Judy- I've been following your entries and my heart goes out to you. I hope you heel quickly! Thank goodness you have friends there to help you through this time. I'm sending you happy thoughts and positive energy from wintery Michigan. <3
Ashley Perona
On March 12, 2011...
Hi Judy! I thought I give you a suggestion. If you sleep in this recliner can you get a travel pillow and place it in the small portion of your lumbar? I did that & its not too bulky but gives some relief. I also put a pillow under my knees & u might be doing that for elevation anyways. Can u sleep on ur side yet? If you do make sure u put the pillow between ur knees. It helped me for the pain too. I am glad u are finally getting some sleep, some food to eat & keeping it down I hope. Love to u & for ur babies, Joy :)
Judy Fridono The pain is at C5, and i do use a travel pillow. Can roll on my side some, but not sleep like that y ... Read more
Judy Fridono The pain is at C5, and i do use a travel pillow. Can roll on my side some, but not sleep like that yet.
Good idea about the pillow betwwen knees cuz that's where my vein stripping incions are... Vy my knees. Thanks for your ideas
On March 12, 2011...
Another leap ahead tonight, Judy. Don't forget to turn your clocks up, forward....you know, spring ahead and all that. Hope you continue getting stronger as the time marches on. Soft hugs for you and nose kisses for Rina and Ricochet.
Linda in El Cajon
On March 12, 2011...
Thinking of you and wishing you a quick recovery...it sounds as though you have many excellent caretakers and friends, both human and canine. :-)
Tracy (and Jude the greyhound)
On March 12, 2011...
Judy, I certainly hope you didn't get 'mange' on top of what you've been through! Lol! I'm sure you meant 'manage'. I couldn't help chuckle though when I read that. Rina and Ricochet must be enjoying the one-on-one with you these days.
I'm glad things are progressing for you. Give it time, you'll get there. :) - Liz
On March 12, 2011...
Hello Judy....it may seem healing is slow but it makes it's own pace, so day by day you are getting better. Glad you could enjoy time with Rina but don't overdo it. Keep us up to date and we're praying for you and all your family. Teresa
On March 12, 2011...
Most of our patients say the legs hurt worst the chest. The endoscopic vein harvest procedure has helped that but it does cause more bruising, as you can attest too.
Take care
Debi
On March 12, 2011...
Judy...sounds good no more nausea, not a lot of pain, sleeping and eating! And cuddling with your girls!
Sleep and rest! :)
Tammy Lawrenz and Sadie
Tammytalking@hotmail.com
On March 12, 2011...
hi Judy-
sounds like progress 'though it may not be as fast as you would wish- your frustration is understandable and then some! but, i hope you can also realize what an inspiration you are to others even in a recliner.
take good care & enjoy your lovely girls-
Sandi Brown
On March 12, 2011...
What a good girl Rina is, I could not say "No Thank You" to that face either. I think there are still socks on the end table! Hehehe! Sounds like today was a good day, very nice to here. Give my little god doggies a kiss. Sounds like they are being the perfect little angels, helping mommy get better. Thank you Heather!
Always with love, Jessica, Josh, Barley, and Mira
On March 12, 2011...
this needs a "LIKE" button like Facebook. =)
On March 12, 2011...
Judy, I feel like I know you and both dogs, it's really pawmazing. Thank you for sharing all that you are going through, you are such an inspiration. I certainly hope I never have to face anything like what you've been going through, but if I do, I can only hope I face it with half the strength and courage you have shown.
And all of your selfless work with Ric and Rina is pawmazing. Keep it up!
Suzanne Querry, Sammamish Wa
On March 12, 2011...
Dear Judy~
You truly are one of the most AMAZING women I have ever known.
I include you in my prayers everyday and I know that you have many, many friends from around the world praying for you as well.
Thank you for sharing your recovery stories.
Love from~
Bonnie
On March 12, 2011...
Recovery is, indeed, like being on a roller coaster..... hang in there- good days will become more frequent!
All the best from NY- Sharon
On March 12, 2011...
Rollercoaster sounds perfect. I know you want everything to up up up, but accepting the down times might help you rest up for the next up. Keep on Breathing!
Love,
Annie, Roxies mom
On March 12, 2011...
Good morning, Judy et al. I wanted to stop by and thank you for bringing so much 'color' into my life while you share your journeys. Ah, shades of the rainbow! As your mosaic becomes more pastel, your pain will slip into Oz Land, hopefully. Glad to hear you are making progress, minute as it may seem. Keep that amazing sense of humor about you, bask in your inspiring strength and enjoy those walks beyond your mailbox. Hugs to all~
Linda Sammeli in El Cajon
On March 12, 2011...
Judy,
You're right, recovery is a roller coaster, but each day you will find that you have longer and longer patches of good, and shorter and shorter patches of bad. You have so much support from your friends and family, as well as your online supporters who have come to care for you (and Ric and Rina). Please take care of yourself, don't push your body to do any more than it is able at any given moment, and let your recovery go at its own pace, as frustrating as that may be. We're all in your corner.
Best Wishes,
Merrell Angstreich
On March 12, 2011...
Judy,
I am so glad to hear that you're at least having "good" days now, and that your healing is really beginning. You are such an inspiration to those of us who have not only been following your progress before and after your surgery, but because of your commitment to Ricochet, Rina, and all their worthy causes! You accomplish more in a day then some of us accomplish in years!
I'm sending prayers and healing energy to you and your family and furbabies. Godspeed in your progress, and I continue to look forward to your good health, and new aventures!
God bless,
Liz Harrill
Dunedin, FL
(Tampa Bay area)
On March 12, 2011...
It will get better day by day! Keep up the great work.
Leanna
On March 12, 2011...
So hoping each new day takes you further away from the carnival ride and closer to feeling better. I know it will take awhile, but you have an amazing support system. It's nice to see how sweet Rina and Ricochet are, pups are so intuitive. Heather sounds like a wonderful person, so glad she is there for you. Feel better everyday. Carol Way.
On March 11, 2011...
Hi Judy,
So very glad to see that your surgery went well and you are on the mend. It was so great to meet you at the San Marcos Canine Cancer Cure Walk.
All of your friends up here in Sacramento will continue to keep you in our prayers and thoughts. You do have a long slow recovery ahead, but the worse is over. Before you know it, you and Ricki will be back at the beach.
Wishing you all very the best,
Sandy Vilahu & the Elk Grove (Sacramento) Canine Cancer Walk Volunteers.
On March 11, 2011...
Hi Judy, It's Michele Cameron Ruta, we've met thru Ric on FB! I was diagnosed with heart issues this past year, so I feel connected with you thru dogs and hearts and facebook. Your blog is just wonderful, and I am so happy you are surrounded and loved by such great canines and humans. It sucks having a bum ticker, but you won when it came down to love and caring and using this heart of yours for halping others. You choked me up a few times, and I love being moved when I read, so thanks! Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery, I'm so glad you have everyone and everydog to join you and help you as your make this journey! XO, Michele
On March 11, 2011...
Judy, honestly you look great in these pictures...i mean considering the surgery and all....i'm sorry it's still sucky! But your humor is still there and you always make me smile with the way you word things! Glad the nausea is gone and that you had an appetite! Must've been that nasty Vicodin! Wishing you well as always, Elizabeth Aspasia Shapiro
On March 11, 2011...
Judy... Right here is the reason. I believe that everything happens for a reason and your question was why was your heart so bad especially for someone ur age. I think u just answered it right here; I don't think you ever have really realized what great work u and ur dogs have done and now u are finding out personally how u and both of them can make people feel!! God bless all of you... We sometimes have to find out the hard way! But god would not have picked u for this lesson if he didn't think u were strong enough to handle it.
Wednesday at 8:35am · LikeUnlike.Tina Myers I know I have found my purpose in life; finally I figured it out after all these years of going to school. I have been so inspired by u and ricochet that I am planning on starting a therapy business myself; training therapy dogs, helping people that need therapy; people with PTSD and also helping animals through being a healing touch practitioner; using therapies and energy healing on animals that have cancer, anxiety, stress, etc... and I am hoping to come to San Diego to do this. You and ricochet r truly my inspiration!! I'm hoping that I can come and meet you, Ric, and Rina and you can give me some pointers on getting started...
On March 11, 2011...
Hello Judy,
Sorry that you are riding the yucky roller coaster ride of "healing"-hah! Just keep in mind that the ride *does* eventually stop, and you will get to disembark! Hope that soon the good days outnumber the bad until they are all good and YOU are feeling great :)
Love and good wishes.. Teresa and Kermit from Indiana
On March 11, 2011...
your doing great Judy! Sending all our Golden love your way.
xoxox
Nita,Jody,Kenzie & Toby
On March 11, 2011...
Hi Judy! I am so glad that you are back home with your furbabies....I do believe they really missed you. I just read your story and seems you had to go through quite alot in a short period of time. I pray that you continue to make steady progress and thank you for sharing your life and beautiful dogs with those of us who have never met you. I am a friend of Richochet's Fan page and that is how I realized you were sick and had surgery. God BlessYou :o)
Deb Stallings
On March 11, 2011...
hi, judy, glad you are improving. it must be hard to have the ups and downs, hopefully, your will have more and more ups. wishes for continued improvement. hugs to rina and ric.
rhonda ferrrara norman
On March 11, 2011...
Judy, you're on the road to recovery, so it'll be up and down for a while yet. Don't try to rush things, as I did after my first knee replacement. Ended up thrashing myself pretty good trying to do stuff I wasn't supposed to try just yet!
You sound as though things are going along at a good rate, which is always a good thing. Glad you could get outside for awhile. Nothing like real outside air to help in healing. Next thing you know, you'll be back in the Pacific...frolicking with Ric and helping others again!
Take care Judy, and as always, I'm sending loads of love your way. Lou from Ampsurf.
On March 11, 2011...
I'm happy to hear you are slowly getting better. Even thou I never had heart surgery I can completely understand what you are going thru. I suffered a stroke and I have learned to take it 1 day at a time...listen to your body and follow what it tells you. What I did was set goals to achieve, I started with daily 1 then weekly, monthly so on. In time it will get better. But remember the goals you achieve it will help show your progress. Also no goal is small to accept the progess you will make.
Bonnie Miller
On March 11, 2011...
Keep up your great work, Judy!! You're a strong, beautiful, inspiring woman. Just be kind to yourself and keep your chin up. Listen to your body and, when you're tired, rest!! Your energy will return slowly but surely. (Mine did this summer/fall when i had myocarditis; i know the fatigue and weakness you write about. Believe me, it gets better -- it just takes time.) You're well on the road to recovery and we're all cheering you on. My Lab-pack and i are sending you lots of love and healing thoughts. THANKS for being you!!
On March 11, 2011...
Keep up the good work. My sister had this surgery and she described recovery a lot like you are. Take it easy..
Lizzie the Golden Mutt and Nissa the black lab mutt are pulling for you..
Marlie
On March 11, 2011...
I'm watching your progress and am so happy you've generously chosen to share it. Even though we've never met, I have a special personal reason to follow your story. Someday, if and when that's appropriate, I'll tell you about it. But in the meantime, I wish you a complete and speedy recovery, and I hope you don't waste a moment or an ounce of energy responding to this! You and Ric and Rina make me smile every day. Thank you so much for that!
Jenna Lavaliere and Mackey
On March 11, 2011...
HI Judy,
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!! :0} I am reading your journal with great interest as I may have to have surgery to repair MR as well.
Hope you are back up and around soon!! :0}
Best Regards,
Carla L. Boyd
On March 11, 2011...
Judy,
I am sure the roller coaster recovery with ups and downs is frustrating but the good news is that you are making steady progress. You are doing a great job and I am so glad to hear that the girls are more relaxed and helping you on your way. Keep moving forward and have a good night.
Nina Wormuth
On March 11, 2011...
Judy,
Godspeed...........<3
Joyce and Lily Airedale...MA
On March 11, 2011...
Keep getting better every day. Healing is just about the slowest thing in the world. No way to speed it up. I'm glad you and the dogs are getting to hang out together more.
Linda Shaffer & Rocco
On March 11, 2011...
Continued prayers for your recovery. After Scott's surgey his back was bad and they said it was from being on the steel operating room table. He was on it for 10 hours. Hope tomorrow is better and that you gain your strength back and continue your wonerful work.
Barb
On March 11, 2011...
Judy,
I can remember...
Oooooooooh, how I can remember the feelings you just shared.
But, so you know, I swam 30 laps today.
My point... It gets better.
Just take it one step at a time and... try to relax.
We love you!
Adam Pick
On March 11, 2011...
Hey Judy.....glad you made it to the mailbox and then back to the house. Take it slow. See ya tomorrow Teresa
On March 11, 2011...
Yah, you walked to the mailbox, good for you!
Judy, what is your home address again, I have deleted your address by mistake from when Lisa was sending messages for you.
You can send it to my e-mail address, thanks!
Hang in there girl, praying for you to have a speedy recovery!
LOVING YOU FROM ONTARIO, CANADA
Connie and Charlie xoxo
On March 11, 2011...
One day at a time! It sounds like you are geting better each day, even though you probably don't feel like running the dogs yet...that will come soon! I'm sure the girls love that you are back home, and love being by your side...or on the bed:)
You are in our thoughts and prayers...wishing you the best for a full recovery!
Your friends from Santa Barbara...Riley and family.
On March 11, 2011...
Hi Judy... It may not feel like it, but you are making progress. I know it's frustrating when you have a bad night after having a good one or a bad day when you really felt hopeful from the previous one, but just keep up with your recovery routines and pretty soon you'll be having more good days than bad! Ollie and I love you very much and so look forward to seeing you & the furgirls back at the beach! xoxo, Jo
On March 11, 2011...
Dear Judy,
I've been reading each and every journal entry the minute I see them posted. You are one heck of a trooper, that's for sure. I'm looking forward to coming to stay with you next Wednesday. Let me know if there is anything special I can bring for you when I come.
xoxoxoxoxo,
Sue
On March 11, 2011...
I can't begin to tell me how brave and strong I think you have been. I think your honesty in just how scared you were for all this to happen is actually your bravest and strongest asset.
And I just have to say, holy hell. I've never seen bruises like that in my life! They actually put huge tears in my eyes. You are such an inspiration. No wonder Ricochet was born to inspire others. She inherited it from her mom!
Sending you much love - Maureen & HoneyBuzz Marsh
On March 11, 2011...
Judy,
you courage throughout your journey has me amazed. You are such an awesome person. Like you said there will be good days and bad days. More good then bad as you head on your road to recovery. Glad to hear you are sleeping through the night and getting your appetite back.
Present coming soon. You deserve a little something something too for all the work you do for others. All the people tht sent you cards, gifts, flowers ext. even tough you said not to, want you to know how much we do care about you and you should not feel guilty in any way for accepting our kind words and gifts.
Hugz
the anderson family
candy, jackson, maxene and payton.
On March 11, 2011...
Take each day one at a time, Judy. It sounds like you're making some progress, yey!
Isn't it such a comfort having Rina sleep with you? I love having a dog in my room at night. Having a dog's breathing sound is comforting to me...not to mention the comfiness! :) ~ Liz
On March 11, 2011...
That's why we are all here, to get you through the downs and to the next up! I am sure there will be great days ahead. One step at a time, one day at a time. I believe every day you are getting better and stronger. I can just tell by your writing. Love the pictures and video you posted on facebook as well.
We love you! Jessica, Josh, Barley and Mira
On March 11, 2011...
Judy:
I am sooo glad you can cuddle with Ric and Rina; I know that makes you feel much better.
Please take care and listen to the dogs; they know best!
Tina Myers
On March 11, 2011...
SO glad to hear u r feeling better. I can't take vicoden or anything w/codeine, it makes me nauseous too (allergic, obviously).
Good to hear you got some much needed sleep! PLEASE don't push yourself; get your much needed rest, and try to eat healthy when you do. U have been thru major surgery, please go easy on yourself.
Sincerely,
Meg Jones
Ashley Perona