Jaime Castano posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,

I know what you mean about feeling stuck. I'm doing ok on my recovery, but definitely it is so hard to see daily progress. Yesterday I had a good day; and this morning was one of the tougher ones I've had since I got back home. But I think we need to give ourselves a break - or rather our bodies a break. Our bodies just went through one of the most difficult operations we could have put them through. I'm trying to concentrate on giving my body what it needs to heal at whatever pace it wants, with the faith it will. And I'm trying to remember to be patient.

I don't know if any of this helps. If it doesn't, just don't listen to me. I get a little discouraged too, and I thought it would be good for you to know you are not alone.

Keep your chin up!

Jaime

Kathy Dessau posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,

I was just thinking of you and hoping that you're OK here in CO.

Kathy, Dan, Michael & Jessi

Tina Nenoff posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,
I'm so happy to hear that you are well on the road to recovery. You sound great. Best wishes,
Tina

Ginger (from the Land of Oz) posted a note for Julia that says: Julia,
I just read your most recent post and noted your complaint of a dry cough. Of course, we would all say check with your doctor first, but I have a suggestion that may help.

I have a Doctorate in Pharmacy and have worked in the field for over 37 years - working in a hospital, going on teaching rounds with medical residents, co-writing a drug book for nurses, directing a small psychiatric hospital pharmacy, expert witness, you get the picture.

My suggestion is a small bottle of a liquid over the counter medicine with the brand name Delsym. I prefer the grape flavor to the orange. It has a little measuring cup in the box. As long as your cough is dry and non-productive - not bringing up junk to spit out - it is just using energy you need to heal and causing you irritation. One dose of Delsym (active ingredient is dextromethorphan) and 8 ounces of water should put your cough on hold for up to 12 hours. I highly recommend it and use it myself. Frankly, I even use it occasionally at bedtime when I have a productive cough but have not been sleeping.

May it give you some well-deserved peace!

Best, Ginger

Ginger French (Virginia) posted a note for Julia that says: Julia,
Thank you so much for reaching out to me when you read my first journal post. You are really an inspiration and, while I have known for years that I would eventually need my aortic valve replaced, the need to get a consultation and make some clear cut decisions were first recommended this February.
I am still asymptomatic, but now know that sometimes symptoms come on slowly and in other cases they appear dramatically and decisions need to be made. And my doctors believe it is time to get going along those lines.

I am so delighted to hear of your progress and be able to read about your journey thus far. I am with you in spirit and carrying you in prayer,
Ginger

Diane D Fleming posted a note for Julia that says: Such a joy to hear that you are at home and doing better. Yes, your primary job is to take care of yourself! Everyone wants you to feel good and have a long and healthy life.

~Annie posted a note for Julia that says: Dear Julia,
Don't know u but have come to know ur story–Glad to hear ur on the mend & r feeling relatively good! I have been reading about ur experience because of our similar age & I also have BAV w/ severe stenosis. (I'll be 49 yrs next week :) I like how u have been specific with the goings-on of ur whole experience & about your procedure. Keep healing & feeling better!
Hope to be where ur at in a few months–
Take care!

Arpad posted a note for Julia that says: I am so relieved to hear that you are home and finally sleeping well. You must be quite sleep deprived and it will take a few days to catch up. It is so disappointing that hardly anybody will ever catch a good sleep in the hospital. The good news is that by the time the snow will be good in Telluride, you will be ready to ski without having to worry about coumadin.
Sounds like you had an excellent surgeon working with a good team and there were very few kinks in this complex process. You have chosen well :)

Hyun-Joo posted a note for Julia that says: Hi, Julia

I am glad you are home and doing well. I remember getting rest only after I came home. I also remember my heart beat shaking all of my body! I don't remember when but that sensation went away eventually.
Take care.

Cher posted a note for Julia that says: Great to hear you chatting away and sounding like yourself. I'm so glad you are feeling well and look forward to your full recovery.

Kathy D'Biagio posted a note for Julia that says: Hi, Julia --

The journal alerts went to my Spam so I didn't even know the surgery took place until today. I'm so, so happy that everything went well. I'm sure that you'll be back to walking, swimming, etc. in no time at all! Can't keep a good gal down! :)

Best wishes for a continued speedy recovery,

Kathy D'Biagio

NIthya Ramachandran posted a note for Julia that says: Julia,
It's fantastic that you are home now and not in a lot of pain after such a major surgery. Rest well and take good care of yourself. We have everything under control here, so don't worry.
Thanks for keeping us updated.

Speedy recovery to you.

Nithya

Steve McClain posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,

I'm relieved and happy to hear you are doing so well. I'm amazed you can be out of the hospital so quickly after surgery like this. Good luck with your continuing recovery!

Jonathan Simon posted a note for Julia that says: So glad to hear it went well and you're on the road to recovery!

Margaret posted a note for Julia that says: Looking forward to your updates from the comforts of your own home.

Yves Chabal posted a note for Julia that says: Julia,
Congratulations on being able to go home quickly! This is a great achievement due to your hard work in doing all the required exercises. I think that you will soon realize that you are in better shape than before the operation, as your heart beat indicates.
Don't worry about work, your only job right now is to recover your health, and I know you will do that as well as you are doing your research work.
We are all rooting for you in the department!
Take care!
Yves

Clare Stano posted a note for Julia that says: Julia,
Going home is an excellent sign that you are progressing as expected! Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help with your recovery.

Clare

Linda posted a note for Julia that says: Happy that you are recovering quickly.

Diane D Fleming posted a note for Julia that says: Yippee for discharge papers and a good night of sleep. You are definitely getting better if the staff is willing to send you home! Diane

Alice White posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia--

Glad to hear from you! When my dad had quadruple bypass surgery, he had a difficult time coughing. He also told us not to tell any jokes because it hurt to laugh. Anyway, they gave him a big heart-shaped pillow to press against his chest when he coughed and that helped him manage the pain. Perhaps you already have one of those? Anyway, Dad is 90 now--the surgery was 11 years ago!

Hang in there!
Alice

Fujie xia posted a note for Julia that says: Way to go Julia!!!
I know it .
Fujie, Anton, Anita and Mario.

Vivian posted a note for Julia that says: Julia, so good to hear from you. Glad everything went well. Speedy recovery!

Nithya Ramachandran posted a note for Julia that says: Julia, it's good to hear from you. Very glad to hear that you are doing better. Take it easy and rest well.

Nithya

Sylvia Hsu posted a note for Julia that says: Julia,
I am so glad you made it through alright! We've been thinking about you.

Cher Porter posted a note for Julia that says: Julia -so good to have you back on line - not that we didn't appreciate Mark's updates. We are so glad to know you are improving and look forward to you getting stronger every day!

Cher Porter

Diane D Fleming posted a note for Julia that says: Dear Julia,

It is so wonderful to hear your voice in my head as I read your message. You are definitely awake and alert and making great progress. Your competitive streak is coming through your message, so we know you are feeling better. Keep working hard on the breathing exercises and walking. However, I know Duncan and Mark love escorting you on walks. Love and hugs to you and your family.
Diane and Robert

Clare stano posted a note for Julia that says: Julia,
I am thinking of you every day and hoping it all continues to go as well as expected. I am really glad you have this journal to keep everyone updated. Take care and focus on full recovery.

Alex Lee posted a note for Julia that says: Julia,

It's good to hear from you. Get better soon!

Shelby posted a note for Julia that says: Amazing to be hearing from you already! Thanks for the updates. We think of you all the time.
Love,
Shelby

Hanna kapitulnik posted a note for Julia that says: Hi julia
Glad to see you are back writing, maybe you will visit us soon...
Hope you feel better soon

Shawna and John posted a note for Julia that says: Mark and Julia - So glad to hear that the surgery went well and that Julia is already recovering! Keep us posted.
Take care.

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Julia that says: Coughing hurts, but I did a lot of it. You've got to hug your heart pillow pretty hard to your chest to get a good cough.

Good luck and heal quickly.

Jaime Castano posted a note for Julia that says: Julia

Concentrate on what you can control - those tasks the staff assigns to you. Be careful with constipation- I just went through an episode post-op that made everything more difficult. Pace yourself on the eating and drinking post op even if you are hungry and until your bowel movements are consistent again.

Lev Gelb posted a note for Julia that says: Great to hear everything went well!

Take it easy, Julia, and Mark and Duncan, too!

Cheers,

Lev

Connie Jewell posted a note for Julia that says: Good job Julia !!! Hang in there sweetie it gets easier and better each day. I had my surgery Monday morning May 12th and they are talking about me getting to go home tomorrow.

Julia you're in my thoughts and prayers you can do this as I said it gets a little easier and better every day!!

Good luck!!! Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Margaret posted a note for Julia that says: Great Progress! Hope for a speedy recovery!

Debbie Lew posted a note for Julia that says: YAY! So glad this went well!!! Much love to you all!

Hyun-Joo and Ken posted a note for Julia that says: Thank you for the update, Mark.
We are happy to hear that everything went well. I guess she will start walking today. Wish her speed recovery!

Max posted a note for Julia that says: Thanks for the update, Mark. Glad to hear that things are going well. Best wishes!

Sampreetha posted a note for Julia that says: I am extremely happy to know that the surgery went well. My best wishes for her speedy recovery.

Linda Hsu posted a note for Julia that says: Great news. I'll let Papa Mama know as soon as they wake up. They'll be relieved. Glad surgery went well. I signed Papa up to receive journal too.

Tonya posted a note for Julia that says: Mark,

I am very glad everything went as planned. I pray Julia has a smooth recovery. Sounds like she is in good hands. Look forward to your updates.

Yves posted a note for Julia that says: Thanks for the updates, Mark. I am so glad and relieved that all has gone well and send my best wishes for the recovery! This is a case when we want everything to be textbook, with no surprises, and it seems to be the case. Thinking of you all!

Rebecca Windham posted a note for Julia that says: So glad to hear Julia's surgery went smoothly. Thank you for the updates.

NIthya Ramachandran posted a note for Julia that says: Mark, very happy to hear that the surgery went well. Best wishes to Julia for a speedy recovery! We will be thinking of her.

Take care,
Nithya

Margaret posted a note for Julia that says: Yay! So happy to hear the surgery went well.

Shaying posted a note for Julia that says: Glad to hear the surgery went smoothly. Hope you recovery soon!

tina nenoff posted a note for Julia that says: best wishes for a speedy recovery!
tina

Suzanne Kosakowski posted a note for Julia that says: You have an amazing attitude. I know you won't see this before surgery because you're already there but I wish you all the best today and during your recovery. My surgery is 10 am today (and now my stomach is growling). See you later when we both have brand new heart valves!

Jaime Castano posted a note for Julia that says: Julia - I am now 3rd day post operation. The critical things: focus on what the doctors want you to focus on to get out oh ICU because chances are you will want to be out of ICU ASAP. Make sure to keep on top of the pain medication protocol. It's easy to wait too long thinking the pain will not get worst. It will. Learn to control it.

Good luck

Jaime