Emilyrae, I am glad to hear you are recovering well and I keep you and Bill in my prayers. I can't wait to hear you are home, well, and having a renewed since of well being. Minnie

Good Job to Emilyrae from barry on the mtn in NM....just finishing 36 cardiac rehab sessions (3 per wk for 12 wks)...she'll be doing the same soon....if you like Italian food, take her to Little Italy when the discharge comes....seems so long ago and also just like yesterday my sis took me there, and after dinner to watch the sun set on Lake Erie...Impressive, even in March, although icy cold!

Each day will get easier....prayers continuing...keep up the good work Bubee and Grampy! We love you:) ~Mary

Thanks for the update. I assumed today was going well. There's a slight chance I may come back home in September so we can look forward to our DAY together after all. Just keep up your good work which I'm sure you are trying to do. Bill is definitely doing his part. Luv ya Mary Ann

Hi Emilyrae - I am following along with you and noting your progress. I face a similar trauma in about 3 weeks and so the process of recovery is something I think about a lot. May yours continue speedily.

I wish you the best -

a brother under the skin - Rob Fairchild

I'm really glad to hear things are going relatively well. Emilyrae has been in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you also for the detail you pass along. It helps others like myself know more of what to expect on this adventure. Please keep us posted on Emilyrae's progress. I know she is in great hands all around.
Chris O.

Thanks for the updates Bill. Tell Emilyrae to keep up the good fight, and she'll be fully recovered sooner than later. Love, Joe

I am so glad to hear Emilyrae is starting to feel better! I have been reading your entries daily, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the detail in which you describe everything. I will be going to CCF for two (possibly three) valve repairs in October (with Dr. Gillinov), and it is REALLY NICE to know what to expect. I totally agree with your suggestion of having a family advocate. Having sat with my dad in a hospital for two months, I was amazed at how many things seemed to fall through the cracks if there wasn't someone there to keep an eye on him. It really helps the patients and the care team to have someone there 24/7.
Emilyrae is in my thoughts and prayers, and I wish her a full and speedy recovery. Thanks again for all the info.....and keep it coming! She is very lucky to have you there with her!

Deb Z

Thank you for the update on Emilyrae. good to hear she is out of ICU. My surgery is scheduled for Tue the 19th, so I am glad to know what to expect. I know its different for everybody, but its good to be prepared. Please tell her she is in my thoughts and prayers even though we don't even know each other, we are going through the same thing. Inge Colby

God is so good. I thank him for yesterday & hopefully he keeps going forward with the healing process. You're in the best hands you could be in & he has great big ones. Looking forward to more good news today
Lov ya girl. MaryAnn

Give our love to Bubee and you too! Continuing to pray and praise her successful surgery. We ran into the same scenario with Nick concerning the nurses...he it wa a 1:1 ratio of nurses to patients, but we never had the same nurse twice. I remember walking the halls too. Keep up the good work Grampy:)

Emilyrae,
Each day you're getting better. I enjoyed reading about your progress! Soon the pain and nausea will subside and you'll be asking for pizza to eat!! (well, maybe!!) Keep up the good work--remember we're making 68 proud!!
Shirley H.

Love the play by play, on the phone and again by journal...as I said before, I couldn't rest assured here if not for the fact that you had bases covered there!!! We're keeping her all prayed up, and will be ready for rehab duty when you return! I hope you get some rest tonight...and that you get the glove on before that pop fly ;-) all our love to you both, Stacyrae

Hi Emilyrae, so happy to read your surgery went good and it's over. Now on to the recovery stage with each day a bit brighter. Sending you our prayers, love and some sunshine your way. Love, Carol Lacher

Just went to lunch with prayer partners. All were asking about Emilyrae. Forgot to sign my name last night. Anxious to hear how rest of day is going. I want to know more details about how she is doing now - Thurs-whenever get the time. What about AFIB after surgery? Continuing to pray about that.
Thanks Bill for being so attentive to your wife & my best friend from 7th grade on. Hug her for me. Love ya both M.A.Hunter

So happy to hear everything went well. GOD speed for a nice recovery. Inge

Another day gone by and time to send more positive vibes from Sandia Mountain in NM to you guys....barry on the mtn in NM...the guy that Dr Mihajevic and Dr Gillinov did a valve job on good enough tonight was a milestone in recovery, conquering a little over mile long hill on the way to cardiac rehab goal -> Marine Corps Marathon...I hope everyone can know I know it would not have been possible 'cept for those super docs and their super teams at CCF. Yep, you got the best on the planet taking care of you!

Bill and Emilyrae, I'm so glad all went well. I was getting concerned also--I'm not sure why because I knew you'd be just fine. It sounds like you have a wonderful "hubby" there to help take care of you. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to more good news!!
Shirley Howerton

Hi Bill. Emilyrae is blessed to have a good man to stand by her. -- DVB

Thanks Bill. Give our best to Emilyrae. Let us know when we can call her. Thoughts and prayers. Pam & Pat

It's almost 9 p.m. Wed. Was trying to find a phone number for Stacey. Don't have one. So checked the journal again/had checked all day/glad to get an update finally. Can rest easy now. Never thought about you not being able to use cell etc in there. Not surprised actually. Thanks Bill. Just keep us informed. Put her on prayer list at church tonight.

I'm a little late with this. Have been praying all along & have Prayer Partners as well as Brandi & Holly praying also. Anxious to hear how Emilyrae is as of today. MAH

Emilyrae, you have been on my mind all day and in my prayers. I know you are going to be just fine. We will get together when you come home and talk about old times again. Love ya, Helen B. P.S. I hope to meet Bill soon.

More positive vibes from the mountain in NM...Barry

Emilyrae, I'm thinking about you and praying for you. I'll be checking your journal for your progress report today--you'll be "crashed" for awhile, but I'm sure your family will keep us posted.
Shirley H.

Emilyrae, I'm thinking about you and lifting up some prayers!! Bill, I'm thinking about you too!!!! I believe spouses of patients have more pressure on them during this time. Hang in there! She's in great hands!!!

Christy

Dear Emilyrae,
Have been thinking about you last night and today especially, with very good thoughts of a totally healthy you. You have to be in class in the fall so that we can wink at each other!!! John and I are sending our prayers and love your way with total confidence in our faith. Love, Tina & John

Just left the Chaplin here at work. Prayers are everywhere. Love, E

Bill, I returned from Mass a few minutes ago. We prayed for the success of the surgery.
One line from Psalm 69 that was read today was very appropriate:
"you who seek God, may your HEARTS revive!"

We are supporting you, too, Bill.

Paul from Midcoast Maine

I asked our Christian group at Clark Nexsen to pray for Mom this morning, so a lot of prayers are going up for her. Keep us posted. Love, Joe

We are all thinking of you and praying! We know your heart is in fantastic hands at CC. Love, Mary

Emilyrae & Bill. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you throughout the day. Looking forward to your safe and healthy return to Virginia Beach.
Love, Pam & Pat

Bill, tell Emily Rae that 27 people joined hands last night and prayed for her recovery. ALL vowed to pray again for her today on the day or surgery.

After we did this one woman approached me and said that she had a special ministry for the sick and gave me a medal to send to Emily Rae. Appropriately, it was a medal portraying the SACRED HEART!

More prayers for her at daily Mass today 8AM EST.

Paul

You are a brave, dear woman. Will have you in my thoughts -- DVB

Say, Emilyrae, just realized tomorrow is your day on the "Table", so wanted to you to know that the best vibes possible have been sent your way from the side of Sandia Mountain in NM, the mountain that from the top you can easily see 100 miles to the East and 100 miles to the West....so off the mountain super vibes are sent your way....saw one of your supporters quoted the Impossible Dream, which, would you believe I actually sang outloud the first time ever I attempted to ride my bike 100 miles...there were lots of open spaces here in NM on the round about route to Santa Fe and back home where no one could possibly hear me...but it was sorta an impossible dream to ride a hundred miles, but, one peddle rotation at a time and it got done, just like one step at a time and you'll, in a few months remember you were on the "Table", but you will be so involved in doing other stuff the "Table" will be history, a memory, that, by the way, you probably won't remember. My anethetist (sp?) high school classmate who lives in Erie, Pa, just up the lake a bit, told me he knew the chief of anesthesiology at CC and said they'd make sure I had the best...like everyone else gets...and I wouldn't remember anything, and, at my request, not even the Cleveland Winter from my time there mid March....Best of Luck to you fine Lady....Barry on the mtn in NM...P.S. Nuke Bill..this is a former "Chief Accounting Officer" re nuc stuff..., nuf said about that. Make sure your fine lady gets moving as soon as she can, eats her meals at a table and chair in her room as soon as she cans, and starts walking around the Ward as soon as she can, and, if she can by the time she gets to the step down unit walks laps...yes, multiple, around the ward...good Luck.

So, the "nuke" has taken over the journal, eh? This is Emilyrae's daughter, and I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of her friends/followers on this journal for their HEARTfelt thoughts and prayers...it means the world to her, such positivity! Bill is a nuclear engineer, affectionately our "nuke", so you'll get all the finer points of the surgery/recovery over the next few days ;). The only reason I can rest assured here (back home) is because he is there! Thank you all, again, for your thoughts and prayers!!!

Emilyrae & Bill,

I am thinking great big, healthy, heart-pumping thoughts for you.

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

P.S. Give my best to Dr. Gillinov!

Bubee,

I just talked to you on the phone and you sounded so weak and tired. I just wish I knew what to say to you to make it better, I tried my best. I dont know what to do. I know you wouldnt want me to cry but I cant help it. I just feel like with you so far away all I can do is send my prayers to you but that does not seem like enough. I wish I could do more for you. I wish I could have donated blood, or at least be there to hold your hand when the treatment is over. Your profile picture made me smile, you love that shirt. You should have worn it to the Yankees game you went to :)

No matter what,I know that you are going to be perfectly fine because you are the strongest, smartest, bravest, worthiest person have ever met.

To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

I love you taller than the sky.

P.S- What you se is what you be!

-Bubalu

ER, Rene and I went to Mass this AM. I announced that I had a friend in need of prayer who was facing heart surgery in Cleveland. Soooo, one priest and 25 parishioners (our usual number at daily Mass) said prayers for you.
This PM between 2 and 3 EDT I will doing my Eucharistic Adoration, roaries, etc.
Tonight Rene and I are having our monthly Cursillo Ultreya meeting (Methodists, Catholics and Episcopals, etc) Usually, we get 25-35 attendees. Be assured that they will all say a prayer for you after I finish with them. You are totally in HIS Hands.

Paul

Mom - we have you in our thoughts and prayers. We know everything will go well, and you will be back home soon playing with the grandkids in the pool. We know God is watching over you! Love, Joe

Hi ,Thanks for all the updates.Our love and prayers are with you.Knowing the light of GOD surrounds you and is protecting you.We know your future will be better .And best wishes to all your family. Looking fwd to next update. love Peggy & Emery

Hi Emilyrae. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. Know you've done your homework on this one as you do with everything important to you so know you're in good hands from a medical standpoint. I don't think anyone could have much better support from family, faith, and friends so you're definitely in good hands!
We love ya
Deanna

It's Sunday and i know I have friends and family members all over the country praying for my mother, as am I. We love you.

Good morning Emilyrae. I had a heart cath done a couple of weeks ago and had the same outcome. The difference is the doctor put a small clip in the incision, which makes it clot much faster. I only had to lay flat for 2 hours and no one had to hold pressure on for a long time like before. They told me that was the reason for the shorter time period.
I want to wish you great luck in your surgery, and we all know GOD is holding our hand throughout the surgery. Inge Colby

On our way to church...gonna raise you up in prayer again to the congregation, though you've been on the list for weeks. My Scottish friend, Heather, asks for you every week...says she includes you on her prayers every morning...I love to hear her barogue ;)...hard to understand at times, but I know God hears her. I hope you find time to relax your mind and nerves today with meditation, journaling, maybe a massage? Remember that you're "all prayed up" and Luke's poster...God knows you're special to (us)...He'll walk with you the whole way, healing your heart and bringing you safely home to your children and grandchildren <3 <3 <3

Emilyrae, may the peace of God that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus as you walk with Him throughJuly 12th.

Paul M

Emotions are high, eh, as the day gets closer. Brings back the memory. From Nov 22nd when the doc told me I had this leak and needed heart surgery sooner than later...and I just stared back at his eyes saying nothing until whatever he then said prompted me to say as I continued looking straight into his eyes...I says, very much without emotion, I just don't want to hear it. Guess that is when he must have told me if I wasn't scared I wasn't normal. From that day on Nov 22, '10 I knew the, so to say, shoe was going to drop, wondered when and how bad it would be. I took to research and learning as much as I could about the situation, kinda what got me to end up at CCF. I don't know what it was, the yoga studies I've done, Randy Pausch's influence (The Last Lecture guy...see on You Tube or read the book), my mental make up, reading Ellen Charnley's Book about Living Life to the Full, the story of her heart surgery a year before by the exact same surgeon, or what it was...but, the shoe never dropped...and, btw, I am not a theist...I know there's no "God" that will take care of me..just me...but, I just knew those experts there at CCF are as good as there could be, if not the very best, to take care of me..and when I was wheeled on that gurney into the OR, saw those stainless arms and joints of the Da Vinci Robot, got transferred to "The Table", at that time I was completely calm and confident, not a scared bone in my body....and soon I woke up and the thing I dreaded the most, the breathing tube down my throat, wasn't even there. Yep, you got the best taking care of you...and another BTW, because of a family emergency with Dr, Mihaljevic, Dr. Gillinov, afterr Dr. M had done the major work, finished me up. I know from experience, lady, you got the best taking care of you...nothing for you to worry about...only thing to think about on the other side, I think, is "how quick you gonna get-up". I'm not trying to paint a picture that it is all perfect and there is no discomfort. I also remember when I woke up the nurse asked me how I felt...and, of course I told her exactly how I felt..."like shit"..the wife says I used my full vocabulary, but I don't think I used any other available four letter adjectives from my vocabulary, although I could have...but the special juice in that IV thing that flows when you push the little button is good...actually, I never felt any really bad pain. They are so good there. ...barry on the mtn in NM

Emilyrae, I justed wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and have you in my prayers. You are always an inspiration to me and someone I look up to. I know you will take care of yourself, so hope to see you in good health soon. Luv ya. Minnie

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love~Mary

Emilyrae,

One more thing I learned. When you get to the step down unit, they may not ask you if you want to choose your meals from a menu that is available, and may just bring you whatever. Ask for the menu as soon as you can and choose from Salmon to whatever...lots of really good choices. By the time I thought to ask about menu choices I was being discharged, so I really didn't get that benefit...but you should...Barry on the mtn in NM...good luck to you. And, btw, if you get the slim dark haired nurse named Kathy, tell her the guy from NM that was there in March, whose family she told about trying Little Italy, the guy that did lots of walking laps around the ward..thought she was the best...and if you have Dr. Mihaljevic, could tell him the guy he autographed Ellen Charnley's book for..that he did the mitral valve on Mar 11th for, is doing his Marathon training and up to struggling with 12 miles as distance builds for the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct 30th...thanks to him and his team I'm able.