Bob's Journal

Richard Munson  You have a lot going on bob, we wish you the best and will be there rooting you on. I’m thinking you are in a great hospital from what i see on this site. There is so much info you will get here but my contribution will be have a positive attitude and a sense of humor and it will be fine. 

Deena Z  Bob, know that it is normal to be (very) anxious about the operation, even while this surgery has an incredible success rate, particularly at the CC.  So, accept the anxiousness and calm it down as much as you can by knowing the odds are way, way in your favor.  

Also, know you will be completely wiped out with exhaustion when you wake up from surgery, but you get exponentially stronger each day.  Focus on that.  (Wish I had know..  I thought I was "failing" the first several days.  Finally, I told the surgeon such and he said I was doing excellently.)

Lastly, your life is being extended with the operation; the quality of life will be enormously better with a stronger heart. . Arn't  we fortunate that this surgery has advanced so much further than when our parents were our age.  
Godspeed.

Amy Berger  Deena - I find your words very helpful as well. I am having AVR on January 24, 2023 and trying to keep my nerves calm. I've been blessed to be healthy my whole life so the thought of even being in the hospital is overwhelming. I'm the one in our family who takes care of everyone else, so this will be the first time it's me instead of them. Thanks again for posting this.

George Gardopee  Bob - the CC is really really good at what they do. I had mitral and tricuspid repair a year ago there. I had very little pain or even discomfort EXCEPT for the after effects of the narcotics on my GI system and that became an issue for me on the day I was discharged.  My system shut down completely and the contents turned into concrete. I’d recommend that you ask for softeners ASAP if you have any hint that things are not moving as they should. If I were to have to do this again, I think I’d start on the regimen about a week ahead of time. All-in-all, I think you will be surprised at how much easier this is than you expect it to be. Good luck!

Ana Brusso  Bob, you are in great hands at the CC and also in God’s hands. You will be fine. I will lift you up in prayer for everything to go well. God bless you 

Richard Munson  See bob, i knew you would get good advice here. A good wife and a great dog helped but everyone is not as lucky as me. I did not want to use great twice in the same sentence hence good wife. 

Pamela Gregory  haha Richard. Good cover! Bob I also had AVR and Aortic root replacement surgery at the CC. They are awesome and as scary as this surgery is to think about, their success rate is top notch

Rose Madura  Bob, you are in good hands and as Deena said, you are in good hands.  Please keep us posted. One of the most helpful things I had at the hospital was a travel pillow.  It was great for napping in the chair which I did quite often!  Godspeed.

Greg Lewis  You got a lot of great advice. I only would like to add something. If you read my story, you will see that, as in life, things don't always go as planned. I was so disappointed. But as time has rolled forward, I have learned a few life lessons.
One being that, even when things look bad, they are not near as bad as they seem! I know...heard that before. Our minds create these scenarios that are the worst that can happen,  and it's simply false, most of the time! 
There is always, always a good side to everything! Identify the good stuff, and focus on that,
 because you need positivity to help you through what you are about to go through.


Also...give yourself some small, attainable goals to reach every day. This, is very important!  One of mine was to get my left foot to move. I got it to move a little bit after a few days. I know it's still not perfect, but I also know it beats not being able to move it at all! 
That's good stuff! I can even move my toe now. Still a goal I want to achieve. It moves enough..that's good.
I tell you this, only because I know how easy it is to slip into seeing the bad, and getting depressed.  
Lastly...lean on all the people you possibly can! Talk to us lots. Because the people here really "get it"


It's an absolutely amazing miracle, no matter how perfect the result!!! 
You will do just fine. 👍

Amy Berger  Wow Greg - I just read your story! You truly are a testament to persevering and overcoming! I too am thankful to have faith in God and focusing on his love helps calm my nerves thinking of upcoming surgery. Thanks for sharing