Jim Jones  Hey Peter
Thanks for following the story
Yes, it is hard to imagine what my body went thru 14 days ago
Thank goodness the body is self-repairing
It really is quite miraculous
Have a good one

Jim Jones  Hey thanks, Gabi!
I am sure a romantic dinner is in our future. A great thought. We just need one healed body which will happen. Have a good one!

Jim Jones  Hey, thanks, Smitty! Gold stars always motivate me! Let me keep plugging away here taking it one day at a time. I hope all is well with you tonight! Best.

Jim Jones  Aubrey
Great to hear from you! Where are you today, Russia?? I am getting a kick out of your travels. The pain is not bad at all. I would call it discomfort at most. Thanks for the heads up re: ibu. Let me focus on the slow ramp up. Have a great one!

Jim Jones  Carol
Great to hear from you! Thank you very much for the tips. And thanks for the encouragement. I will make sure to keep walking! I am glad to see how well you are progressing. You keep up the good work! Best.

Jim Jones  Still in recliner, Lynn. Will be in bed watching Pats tonight using wedge. Let us see how that goes. Not ready to lay flat yet mentally. Not in pain. Was taking pain meds every 4 hours. Called today. Have stopped for now. Will start taking Tylenol tonight. I am also "flat" and a bit antsy. My mind is fairly wide awake and wants something to work on. Your spirometer work is great! I am 2000-2250 right now. You are right we did have a verbal group proceed us. That helped and in the case of Ernie also entertained us! Ciao.

Jim Jones  Ted
Thanks so much for taking the time to read thru my journal. It has been an interesting several months that is for sure! I miss running races with you and talking post race but I look forward to getting back on the circuit. It is now my 48th year of running. Between you and me, we sure have covered a lot of New England running history.
I am so pleased to hear about your sons. You must be proud of them, Ted! Look forward to lacing them up in 2014. I continue to follow your racing results. Best!

Jim Jones  Louise
You are exactly right. I need to get out and get some fresh air. We will get out 1 more time today for a walk. That will make it 3 walks today. Yes, no rain! I need my walks!
Have a good day, Louise. Hi to Bill! (make sure he watches to NFL games today. It is therapeutic!)

Jim Jones  Thanks, momma. And good afternoon to you! Yes, you are right. I think our brains accommodate gradual,yearly declines due to the valve defects likely as a protective reaction. We will see. I expect I may see physical improvements now that the valve is repaired and the heart starts to reshape itself. The breathing is the thing I notice right now. Have a good one, momma! Xxoo me

Jim Jones  Jeez, Ernie, manners. We have talked about this before, haven't we? Big E, how are you doing today? Great about Dan, right? It is his day and we are supposed to encourage him. Let's both see if we can make a bit of an effort?

Of course, today is NFL Sunday. Big game tonight with a few games this PM. I have the perfect excuse to watch every game - OHS. Come on now! OHS is like a get out of jail card on steroids!

Have a good one, Ern-dog!

Jim Jones  Danny boy
Well done! I am so pleased you are doing well and getting out. I can assure you that you will sleep better in the hotel. It is quiet, peaceful-a bit different than the hospital.

Dan, was my pleasure to assist you in any way that was helpful to you. Now let us heal, my southern brother. I look forward to reading your stories. I think it is important to share for those next in line. Best!

Jim Jones  Susan
It is always great to to hear from you. I enjoy your different tag line for each post. That is quite clever. Well done! Re: fitness pre-surgery I suggest to do what you can but do not stress out. Weight loss, walking, little bit of arm work all is good. Do not try to do too much and pick up a nagging injury. Rest up. You can use extra energy the first few days. Cardiac rehab on the other side could be quite helpful but that is down the line.

I think the breathing is part of a larger topic. Over the years we experience a gradual decline in health and exercise tolerance. We absorb it rather than react to it. That is why, in my opinion, post op people discuss big improvements. Have a good one!

Jim Jones  Hey Joe
Good morning to you! How are things?
Thanks for the reassurance that indeed I am normal. How about you and I going for a run on the res later?? This stage is a funny place to be in. The incredibly frenetic pre-hospital activites. The high stimulation surgery and hospitalization. Followed by ....... Quiet. Quite a shift. Great to hear from you, Joe. Have a great day.

Jim Jones  Doing well, Lynn. thanks for asking. You are much more active then I am right now. You are my hero! I am hanging around home. Walk in driveway. Read. Eat. Repeat. Will walk more outside tomorrow. Walking slow. My legs feel strong and I feel strong. better than yesterday. Will have visiting nurse stop by for first time next week. No pain, just stiff/tight in chest incision and surrounding area. Re: repair, Dr. Adams took 2 hours to repair mitral valve, used big ring (40). I understand it was pretty ugly, malformed with good amount of calcification around the annulus. Degree of difficulty 8-9. Good way to start the day. They do not cut calcification out they roll it up. Lots of chordae work including new goretex chords. I sure got my money's worth. Sorry to ramble but seems I have the need to share! So glad Steve and you got out. Lunch no less. I don't think I am up for that yet. Hi to my dear girl Pug and to Steve. Have a good one!

Jim Jones  Hey Chris- it is wonderful to hear from you! How are you feeling? Yes, meds are tough to follow. I looked at a few apps before I settled on this one and it works like a charm. I like the cuff- real easy to use and helpful information and display. How is the family? Have the grand kids been over to visit a lot? You have a great weekend!

Jim Jones  She was a wise woman! Good morning, momma. Hope all is well. Will call you later. We have been out for a walk and will do so 1-2 more times today. It's a beautiful day out there. Have a good one.

Jim Jones  Hey Leslie, it is great to hear from you! 3 weeks already? That is hard to believe. I trust you are well. Let me visit your journal and get caught up. It is interesting trying to find the right balance between activity and rest. My best to you.

Jim Jones  Ernie, my good man, it is the hospital triathlon! I suggest they should run background checks on us before they give us the green flag. Otherwise it descends quickly into a game of pull my finger...They should realize that some of us were quite content to halt our emotional development at 16. Heal well today, my friend.

Jim Jones  And did he get a trophy? Louise, I think the hospitals would get much higher compliance from athletes like Bill and me if they understood us better. We compete for trophies, medals and ribbons. If they offered these incentives we would deliver the goods as fast as a short order cook!
I think of you often and hope Bill is making strong steps to recovery. Best to you both.

Jim Jones  Well, I love you forever also! Folks know you did an extraordinary job in NYC and now at home. Ernie is agitating for a work slowdown by you and is printing up posters and shirts. Appears you have created quite a following who thinks you are great and I am too cheap. Ernie wants a higher pay for you. He has started to call me "the man". I am not cheap at all but I was thinking that once I have recovered you might like to take me to Europe. Steve took Lynn and she liked it a lot! I think I would like it too. Please be nice to your patient. XXXOOO

Jim Jones  Sue
Thanks so much for stopping by! It looks like one degree of separation. Please let me know if Peter worked on my case. If so, my gratitude to him. Dr. Adams is extraordinary but he also is a warm and caring man. I was honored that he did my surgery.
We returned to MA on Wednesday. It is wonderful to be home. Lise said to say hi to you and she hopes all is well with you. Thanks again.

Jim Jones  Why thank you, Rebecca. Praise from a stong, independent Texan is high praise indeed! I am feeling better daily. Thank you for the encouragement. I will keep writing. I want to memorialize this journey. I also want to share as much as possible to help folks that are heading into surgery. You have a great weekend.

Jim Jones  Hey Jim
It is my pleasure to meet you! Thanks so much for stopping by. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is any way I can help you. Jim, this community is wonderful. People are warm, open and caring. I would encourage you to consider creating your own journal if you have not. Ask questions and share your story. We are all in the same boat here and want everyone to do extremely well. BTW, you would not happen to be a 2013 world champion Red Sox fan, would you???

Jim Jones  Hey Steve
The very best of success in January. I left a guest book entry on your journal and just wrote a journal here to provide you some tips. I will write more in the coming weeks. Please ask me any questions too. Have a terrific weekend.

Jim Jones  Hey Angelo
Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for the well wishes. Yes, they gave me a light dose in the holding area and then served the top shelf stuff in the OR 10 minutes after I arrived. I have no memory of that. They told me that I was joking with Dr. Adams in the OR. I Have no recollection of that so I hope my material passed muster! Recovery takes a while doesn't it. Especially for high energy types. Angelo, have a great weekend.

Jim Jones  Aubrey
Thanks for stopping by. It really is a golden opportunity, isn't it. The first time in years with no deadlines. It feels like a great relief. We enjoy just spending time together. Thanks for the encouragement and the tips. Aubrey, I am amazed at your recovery. You are a great example. And Tammy and you are a great example of working together. It is too much for one person. Best.

Jim Jones  Hey Carol
Can not tell you howggodd it is to hear from you. It indeed is a miracle. I can not believe the dedication to medicine over decades that have produced these protocols and results. I am religious with my meds. Rehab for you so soon is outstanding. Keep er up, my good friend.

Jim Jones  Mary
You are so kind to leave a note. I am virtually connected to everyone through this fantastic site. How did people make their way through this before?) Thank you for including me among the luminaries Ernie and Aubrey. A high honor indeed. I will tell you this experience is both sobering and transformational. I do not believe I will view life the same way going forward. Let me share with you some insight as a trailblazer- never, ever be downwind of Ernie. Please read a few of his posts, you'll get it! (ah, that felt good to share..)
Please and calm to you. How are things?

Jim Jones  Gabi
NOW you tell me! I just came in from moving some fencing from the back yard. Three hours of work to move the fence line 6 inches. It just seemed off to me when I looked out the window at 3 am. Perhaps a faster heads up next time??! (ok, that was fantasy)
How are you? Thanks for the welcome home. It is so good to be here. We have been home for 24 hours now. I will take it slow and steady. I am in no rush. Major focus is healing. I hope all is well in your world, Gabi!

Jim Jones  Ern-dog
Thanks for stopping by, big guy. My spirits are solid. Lise has been wonderful. Visiting nurse stopped by today for assessment.
Delighted you are starting rehab. Get after it.
So sorry to hear about Rachel's challenges. Looking for Heart healing for her as Ecmo machine supports her.

Lise is keeping a close eye on me. She is deceptive. A demure exterior with an interior temperament that is 100% Marine officer just after being served a crappy meal. She is stone cold, my friend! Have a great first cardiac rehab!

Jim Jones  Momma, good morning to you! I can not tell you how great it is to be home. We will relax today. The visiting nurse came at 9am. All is good. I am relaxing so much I will never leave the house again. Or the chair! Lise does deserve a few gold medals. And a trip too! Love me

Jim Jones  Lynn
Agree. We need to give our bodies and hearts time to heal. That needs to be in the quietest of surroundings with family and no social interaction for now. It just takes too much energy. I know re: not yet discussing it. The key is to let the body heal. This will be one of the few times in our lives that we have no obligations. Peace out.

Jim Jones  Susan-thanks so much for stopping by. There indeed is no place like home. Good luck with chair. If renting, I would suggest that you try it out first. Lots of hours in chair ahead. I slept in it last night. Quite comfortable. You have a great day, my friend.
Jim and Lise at home!

Jim Jones  Today is a day of rest. It feels odd. As you know I have never rested perhaps for my entire life. (nor have you!)
But healing is job 1. Dr. Adams did a spectacular job - my contribution is to heal.

So happy for Scott and Brittany. I understand everything went well?
Ciao, my friend.

Jim Jones  Thanks, Vickster. Being home is much needed and appreciated. My body and brain says "thanks" to it's suppoundings. It is a beautiful New England fall day.
Your thoughts and prayers for the community are so appreciated. We want all of us to do well. We get to know one another during a moment in our lives that is stripped down to basics - the desire to regain our health and extend our lives. Have great one!

Jim Jones  I can not commend daytime TV more highly! Well, maybe not so much...I am moving well so far with no desire to pick up the pace. In fact, I just got up and my legs felt almost normal, believe it or not. Slow and steady works for me. Jeff, how are you doing???

Jim Jones  Hey, big guy, how are you doing today? This recliner rocks! Years ago, We spent 1/2 year to find it. It is a rite of passage for men over 50. it is made in NC. Joe, thanks, I have a great team for sure! I only want to draw on them once in my life but my family and new and old friends have come through. Great day for a run in the park!

Jim Jones  Tracy
We got out yesterday, stayed at Mamara at 2nd and 94th and drove up today. Home now. We had a car service that was wonderful. 4 hour trip. Congrats on only child! I am 1 of 3. Your mom knows how to get it done. Lean on her now over next days. I am good so far. Better each day. Not pushing it too much. Need to let heart muscle heal. Great, great success tomorrow.

Jim Jones  Higs
Thanks so much! It was a profound experience for sure. Many different elements to the hospitalization. I really appreciate your support. How are you feeling? You like golfing and sking, correct? You have rehab underway?

Jim Jones  Susan
Some time you will have to give me your practice and performance tips. I perform in my work and would love to pick your brain. I can not believe it has been 8 weeks. I am so pleased that you are doing well, my singing friend. Great tips. Thank you. Now you tell me about tears!! I am sure you know as a 61 year old male tears are not in my featured skill set. You know my male concern, if I start can I stop? You are great, Susan! Best.

Jim Jones  I thought beer was a pain reliever? I have been drinking lagers and rubbing beer all over my body. Every 2 hours. I washed my hair in beer once I left the hospital yesterday. Dogs are following me down the street, now you say beer is a diuretic?

Thanks, E-dog, this club is the best around. I am a proud member. Photos later this week as we get home. I thought the word zipper was a euphemism. But he did actually use a LL Bean zipper. I look quite sporty.

Delighted that rehab begins. I bet that will give you a solid next step as you recover.

Jim Jones  Hey guys. I have the perfect partner. Lise has been outstanding! We are so glad to head back. Yes, healing is the focus now. Glad the surgery is in the rear window.thanks for all your notes and well wishes!!

Jim Jones  Hey Derek, thanks so much! And yes, the hospital knows I am out. When they personally throw you out on 5th ave and plaster your photo on every entrance with a "do not try it" message you get the idea. Sorry about Zaftigs. We can turn that around. Thanks so much for your kind thoughts. I will have to do an audible book about it!

Jim Jones  Hey, Tracy, thanks so much. I am sure that you will receive care from many of the same staff that I did. I went from 5c, to 6c to 7 w. I think some of the 120 were just folks in my room for Sunday night and Monday night football. A great group although they kept running tests on me!

What time do you go in??

Jim Jones  Susan. I dispair. The doctor said " I gotta run". (he then ran out he door). Now I see I misinterpreted completely his intent. I thought that "I" was me, not he! I misjudged his meaning. Thanks.

Jim Jones  Ern-dog
Thanks for all your messages while I was in a far, far land. Based on my hospital behavior, I believe my DVD is The Man of Pee. We had 3 urinals going at one time. My trophy is in the mail.
How are you feeling, my friend?

Jim Jones  Linda and Elsie!
Thanks so much!
We have switched to a car service. The train would just be too bumpy for me. I do love my pillow - my pillow is my friend!
I may also get myself footsie pajamas!
Best.