Alice White posted a note for Julia that says: We'll be thinking of you tomorrow! Best wishes for a speedy recovery--

Alice and Don

Sally Crowe posted a note for Julia that says: Our prayers are with you tomorrow. Good luck we wish you all the best
Scott, Sally, Cate and Caleb

Shawna and John posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia. Best of luck tomorrow - we wish you the very best and look forward to hearing about your recovery soon!

Take care and talk to you soon.

NIthya Ramachandran posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,
Wishing you good luck for the surgery tomorrow and a speedy recovery from it.

Take care,
Nithya

Lev Gelb posted a note for Julia that says: Good luck tomorrow!

Debbie Lew posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,
I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day! Best of luck for a speedy recovery! We are all praying for you here (and we aren't even religious!).
Love/Debbie

Cher Porter posted a note for Julia that says: I'll keep you in my prayers this week that God will give the doctors skill and peace to you.

Vivian posted a note for Julia that says: Dear Julia,
樂觀開朗的你，手術一定成功。加油加油加油!

Thinking of you,

Annie Janey posted a note for Julia that says: Dear Julia,
I read your journal and thanks for sharing your story! You have helped me! I will look forward to hearing about your successful operation on 5/15. Happy Mother's Day(yesterday)to you also! I have a son who's 8 yrs old & is the apple of my eye & also is perfectly impish too ;)
~Annie

Deb Bialecki posted a note for Julia that says: Julia -
If you haven't already checked out the guest blog from Christine Rekash Wagner that Adam posted in March - she's got some suggestions on what to pack.. The blog is called 25 Tips To Prepare Women for Heart Surgery.

Not sure what I'll be packing when I go for my surgery in two weeks. I'm a list-maker though so will be thinking it through over the next few days.

Like you, no one from the surgeon's office has really given much info on what to pack - but then again, I didn't ask the question either. Maybe when I go for my pre-op stuff I can ask someone there.

Sending good thoughts your way for your upcoming surgery and recovery.

Take care

Mark C posted a note for Julia that says: Julia: Best of luck to you next week for a great outcome. I will be out of the country for 2 weeks starting Monday, but anticipate hearing good news when I get back.

Meredith Bray posted a note for Julia that says: I packed a whole overnight bag - toiletries, 2 pair pajamas, slippers....the only thing I used was the boxer shorts to cover my bum while walking in the halls. The hospital provided everything I needed, including toothbrush. It was nice on going-home day not to have to scurry around the room finding all my stuff.

One week! It'll go by fast!

KAIYUAN LUO posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,

Only one week left from your surgery. Prepare yourself well and wish you all the best in the surgery!

Kaiyuan

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

This is a nice way of communicating!

I am sure everything will go well.
We will keep you in our prayers.

Hyun-Joo

Shelby posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,
We are thinking of you, and sending warm vibrations your way. It *is* a life changing event! But that is not necessarily a bad thing. You have rolled with many other life-changing events, and will figure how to come up winning from this one too.
much love, Shelby

Tina posted a note for Julia that says: I imagine getting things in order before the operation is a great and necessary way to keep order and control in your life at thus strange time I your life. Please remember to also do things that are good for the soul so as to be in the best place going into the surgery and for when you get put of the surgery.

As for the 1% stuff! I'ld try and ignore that.. You're a very good scientist and you know that the 99% odds are the odds you want. Use it as reassurance!!

I'm thinking of you. Stay strong
Tina

Suzanne Kosakowski posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia, I too will be having OHS on May 15. I don't know if I am in denial or what but I too am not nervous. Busy taking care of all the little things that need to be decided and done before I leave for the Cleveland Clinic on May 12. I am having two valves and my ascending aorta replaced so I am concerned about how long I'll be sedated for surgery but it is what it is and hopefully all will be ok. Good luck to you on the 15th

Pei Li posted a note for Julia that says: Good luck to you!

Lewis posted a note for Julia that says: You sound calm and seem to have done your homework regarding the surgery, the doctor and life after the surgery. Your courage is an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings along the way ... we are thinking of you and wishing all the best.

Nithya Ramachandran posted a note for Julia that says: Julia, I didn't realize this was a really major surgery. With today's technological advancements, I'm sure this is going to be a complete success. We will be thinking of you constantly here. As I told you before, do not hesitate to contact me if you need anything particularly with Duncan's summer activities. Take care and rest. We'll see you in Fall.
Cheers,
Nithya

Stacey posted a note for Julia that says: Julia

I'm very sorry to hear of your heart valve disease. Bruce and I are both thinking of you and wishing you the best for the valve replacement surgery. I know we're not nearby, but if there's anything we can do to be of help, you or Mark should not hesitate to ask.

Stacey and Bruce

Milo posted a note for Julia that says: Julia

I just got your email. We will be keeping you in our thoughts as you go through the procedure and the healing proccess. Thanks for setting up this journal to keep us informed.

Best wishes

Milo and Margaret

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Julia that says: I'm 50 also.

I didn't want to deal with Coumadin/warfarin with a mechanical valve as well as hearing it click shut.

I didn't get Ross procedure because the operation takes longer because they are actually operating on two valves instead of one and you need a surgeon who is really experienced doing the procedure.

I went with a bovine valve because with today's technology valves are lasting longer, and hopefully by the time this valve needs to be replaced the TAVR will be more common way to replace the valve and I won't have to get my chest cracked open again.

Good luck with your choice and with your surgery.

Connie Jewell posted a note for Julia that says: I was offered the option of a biological aortic valve, mechanical or a Ross Procedure. Still trying decide.

Shawna posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia. I just got your email, and am so sorry to hear about the diagnosis. John and I are of course thinking about you a lot and you are in our thoughts and prayers. If you're up for it, I'd like to give you a call sometime to see how everything is going. Are you around this weekend, and if so what would be a good time to call and what is the best number?

Tina posted a note for Julia that says: I searched on the Ross procedure/valve choice. The pros/cons looked good. That's all I can offer re:info as I don't know anyone else with direct experience in this.

Sending you good thoughts.
Tina

Vivian posted a note for Julia that says: Dear Julia,

看到你的 email 才知道你的近况，预祝你手術一切顺利平安。为你加油！

Tina posted a note for Julia that says: Google search shows that you made a good choice!

Cher Porter posted a note for Julia that says: I'll keep you in my prayers and look forward to your journal updates. Take care!

Andrea and Arpad posted a note for Julia that says: Julia, Mark and Duncan,

All of us are thinking about you and your upcoming surgery. We wish you a successful operation and an uneventful recovery. We are here if you need us.

Sally Biles posted a note for Julia that says: Juila you and I have the same ailment aortic stenosis. My surgery is April 21 but I still haven't picked a valve. No one is offering the Ross procedure to me. In your research did you find a valve that you thought would work? I am on the young side for porcine valve (58) so am trying to decide the lesser of two evils: repeat surgery or metal valve/coumadin. Any info or advice?

Connie Jewell posted a note for Julia that says: Julia you and I have some symptoms in common. I wanted to wait until Oct. for valve replacement surgery but the Dr. said "Not a good idea".
I'm at the place where you seem to be with the shortness of breath increasing. Fatigue at the end of the day that nothing seems to alleviate, not going to bed earlier,sleeping a bit later. By the time I get home from work sometimes it's all I can do to keep my eyes open once I sit down. Having some swelling of the ankles too which I find in my left on causes it to ache terribly.
So I was sort of given a similar option for surgery. I was told you don't have to do it next week but, you really do NEED to do it in the next few months. So I'm scheduled for May the 12, 33 days and counting…
Good luck to you, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Robert and Diane posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,
We are now plugged into your journal site and official members of your cheering section. Thanks for sharing your story.

Susan Smith posted a note for Julia that says: Julia, the doctor's know best. No one ever told me not to exercise or do heavy duty lifting or work, but I got a reprimand by the Surgeon after I shared that I had lifted a 40 microwave oven from the floor to the counter top. He said sternly "Do not do that again." I meekly said " yes sir". LOL. I guess I am used to doing things myself and not waiting for someone else to do it. You will find. Keep us all posted.

Margaret posted a note for Julia that says: Best wishes and we'll be there for you!

Margaret

Clare stano posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,

Thanks for putting this together so we can follow your progress. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to help you.

Take care.
Clare

Angela Creason posted a note for Julia that says: Welcome Julia!
I'm just under 5 weeks post op with my new mechanical aortic valve.
This website has been great for questions, answers and camaraderie. Everyone is facing the same thing and each person has different scenarios that may very close to if not the same situation you will be going through.
Best wishes to you!

Meredith Bray posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia, I am 5 weeks post-op with congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve with stenosis also. This journal is a great way to keep in touch with friends & family (so you're not repeating yourself a jillion times!). Feel free to read my journal, and ask any questions. I was where you are, not so long ago!

Adam Pick posted a note for Julia that says: Hi Julia,

Yep, it's working!

:)

Welcome to our community!

Susan Smith posted a note for Julia that says: Julia now that you have tested. Go ahead and share your thoughts.