You're inspirational to me. Thanks for the updates!
I'm early in the process. Meeting surgeon #1 on Wed.

So glad to hear you're doing so well.

Steve

great report Jimmy good for you. I"m nearly 5 weeks post..and it's as tho "what operation?
you'll get there too I don't walk as much just lazy I guess will try to do more...

all else is well.. swamed with the poems I created a monster I think. !! glad you are well.. hve fun. Nancy Friedman...

Stay strong valve brother! I'll be thinking of you.

Chris Dixon

So happy to read how well you are doing!! I knew you would do great. Continued good thoughts and prayers sent your way as you fully recover!! Janis Kielbasa

Way to go brother!!!!! Sounds like all is going well. One question before you leave the guest room, is Blythe prone to night slapping???? I got hip checked by my wife the other day, after the shock wore off, I told her about Blythe giving you a smack soon after surgery. We both chuckled and felt your pain.

Keep up the good recovery work!
-Mitch Friedman

Hi Jimmy- how are you lately? Are you about 2 1/2 weeks out? Sleeping any better? I'm prepared for back pain and no sleep. Trying to get lots ahead of time.
Wishing u the best.
Steph Cole

Jimmy, did you, or are you experiencing cold sweats? I feel really good aside from the sweats and associated flu like symptoms which are normal I'm told... It's really tough to sleep as a result. I'm 8 days out. So happy your doing well bro!

Chris Dixon

Great job Jimmy....reading these post-surgery posts really make me smile. Keep up the great work and don't let your boys wear you out! Oh...ok...let 'em wear you out...too much fun!

JH Mattingly

Hey, Not bad looking pics. Insetion doesn' t that bad, not real big. Thats good. Keep doing good.
For the long haul
LInda H

Beautiful family. You look great. So happy your are on the mend. God Bless. janis kielbasa

Great pix ! Good going. Beautiful family. Congrats.

Nancy Friedman. St Louis

Looking good!! Good luck with the doctor checkup!

Linda D.

Great Pictures Jimmy!

Congratulations on a great recovery - and prayers that it only gets better!!

Chuck Holmgreen
3/20

Thx for showing me up dude. !!! I'm ahead of you & haven't done 2 miles yet. What s wrong with that pix ? You go. That's great. Nancy Friedman.

You go Big Jim!! Every day it gets better. You want to do more but your body will let you know that it is time for rest. My thoughts and prayers are with those who are having surgery today and also those who are recovering. You sound great! Take care

Robert Hartner

Good work Jimmy. I keep showing my family your posts. Mitch's 4 weeks post was also great to share.

11 days in waiting. Steph Cole

2 Miles!

Monstrous!

-- DVB

Jimmy,
Congrats on the two miles! You're doing great. And it helps to have family to help out on that second mile.
- Jim Smith

Thank you Jimmy, you have me lauging out loud. Be good to Blythe - I bet it hurt her worse than it did you!

Great to hear your able to walk a long way - especially with your boys. I'm looking forward to wearing my boy out!

Keep on truckin' Jimmy!

Chuck Holmgreen.

Wow, 2 miles already...way to go Jimmy. Or should I say "Rocky" since your humming Eye of the Tiger! lol. So glad that you are doing so well. I know sleeping is hard. I spent my night in lazy boy with a travel pillow around my neck. I don't think I was able to sleep in bed all night until week 6. It will get easier and things improve weekly. Continued prayers sent your way!! All the Best, Janis Kielbasa

Hey 2 miles thats good so soon. Slow is good better than nothing. Guess I will have to loan you my wet noodle to protect yourself from getting beat up lol.You take care.

For the long haul
LInda H

2 miles already, great!!!! Yeah, rest if you need tomorrow. I still get tired after days when I know I pushed. Sorry to hear you got beat up by your wife, again.....

Keep up the good recovery work. You are doing great bro.

All the best,
-Mitch

Ouch!!!! It hurts for me to think about a punch in the chest. I bet Blythe did feel terrible, bet it scared her worse than you. Sounds like you are doing really well. Have you thought about getting massages to help with your neck and shoulder pain? I plan on going to my chiropractor when I get home and let him do the massage and heat therapy on my shoulders. It really helps with the sore muscles. Not too much, just gentle massage.

I guess that is a relatively small price to pay considering the major "overhaul" we get. If I'm breathing afterwards, I will be grateful, lol.

Keep up the good work, I know your boys are enjoying having you at home for a while.

REALLY DARN CLOSE...Linda Dixon

Hi Jimmy,
That was why I used the neck pillow that I told you about. See, you should listen to the Jewish mother. No, it really helped with the neck, shoulder, back and chest soreness, even if I wasn't punched in the chest.
You sound like you are doing great.
Jane

Jimmy. You are putting me to shame. I just did 35 mins. Which was alllllmost 2 miles. Well I'll work on it

So glad u r doing well. Gotta go nap now. :)

Lov. Nancy Friedman

Jimmy Amazing trip isn't is? So glad u r doing well. Fla keys really helped me. Enjoying it. Lot. Going. Home Thursday. It's every day gets better. ! Loving it

Almost feels as tho nothing ever happened ! Almost. But very little to complain about. I'm blessed I guess

Keep up the great work. Nancy Friedman. St Louis

Sounds like you are getting better with every step. Just watch out for that first sneeze!!! I find that walking will help physically and mentally. You can do a lot of thinking when you walk. Take care.

Robert Hartner

Jimmy, how are you? I am thinking of you at your 10 day mark. Sending you kind, peaceful thoughts. Stephanie Cole

Yeah Jimmy! Progress. Take it slow, remember slow and strady wins this race. Do what you can and do what you need (naps!). Start walking and increase distance a little each day. You go bro!

-Mitch Friedman

Each week will get easier. I found sleeping in lazy boy was helpful versus bed. Try and walk some each day, nothing crazy, remember the first few weeks are about healing and rest. I'm so glad you are doing well. Janis Kielbasa

Jimmy,

Really glad to hear the healing has really begun.

As Mitch has said many times, listen to your body and let it tell you what it needs to heal.

Chuck Holmgreen

Hi Jimmy, You are making this sound way too easy. I can handle grossing my kids out with a scar. I already have a big one, so I figure it'll look like I put lipstick on it.
I wondered about sleeping. You seem to be handling everything so well. Thank you for the 1 week update. SOOOOO encouraging.
Also, may I ask is it typical to have a homecare nurse? Is it for dressing changes? Thanks and AWESOME JOB! Steph Cole

Hey Jimmy,
Sounds great that your boys slept with you, how awesome. Guess you didn't get the power recliner huh?
Jeff Shebovsky

Just going to go with the flow. I like that Jimmy. Glad you're home and relatively comfortable. I look forward to joining you on the other side of this Great Adventure.

Chuck Holmgreen.

Glad you made it home and are back with the family. Take it slow, but you will be amazed at how quickly you progress. Just don't push it, listen to your body and take lots of naps! It gets easier and easier, but that does not mean some days will still be harder than others.

All the best,
-Mitch Friedman

One step, one day at a time Jimmy!! You are doing great! You can find the travel pillow that Jane was talking about at JC Penney. About $12.99. Helps support your head, goes around your neck like a donut. I know it must be great to be at home. Keep up the good work.

REALLY getting closer...Linda Dixon

Its Jane again, did anyone tell you about the small travel pillow that goes around the back of your neck. I used that in addition to the wedge pillow and regular bed pillows. It allowed me to relax my sore chest and lay back. I used it for a few weeks. If you can't find it I can send you one.
Jane

Hi Jimmy,
You sound great. Remember you had major surgery. Take it one day at a time. I started out walking around my backyard three or four times before I hit the regular roads. You will cough and feel discomfort when you over due it. If you increase a little at a time (not necessarily every day) you will continue on this wonderful path to full recovery. I am so happy for you and your great family.
Jane

Hey Jimmy, Glad to here that you made it home. Bet it is hard to keep the children out of your lap. They are happy to see their Dad home!! Mom has built in helpers for sure. I had a mini also, but the pain is still there. But each day it gets better. You will surprise yourself! Take care.

Robert Hartner

25 laps bro. Officially "monster" status. You are going to be amazing us now with your prowess. Keep it coming and keep us posted. Just be sure you increase it a little at a time so your body's complaints will be small. Even at a 5% increase per day, you'll double in 2 weeks. Wow. -- DVB

Hi Jimbo. While you were " out" like a light my husband & ran off to the fla keys for some r&r. Doing great and coming up on 3 weeks post next Thursday. Doing our Walks & taking it easy in paradise. ( Islamoradafla). I'm so glad you made it thru without any majors ! Keep it that way. Please. Talk soon. Nancy Friedman. St Louis. (2/9. DONE)

Man you are my idol right now! Looking forward to hearing all good news from you.
Jeff Shebovsky

Atta boy Jimmy. Now work the plan!

So happy for you and your family.

JH Mattingly

I had no doubt that you would do very well. How great is it to know you are on the other side of this journey? You will feel better each and every day. Just don't overdo it. Listen to your body and rest when you need to. You just had Major surgery. Our bodies start to heal right away, but we must remember that our hearts were assaulted and need time to recoup.
So happy for you,
Jane

Great News Jimmy!! So glad all went well. Continued prayers sent your way as you recover!! Janis Kielbasa

Jimmy,
Thank goodness for the good news.
Your post is welcome relief to my ears! I was a little concerned about you.

Thanks for giving Dr Andrews a little more experience before he gets to me next week.

Did he do an aorta replacement or repair? Just curious because he hasn't mentioned mini anything to me!

I hope everything continues to go very smoothly for you.

Take care,
jan

Congratulations Jimmy!! Way to make it home in good time!!

Wow, 25 laps - were they all left turns?

Be good to yourself and heal quickly my friend!

Chuck Holmgreen

Yay Jimmy...gave me a little scare there buddy...but all is well, praise the Lord! Now, relax and heal!! You have 2 1/2 weeks to get to full speed before my surgery, lol! So happy for you. Blythe was soooo proud of you!!

REALLY getting closer...Linda Dixon

Hi Jimmy, So glad to hear you are home and doing good. Three cheers to you. I will diffently keep your doctor and hospital in mind when that time comes. Right now I am on hold as when I saw doctor last Wednesday, he said not bad enough. The way I read the Tee test is it is still moderate and at 3.7. He said insurance wont pay for it until it gets worse. So I am here cheering everyone on until that time changes. You take care dont overdo. Talk to ya later.
For the long haul
Linda H

Jimmy

Congrats! Glad all went well....

Gregg