Sandy Wummer AVR 5/9/13 posted a note for Bill that says: Bill, I was glued together so I cant speak to staple removal but as I remember from abdominal surgery its just Pinching.. It cant be worse than the chest tubes or pacer wires coming out... sounds like you are improving and on track... welcome to "this side" of the process an im so glad you sound better than 2 days ago... I had "good" energy days and "NO" energy days and over a few weeks the good days were many more than the no energy ones.. Be patient with yourself. remember, that heart lung machine is serious trauma to your body and organs. rest when you need to and embrace rehab... you will soon look back and see how very far you have come...

Dennis McCall posted a note for Bill that says: Glad things are going so well. Based on my experience the strength should soon improve. Keep pushing yourself, I believe that helps move you along in the recovery.

Wish you all the best.

Teena posted a note for Bill that says: Bill - Thanks for the call today but please don't feel like you have to call because your schedule and energy needs to turn into what ever you need to do for yourself. We can catch up later - I do enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work my friend. Glad to hear about the nice accommodations at an Avamere facility. Management is so important. Good luck tomorrow - with another initiation activity of the Zipper Club.

Josh and Randy posted a note for Bill that says: Sounds like you're the poster child for a great recovery and a miracle of modern medicine. You looked GREAT when we saw you late last week, we are both so very happy for your continued excellent recovery!

jeff o posted a note for Bill that says: Sounding good Bill, glad to hear you keep getting better and better.

Bev Haines posted a note for Bill that says: Thinking about you Bill and keeping you in my prayers for body recovery and out of pain. Pain meds are good, you don't want to be in pain.
We are headed camping with the the grandkids for three days :) Now , that would not feel good for you .
Let us know when you want company.
Hugs,
Bev
Bev

Teena posted a note for Bill that says: Forgot to tell you - Jane called a few minutes ago and 626 passed the Senate with 30 votes - 100%. Monday the House. Guardianship put off until February. Your good work - is working - now "please pass the pain pills"

Teena posted a note for Bill that says: Hi Bill - have been wondering when reality would prevail. Regarding "Mind over Matter" It depends on whose mind and AVS we are talking about which really matters. Sounds like you are feeling some uncomfortable healing signs. Now that really matters. Where are those pain killers you were minimizing? Maybe they need to come out to do their good work. Be comfortable my friend.

Lisa Obst AVR 6-11-13 posted a note for Bill that says: Hang In there. I'm still having problems with the appetite and nausea but its better than it was. Make sure you take your pain meds. I try not to and then wonder what I was thinking after I take them and feel so much better. I am hoping I will feel much better in a couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to it! So far so good. It will get better.

Marray Houston,Texas posted a note for Bill that says: Okay keep in mind that is why it is called rehabilitation not vacation.

I would try to treat it like its laundry day or house cleaning day- a chore that has to be done, not something we like, but done then we can have fun. Just think like its a hoarder house-clean it up- then paR-teeee! lOVE YOU THE MOST, m

Gretchen posted a note for Bill that says: Hi Bill! Glad to hear the move went well. The fatigue and taste thing were two things I dealt with too with my hip replacement. Your body's busy doing lots of other things. Hang in there, week by week you'll look back and see your progress. I'll visit this week too. My best to James!

Janet Wells posted a note for Bill that says: Bill, it's nice to hear your voice in your journal again. Thanks to James for taking over while you were down under.

After far less complicated surgery than you had, it took longer than I expected for me to feel normal. The good news was that it was the "new normal."

I hope you feel better today and have a good weekend.

Janet

jeff o posted a note for Bill that says: Sounds like recovery is as tough as I have heard. Take a day at a time and do what you can. I'll be starting my recovery this August and hope to learn what to expect from others, so thank you for posting about your experience. I'm pulling for you and have you in my prayers.

Lynn Ennis posted a note for Bill that says: I am having AVR in October. From all I have read, everyone's immediate (~2 month) post op time is VERY up and down. Not linear at all. Keep telling yourself " It will end. Eventually I will be fine". Don't compare your recovery . You will be ok Bill, do what they tell you, listen to some nice tunes and breathe thru the pain. Easy for me say, right? All the best!

Janet Wells posted a note for Bill that says: Bill, your progress is thrilling! Keep up the good work.

Sherry posted a note for Bill that says: Happy Fourth of July! Glad you are out of the hospital. So fine to be tubeless and on your road to recovery.

Pulling for you and your family!
Xoxox

Lisa Obst AVR 6-11-13 posted a note for Bill that says: Don't fret over the taste bud thing. I am almost a month past my surgery and taste buds are still crazy. Coming back though. Ate half a cheeseburger yesterday and it was the first thing that tasted almost normal! So glad he is doing well. It's a piece of cke from here on out. Good luck.

Becky Janda posted a note for Bill that says: Hi Bill: You are doing great! Continued prayers of healing! love you

nancy... the favorite sista posted a note for Bill that says: Glad to here you are being the little caboose that keeps chuggin along!!
Thinking of you and James, so glad there have been no bumps along the way!

Jeff O posted a note for Bill that says: Bill just some guy in Wisconsin cheering for you.

Teena posted a note for Bill that says: Bill you progress is right on track and outstanding. Keep up the good work.
Thinking about you daily.

David Berger posted a note for Bill that says: Hello Bill,
Been keeping you (and James) in my thoughts. I'd like to come by the Pearl some night this week and say a quick hello. So proud of you--I know this is a lot of mental and physical work. Good on you.
David Berger

Bev Haines posted a note for Bill that says: Hi Bill,
Now the work begins and I know you can do it. Have been asking VeAnna and Pam about you , this blog is great.Just found out about it today from Sherry.
Know that you have a huge team rooting for you. We miss you !
"We know you can"

DVB posted a note for Bill that says: Way to go Bill! Keep walking, pushing. Listen to your body, but challenge it. That's the way to jump start the recovery.

Lisa Obst AVR 6-11-13 posted a note for Bill that says: Bill,
You are home free! ALL the bad stuff is behind you. Wasn't that shower WONDERFUL? All the tubes are gone and its all good from now on! You did it my friend! Woohoo!

Peggy (Crane) Ryan posted a note for Bill that says: You have brought so much hope and positive energy to future heart patients. I'm so blessed to have you as my cuz...our Mothers are hugging each other and praising physical life.

Dennis McCall posted a note for Bill that says: Sounds like a real milestone is achieved. All the best during rehab.

Judy Suzurikawa posted a note for Bill that says: Bill, Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm scheduled for aortic valve replacement in July and it helps to hear of your wonderful progress!

martha gibson posted a note for Bill that says: Today's comments show that you continue to soar with progress! It makes my day to hear this! Each patient's story is so important, so meaningful to staff, family and other support sources. Isn't it nice that now communication like this blog is available? Thanks for setting it up for us. Onward.

Sherry Bradford posted a note for Bill that says: Yay, Bill! You will be racing around that hallway before long!

Dorothy posted a note for Bill that says: I am so happy that you made great progess today. Even though the circumstances were not ideal for a "visit", I am always glad to be with you. Beside being the perfect patient, you have alwya been the PERFECT brother.

Teena posted a note for Bill that says: Bill - just got your note - Anxious to hear more about the "wires" What wires and where. We you strung up like a puppet? Or maybe this is what is meant by "feeling wired"????? smile--:--) or getting wired?????? New vocabulary with every new adventure.

Teena Ainslie posted a note for Bill that says: Bill sounds like the food is wonderful. Glad your appetite is returning and it sounds like everthing offered is pretty appetizing. Keep up the good work.

jeff o posted a note for Bill that says: Glad to hear you're doing well. Hang in there and keep moving forward.

Lisa Obst AVR. 6-11-13 posted a note for Bill that says: Wow! Great news. Especially the good oxy sat and pulse. As for "pump head" I had that for over a week! I would hear what the tv said but my brain would hear words that were different. It was actually funny! Won't be long until this is alla distant memory! Keep up the good work!

Martha Gibson posted a note for Bill that says: So very happy to learn that you are doing well. You are a wonderful resourceful guy. You'll do what you need to do to be part of this team effort to get you better. Now be really good to yourself. This is a big experience and you might even need some rest from time to time! Best from Bob and me

Grethen posted a note for Bill that says: Bill and James! Thanks for the updates and so happy you're all doing so well! A wonderful start to this journey that will be one step at a time. Perhaps there will be dancing in the future!

Teena Ainslie posted a note for Bill that says: Mr. Bill. Have been watching this like a hawk. What a nice way to communicate. Well......better than nothing at all. Nice for James too. So appropriate for you. This is amazing. So Monday you will be moving on. From the sound of the condition of the old valve you have bought another 50,000 mile guarantee for that old ticker. LTCO needs you and it's been a good investment. Sounds like you are eating well and doing everything you're supposed to do. Anxious to see you.

Marray spillard posted a note for Bill that says: Glad to hear such good news. Shall we plan a trip to Provence?

Much Love,
M

Janet Wells posted a note for Bill that says: These reports are such a pleasure to read!

I'm sorry Dorothy ate Bill's raisin though. It might have brought a fortune on eBay.

Mary Ann Snider posted a note for Bill that says: Great news--I'm thankful that you are doing so well!

Dan Dunham posted a note for Bill that says: Hey, Bill - You are doing far too well...and that makes me feel really good!! Proud of you, Bill...your attitude and approach to this surgery are not just admirable - they are spectacular! Susan joins me in wising you continued steady progress. We could not possibly be happier that things are going so well for you. Now I've got to get to my June report! Love and best wishes...Dan

Mickey posted a note for Bill that says: Bill,
I'm so glad that you are recouping well!! Don't rush it!
As soon as possible remember the chocolate.

This is a great use of technology! Is it all your doing does the clinic know to do these things?

Lisa Obst posted a note for Bill that says: Great news! Tell him I saw all kinds of bizarre things on the pain meds. Nothing scary just bizarre. Dreamed crazy dreams all the time. So glad to hear he is eating. I still can't eat a lot. That will help so much in his recovery. Things are looking up!!! Great Job Bill!!

Alise posted a note for Bill that says: So happy to hear about your successful surgery and model patient status! Keep up the good work! Best wishes for a speedy full recovery.

Sherry Bradford, AVR 10/23/2012 posted a note for Bill that says: Way to go, Bill! Congrats on your first steps toward your new and improved life! Lots of prayers heading your way! Use that spirometer religiously! It makes a huge difference!

Shirley L Williams posted a note for Bill that says: I am so happy that things have gone so well for you. I certainly miss not being able to pick up my phone & ask you a question. Will have a list full by the time you get home. You are so missed.

Suzie posted a note for Bill that says: Bill,
So very happy to say just a simple "hello."
Love,

Sherry posted a note for Bill that says: I am SO glad that everything went SO well. Rus and I both wish you a speedy recovery!

Sandy Wummer 5/9/13 AVR posted a note for Bill that says: way to go Bill... after you get pain meds spend a little time deep breathing . really important. your positive attitude is getting you through... sounds like you have a wonderful support system too... we are all pulling for you