Janet Fortney posted a note for Jennifer that says: I am so glad your surgery went well and you are on the mend. I love reading your blog. You definitely should be writing a book while you recuperate. Keep on healing and I am looking forward to the rest of the alphabet!

Nan Greeley posted a note for Jennifer that says: Sense of humor still intact. Journals getting longer. I see the future.... More power to you. Take care Jen,

Nan

Carol and Mary posted a note for Jennifer that says: YOU REALLY SHOULD WRITE A NOVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joanne posted a note for Jennifer that says: I was supposed to be reading a book for book club but this will suffice. Glad your feeling better.

mrmiller48@yahoo.com posted a note for Jennifer that says: You are my hero, Jen. That includes bravery AND your writing talent. xxoo MM

Carol and Mary posted a note for Jennifer that says: You really are recuperating at a rapid pace. Keep up the good work and the very interesting writing.

Big Sis❤️ posted a note for Jennifer that says: Congratulations on moving to your big girl bed sis! That milestone is now in your rear view mirror with a much clearer road ahead! Before long you’ll be cruising around town with the top down on Mustang Sal.

Ronda Seifer Walis posted a note for Jennifer that says: I am happy you are able to muster the words to artfully describe both your pain and joy. It will be a distant memory very soon. Thanks for sharing.

Vicki B posted a note for Jennifer that says: Jennifer - I am having a cardiac tumor removed from my pulmonic valve in two weeks. Any advice you can give?

Carol and Mary posted a note for Jennifer that says: We are so happy that you are recovering so well and so quickly. Keep up the good work!!

Nan posted a note for Jennifer that says: Hey Jennifer,

Glad you are home and on the road to wellness. Don't worry about punctuation.... The English language is terminally ill with no recovery insight. Punctuation is totally personal preference... surely you've seen our president's tweets. so...GET BETTER!!! I mean REALLY GET BETTER.

Theresa Stanisz posted a note for Jennifer that says: Sending virtual hugs and kisses!!! Keep up the great comeback work❤️😎🌞🍾

Emily Everett posted a note for Jennifer that says: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

MM posted a note for Jennifer that says: You done real good, Ms. Jen!! Sending a whopper of a hug your way!

Susan Lynn posted a note for Jennifer that says: Hey, Jennifer! Hope you're doing well and on a quick road to recovery. Welcome to the club! Please drop us a few sentences to let us know how you're doing. I know you're such a prolific writer, but we can wait for the humorous details when you're feeling up to it. ;-)

Anna Jones posted a note for Jennifer that says: How are you doing? I know that many of us are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Sending best wishes, Anna

MN posted a note for Jennifer that says: Thinking of you all day ... and weirdly enough ( is that grammatically correct?) I heard Brave by Sara Bareilles while driving to my doc appt this morning! A good sign.

Tina Leger posted a note for Jennifer that says: I’ve been praying for you and can’t wait to hear the good news that your surgery went well and your on your way to a speedy recovery!! Xoxo

Debbie Iacoboni posted a note for Jennifer that says: The big day is here. I can't wait for the last chapter for you to tell us all is well!

Ronda Seifer Walis posted a note for Jennifer that says: Healing Power, Praying Power, Power to the People! The Heart is Powerful and we are praying in all forms and reasonable facsimile for a seamless surgery and speedy recovery and decent drugs to ease the pain.
Ronda Seifer

MM posted a note for Jennifer that says: You’ll certainly be receiving some good vibrations from me and the LOTLT. Spreading our fairy dust clear up to A2! xo

Donna posted a note for Jennifer that says: Love your blog enjoy reading your posts! I’ll be praying for you my friend and i’m lookin forward to some more good times! XO

Kim posted a note for Jennifer that says: There will be no green and white or blue and yellow (yes, yelllow) coming from this lips (or any thoughts of such)!
It’s hard to believe that it’s that time already. I do wish you all the best (or maybe that for your surgeon!) and I will be thinking of you, at least until I get the thumbs up. Maybe we need a family picnic on your road to recovery. What else do you have to do?

Kori posted a note for Jennifer that says: Huge Prayers being sent to you! Hugs, good juju an what ever else I can think of.
Andddd, Go Bucks!

Suez posted a note for Jennifer that says: Boom!

Carol and Mary posted a note for Jennifer that says: You really do write very well. Ever thought of a novel when all of this heart shit is over. It would be a best seller!!! Glad you had a good time in Vegas, but thanks to you and Rebecca, now Mary wants to go back. Oh, well! Love, Carol and Mary

Big Sis posted a note for Jennifer that says: Now you're talking sis! Now you can plant those flowers and start smelling them a little earlier than planned. Digging in the dirt is wonderful therapy for your heart and soul!

Nan Greeley posted a note for Jennifer that says: Hey Jenn,

Looks like a bit of a detour in your road ahead. Thanks for sending your journal. Love your style and look forward to your insights. An author I enjoy Barbara Erenreich, just wrote a book called Natural Causes. " ... a provocative, informative, hilarious, and deeply moving book. A must read." Arlie Hochschild, NYT bestselling author.... You may have sometime to read. It's about our quests for health and the messages of our bodies. I haven't read it yet, but on my list.

We have a friend facing heart valve surgery in August. She is going to Mayo in Minnesota and she is saying that cracking is her only option. Glad to hear that MI is more progressisive than MN in these matters.

Wishes for smooth sailing over these troubling waters. We'll stay tuned. Take care of each other...

Nan

Carol and Mary posted a note for Jennifer that says: Congratulations on getting more of your pre-op tests completed. You really are a great writer--love your witticism. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you soon!!!!! Love, Carol and Mary

Natalie posted a note for Jennifer that says: Hello cuz-Our thoughts are always with you and we wish you the best.
Love,
Natalie, Scott and Dylan

Ronda Seifer posted a note for Jennifer that says: When you get home Maddie will lay next to you and help you heal. No question.

George Waldman posted a note for Jennifer that says: We're with you, kid.

Verna posted a note for Jennifer that says: Hi cuz just saw your journal an want to keep up with your journey. We will get together before your surgery. Talk soon.

Susan posted a note for Jennifer that says: Jennifer - Yes, I had a TEE. That was my first hospital procedure, the cath came later. It really was a piece of cake! I had an exceptionally great nurse who explained everything to me. Prior to the procedure, I had to inhale a numbing medication from a nebulizer-type device. I've read people complaining about the taste of their medications, but truthfully, I didn't find the one administered to me to be unpalatable. Upon the arrival of my cardiologist, I received the anesthesia (injection) and the next thing I knew, the procedure was over. My throat was slightly sore, but the whole thing was very tolerable. Alas, this is another procedure with a traumatizing name, but not bad at all! You'll be fine.

Susan posted a note for Jennifer that says: Jennifer - I'm loving your recap of your cardiac catheterization. You certainly have a way with words! You should write a book - I wish I chronicled my mitral valve repair. I found that the names of some of these heart procedures to be more terrifying than the actual procedures! I look forward to your future posts - I know you'll approach your surgery and recovery with the same humor and positive attitude!

Jocelyn posted a note for Jennifer that says: Jennifer,

Loved your post, I had MVR 8 weeks ago via mini sternotony, I have to say the anasthesia was very rough for me but the pain was minimal. For me it helped to not think about the details of the actual surgery process, I trusted my surgeon completely and once I found him and knew I could trust him I had to let go of that part. I did find comfort in trying to control everything else I could and doing all I could to prep myself for the best and most painless recovery possible. From buying an electric toothbrush (to minimize arm strain) to obtaining an electric recliner all the prep really paid off. I found soft bras with a plunge front and a low back that I could clip myself, cozy socks and made a commitment to my new “loungewear” style. I cleaned out cabinets and placed anything I would need on lower shelves (can’t reach arms overhead for a few weeks). I enlisted my sister and my BF as my “support team” to be by my side throughout the surgery and recovery. Basically I tried to control every detail I could to minimize the awful feeling of having no control over so much of it. It helped me be at ease and the details really did help make an easier recovery. Try not to think about how your prior operation went, this is a new situation and so many advancements have been made. I wish strength and courage for you, and most of all keep your sense of humor, you will need it to get through the rough days and will enjoy it on the good ones!

Bonnie Stone-Hope posted a note for Jennifer that says: Hello Jennifer,
Welcome to the community. Sounds like you have a very good physician! Best wishes for a successful surgery in May.

Susan posted a note for Jennifer that says: Jennifer - I'm from Pennsylvania. I had my surgery performed by Dr. Scott Goldman at Lankenau's Heart Pavilion just outside of Philadelphia. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Susan posted a note for Jennifer that says: Jennifer - I feel so good, I have to remind myself that I had heart surgery. I decided to go to cardiac rehab (just started 2 weeks ago) and I'm really enjoying it. I've always been thin, so I didn't spend much time working out. Rehab is giving me the opportunity to get in shape and have my heart monitored. I highly recommend it!

Susan posted a note for Jennifer that says: Jennifer - I'm 57 and had an MV repair with side entry 3 1/2 months ago. The surgery was easy and recovery was nearly painless. I have minimal scarring that will probably fade further with time. There weren't any driving restrictions, because I didn't have my sternum cut. I was up and around as soon as the tubes were removed on my second day in the hospital. The surgery and the recovery were nothing compared to the anxiety waiting for the big day. Think positively! You can do this!