Jeff, Happy Anniversary. Needless to say I am thrilled that you are happy and HEALTHY. I knew you'd amaze and inspire us!! Continued blessing for love, health and happiness. Janis Kielbasa

Happy Anniversary Jeff!! I have a few days before my 1 year anniversary on the 13th. I've been thinking about it a lot the last couple of days. Like you, I'm filled with all sorts of feelings and emotions, mainly gratitude and priviledge to have had such a great outcome. I haven't journaled in a while, sadly it's just not the same part of my life, but then again, maybe not sadly at all. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. I check in from time to time just to see how everyone is doing and offer encouragement when I can. Almost all of our "class" has "graduated" now. I decided not to go back to work, am spending my time volunteering in the cardiac rehab at my local hospital. Still get to exercise at a ridiculously low fee, still get to see the "cute little exercise specialist" every day and am really enjoying it. I feel better than I have in years and I wasn't having any symptoms (right). Off all meds except Lipitor and low dose aspirin daily. So life is good! Glad you are doing so well. Still hoping one day to get to meet face to face. I've never been to Disney World, so I feel like I HAVE to do that at least once before I kick off, so maybe I will take my grandkids down sometime this year. If that works out I will give you a call. I'm also determined to get up to NYC and meet that crazy, loveable Mitch! Take care and again, Happy Anniversary!
Linda THE Tiger, aka Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

YEA JEFF!! Welcome to the 1 year club brother. Can't wait to get together in NYC in May. Thanks for being there for me during this whole thing. We did it!!!!

Chris

You are a true "Brave Heart." Delighted to hear of your progress and well-being. As I try to make known in the St. Francis newsletter, there is life after open-heart surgery.

Way to go, Jeff! What a blessing you have been in our lives! See you in May!

Niki

Hey Jeff...love your 9 month update. Just know I am always jealous of you Floridians this time of year...I miss the warm weather already!
Get that toe healed up and get back on the mound bringing the heat!

Happy holidays to you and your family my friend.

JH Mattingly

Hi Jeff, Its nice to hear from you again. I am almost 3 months from surgery and am so glad its over and I feel so great. The holidays do mean a lot more to us now and I am enjoying the moment even if I do over do it a little bit. But I got my reality check and slowed down. Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday also.
LInda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12

After seeing my valves on a sono gram {at Celebration ER}... I have an even greater appreciation to hear how well you are doing Dr. Jeff.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2013 !!!!

Jeff, Glad all is well and you are fully recovered. End of December will be 1 year for me. Crazy, how far we have come and crazy good we are fine. Hope your toe heals fast. Enjoy the holidays. Janis Kielbasa

The Official Chiropractor for The Orlando Solar Bears ECHL Hockey Team
Congratulations!
Way to Go Dr. Jeff Shebovsky
We're so proud of you....you deserve it all...and then some.
We Llove You
Brenda nad Stuie

It's Magic! -- DVB

Love the update! Like you, not here as much lately, but just catching up now. I agree. can't imagine what the one year mark will bring. Worst case, no more improvement. I can live with that. I run my half marathon on 10/7. Doing 10 mile runs these days. Life is good!

-Mitch Friedman

Agreed!! If we keep improving from here, the world better WATCH OUT!!

Glad to hear Bro!

Chuck.

When we going to get together ???
Now that you are normal again( not that you were ever normal) call me when you get a minute, it would be good to hear your voice again!

Jeff,
Great to hear the report that you've continuing to realize blessings from the heart repair. As a fellow Mount Sinai alum, like you I continue to remember how fortunate I was to land there, and to receive truly excellent care. Take care, and I hope our paths cross again soon.
- Jim Smith

Proud of you....
Wonderful...wonderful...wonderful
Way to go!
May the New Year bless you and your family with health and happines and peace.
We Love You
Brenda and Stuie

Jeff, Wonderful news!! I am so happy that you are well. Enjoy continued love, health and happiness, my friend. Janis Kielbasa

Dear Jeff,

Thrilled for you & all. It will be ten years post transplant for mom & me.(11/13). I'll be down the last week in October.
Hope to see you, Carol & the children.
Enjoy your life...........
Love, Margaret

Way to go brother!! I know exactly what you mean. Keep living life!!

Jimmy Johnson

Great post! I knew you would do well and so glad for you and your family. We have been truly blessed and are indeed the lucky ones.
Keep on your path and I look forward to more stories of stolen bases, triples/doubles and brushing back those plate-crowders.

Take care my friend!

JH Mattingly

Great update! Glad you are back to work full steam. I guess that is a good thing, right?!?!?!?! You are doing awesome. We all are! Take care bro.

-Mitch Friedman

I know the same feeling. Just this past Thursday August 9th was my one year anniversary of valve replacement. Today I helped a friend move, didnt do any lifeting , but probably walked three miles and up and down stairs two dozen times in 110 degree Las Vegas heat.
It is amazing to understand how we have been fortunate enough to survive heart surgery and now thrive.
God is great
God Bless
John Madonna
Las Vegas NV

Now you fully understand why I edit the Brave Hearts newsletter. It's my way of giving back. Hope you're enjoying each issue.

AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING!
God Bless You
We Love You
Brenda and Stuie

Right there with you man. Just a few weeks behind you and feeling the same way!

Heart surgery? What heart surgery?

Chuck Holmgreen
3/20

Proud of you brother. Hard to believe we wrecked our bodies 5 short months ago. Guess God still has plans for us and I'm definitely cool with that. :-))

- Chris Dixon

Jeffrey:

I just read through your journal. Its great to hear how quickly you were up and back to normal.I am always interested to hear how younger patients did with the surgery.

I am 29 and will be having a dacron graft placed in my ascending aorta and my aortic valve will be repaired or possibly replaced depending on what they find when they get in there. I am leaning towards the biological valve because I do not want to deal with blood thinners forever.

Did you participate in a cardiac rehab program? It seemed like you got back in to excersize quickly after surgery.

Liver transplant, What liver transpant???
Jeff, I truly understand.

Enjoy your life. See you in October....

Love, Margaret

Again Jeff, I'm so happy for you fast recovery. At the time that you had your surgery, you were figuring a years recovery, but I had thoughts that you were going to surprise yourself, and everybody else:) It'll be good again to see you back playing baseball this fall!

See you soon!!! Vic Connelly

Do you taske questions? Patricia C.

Yeah, yeah, 508 this, 509 that, secret codes. You guys are TCFW (too cool for words for you non-cool non-NYers). You are doing great! Keep up the running, just increase gradually. I have come to believe it is more a mental thing than a physical one. Your heart can handle it. Just need to build your confidence up. Keep up the good work.

- NYC Guy

Dear #509,

Next time I see you, we're going to Chinese leg wrestle and see who recovered best!! :-P You're doing great bro, keep it up and keep us all updated!

- #508

Awesome news on your recovery, especially the return to the diamond. That heart rate should not be a concern. As you continue to heal, it will likely fall with the same measure of aerobic workload. Hard to believe it's been 4 months for us already.
- Jim Smith

Sounds great Jeff. I was hoping you and the family would be coming into NY this summer. We would have loved to see you. of course you would have had to undergo my MESHEL physical just to make sure everything is fine. I never believed a Dr. In my life! LOL. Lucky you, you won't be my victim.
Love to all,
Marcia

Jeff, Awesome news!! It's crazy good to think 4 months ago you were having surgery and now you are doing so well. Your post will inspire so many others just beginning this journey. Continued health and happiness, my friend. Janis Kielbasa

HeyJeff. You sound great. The 150' s are high for us but not bad on thebig picture and will stay in that level till we get back to our level of cardio conditioning. For me I'm not there yet and it's been almost a year. We are ( at least I am) / still on meds-metroprol-which is to keep the heart rate and BP down. What's most important is the recovery rate and yours sounds great. I did a 20 mile mountain bikeride and I got into the150 on the uphill but I was getting close to 200 doing that a few months before surgery. I'm in Aruba now diving and swimming. Did 8 dives last week another week then back to work. How's the shoulder and mid back pain? I did get a cortisone shot in my shoulder and it worked great. I roll on a foam roller for 30 min before I train and I get massage and do yoga 2 times a week. I'd love to stay in touch to see wherewe are in10 years. Maybe my next job will be transcathater. With the Ross, do you expect not to need another valve job later?

Do you do any PI? Take care and be well. Jeff

We are so very proud of you! (but not surprised in the least--we knew you would recover quickly!) You have had so many people praying for you and wishing you well--how could you not recover quickly? You are an amazing inspiration to us all!

Bobby and Reba Hill

Hi Jeff,

Looks look all of your pre-surgery preparation is paying off in your recovery!

It was great to read your update and see how well you are doing!

John Lund

Our bodies are wonderful and resilient things. Great to hear that you are doing very well.

Chuck Holmgreen

Jeff:
Happy Fathers Day!
We Love You
Brenda and Stuie

HI Jeff, Glad to read you are doing so well. It is amazing to think where we were a short time ago and now back to daily life. I can do most everything I want but not ready to get back in my kayak yet. Maybe, in fall. We are so blessed. Life is good. Take care of yourself. Janis Kielbasa

So happy for you...I knew you would do great. The twisting is what bothered me the most and it took about 4 months for my chest to finally get over that. I am an avid golfer, so it took a while before I could swing hard. Plus I probably overdid it along the way too. Totally fine now. I'm sure you will be too before much longer.

Take care my friend...your post put a big smile on my face!

JH Mattingly

So good to hear that you're doing swell. Hopefully HR thing will resolve and you can get off metropolol since that stuff slows you down. Might want to discuss w/ doctor if altering exercise regimen one way or the other will help. Stay strong -- DVB

Jeff

Great to hear. I hope your heart rate evens out soon. Mine has slowed significantly.

Got the opportunity to meet Nancy and Dick this morning. Well worth the hour drive and would do it again in a heart beat (pun intended).

Chuck Holmgreen.

Great update. Glad you are rocking it. Glad we all are rocking it. Amazing journey. So glad we met and shared it. Stay in touch.

-Mitch Friedman

Was thinking about you.!! IsnT your cruise pretty soon. Have a great time.

Ill call before margie comes to orlando. Am stilled bummmed out i couldnt do the session.

But thank you again for your support.

Glad of course youre doing well. Me too. On flight now from ft lauderdale to hotlanta. And i think we will get to mert chuck homgreen friday there. Will send pix.

Stay healthy. Im doing great. Like we all say sort of a non event kow isnt it?

Be well & talk soon. Higs & best to mrs jeff

Nancy

Hi Jeff,
Great to hear the update, and that you're continuing to do amazingly well. Hard to believe it's been 3 months already since we met at Mount Sinai. Keep up the good work, and say hi to Carol for me.
Cheers
- Jim Smith

I'm so happy for you and your beautiful family. As time goes on, we'll talk less and less about our major surgeries but let's never forget the good that came from it. I look forward to seeing you guys in Florida sometime soon! :-))

Your valve Bro,

Chris Dixon
Stelzer Ross #508

Hi Jeff:

We are so glad that things are going so well for you after 3 months!! Wow, you are truly a gift from GOD!! Not only for your family and patients, but for those who are in the same boat who now have someone they can talk to and help them through.

Give our love to Carol and the kids.

Hugs,
Tanya, Jerry and Rebecca Jones (Carol's cousin from Maryland)

Dear Jeff, So happy for you! Keep the journal going. It is inspiring. Love to Carol & the kids. Allan & I just returned from two weeks in Europe. Wonderful, but, exhausting. Margaret