Yes, focus on the kids. I found it helpful. I also made sure to eat healthy and excercise extra. Everyone seemed to indicate that would helpcmevin the long run. Good luck, you can do this! -Mitch Friedman (from ICU)

Sorry for double post pls remove one. N

Well aren't we all bright & early Sunday morning. ? Jimmy great idea on getting the house in order I am havin my d-clutter lady come over to get my house In order. No kids. But the dog toys and husbands " stuff" are pretty much the same. Lol

I'll take good note for you jimmy.
Nancy. 2-9. Coming . Verrry soon.

Jimmy, Thinking of you and have you in prayers. Your boys will help you with recovery but tell them no funny jokes, hurts like heck to laugh first week or two. LOL. You will do great and soon be on your way to recovery. Janis Kielbasa

Thx jimmy - & thanks for going to the telephone doctor site. Small world isn't it. Call centers is one of our specialities.

Would enjoy chatting when I'm "done" with this & relaxing & healing at home.

I'll contact you for sure. Thx for speedy replies.

Nancy. 2/9.

Know what would be fun to see o this site - under the pix of the person. . Is the date of the persons surgery.
Or a place to put it on frot page of our journal so we could identify with the pre. Post time. N
Anyway. Thx again. N.

Jimmy. suggest getting. PATIENTS CHECKLIST by Elizabeth bailey. I got mine at Barnes & noble. Abt $15. Very important info. Minor duplication of others and great new stuff. Well worth it. Glad I got it befor 2-9. Actually 2-8 is cath. So count Down is on

Speaking in new Orleans Sunday - super bowl day. But early - so wont miss it. Lol.

Besides we taped it. Be well. And hope umget that book. Nancy Friedman. St
Louis. Avr. 2/9. N

You'll do great, Jimmy!! I have you in my thoughts and prayers for 2/20. Soon you will be on your way to recovery. Janis K.

Jimmy. Adams book is good. And just found another one that was good too. Called. OPEN HEART COMPANION. BY MAGGIE LICHTENBERG. Highly recommend it. Got it on amazon .com.

This little family is agood group. Best
Nancy. Friedman. 2-9. Avr.

Doing okay, hanging in there anxiety wise. Feeling a little emotional about our friends in surgery today, amazing the friendships that have developed thru this site.!
Hope we will get good news soon!
(If you haven't noticed....I don't especially like waiting, lol).

Still waiting...Linda Dixon

I'm with you Jimmy! Thoughts and prayers are with Mitch, Carmen and Kelly today!! Also with Jeffrey meeting with his surgeon...good luck and God bless you all!
Linda Dixon

Hi Jimmy, I too am just starting all of this, I have the same as you but with an anuersym. This Thurs I go for an ultra sound and next week is a Tee test. I will be following you and wish you the very best as well as everyone else. Linda H

Good news with your cath. I have you in my thoughts and prayers for 2/20!! You will do great and soon be fixed and on your way to recovery!! Janis Kielbasa

Jimmy. Hi & thx for your good post. I have. Cath wed feb 8 & then the big V DAY is next day 2-9. So in between Mitch and u ! Gret place to Be. I asked Mitch to take good notes.
I orig was more concerned about the cath than the surgery. However posts like yours sure do help !

I'll be thinking about you. But first me ! Then you. Ha ha. And waiting to hear about my non cuz Mitch !

Warm regards. Nancy Friedman. St Louis mo.
AVR 2-9

Hi Jimmy, see...I told you, hardest part was lying flat afterwards and the needle sticks. Rest today, tomorrow you should be fine. Glad your results were good!

Still waiting...Linda

Hi Jimmy,
As for a checklist thing. I ordered something I found online. I will send it to you when I get to my computer. Can you send me your email address?
Jeff Shebovsky, Orlando

Hi Jimmy,

I'm really excited for you buddy. You are a blessed man with an incredible family. I'm not that far behind you and have been in routine contact with another friend I've met on here, Jeff from Orlando, who is in a very similar situation. We are indeed a group of brothers and sisters sharing a scary but positive experience here. I too have lots of questions and hope I can bring a sense of calm to people after my procedure. As so many have told me, "we're the fortunate ones" in that we can be fixed. Like Linda said, the heart cath was no biggie. You may be a little sore but that's about it.

Keep us posted!
- Chris Dixon

Hey Jimmy, yes, I have had 3 caths over the years and there's nothing to it. The absolute worst part is having to lay without raising your leg or head afterwards for a couple of hours. The only pain (and its not pain) is the needle stick for the IV and also for the xylocaine to numb the groin. You don't feel the catheter at all! And I have been able to watch every time and it is really fascinating. There is a time during the cath when they inject contrast media where they will tell you that you will feel like you are wetting yourself. That did not happen with my last cath because apparently it takes place after they cross the valve and they were not able to this time. But with the previous caths I did feel that and it's like "I know I am wetting this bed" but you're not. So...don't worry a minute about the cath. It's a breeze!

Let us know how it goes!

Still waiting...Linda

That is exactly the right attitude Jimmy...bring it on! It's a mountain, but I am climbing this damn thing and I will not stop until I am in the valley on the other side! Plus you getvto show your boys how you deal with adversity...take it head on.

You are going to do great and I cant wait to read your posts afterward.

JH Mattingly

Hey Jimmy,

Will have surgery on Feb.6th. The days are closing in, but I know its time. Being positive, prayer, and facing it head on will be the most important thing we can do to close a chapter and open another. Say a prayer for me as I will for you.

Robert Hartner

Hi Jimmy,

Thanks for your encouraging words. It means alot!
God Bless you and your family. I will praying for you and remember to keep the faith and that God will bring you through. :-)

Carmen Pettiford

"Bring it on!" You got the attitude bro, gonna rock this one. -- DVB

I wish you the best and love the attitude. I'm right behind you as well. I have two more surgeon consults next week, then we'll make a decision and set a date. I'm hopeful I'll be done by the end of February.

Rock on!!

Chuck Holmgreen

Hey Jimmy,
Best of luck to you. Keep up the great attitude. I'm right behind you in terms of where I am at.
Jeff Shebovsky. Orlando, FL

p.s. Jimmy...you know with a name like yours.... in Charlotte....you probably could get some very special treatment! Hey...I'd give it a shot, lol!!!
Still waiting....Linda

Wow, holy 180's Jimmy!!! You move fast.

I was hoping you would have the same experience with the surgeon that I did (complete transformation from fear to Bring it on!!!). SO GLAD YOU DID!!!! Way to go. Truly, truly, awesome.

Stay in that zone when you can but also allow reality and fear in when necessary. It is all part of the process. Good luck and let us all know how to be helpful to you.

- Mitch Friedman

Well Congratulations Jimmy...but I have to tell you...now you're on my "not fair" list too! Just kidding, but all the "newbies" are getting fixed before me!!! NOT fair! Guess that's what I get for going so far away.

Anyway, yes I know your hospital is top notch. Had a member of my church just had a liver transplant there a few months ago. Glad you liked your surgeon, and I don't blame you if you reschedule your businss trip, I would want to get it over with as soon as possible myself.

Good luck with the next couple of weeks...wow...that 's close. Yes you can do this!!! I can only imagine how the "nerves" may pop in and out, mine do now, but I pray each day you will be filled with a calmness that only increases as the day gets closer. I know that is my prayer for myself.

Thanks for the update, put it out there, whatever you may be feeling...you will find someone who has been there and will help you along. I'm counting on you when my time comes!

Still waiting....NOT FAIR!!!
Linda

By the way, Jimmy, where are you having your surgery?

Linda

Well Jimmy, I'm guessing you are sitting in the waiting room as I am writing this. Hope your visit with the surgeon goes well and leave feeling very confident in him and have a sense of relief. My situation is a lot different since I am traveling to Cleveland from SC for my surgery. I sent all tests results to CCF back in December and my surgery date is scheduled, but I don't actually meet with the surgeon until the day before surgery. So I'm sure I will have a little anxiety before then, although I have heard nothing but "great" things about Dr. Gillinov both as a surgeon and a person, so I'm sure that will go great. (I guess it better, huh?) lol.

Let us know how it went.

Still waiting....Linda Dixon

Hi Jimmy, great to see you are getting so much out of you HVJ. That is what it is for! Keep asking and posting. As you get further into this, more questions will arise. Seems like folks here have all the answers. Good luck with everything. - Mitch Friedman

Jimmy, I totally get it. I also have known I would probably eventually need my valve replaced, I also do not have any symptoms, or at least I did not think so until just recently when I had the thought "maybe I have, maybe when surgery is done I will realize I have felt not up to par in years and just chalked it up to age". I am 63, much older than you. I have tried the last several months to exercise more to be "ready" for surgery, but have also been reluctant to push it. I don't have surgery until March 13th, and the waiting is really hard. I'm fine most days, but every once in a while, if I think too much about it, I get a little more anxious. Having this journal outlet has helped. You can tell all these fellow "valvers" how you are really feeling and they understand because they have been there or are there right now.
Wishing you good days, I guess the little guy in your picture is your son, he is a cutie!
Your friend....still waiting...Linda Dixon

Hi Jimmy,

My name is Sean Murphy. I had my aortic valve replaced in July 2010, I was 33. My kids were 8, 5, and 5 months. It was very stressful but well worth it. I have been doing things that I never knew I could not. Life is wonderful and you will feel so much better after it is done.

Good Luck!!!
Sean Murphy

Jimmy hello , my name is roger I just had a st Jude's mechanical aortic valve , with aortic root graft done November 30 th dr pae Hershey med center in Pennsylvania . I'm 50 yrs old ( male ) to tell the truth
It was a piece of cake. Not at all what I imagined. If you have any questions just e- mail me. Maybe I can help. ( try not to worry ) They know what their doing !
I've had my heart problem since I was four yrs old.
Lots of unnessary worry !!!! God bless :)

Jimmy...first of all, I am also a father of 3 boys...are they fun or what?!!! I am about 9 years older than you, so my boys are now teenagers...we have so much fun together, as I am sure you do also.
You have come to the right spot....I was exactly in your shoes just about 4 months ago. I stumbled upon this site and it has made all the difference for me in my researching, obtaining great advice from other valvers and just the overwhelming encouragement you get...amazing.
Do your homework, ask questions, research, ask more questions and make the decision that is right for you. Once you do, be confident and take this challenge head-on. Its a great way to show your boys how to overcome adversity and to get back on your feet when you get knocked down. Get your body in the best shape you can prior to surgery...it will help speed your recovery. In recovery, push yourself everyday to get better...even when you don't feel like doing anything. You will be back to yourself faster than you think.
If you ever get bored, you can read my journal. I had full split due to my aortic aneurysm, but hopefully you can get by with a less invasive procedure. If not....just know that you can do it no matter what.

Take care and feel free to ask any question you want...we are all here to help.

JH Mattingly

Well hello Jimmy Johnson!! Oh wait....never mind, guess you are not THE Jimmy Johnson, lol. Well...you are THE Jimmy Johnson for your family and now THE Jimmy Johnson for the HVJ site. Welcome to our community of "broken" and "fixed" hearts.

I can't offer much advice, haven't had my surgery yet, scheduled for March 13th, but I can offer this much:
1- Great decision starting your journal.
2- If you haven't done so already, get Adam's book and read it---great information.
3. When deciding on surgeon for your repair/replacement....always get a second opinion and always, always go to someone who does these procedures frequently, like hundreds per year, not occasionally.
4. You will get lots of information from the people who have already been through every thing you are experiencing now and the support and encouragement are amazing!
5. And one more time: ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION!
6. Share your feelings, concerns, fears, questions, humor and anything else you feel like sharing in your journal. It really does help!

Hang in there, you have lots of support.
Your friend, still waiting....Linda Dixon

Jimmy, welcome to HVJ!!! I was in exactly your shoes about a month ago. I have the same condition, been tracking it for 10 + years, have no symptoms and was told by my cardio 'it is time' in mid-December. I am 47 and have surgery on Feb 2. Check out my HVJ, it might help you.

I have found great comfort from the people on this sight. I strongly encourage you order Adam's book today, read some journals of others and post often. What you get back from this community is nothing sort of amazing.

Good luck and we are all here for you.
-Mitch Friedman