On April 1, 2012...
Hi Jim, glad your recovery is going so well. 2.9 miles is impressive! My doc would not let me jog until 8 weeks post op. I hope you get cleared sooner. Take care and keep up the good recovery work. Please tell Donna I said "hi."

-Mitch Friedman
Jim Smith  Hi Mitch--hope all is proceeding well with you. I haven't been keeping up with the journals as much ... Read more
On March 31, 2012...
Jim,
So glad you are home, healing, and in familiar surroundings. Best wishes & prayers for your continued recovery!
Dori & Charles
On March 31, 2012...
Hi Jim, Back to work already?? Wow. That beats everyone. Hope its not to much. Happy that you are doing so good. Keep up the good work.
For the long haul
Linda H
On March 31, 2012...
Wow you are Superman, can not believe you are getting back to work already, that is great!!! Glad to hear everything is going so good.

Cindy Pastrano
On March 31, 2012...
Seriously? 18 days post-op and you're back to work? That has to be some kind of a record.

So happy to read you are doing great!

Sheila Garrison
On March 31, 2012...
So glad to see the post from you today. I am
delighted to hear about your progress - and a
bit surprised at all the things you are able to do.
Slow & steady wins the race. From just one of
your many cheerleaders, Jan O.
On March 31, 2012...
Lost your email address! I chose the Marriott because of the mile to and from the hospital. I walk every day and need to get rid of the stress of this whole thing. So I did it on purpose! The place you stayed at was so cool. I looked it up online. I will be there alone, so knowing how/where to get meds is very helpful, thank you. Sounds like you are making progress every day. Keep it going....
Betsy
On March 28, 2012...
Hope you made it home safe and sound. Great to meet you in NY, in the hospital at the same time. How cool! And we really gotta thank Mitch, what a host!!!
Jeff Shebovsky
On March 28, 2012...
previous post by Chuck Holmgreen.
On March 28, 2012...
Jim,

Welcome home to GA! (even if I am two days late). Glad to hear you are doing well and I know you will continue your healing at home.

Congratultions!
On March 27, 2012...
Welcome home!!!!! I hope the trip was easy. Great spending time with you and Donna and getting to know you both. Sleep is sure to be better in your own bed. Be well and take care.

-Mitch Friedman
On March 27, 2012...
Hey Jim Welcome back home. Hope the trip was good. Glad to hear you are doing good. Hope you have a good and speedy recovery. Good luck to you.
For the long haul
LInda H
On March 26, 2012...
Safe travels today. It will be wonderful to have you
and Donna back in the Classic City. Dave Shipley
On March 26, 2012...
Home is best. A day at a time seems to be the mantra. In a sermon yesterday, my priest talked about expectations and how we may react to them. High expectations, low expectations...how about no expectation? A day at a time....
On March 22, 2012...
So happy you are cleared to go home....that was the BEST part of the whole ordeal for me!! Ahhhh...that first shower was the best at home!! Travel safe and I am soooo happy for you and your family....keep on getting stronger. Thanks for the great update. Jamie Todor
On March 21, 2012...
Jim,

Welcome back, it is good to see that you are doing well and that you are getting the medication you need for the infection, hope that clears up quickly.

Best wishes for your continued recovery!

John Lund
On March 21, 2012...
Jim,
Sorry to hear about the infection.

I know it will be greto get home.

Hang in there.

Jan
On March 21, 2012...
It has been wonderful to get the regular reports from
Donna, and it is fantastic to hear directly from you. I have been on a regular dosage of coumadin for 10 years and the only negatives have been some easy bruising once in while and nicks from shaving that sometimes bleed a little longer than I'd like. Stay away from those greasy New York hamburgers and
take care of that staph infection. I am eager to see
your office door open every day. Ship
On March 21, 2012...
Well... they say that you can't keep a good man down... I guess you can't keep Jim down either.

Really, Jim, it is great to receive your first actual post since the operation. Your support staff of co-authors did a great job but it is wonderful having you back on the key pad.

Robin
On March 20, 2012...
Jim,

Great to read all is going well with you!

Adam Pick
On March 20, 2012...
You have excelled once again, this time with your surgery. Glad to hear you are doing so well, but do take it easy! Roger
On March 20, 2012...
Glad your out Jim. Yes I can say watch your eating. I didn't get sick but even though I wanted certain foods I did not eat them. The apetite and digestive system are slow to come back. Small portions and nothing crazy. For some odd reason I love oranges more than ever. They go down easy and have lots of Vitamin C for healing. Lastly, watch your footing sir! We don't need you falling!! So, how was your Mt. Sinai experience?
Jeff Shebovsky
Jim Smith  Jeff. Great to hear from you. Mt Sinai has exceeded my expectations, which were very high going in. O ... Read more
On March 20, 2012...
I hope that you are feeling better Professor Smith!
On March 20, 2012...
Glad to hear you escaped from the hospital. You better down size those hamburgers to happy meals lol and watch those steps they are not your friend they will give you a high in a minute. lol. Take care and dont overdo'
For the long haul
Linda H
On March 20, 2012...
Now its sounds like he is just trying to get some attention!

Best regards,
Thoma
Jim Smith  Jim got a kick out of this comment!
On March 20, 2012...
Wonderful news that you are OUT OF THE HOSPITAL! Great progress!!!
Donna, can you please send me the address of your New York abode? Thanks so much!
Sally
coenen53@gmail.com
On March 19, 2012...
Awesome news. See you soon.

-Mitch Friedman
On March 19, 2012...
So glad to hear you're doing so well and getting out - YAY! I've been fretting all yesterday and today about a ferry ride because of heavy seas...I guess your story puts mine into perspective pretty quickly - thanks! The kiwis and keas are all chirping their hearty support for your continued good recovery. Looking forward to a relaxed cold beverage or two this summer - see y'all soon! - hugs - Jill
On March 19, 2012...
Great news!

All our best,
Christine. Angelique & Thomas
On March 19, 2012...
GOOD NEWS ! " Bubba & Bean" will have the welcome mat out for you. Keep up the good work. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jan Okey
On March 19, 2012...
Good to hear! Better everyday!
Jeff Shebovsky
On March 19, 2012...
Thanks for another great report! How much walking
etc. is Jim allowed to do? Do the doctors want
him to keep adding to his distance and time
as he feels stronger? Dave Shipley
Jim Smith  Yes, walking is highly recommended, at least several times a day (he walked around the hospital floor ... Read more
On March 18, 2012...
Jim, you look great. And walking fast too!!!! Keep up the good recovery work. -Mitch Friedman
On March 18, 2012...
So happy your echo came back great. I had the MAZE too and just one valve....and they kept me in for more than the usual time too. I know you will keep getting stronger and stronger. I was really tired and sore at first but really got to feeling better once I was home!! So glad Mitch came to see you....how cool is that!! Keep on fighting and getting stronger Jim....glad all is going great for you! Blessings. Jamie Todor
On March 18, 2012...
HI Jim,

Great news on the echo! You are pretty much on same schedule as me after my mitral valve repair and Maze procedure. I was in the hospital six and a third days. My potassium and glucose levels were off and they would not discharge me until they had gotten within an acceptable range. Hope the coumadin straightens out soon.

John Lund
On March 18, 2012...
Way to go Jim! Glad to hear your ECHO came back perfect. You must be very happy!

Nancy B
On March 18, 2012...
Prof. Smith,

Glad to read that you are doing so well in NYC! The whole section will miss you over the next days. You are very much in our thoughts!

Warmest regards and continued wishes for a speedy recovery,

Ellen Clarke
On March 18, 2012...
Great news! Now, how do you know when you can return to Georgia?
Thank you for all your posts. We love reading your daily upgrades and good news!
Betsy and Bob
On March 17, 2012...
May the luck of the Irish be with you - plus, all
the good wishes of all of us in Athens, Georgia..
Love and hugs and best wishes. Prayers are
with you you all.
Jan Okey
On March 17, 2012...
Greetings from New Mexico! Thanks for all the good news coming from New York - it sounds like you are getting stronger every day. We are spending spring break in the beautiful high desert of New Mexico - a very healing place - so I have been sending healing thoughts every morning from here to you. We look forward to seeing you back in Athens soon.
Sally Weaver
On March 17, 2012...
Donna and Jim,
We are back from France and would love to visit Jim if he is feeling up to it. We are temporarily in midtown Manhattan. I will be in NYC today (Sat) and tomorrow, and then back from teaching in Conn on Thursday. Call me if convenient-- 614-668-2805.
Allan Samansky (Jim's coauthor).
Jim Smith  Allan and Paula--thank you so much for stopping by to visit--it was great to see you again!
Donna
On March 17, 2012...
Jim and Donna -

Keep up the good work. Your friends in Texas are cheering y'all on for a speedy recovery (and rapid return visit to Texas).

Happy St. Patrick's Day,

John and Cynthia Adkins
On March 17, 2012...
We are so glad to hear all is going well. We know you so soon will be walking in Central Park. So glad your all together, nothing better than family love to help heal. Happy Birthday to Kristen a day late too! We are thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery. Love you all. Sandy
On March 17, 2012...
The poem was my pleasure. Got one more left to do for chuck

Hope it helps in Jim's recovery ! Please let him knowbI'm thinking of him!!

And as I told Jeff day 5 is the real turn around day as is week 3. Watch for it !!
Warmly

Nancy Friedman. St Louis 2-9-12. AVR D O N E !!!
On March 16, 2012...
So glad to hear things are progressing well!
That's great that Nicole is there, too!
Is Lucy coming also?

God bless,
Dori & Charles
AVE MARIA!!!
Jim Smith  I wish she was! But I'm so glad my other girls are here. Tonight we visited Jim and then went out t ... Read more
On March 16, 2012...
Keep up the good work Jim. It REALLY does get better everyday. Day 5 it really starts to turn around.
Jeff Shebovsky
On March 16, 2012...
Jim, Donna, Kris & Nicole............Thoughts prayers and concerns continue. What an incredible journey this is. We are in Athens, Ga. -
you are far away in NYC - we are all on the same
bus. Before you come home, check out Central
Park. It will regenerate your batteries. Thank you for sharing. We are all connected. Hugs to
all, Jan Okey
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
On March 16, 2012...
You're doing great, Jim! Hallelu! You picked just the right place for a speedy recovery. And how wonderful to have all your girls under one roof tonight with you - that makes everything perfect. We're praying for you all, along this journey. By the way, if your pacemaker gives you a little too much energy, I can always email you the latest Session minutes to inspire a nap! (: Naaw - there's lots of good stuff going on, even during spring break! So enjoy yours - but we can't wait to see you back home soon enough - and eventually running the roadways again during lunch, of course! Blessings and peace - lots of love - Beecher
On March 16, 2012...
Dear Jim,
Betsy and I have been following your progress from back in Atlanta. You have been on quote a jpurney.
We are very proud of you and delighted with your results.

I go up to Mt. Sinai on 4/18 for my consultation and surgery on my mitral valve, 5/8. Keep up the good progress. Bob and Betsy Spath
Jim Smith  That's great news Bob and Betsy! We really appreciate your following Jim's blog and your inspiration ... Read more
On March 16, 2012...
Keep chugging along Jim!

Nancy B
next