Hi, Judy! Have had a busy couple of weeks so have been catching up on how you are doing. Your "limitations" allow those who know and love you to be a blessing TO you! Soon enough you will be back holding the leashes!! Sorry to hear Ric is digging so much but unless she gets thru to China....nice to hear about you driving. Yippeee! for you! If I can reactivate my Paypal account I may donate to Rina's bday cause. I keep trying to change something on the Paypal and it won't let me and I just haven't had the time to deal with it! I will be pleased when I read that your chest feels back to NORMAL...I wonder how long that will take? Thinking of you, Ric, and Rina too!
Mary Roberts
Canton OH
On April 7, 2011...
wtg judy...sounds like you are doing incredible :)
On April 6, 2011...
Judy,
Congratulations on your first adventure driving on your own to the store, awesome!
Debbie and Star Bright
On April 6, 2011...
Hi Judy,
Glad to hear you are coming along.
Judy, have you ever thought of writing a book about Ricochet and Rina? Or how about writing a book about your Heart Valve Journals? You are so good with your stories of the girl's adventures and your heart valve journals would be so informative to future heart valve surgery patients.
Take care and give the girls a hug for me!
Charlie still has the hots for Ric but he likes older girls, too. Look out Rina!
LOVING YOU ALL FROM ONTARIO, CANADA!
Connie and Charlie xoxo
On April 6, 2011...
Oh Judy, how I love reading of your improvements! Getting out into the world again now! Sounds also like your help at the grocery store lined up well. Thank goodness for kind and helpful people. Just a few short weeks ago... and look at you now!!! So amazing, so interesting to read. And SO glad you are doing so well!!!
Julie, Tucker, Disney and Piper
On April 6, 2011...
sounds like you are on the mend and will be back in action soon! Congratulations on the great recovery!
Cheers!
Farish family
On April 6, 2011...
Great news!!! I can relate about being free after having to have someone drive you everywhere, it happened for me when I had neck surgery.
Wished I lived closer to help out with the girls.
Janet Hale and the boys
On April 6, 2011...
Wow! Driving again...must feel great just to roll the window down and feel the breeze. All of this must have given you perspective on what it must be like for Patrick and other differently abled folks, every day. I know you were aware before...but nothing like living it to bring the awareness home.
Glad you are doing better!
Lisa Nordstrom, your FB friend.
On April 6, 2011...
Congrats on your 'first' drive. The grocery store sounded like a real challenge. Glad you got through it okay and that there were some kind people to help you. Bet it felt like a real accomplishment when you finally made it home. Hope you weren't too tired after the errand run.
On April 6, 2011...
i just love seeing your journal entries- i am so happy you are feeling better and so quickly too! (i'm sure it has not felt that way to you during much of this)
take good care-
Sandi Brown
On April 6, 2011...
What's that old adage...where there's a will, there's a way? Hip-hip-hooray! [Pun intended] I sometimes get a wee bit 'hippie' in the store myself! Glad they can be used for stuff other than carting kids around.
Good to hear your excursion tale, my friend. Liberating, huh?!?
Peace out~
Linda in El Cajon
On April 6, 2011...
thanks for brightening my day with good news! How fabulous to have a little more freedom.
Your friends don't mind helping you! in fact, I think most of us appreciate being needed from time to time.
best,
vicki, toby, sheila, monet and louie
On April 6, 2011...
i am so happy to hear that you are doing so well!!! i can't imagine going through what you are so i am glad that you are posting!!! love hearing about your two dogs too!!! i liked the car wash post especially!!! that was funny!!! my dogs try to aspire to greatness but all they have accomplished is surviving!!! bailey had one near death experience (we believe someone poisoned her) that left her hospitalized for a month... then later she became a cancer survivor...and my other dog avery was abused and abandoned before he came to his furever home!!!
rina and ric are their role models!!!!!
much love to you, rina and ric!!! keep up the good work!!!
-jenn, bailey, avery, and our 11 cats!!!!
On April 6, 2011...
Freedom! Even a little taste is wonderful. :)
On April 6, 2011...
Dear Judy,
It's amazing how we take things for granted - like a trip to the supermarket. I'm (my name's Lisa) 49 and usually walk like the Energizer Bunny. However, for the last 10+ months, I've had a broken foot (b/c of osteopenia and poor medical care which will HOPEFULLY be rectified now that I have insurance again - LONG story). The most recent bout of wearing the Aircast has been since Valentine's Day, and if you don't know what it feels like to wear one, imagine having a lead weight on you from below the knee down. I know this isn't NEARLY as bad as what you went/are going through, but walking through ANY kind of big place is an undertaking. I usually use the electric cart, and if I don't feel bad enough about turning 50 later this year, this SURE doesn't help me in the "feeling old" department!! I just wanted to let you know I empathize and give you 1000% of my support because you (and your dogs) ROCK!!! ;)
On April 6, 2011...
Judy, what a bold and fiesty one you are, pushing around all those 12-packs! Do you take after Ricochet, or does Ricochet take after you, BOL! It worried me to hear you drove unaccompanied, but I imagine it was something you really wanted to try alone, and not because someone wasn't available?
How great it is to see you progress--not only to see you happy, but you're making all of us happy too!!
Valerie G.Rios xxoo
On April 6, 2011...
Hi Judy! Your recovery seems to be going great! So happy the surgery is behind you now.
Elizabeth Aspasia Shapiro
On April 6, 2011...
Happy Independence day!! So happy to read that things are looking up, up, and up. And I am so glad you have Rina & Ric to keep your spirits up...even if it is through destruction. =)
Happy healing!
Melissa
On April 6, 2011...
It is so good to hear you are driving a little and grocery shopping. These little things mean a lot to people who are recovering. Keep getting better and focusing on what you can do, not what you can't! Linda Shaffer & Rocco the Golden
On April 6, 2011...
Tons of congrats on driving again. I know how exciting & liberating that can be. (I was actually able to jump up & down when I got my license back 7 months after my seizure. Me--jumping!)
Lori
On April 6, 2011...
Pawrific! You are back on the road again :o) Great job with your first big independent outing. Don't hesitate to have people help, like you did, lots of folks love to help out! Ely and I are very proud of you! Ely said "Tell Judy that she ROCKS!"
Hugs & Wags,
Shirl & Ely, Tulsa OK
On April 6, 2011...
You are blessed and a blessing to those around you!
~Danielle
On April 6, 2011...
P. S. Let's see some updated pictures! We're sure you're looking like a mil!...Teresa
On April 6, 2011...
Hi Judy...glad you got out by yourself today. Driving....must have been great! (in the beginning anyway). As days go by I'm sure you will continue your improvement and stopping the coumadin will surely help. Rico and Rina know you're not up to par....so all in all..they are really being pretty good. Hope tomorrow finds you even better and remember one day at a time. With much love....Teresa
On April 6, 2011...
So glad to hear of your excellent progress -- it's amazing what you have been through and how the body heals! I enjoy your journals and of course the FB posts and I am so happy that you have many wonderful people helping you out. Keep taking good care of yourself -- these next 6 weeks will fly by, and then you'll be walking the doggies again before you know it!
Colleen, Colorado
On April 6, 2011...
Sorry I haven't written Judy! It's great that you got to drive and it sounds like your are getting much better at asking for help when you need it. Do you really drink that much soda? I had to give it up when I gave up sugar. Roxie has been guarding her vehicle, but if you need I can try to take you and your girls to the dog park some time. You are doing amazingly well. I'm so glad to hear you are healing.
Love Annie and Roxie
On April 6, 2011...
Congrats on the first independent "outing" of the new and improved Judy! It'll just keep getting better and better!!
Blessings,
Nancie Wilson
Sylva, NC
On April 6, 2011...
So glad to hear you are doing better! Still praying for you all the time!
Katie
On April 6, 2011...
Hi Judy ... I am so glad you are doing so well and got to drive today. Excellent!! I love reading your journal and all the posts on Facebook for Ric and Rina. Love it when they
get to go to the beach and run around. The
pictures of all the digging in the backyard are tooo funny. Costumes are great; they are so patient getting dressed up like that.
I hope you continue on your road to recovery
rapidly and will be able to romp with the pups
this summer at the beach. Bless you!!
Joan Burhans
On April 6, 2011...
Judy,
Thanks for the update on the driving trip! So glad it went well for the most part. I'm sure you did feel like a teenager driving alone for the first time! Hoorah for small steps!
Katy M.
On April 6, 2011...
Judy,
I am glad you are doing soooo well. You underwent a major surgery and have recovered rather rapidly and have seemed to keep a positive attitude throughout the entire "ordeal".
You and those sweet, precious "puppies" of yours are an inspiration to many!!!
Keeping all of you in my prayers. :o))
On April 6, 2011...
WOW, Judy!! So much activity -- so soon after surgery. You're amazing, and your energy and enthusiasm are (as always) very inspiring!! THANK YOU for all that you do -- and thank you for sharing your experience with us. Hugs to you & Ric & Rina... and best wishes for continued rapid recovery!! ~ Jackie
On April 6, 2011...
Very glad your recovery continues to progress; that is good news! You are amazing the way you push at the limits of what you are able to do; not even open heart surgery has slowed you down!! We continue to think of you and Ric and Rina.. hang in there; you are doing great!!!
Your friends in Indiana, Teresa and Kermit
On April 6, 2011...
So glad the progress towards total recovery continues! One day at a time! This is probably harder on Ric and Rina than it is on yourself as they don't understand what is going on. But this too will pass. Before you know it you will be 100% and able to walk Ric and Rina and also be more active in Ric's causes - not that you aren't doing a lot already!
Hang in there!
Cindy
Hang 10 Pets
On April 6, 2011...
wore my ricochet t-shirt last night to the crisis center....made everyone smile as i keep talking about your dogs as though they are physically (rather than virtually) my own.
they've all listened in to the radio program where i interviewed you.
it makes sense, the coumadin thins your blood so much that bruising is an expected side effect. so, once you stop this med, these bruises may lessen, too.
it's actually SPECTACULAR to read of your recovery !
love sam mcfarland
On April 6, 2011...
So very glad that your recovery has gone so well. You are one lucky lady to have your wonderful dogs and all the friends to help along the way. But I also know that you would do the very same for any of them.
Take good care - the world needs you!
On April 6, 2011...
Judy,
Sometimes uneventful weeks are the best kind in recovery. Glad to hear you are doing so well. My dog, James , has severe cabin fever and has also been getting into trouble. It is still pretty cold here. Hope you do well at the doctor's!
Nina Wormuth
On April 6, 2011...
Hey Judy...
I m so glad you are feeling better and beginning to get back into your life. YOU have been an inspiration to those of us who have never had heart surgery. Look at all the people whom you have taught....yes it is fearful, but look at you, you are doing so well. So IF we ever need to go thru that, we will remember you and how well you are doing. Thanks for all your good words. God bless you and your dogs.
On April 6, 2011...
So glad you're feeling better! It must be nice feeling more "normal". If I were anywhere close I'd be walking those pups for you every day, but since I'm not, I'll just ask you to give them pats and loves for me. It just sounds like you're doing really well, and I'm so very happy about that. Keep it up!
On April 6, 2011...
SO GLAD to read week 5 update....AMAZING isn't-SO MUCH behind you--SOO MUCH to look forward to--SPRING IS HERE!!! What an ADVENTURE you have had......
HUGE HUGS!!!
Laureen Arnold
On April 6, 2011...
I'm SO happy you're feeling so much better! I have many friends who've had heart surgery and not one of them hasn't remarked on how wonderful they feel after they've healed up from the surgery itself. I bet you'll enjoy life more than ever before...in so many ways. There may not be as many guestbook entries, but everyone is still praying for you and cheering you on. (Lucy)
On April 6, 2011...
Glad to hear you are getting almost as restless as the girls, Judy. You ARE getting better! We will all be celebrating when you are back to 'normal', if there ever really is such a thing. I have a recovery pin that says 'Normal is a setting on a washing machine.' Ha!
Thanks for keeping us up to date with your recovery. I am positive I would not have been up for that and you are so upbeat, even when sharing your hardships. A-mazin'~
Linda in El Cajon <3
On April 6, 2011...
so happy to hear of your continuing progres,. hope all goes well w. the driving. if i lived closer, i would love to spend time w. rina and ric and give them some diversion. it's fun to have interaction w. larger breeds when you are used to those tiny but mighty ones! wishes for continued good progress.
On April 6, 2011...
I am so happy that you are truly "on the other side" now. What a long haul and what an experience. You have been amazing and it will only make you more of that giving person you are... yikes! Still sending warm thoughts and gentle hugs, but now from the west coast with you:)
Carol Martin
On April 6, 2011...
5 weeks already! Wow time is flying by!!! Always happy to see that every day is a new accomplishment. Good luck with that short drive today ... that is HUGE! My hope is for every day to have something new and a move forward toward total recovery.
Hugs - Prayers - and Puppy Slobber!
Janis/Grover Beach
On April 6, 2011...
Judy,
I'm so glad to hear the good news on your progress. I'll be anxious to hear how your first attempt at driving post-op goes. I'm sure this week will be good for the girls in terms of doing some different things and getting away from the house. And Rina was so cute in the picture with the envelope - hopefully the shipping hadn't already been posted on there!
Katy M.
On April 6, 2011...
What do you mean 5th week post-op and nothing exciting!! We are excited that you are doing AWESOME!!!!! We continue to keep you in our prayers daily. Glad to hear that you will be able to start to drive! I know that gave my mother-in-law a feeling of independence again when she was able to drive up to the store. You are doing wonderful.
God Bless,
Ruth C.
Fredericksburg, VA
On April 6, 2011...
I'm still thinking of you every day Judy, and love reading your updates. I heard from a friend last night who's Dad had a valve repaired. I found myself telling her, "that's nothing, my friend Judy had quad bypass, and a valve repaired...."
I'm so glad to hear that you are improving every day!
xoxoxo,
Sue
On April 6, 2011...
Good Morning Judy, So glad to hear you are feeling much better. I have not posted anything for a while but have been so busy here at work and at home. I help take care of my elderly mother and she definitely keeps me on my toes. I bet you can't wait to walk Rina and Richochet. Well best get back to work. You have a glorius day and hope you keep feeling better.
Brenda Groves
On April 6, 2011...
We are still following your amazing progress and sending lots of love, positive energy and prayers your way and love to Ric and Rina too. Once you stop the coumadin, your bruises should heal faster...the blood thinner often keeps bruises from healing as fast as you're used to. You are AMAZINg- keep up the GREAT work in your recovery and with the causes you and Ric (and Rina!) support.
Mary Roberts
Canton OH