4 days after surgery on October 1st. We had a great time together with visiting family from Toronto. Gentle hugs & support from young & old. Turns out, aortic
Marie Myers Looking good! Congratulations on arriving in recovery!
Meredith Geneja Aortic valve damage from Rheumatic Fever as a child, apparently. Appears to be the only valve damaged ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Aortic valve damage from Rheumatic Fever as a child, apparently. Appears to be the only valve damaged. Very grateful for my new valve. Still not used to the new & healthy heartbeat:) Had a murmur for several years. Getting adjusted to the new normal.
Jennifer McInerney Looking good. Having a new heartbeat is a little weird but getting used to it
Meredith Geneja Thank you, Debbie Kelly & Marie Myers. You really do have to experience this to "believe it", so to s ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Thank you, Debbie Kelly & Marie Myers. You really do have to experience this to "believe it", so to speak. So many steps to each phase. One amazing journey! Looking forward to Cardio Rehab once ready for it....a few more weeks & days down the road just yet. Sending love & support to each one, wherever you may be, & whatever you are going through. We are not alone! Thank you, each one for sharing.
Meredith Geneja It's an adjustment whenever our bodies are altered, isn't it?! I appreciate all of your input re inf ... Read more
Meredith Geneja It's an adjustment whenever our bodies are altered, isn't it?! I appreciate all of your input re infections etc., Catie B. I continue to learn from each person! Thank you.
Catie B Meredith, cardiac rehab was a wonderful program, in my experience. All the staff were warm, supportiv ... Read more
Catie B Meredith, cardiac rehab was a wonderful program, in my experience. All the staff were warm, supportive and engaging. I hope yours will be equally so. You also mentioned getting used to your new heartbeat. It felt like my heart beat so hard and strong that it was distracting, esp. at night, for several months. Takes real time for things to settle down. Best to you!
Nancy Luth Congratulations Meredith. You look great!
Steve Farthing Look at it this way - getting used to the new heartbeat is just part of getting used to a longer life ... Read more
Steve Farthing Look at it this way - getting used to the new heartbeat is just part of getting used to a longer life expectancy!
Meredith Geneja That's a good point, Steve Farthing! So many people never get this chance. My Grandad was gone at my ... Read more
Meredith Geneja That's a good point, Steve Farthing! So many people never get this chance. My Grandad was gone at my age. We have come so far with heart health over the last few years. Feeling gratitude for every loud, clear beat I am adjusting to:)
Had some fun yesterday. Was given a gift card & selected 3 positive shirts: Pain is Temporary, I Can I Will I Am, & Fear Less. Each one worked for me:)
Sending some fresh water to those feeling the dryest today. (Waiting for the next steps can be tough.) My biggest goal is to focus on helping others wherever ...Read more
Sending some fresh water to those feeling the dryest today. (Waiting for the next steps can be tough.) My biggest goal is to focus on helping others wherever I can.
Last summer I was preparing for multiple herniae surgery due to previous surgeries. Still waiting for that to take place, as the heart surgery has now taken ...Read more
Last summer I was preparing for multiple herniae surgery due to previous surgeries. Still waiting for that to take place, as the heart surgery has now taken priority.
Meredith Geneja Keep smiling no matter what hand you are dealt. Everyone will wonder what you are up to!
Sue Waterworth And Wow! What a fabulous smile you have, And of course you know that smiling gets the endorphins rush ... Read more
Sue Waterworth And Wow! What a fabulous smile you have, And of course you know that smiling gets the endorphins rushing, so you do actually feel better. When people ask 'How are you?' , answer 'fantastic', and you get the same result. Society is getting a bit sad when it surprises people that you look and feel happy. But on this site, you'll get lots of smiling support, so stick around.
Meredith Geneja Thank you, Sue, for the warm & encouraging welcome. Your journal notes have been a big help to me alr ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Thank you, Sue, for the warm & encouraging welcome. Your journal notes have been a big help to me already. Everyone contributes to our awareness of the good the bad and the ugly bumps in the road on the healing journey. All cheerier than the obvious alternatives. Perspective is a powerful thing. So grateful Adam & all worked on this platform for healthy communications! There is strength in community. My heart may not be physically perfect, but the container for gratitude is still huge:) Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Sue Waterworth Feels better knowing you're not the only one with stuff happening, So many people here have so much ... Read more
Sue Waterworth Feels better knowing you're not the only one with stuff happening, So many people here have so much to offer.
Meredith Geneja Great to meet you, Sue! Just shared how good this site is with my Surgeon's Office. (They were aware ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Great to meet you, Sue! Just shared how good this site is with my Surgeon's Office. (They were aware of "HeartValveSurgery.com". Our inner landscapes can certainly be a challenge:) Now having a lung investigation done, a "Thorax with IV contrast" prior to proceeding with heart. One step at a time! Hope to be a helpful contributor for others.
Susan Lynn Beautiful picture, Meredith. No worries, take it one day at a time. We'll walk beside you.
Meredith Geneja Thank you, Susan Lynn. One day at a time, & we are doing this together! Love it. ( In the meantime, ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Thank you, Susan Lynn. One day at a time, & we are doing this together! Love it. ( In the meantime, trying to create a clean & peaceful nest for when I come back home.) Happy to have met this group.