Hi Amy and Matt,

I recently found this website and just started subscribing to your journal and will continue to watch your process as you recover. Each day will be better and better and if you find a setback or do, try not to panic. I had my mitral valve replaced on Jan 4th (7 weeks ago today!) and now that I am finally feeling better I thought I would tell you that most of the setbacks I had were perfectly normal, but as I was going through them it felt like something was terribly wrong. In hindsight I realize that my chest and heart had just been cut open and it will take time to heal. Please be patient...you will be just fine! I have never slept so much in my life and it really feels good to listen to my body. Please take care of yourself and let your body heal itself in its own time. Thank you for your progress updates. I really look forward to them.

Take good care,
Lori
lori_sobrero@yahoo.com

Sounds like Amy is getting the very best of care and with you by her side it will all be okay. Seems the phrase of the day is "slow and easy". Hope you've been able to get some rest when Amy rests. Prayers for both of you.
Fran Zilko

Hi Amy and Matt
Guess you'd better find something tasty for Amy to eat - or at least something that appeals to her taste buds. Don't panic about the low pulse rate just yet.

My pacemaker was on active duty until the day before I went home. I came home with a resting pulse of 54-60's and after a couple of months it shot up to the 70's and 80's and now it's all over the place. I've just been put on a Beta Blocker in the hopes of getting my heart regulated. The doctor said they hope these things happen on their own but sometimes need some exterior help. I'm hope to make you feel a little better that these things sometimes resolve themselves. I'm praying that will be the case for Amy.

Great pictures of Amy really putting her best foot forward. Keep up the spirit.
Cheryl, Ontario

Amy you look amazing! Matt we can give you parital credit for that! heheheee....

You are doing great and it thrills our hearts to get the regular updates on your progress. This is becoming a regular thing now...just want you know...we've come to the point where....with the morning cup of coffee or the right before bedtime tea...our last news of the day is how is Amy?

Keep up the great work you're doing great and looking great.

Love Syd

Amy and Matt:

Glad to see Amy is progressing. Amy, you look great after major surgery. I can't believe it. My prayers are still with you as you recooperate.

Lori

re: David Pullano

Amy, Wow! Its hard 4 me "still!" to even see a picture of a cardiac unit. It seems as though ur handeling this experience vary well! Kuddos to you sweetheart!!! Hang in there & feal free 2 contact me ANY time! DAY OR NIGHT ! GOD BLESS!

Amy,

Get well soon. Gail, Torie and I would like to see you back at the Canes' games soon!

Mat is doing a great job of keeping everybody updated. He should have been a writer...

Jim Sabino

Dear Amy
Glad to hear that things are going better & you look great! Glad to hear the pain level is deminished too...
WE are thinking about you!
Much love,
Vic & david :)
Being in Jerusalem makes us believe in the power of prayer.

Thanks for the update and glad all is going well.Hopefully lunch and dinner will be attractive to Amy.
Fran Zilko

Amy you are looking great! You have been a trooper! I will be up there to see you today and see how everything is going. Matt you are doing great updating! See you guys soon! Amy Etheridge (Dr. Chitwood's Clinical Assistant)

Hope you are doing well. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Berkeley and Katie

Happy Monday, honey!
the start of a new week, and well on your way to recovery. After everything you went through, you still manage a smile! Matt, you are one tough cookie, too. I knew you were a softie all along!

Hugs and kisses!

Rita & Bill

Hi Matt and Amy,
The photo is fabulous, some tough act to follow! I want to look like that after my surgery...well even before would be good!
You both are doing so well, keep it slow and steady.
Warmest wishes
Penny (Scotland)

Beautiful and to see you smiling makes us all feel better although not surprised. Really pleased with the updates and particularly that the tube removal really reduced the overall pain level. Though tof you both on the course today. Amy when you feel like a call June is itching to speak with you. Matt- thanks for the updates and remember to take care of yourself. Mayb ethat new rooms facilities will help.
June and Buster

Amy & Matt

Glad everything is going well. Hope you continue to improve. We will be thinking about and continue praying for you.

Jim & Famah

Amy and Matt
Great news about the progress. Glad you had some visitors to just know that there are alot of people out there that think of both of you hourly.
I am one! Hug to both of you. Amy, Amy you are the best..so strong to keep breathing till those "tubes " come out .
Prays and love kelly

Matthew; great news on the tubes being removed. thanks for the updates.

best

Dick

Amy and Matthew,

Glad to hear everything went well and everyone at RCC sends their regards.
Let us know if we can help in anyway when you return to Raleigh.

Elly Matteis

Amy, Karin forward this site to us. We are glad to hear everything went well. You journal site is great. Did the hospital have this or did you find it on the intenet? What a great way to keep family and friends updated. Matt give her a hug from us.
Love Nancy and Ed

Hi!! This is jennifer from last night! Tell her im sorry the tubes couldnt come out today but im glad they gave her some extra meds for the pain! She did so excellent walking!
Im not back til next Friday but just wanted to say it was a pleasure being able to walk with her first time..YOu guys are superb! It's nice to see a family so close and going through this experience together!
Best wishes!
Jen

Amy & Matthew,
We are so glad to hear that the surgery is over and that Amy is doing well. Love the smiling picture. Jim and I have been following everything since we heard about this from Amy. You are both in our prayers and we look forward to hearing about Amy coming home!! We too have been wathching the Olympics so we do not have too many withdrawals from no hockey!! Take care and may God Bless you both.
Love,
Gail, Jim & Torie Sabino

Hi there Amy!

Wow! You look great! Go Amy Go! Matt-thanks for all the wonderful updates. We are so grateful that all is going well. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Tim and Michelle

Matt; I think Amy looks great. give her my best.

Dick

Amy and Matt,
So glad that everything went well and Amy is progressing right along. If you two need anything, just let use know.
Kathy and Walt

Hi Amy and Matthew

Wonderful to see for ourselves that Amy is indeed smiling and ready to proceed to the next step. There will be many frustrations because just about everything is out of your control so I know you both will handle it as you must. By the end of the week you should be home and back to managing your lives.

Good to hear Amy is trying to get the walks done even though she is carrying a lot of extra baggage. That particularly is where it is great to have you there for physical and moral support and sometimes that little extra push. These are some of the toughest days but each day will get better.

Cheryl, Ontario

So good to see that photo of a smiling Amy up in a chair with her pillow. Darn that chest tube--hope it's out by the time you read this. Glad her nausea is gone and she's starting to eat. Progress, progress.
Fran Zilko

Wow Even with chest tubes Amy you still look like Miss(Mrs) America. Matthew all I can say is you are wonderful.............Amy what a catch!!!!
Bob

Captain Bill is please with the progress! I would say the more the pain the better the gain! I am not looking forward to haveing a tube in every porthole, but the infomration you have posted is very helpful. Thank you! Keep up the great recovery and you will be fishing in no time.
PS I just noticed you live in Raleigh, my wife works for Umicore in Raleigh, nice city.

Hi Amy & Matt,
So good to hear about your amazing recovery. Sounds like everyone has your care under control, yourself included. You are a great participant in your own recovery! Hang in there, you're in my thoughts and prayers.
Monica Beach
Nashville

Matt and Amy,
Incrediable , just incrediable! The story, the first walk and her picture bring tears to my eyes. What glorious strong people you are and I will breathe deeply for you today.
Keep smiling and know we are all behind a quick recovery.
Love Kelly/ Raleigh

Hi Amy and Matt,
It sound like you are both doing just great. Easy does it! Thanks so much for the updates Matt - they are really helpful.
Warmest wishes
Penny (Scotland)

oops forgeot to sign again.
bob

Matthew thank you for your updates. We are all so greatful that you are with her. I am gald that Amy is doing so well. I know that she is a fighter. MIchelle and I were saying prayers on Friday and telling Amy stories. We are with you all the way Amy and look forward to a reunification party soon.

Hi Amy and Matt
Tough first day as they get you regulated and start removing the equipment. Feels good as each piece is taken out. I found the percocet pain reliever made me sick so I had to get changed over to Tylenol. Keep a close eye on what Amy is getting for drugs and the reaction they leave just in case. There are others that can be substituted.

It's such a boon that you can take this time to be with her Matt because she really needs to know you are there for her.

Sending warm wishes for a great day tomorrow for you both. Cheryl, Ontario

Amy that last note was from Ann Boughtin. I am so used to auto signatures on e-mail that I forgot to sign my name. :)

Hi, Amy: It is such a relief to know that you came through the surgery so well. Congratulations! It sounds like you are in some pain, now,and are pretty uncomfortable. Dick tells me you are tough, so I am confident that you will get by these hurdles with support from Matt.

Take care and know that you are in my thoughts.

Hi Matt, Thanks for the updates. I am so glad she is doing well and is a fighter. I was when I had brain surgery, I wanted up and out so that I could get stronger for work and golf. I have prayed for her and thougt about her much of my work day on Friday. She is lucky to have you. Best wishes to both of you. Sharon Hamilton

Hi Amy and Matt,
You are both doing just great, hang in there. I have just read Joe's last minute advice on his journal and some may still help you both - it is worth a read.
Thinking of you - it will be a tough couple of weeks coming up. Matt - I hope you learnt how to braid Amy's hair!
Warmest wishes
Penny

Dear Amy and Matthew,

John and I are grateful for updates on your journal. Thanks Matthew.

It sounds like your care is the best. Things can only get better from here. I'm sure you will be glad to get home. I think healing takes a major jump when that happens.

I will be sending you cards of cheer as time goes on. We are so glad the surgery was successful.

Much love. John and Fran Komarmy

Matt,
You don't know me and I only know Amy through conference calls but that has been enough to know what an incredible person she is. She's so lucky to have such a loving husband. I know you feel the same.

Hang tough, each day will be better. Best, Peggy

Goodmorning surviors..you including too , Matt. Yes we are all really thinking and praying that the body balances and the nausea gets under control..hate it! I will be meeting Rita for a show at the convention center and then over to my brothers home for a surprise 21st bithday party for my niece. She is a star basketball player at Meredith College and plays in Rocky Mount. I doubt if Rita will want to go to that but I will invite her.
Matt we will look for some new bushes for the side. Definately hang in there..it's scarry to see your love one vomiting unless it was a good night out on the town. Foot rubs , hand rubs are good because it will take the mind off of the stomach. On the inner leg 6 inches above the ankle is the pressure point for the stomach and that also can ease the pain and weirdness. Sorry I can't be there to show you but I will see you soon. Love to both of you!

Kelly in Raleigh

This guest book thing is cool! Hope Amy is getting some rest, but if you guys are both up, send me a signal and Karin and I will call.

Dan

Amy, Amy remember what you used to tell me....Let is pass Syd....So shall yours...You're e HUGE trooper and I can't wait to hear your voice.

Matt hang in there too...keep thinking of Golf....that'll do the trick!

Love
Syd

AMY and MAtthew - We are so glad that you are now on the road to recovery, You , Amy, have been thru an awful lot and seem to be doing really well. Matthew, I know how difficult it is to see the LOVE OF YOU LIFE hurting but hang in there and during this time. Remember to take care of yourself as you need to stay well to help Amy thru this deal. I know we all are truly appreciative of your taking the time an effort to share with us Amy's status and progress.
June and Buster

Today will be an even better day. Getting up in a chair has got to more comfortable than trying to find a comfortable position in bed. Since my surgery isn't till March, I am, of course, been following everyone's post op notes. Seems the nausea is quite common. No wonder everyone loses weight! Hope you will get more rest yourself, Mathew. Glad everyone's messages have cheered Amy. Prayers to you both.
Fran Zilko

matthew; thanks much for the updates. Amy is very special and one tough hombre. sounds like you are taking great care of her. thanks for keeping us posted.

Dick

So pleased your surgery is over and now you are on the road to recovery. Take care,rest and be kind to your body...it has been through a tough trauma. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love and blessings
SHARLENE

Wow Matt,
I am totally impressed with Amy's doctor that he would take the time to write in her journal. Great that the tube is finally out and now it's time for you to get some much needed rest. You will be needed big time in the days to come so you must be rested and up to the task of helping Amy. Really glad to read your postings. Cheryl, Ontario

Amy is an unusual, special, and vivacious woman. She bravely underwent a robotic mitral repair and maze procedure. She had a superb outcome and is doing so well after surgery. It is gratifying to bring this special person back to better health and with least invasive techniques. Robotic and minimally invasive cardiac surgical methods are the forefront of heart surgery and provide many benefits over traditional sternotomy based operations. The ECHI team is dedicated to the best health and family focused care of all of our patients. Adam Pick's web site is a real boon to patients as it allows them and their families to better understand the complexities of heart surgery and releaves many of their fears well before they have surgery. I am proud to have been a part (but my care team gets the credit) of her recovery. Dr Randolph Chitwood