I hope that everything goes well for you tomorrow. I had my AV replaced on 5/21 at Duke and I can tell you to not plan on watching the game. After surgery, you will have "bigger fish to fry." My surgery started at 8:30 am and ended around 2:00 pm and I started waking up--that I remember--about 11:00 pm.
Seriously, I hope that everything goes really well and know that it does get better. Make sure your caregiver at home rests during this time because once you get home their work really starts. Good luck!
Tim from Greensboro NC
On June 9, 2010...
I know it was kinda cheesy to say I love you but we go back along ways.Our boys were so little, now look at them.Also I know if I needed u you would be there and vice versa, so yah I can say you being my friend I do love you and everything is going to be fine. I will see you when you get home.Talk to you very soon.
Love your friend
Tracy
On June 9, 2010...
Hello Amanda,
I'll be thinking of you,hope all goes well and your hair looks beautiful in the operating room.....AND.. my prayers are with you ...Love Hala,
On June 9, 2010...
I will be thinking of you and sending you lots of love and well wishes. Here's to a successful surgery and quick recovery! Take care and look forward to hearing updates soon. Love, Amber
On June 9, 2010...
OMG...miss you already. The 'hood won't be the same without you. Hurry home!
On June 8, 2010...
Amanda,
All your friends in KY (yes Amanda did live in Ky once and left her mark) are thinking of you. Be nice to the nurses and the meds and they will be nice to you.
Luv Ya,
Merida's
On June 8, 2010...
Amanda --
If Liz Taylor can do it, so can you!
You rock girl and will heal fast. Know lots of people are rooting for you.
love,
~ terry gretsky
On June 8, 2010...
amanda,
we will be thinking of you girl....we know you will be back strong with full "summer love" swing by 6-man
love ya....the coles
On June 8, 2010...
You are so darn funny!!! Dont forget your name NAILS
There is a reason you were given that name at age 9. Yes, you are strong as nails and you will prove you name again.
The Roadrunners are still with us 35 years later
good luck
lisa
On June 7, 2010...
Amanda,
You are in great hands with Dr Cannom! Rest easy and enjoy the pharmaceuticals!! We will be sending restorative thoughts your way and look forward to your journal updates. A word of wisdom, be nice to the nurses!!!!!! Celeste
On June 7, 2010...
Amanda--
I am sending you the best possible Houndy vibes I can. You've got a great heart, so I know it's all gonna turn out great.
-H
On June 7, 2010...
Amanda, thinking of you and knowing it will be a successful surgery and quick recovery given you're the patient! Love, Lotte
On June 7, 2010...
Hi Amanda
Sorry it was so difficult to find the info I recommended. Wonder if Amazon would have had it. But, it's never too late. Hope you are walking around your house with your mp3 player or your ipod going. They let me go right into surgery listening and then had to take them away. Thursday will come quickly. Keep remembering each day that a week from that day, you will be in CICU, step down, home, etc. with it all behind you.You'll do great! Prayers continue.
Fran Z
On June 7, 2010...
AJA: Courage, laughter, caring friends, youth, and a love for Wick football...you've got it all going for you! An older and alleged more out-of-shape fellow skier SO wants you back out on the slopes ASAP to keep you honest! First (and second) apres ski is on me, only because I'll be in The Yodeler waiting for you! You're in my thoughts, Jeff
On June 6, 2010...
Amanda,
I had no idea! I wish you a very very speedy recovery! お大事に!(Take care!) in Japanese. Hopefully see you this summer fully recovered, if not this summer, Christmas for sure.
John
On June 6, 2010...
Hey Amanda -
Glad to see that your sense of humor has made it onto these pages. But soooo disappointed in you that you wanted CUTE vs. SEXY pjs... Come on now, you usually are more focussed than that! :)
Seriously, keep laughing with it and you'll be fine. We're all cheering for you, and rest assured that while you are in recovery phase I'll be in full monitoring phase (yep, that's our little inside joke which ain't so much of a joke... ) Hmmm, maybe we can learn from the hospital - formal visiting hours? Interruptions every 15 minutes to check vitals? ...
Lots of Love! Marjorie
On June 5, 2010...
Hey A,
You and I have been on this road for a long time. I wish nothing but the best. I know that everything will be fine. I will come visit you after you get settled in back home.
Please do not hesitate to have Audi give me a call if you guys need ANYTHING.
Dwight
On June 5, 2010...
Hi Man,
Nice hearing from you finally, I'm sorry that it had to come to this for us to communicate. You look great in your pictures (but you always looked great!!) I'm glad to hear you are having this done, now you'll be at least 20 years younger. RRD LA was never the same without us.
Keep in touch I'll be thinking of you everyday.
Love, Burmie
On June 5, 2010...
Amanda,
I know you will come through this no problem!I agree you are the only person who can make others laugh when you are about to have heart surgery! All good thoughts will be with you, heh we have to live through 4 years of high school with the boys so this should be a piece of cake.
xx Vicki
On June 5, 2010...
Amanda, I love this last entry regarding the swarovski crystals on your coochie-coo! Can't wait to hear what actually ends up being the design down there! :)
We will be praying for ya everyday! Can't wait until your back to your strong, crazy self! When we get back from Minnesota, I will bring over some treats for the Fam.
Love Ya!
Fargo
On June 5, 2010...
Ok about the bush situation... if you really want to impress the medical team get VAJAZZLED! Nothing screams "I am from LA" better then swarovski crystals on your coochie-coo.
Look how popular you are! 10 pages of comments with 3 comments on each page= 30 comments!! IMPRESSIVE! Judging by facebook standards you are super popular. Anywho, I was kinda disappointed when I found there is no 'like' button on your posts. I guess I will have to directly reference your posts in my guestbook entries, which means I actually have to read your posts.
So is this the 2010 version version of sending a card? If so, where is the button where I can attach flowers? I'm on a budget!
On June 5, 2010...
A- Don't go changin! You gotta rock the 70's bush atgood sam...surprise all those LA doctors that are used to looking at the professionally groomed celebraties patients.
You are in my thoughts, prayers, toasts :) I don't want to get too sappy on you! I love you and will be calling from my hospital room.
You're NAILS! Remember that! Live it!
Love you, T
On June 4, 2010...
You are one of the strongest women I know so I am sure you will be up and back to your crazy self in no time. (At least I hope so beacuse we are planning a pool party at your house.) I will be visiting you all the time since I am right down the street...you won't be able to get rid of me!! Let me know when you're ready for a cocktail!
Wendy
On June 4, 2010...
Okay, when I said I wanted you to start a blog, this isn't exactly what I meant.
But I guess I'll take your humor any way I can.
You've got to be the only person I know who can make others laugh when you're about to have open heart surgery.
Wish I could be there to bring the kids my mom's famous goulash or something.
I'll be looking forward to updates. Your mom and Matt can call me to find out what's going on with you if they want :)
On June 4, 2010...
I cannot believe that I had NO IDEA you were going through this. Please know that my prayers are with you for a swift recovery so you can continue to make us laugh. You are truly a joy in my life and I am grateful for your friendship. I'd be HAPPY to drive the kids any time before June 20 - just give your mom my home phone 372-2786. Becky
On June 4, 2010...
Lots of love and prayers A! We are with you every step of the way. Be strong. Be well. Be NAILS!!
Love you,
xo deb
On June 4, 2010...
I'm staying positive about your recovery in hopes that we can camp this summer and shred the slopes this winter together.
I'll be watching this journal like a Hawk! Caw!
Xo,
Corey
On June 4, 2010...
Hey Mannie on the Street-
I've got a grapefruit martini with your name ALL over it. I was thinking I should be in charge of your rehab schedule. 5 more steps! And if you need any help with that preemptive wax, let me know.
XOXO
L.
On June 4, 2010...
Amanda, We will definitely keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers until you get through this. My mother-in-law just had the same procedure done 2 weeks ago and is doing well with her recovery. I know you will get through this too and be stronger and feistier than ever. Bruce Mandel and family.
On June 4, 2010...
Amanda: I am disappointed that you did not accept my offer to donate one of my valves. The offer still stands. I look forward to some post-surgery margueritas. Let the Turners know when you are up to it. -- Michael, Peggy, Cameron and Austin
On June 4, 2010...
Amanda,
You know I'm thinking and praying for you, not because of the surgery but just because your the type of person that needs orayer (in my opinion) as everyone says; let me know if there is anything you need...I will be happy to help out wherever possible, no joke. Take care and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Dave Castillo
Torrance, Ca
"stay classy"
On June 4, 2010...
Ima dufus. That was my message but forgot to sign my name.
Rena ;-)
On June 4, 2010...
l want to go to Maui with you when this is over, Amanda, and will send food to the kids in the meanwhile! Hugs and prayers, and healing thoughts to you!!
On June 4, 2010...
Hey girl,
Whats up with that running away to Hawaii stuff. Don't you know that once you have your Mitral valve repaired you will have an even better time in Maui? Think about it..it can be one of your many rewards for going through the surgery...you can call it "Maui for Mitral"
About a week before Kimberly had her surgery, she was going through the same reconsiderations...."do I really need to do this?". "can I run away?" etc. And, when it comes down to it...you knew weeks ago when the doctor diagnosed your condition that it has to be done. Thankfully, you have your own support system in place, apparantly some great kids, and the drive to continue to be better. As the days get closer, do what Kimberly did and enjoy the simple things like a glass(es) of wine.
Take care and remember....enjoy the wine. :)
D
On June 3, 2010...
Amanda,
I just signed Kimberly's guestbook, and figured your surgery was coming up so I wanted to send another hello. I think you know from reading all the journals, that everyone has a different experience. If you read my journal, you would see I am one of the lucky ones...everything went smooth...my surgeons were so impressed with my recovery. I can only offer I was very calm going into surgery...my attitude was it is beyond my control so I surrendered to the situation. I know others had the same attitude but had complications, but the point is they got through it and were fine in spite of whatever was thrown their way. We have had so many different situations on this site, some scary but everyone has made it through. I can not tell you how much better I feel...I just never realized how tired I was because of my condition. Life has greatly improved and I am so glad I had the surgery. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I will be thinking of you as your date approaches, and I am sure you will do just fine.
Take care,
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ
On June 3, 2010...
hi amanda! nothing to be worried about really. i had my aorta replaced in 08. and i feel like it never even happened.btw im 47,i had no idea id have heart surgery so young,isnt it weird? but more common than i had known. but anyway,just remember:all you have to do is sleep,the doctor has the hard part! right? i hope that helps,lol
my email is jeffstoveken@yahoo.com please if you have any questions, feel free. ps my boss had his done at that clinic and we live in NJ. ARE YOU PREPARED OVERALL? YOU SEEM LIKE IT! jeff (sorry about those caps) haha
On June 2, 2010...
Hi Amanda! Loved your surgery prep list. I had my Aortic Valve replacement on May 20th at the Cleveland Clinic and it went very smoothly. I hope the same for you. They did make me take the polish off all my fingers and toes so ask your hospital what they'll allow. (It's still shocking looking at naked digits!) And there was no body shaving (the heart pump went in under my sternum) so ask about that too . . . no sense doing preemptive shaving if it's not necessary. (I did have one side of my groin shaved for my angiogram, but that's a different story.)
Keep up the good spirits as you approach surgery . . . it really helps.
Ricki Shine
On June 2, 2010...
Hi Amanda,
So glad you to hear you have a date set!! Being in limbo makes the whole process harder. I know you will do great and I will be reading all your updates.
Prayers and thoughts are with you!
Sisters by Heart,
Kimberly S.
On June 2, 2010...
Hi Kimberly
So glad you got an early date and didn't have to wait forever ( I had almost 2 1/2 month wait). Going to the Cleveland Clinic and Dr Gillinov made it worthwhile. Sounds like you've slready done a lot of the preparation, stay busy, the time will go by quickly. As you read the journals of others who are going through this monumental surgery, remember we have one thing in common but we will each be a little different in how we recover.
Fran Z
On May 30, 2010...
Amanda,
Thanks so much for the wonderful note you left in my guestbook. Sounds like you definitely have the right idea in what to do before surgery:)
In reference to your question about the Valium, I have taken it twice. One pill. And it does absolutely NOTHING for me. But if you have read my journal, you can tell I am not in the norm when it comes to anesthesia and pain killers. They just don't work for me.
I am going in and out of the calm state now. Not nervous about the surgery but the pain and work that awaits on the other side.
I will continue to keep up with your blog and have my husband read it to me when I am unable:)You are in my thoughts!
Sisters in Heart,
Kimberly S.
PS-I'm hoping I can fly with the toenail polish also...I haven't been without polish on my toenails since I was a teenager!
On May 29, 2010...
Hi Amanda,
I had my mitral valve replaced in January with a mechanical ON-X valve. What are you choosing? Mech or tissue?
Don't forget ear plugs and an eye mask because the nurses will come in every couple of hours to take you vitals. I gained 29 lbs of water post surgery but was on enough lasix I was able to lost the water before going home 15 days later. I was in a long time because my INR levels were too low to be discharged.
At first I didn't have much sternum pain...it was only 3 weeks later when I took a bath did I really start feeling the pain. I think I strained my sternum when lowering myself into the tub. Be very careful if you decide to take a bath. Oh yeah, bring baby oil or bio oil so you can dissolve the adhesive crop circles you will get from the heart monitor leads. You might even want to bring a camera and have some pictures taken of you so you can post them to your journal. I didn't know about HVJ until after my surgery so I don't have a journal, but subscribe to many journals so I can meet people like myself going through OHS and keep up with their progress.
Good Luck to you and I will be waiting for your next post!
You'll be just fine. I only had exactly one month from the time I learned I had MVP till my surgery date and I was a mess the entire time. I cried every day and also wrote my sisters a lengthy email informing them of my assets/investments in case they had to sort all that out, but I made it to the other side and so here I am.
You take care and continue with your relaxation practices.
Lori Sobrero Hood River, OR
On May 29, 2010...
Hi Amanda
Great lists, by-the-way. Just wanted to have you check out about the clear gel nails and toe polish because I was told I had to have my nails totally removed and not even clear nail polish - nada, nada. Same for the toes - nothing at all. With all the fancy dancy machines you would think they would be looking at something other than your nail beds to see if you were getting enough oxygen. I've had my nails an awfully long time and my finger nails were so, so sore while I was without protection. Two days after my return home from the hospital I had a hair appointment and had my nails re-applied. I remember being a wee bit woozey and my hairstylist was waving a towel at me to cool me down. Anyway Amanda, double check with your hospital people so there aren't any surprises.
Cheryl, Ontario
On May 29, 2010...
Hi Amanda
Your sense of humor will serve you well before and after your surgery. I wore a warm up suit to the hospital (Cleveland, OH in March). On discharge I had gained 15# over admission weight. They really do pump you full of fluids, so those elastic pants were wonderful as I never would have been able to button or zip anything. So, ever since then have recommended elastic waist pants for discharge.
Fran Z
On May 29, 2010...
Amanda,
Your last post had me smiling from ear-to-ear and laughing out loud.
Do you mind if I repost your unique approach to open heart surgery in my blog?
Keep on tickin!
Adam
On May 29, 2010...
Hi Amanda,
I am glad you are moving forward with your decisions on a surgeon and hospital. I also like your new motto...I found a plaque that I hung up and looked at everyday as my surgery date neared. It said "If God brings you to it,,,He will bring you through it". I just held onto that, and refused to let negative thoughts enter my mind...easier said than done....but I really did achieve it most of the time. Just look around on this site....everyone has made it through...yes some have had complications,..but they still made it through. You will be fine....we will all be praying for you.
Theresa Callanan
On May 29, 2010...
Hi Amanda,
So glad to hear you will soon have a date. It definitely makes it easier to plan and deal with. Gives you something to focus on. Also glad to hear that you found somewhere you are comfortable with to have to surgery done. Sounds like you are in great hands! I will continue to follow your journal, as once they give you the date, things start to become a whirlwind in some ways.
My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Kimberly S.
On May 22, 2010...
Hi Amanda,
It is so good to hear you are doing better. Like you, the crying in the beginning was worse for me, but calmed down after a while. Yesterday was the first day since being to the dentist I felt I could go out so my husband I went to get the stuff I would need for hospital and when I get home. While we were doing that, it kind of hit me again and I got a little teary but not much. My husband just kept reminding me how much better I would feel when it was over:) I am definitely looking forward to that. I am getting a little antsy as the day gets closer, but I am already on anti anxiety meds, so that's a no:_)
I look forward to hearing more of your progress and know you will be happy to have an actual date.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sisters by Heart,
Kimberly S.
On May 20, 2010...
Hey Amanda,
Ahhhhh... Xanax.
Make sure to save one for the night before the operation. That helped me immensely!
Keep on tickin!
Your neighbor,
Adam Pick
On May 20, 2010...
Hi Amanda
Wow, have you turned a corner or what? I used to be a legal secretary before beginning working with my husband and I know first hand what it is like when people don't make definite plans for the future. I keep updated Wills, Powers of Attorney, lists of assets, contacts and letters to beneficiaries all in a file ready for use at any given moment. Usually that type of thing is easier to do when things are hypothetical however I know when I was updating this time it kind of freaked the family out so I didn't tell them everything but instead just let a couple of my girlfriends know what and where everything was. I think you are really smart in what you are doing and as difficult as it must have been, I congratulate you for taking those steps. I do all the financials in our house so I even paid all the bills a couple of months in advance so it would give my husband a breather and time to make some adjustments just in case. Besides, I fully believed that I would be returning to my home and if I didn't feel up to it, at least I knew the utilities and phone wouldn't get cut off right away!
I'm glad the doctor is going to get you in as early as possible. Take a look at some of our packing lists as it might help you get some other plans made.
You are obviously a very strong lady and will come through well. Go ahead and make your plans for the future because there is going to be one!
Seriously, I hope that everything goes really well and know that it does get better. Make sure your caregiver at home rests during this time because once you get home their work really starts. Good luck!
Tim from Greensboro NC