Lynn ennis posted a note for Anna that says: Good luck and love to you Anna! There are many of us going this month! I have my AVR on Thursday the 7th. You sound very well prepared so Imknow you will manage this well.I look forward to hearing about it. I started a no gluten, no dairy , no salt-sugar,diet a few weeks ago and feel great! I am also taking drops of boiled turmeric root and lemon juice every day.

Jim Jones posted a note for Anna that says: Anna
You sure are getting it done! A surgery date does focus you attention, doesn't it. Continued success as you prepare. Looks like 11/05 will feature two Bi-coastal mitral valve success stories. The best to you!

Debbie Jaeger posted a note for Anna that says: hi Anna
I just read your journal. On my pictures I posted pics of how I look immediately after surgery. I had the kids take them so I could share with others for your exact reason. I am one month post surgery and it was very rough for me but now I feel great. lots of ups and downs but I think I am very close to being back to myself. Good Luck with the surgery. Keep us posted

Yara posted a note for Anna that says: Querida e Amada Ana
Obrigado por compartilhar conosco esse momento e nos informar sobre todo procedimento. Assim, ficamos mais tranquilos e podemos acompanhar e enviar as nossas melhores energias para voce nesse momento. Muita foça, amor e paz para voce e seu médico.
Beijos
Yara, Charles e Marina

Jim Jones posted a note for Anna that says: Anna
I want to wish you the very best success for your surgery. It sounds like you are really prepared. I will be operated on 11/05 which is I believe the day after you. All the best as you head toward your date!

Lynn E posted a note for Anna that says: It sounds like you are ready Anna. I am also talking to my ribs,telling them to open and work with the surgeon. Best of luck to you.

Joe posted a note for Anna that says: Hello Anna,
It sounds like you are in good hands and in a good place. I will say a prayer for you each day. Soon you will be on the recovery road.

Carol Jackson posted a note for Anna that says: Good listing of things. I did many of those things . I did my chiropractors detox program 1 month before surgery which also really helped. I also trained 2 times a week and swam, so right after surgery I had a lot of core, hip and thigh strength which helped getting out of bed, etc. the nurses couldn't believe it, in fact because I walked the halls so much they took me off blood thinner sooner.

Sylu posted a note for Anna that says: Minha irma adorada !!! Voce pensa em tudo mesmo !!! Que bom que encontrou esse site !!! Estaremos positivamente antes, durante, e depois!!!

Bianca posted a note for Anna that says: Anna cara è arrivato il tempo della tua operazione...purtroppo la mia scarsa conoscenza dell'inglese mi impedisce di capire dettagliatamente come si svolgeranno i giorni prossimi all' intervento ma penso di aver capito il senso delle tue parole, ricche di fiducia ottimismo e serenità, ingredienti perfetti per una rapida e completa "guarigione"!
il mio cuore batte forte accanto al tuo, amica mia cara, per sostenerlo e dargli tutta la forza di cui ha bisogno...
un abbraccio lungo e avvolgente aspetto tue notizie
con amore Bianca

Joan Davenport posted a note for Anna that says: All the best to you on Nov.5th. I loved reading your posts and especially glad to hear you also like Louise Hay.....she gives good advice!!!
I had an aortic valve replacement last year and did very well with the surgery and recuperation...and I was 74 y/o at the time. But I find the "spiritual route" and holistic approach to life works for me. I'm sure you will do well and I like that you were careful about picking your surgery date. I did the same thing and I think drove my surgeons office crazy about being so specific about "the date" after consulting with my spiritual advisors.
I will look forwarding to following your progress and feel free to contact me if I can help.
Sincerely,
Joan Davenport
AVR 6/12/12

Marcus posted a note for Anna that says: Ola , Aninha,
que bom resolver esta parte,
como seu amigo Mike falou, don't bleme your self,
nada e por acaso, são coisas que temos que passar,
para evoluir,
mais ,... quando o dedo de Deus , toca no interruptor, ,....
viver cada momento ,
tenho varios amigos super velhos com
esta valvula, a varios anos,
saudades ,
mil beijos pra todos , estaremos ajudando na Ieve,
Love
Marcus

Hi my dear friend,I found you here and I wish all the best for your journal. Andréa Römer

Hi Anna.

I'm in LA too. Had my surgery over at UCLA.

Optimism, which you got, is the best attitude for us heart valve patients. It leads to more happy thoughts crowding out unhappy ones. Which means seeing and creating opportunities for better outcomes (co-creation). And then acting on those opportunities (more co-creation) instead of being carried along by events. Which means achieving better outcomes. Just this idea itself is a reason for choosing optimism! As I got closer to my surgery I could see the better things coming on the other side, and that made me excited. That was the best combo: optimism & excitement. And then there is the love part: your fixed heart will be a gift of love to your family and yourself.

Peace -- DVB

Hi Anna,
One of the sadder things we do as a society is to blame the victims of disease, as though they are responsible for it. Don't blame yourself for your sickness.
Sickness is not a punishment for negative thinking. It is an inevitable part of life, like a steep hill that must be climbed before the journey can be resumed. The longer you live, the more hills you must climb. 
I had a bicuspid aortic valve that formed in two leaflets imstead of three during the first trimester of my mother's pregnancy with me. Eventually, it just wore out. No one is to blame, it's just a trait that runs in my family.
The heart is a pump, similar to the water pump in your car. If your water pump breaks, you fix it or replace it. It is not bad or good. It did not break because of your thinking. You simply fix it and get on with your journey. 
To climb the next hill, because the view from the top is priceless, but it is not free. We must all pay our dues in life. Sickness, loss, and death are inevitable, but grace, love, and humor make the trip worthwhile.
Best of luck to you in your journey!

Mike Ziegenhagen 
AVR 12-15-12