Hi Melany

You have such a good strong positive attitude for having suffered such a disappointment in your recovery process. But, that's why they call it recovery because you just aren't done yet. Try and keep your spirits high. I'm keeping you in my prayers.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Melany,
I just wanted to check on you and make sure things were still going along. I know you are probably not able to be on the computer much, but look forward to hearing when you feel better.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Kimberly S.

Melany,
Wow! I know you just went through heck and back. I am so glad to hear that you were able to get to the hospital in time. I know this is not what you had expected or wanted but with your attitude, nothing seems to keep you down:)
I am praying for you and another fast recovery!
Kimberly S.

Hi Melany

And here I was thinking you were spending time at t-ball! I'm so thankful you got busy and called the doctor when you did. That's regretful that you had to have open heart surgery yet again but thank goodness you were repairable by the grace of God. Well, you know the drill, walking and deep breathing. Do you have some help at home again with the children? Keeping you close in my prayers.

Cheryl, Ontario

Melany,

So sorry to hear about this setback and procedure you needed. You were doing so well. You have such a positive attitude and I know you will move forward and recover real soon. Take care of yourself....I hope your husband is ok...this was a real scare for him..also.
Best wishes to you..
Theresa Callanan

Oh Melany
What a scare especially after you had been recovering so beautifully. Quick action on your part and excellent medical care took care of this scary situation. Your faith and loving family have helped you through this rough time. Loved the fact that you stated the positive, that your valves are working perfectly!! Rest, heal and let people care for you. You have a lot of years ahead of you to spend with your hubby and those darling children. Prayers for you.
Fran Z

Hi Melany

The intubation caused an irritation in my airway and I coughed for a full 3 1/2 months. I remember having a dreadful time using the spirometer because I kept coughing so very likely your irritation is similarily caused. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Melany,
So glad to hear that your rehab session went well. Thank you so much for your uplifting message that you left me...of course it left me teary...lol:) I hope everything continues to go great for you and will keep you and your beautiful family in my prayers!
Kimberly S.

Hi Melany! You have a beautiful family!! Wow, you're so young to be having this surgery. Did you have a history of a heart murmur all of your life, or did this just come about suddenly for you?

I did have minimally invasive surgery, and it was done with the Da Vinci robot at East Carolina University. The surgeon there, Dr. Chitwood, is world famous for pioneering the method. With the robotic procedure you have a number of very small incisions (4 or 5) where the robotic arms are inserted and one larger one (about 1-2 inches) on the underside of the right breast. Since they go through the ribs to get to the heart, that is the major source of pain during recovery. In fact, when I play golf I still have some irritation, and it's been almost 3 months now since my surgery. It made me feel a little better to know the chest tubes bothered you as well. I don't think they had small people like us in mind when they designed them.

I can't believe the pace you're able to maintain with your children in just 4 weeks! Keep up the good work, and I look forward to hearing of your continuing improvements!

Warmest regards,

Amy Machtay
Raleigh, NC

Hi Melany
I got tired just reading about your day. Are you sure you need to go to rehab? What a wonderful recovery.
Fran Z

Hi Melany

You are doing so well in your recovery - you are super amazing. You must be so pleased with yourself. Good luck in your rehab classes.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Melany,
Thank you for visiting my journal! I just read yours and it was extremely helpful in knowing what to expect, etc... I am having the robotic surgery, so that will be a good thing:) I hope my procedure and recovery goes as well as yours is...it is definitely an inspiration!
Best wishes and a healthy heart,
Kimberly S.

Keep up the great work, Melany! You're gonna love rehab!

Duane Hunt, FL

It was nice to find your story. I have been watching for a mitral valve repair situation with a non sternotomy approach. I will have robotic repair of my mitral valve on May 13th. I sure hope I recover as quickly as you seem to be. My Doctor did warn me that even though I will not have my chest cracked that I will have pain. It has been somewhat hard to accept my diagnosis since I did not have any symptoms. But I see from your story how fast deterioration can set in. I am sure it is best to repair it before I get into that situation. It is count down time for me so I appreciate reading about someone with a similar problem.
Isn't this a great site?
Mary Ann Marko

Good Morning Melany
Great news about rehab. You will be their star heart patient. I know what you mean about the beta blocker. But, if you need to remain on it then perhaps they will reduce the dose. I know Cheryl struggles with this also. Have a great weekend. Great healing.
Fran Z

Melany,
Glad to hear about your progress. In the beginning you will have energetic days as well as nap days. Hey...you had major surgery...relax you deserve it. As time goes on, you will get stronger and stronger and will not feel as tired. I find that I no longer need naps(for quite a while now) and I am getting up earlier and earlier. Weird...I am not a morning person but am not complaining. I feel really good and can not wait for cardio rehab this week.
Keep us updated!
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ

Hi Melany!

Glad to hear you continue to make good progress...great progress! Even a half day without a nap is doing great at this stage. Don't be surprised if, when you first start rehab, it takes more energy than it gives, and you're even a bit more tired. That won't last long and it will start to do its work of rebuilding you. Thanking God for your progress. And please thank your husband for helping to keep all of us safe.

Duane Hunt, FL

Hi Melany

I'm so happy for you that you've been able to get about as much as you do but like Fran says, do be careful you don't overdo it. You won't know until you're flat out exhausted. Our spring sports have started as well so as doting grandparents it keeps us running. You take care.

Cheryl, Ontario

Great day, Melany. Every now and then on the HVJ someone says they overdid it and had to recover the next day. Hope that doesn't happen with you and if it does, you'll know to pace yourself a little better next time. Have a great Sunday.
Fran Z

Hey Melany! Glad to hear you are doing so well! That is wonderful! It is awesome to be able to get back into life. Keep up the good work!
Kathy Jamison-Patnode

Hey Melany, I am so glad that you are doing so well. God has really answered prayers. I was going to come and visit Sunday, but when I came by, you had a lot of company. Didn't want to tire you out....Love you...Pam Page

Hi Melany

I can't believe how quickly you are recovering. It has to be a real confidence builder to know this is all behind you and you are doing so well. Really glad for you. Nice to hear you are driving again too. Gee, all is well in your world!

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Melany

I coughed for a full three months after my surgery and it ended up being caused by the tube. It was annoying and there wasn't a thing that could be done other than use cough candies. Hope your reports continue to get better and better. Good luck.

Cheryl, Ontario

Melany,
Sorry to hear about your setback. It sounded so scary, and I am glad it turned out ok. Please take a deep breath and take it easy. You have to remind yourself you had major surgery and although your surgery went real well....you must take it slow. Glad to hear everything is ok now.
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ

Hi Melany,

Sorry to hear of the bump in the road to recovery, but am glad that you're back on track now. As Duane and others have said, most of us encounter setbacks on our journey back to health.

I had a similar episode to yours about 3 weeks after my mitral valve surgery, where I landed in the ER one evening. It turned out I also had low potassium, along with irregular heartbeats. They gave me potassium in the ER and sent me home. I have been taking potassium supplements daily since then and have had no more problems. Heartbeat is still irregular but the cardio people don't seem too worried about it at this point. They say it can take time for the heart to settle into a normal rhythm.

Just remember to take it easy at home, enjoy being with your family, and let others do things for you. Seems like the few setbacks I've encountered along the way (all minor, thank goodness)were preceded by my trying to do too much too soon.

Sending you healing thoughts and prayers,

Susan Murphy (Overland Park, KS)

Hi Melany,

Sorry you had that minor setback, but thankful it was a minor one. As you recuperate, try not to fret about whether or not there will be setbacks. Chances are decent there may be some. Most of us don't have an "always better" journey; I certainly didn't. Focus on the gradual and overall getting better, and be encouraged by that. May God continue to bless you with His presence and healing! Enjoy your beautiful family.

Duane Hunt, FL

Hi Melany,

It is good to know that the minor set back is over. Thank you for updating us. Take easy. You are in my prayers.

Jaso，
Monterey Park

Good Morning Melany
What a scare in the middle of the night. Hope the children didn't awaken. They have had me double up on my diuretic, but also on my potassium. That simple mineral makes a big difference in how well our hearts function. Here's praying all goes well for the rest of your recovery. Also hope your mother feels better. The crazy weather and all the pollen doesn't help am sure.
Fran Z

Hi Melany,
Thank you so much for writing me a note after your surgery on April 8, 2010. It is on 7 short days after your surgery. You much be doing very well. My father, now is 84, had the mitral valve repair surgery when he was 79. He is doing great. My brother also received mitral valve repair surgery 4 years ago. He is doing well too.
It is my turn now. I will see my surgeon next Wednesday. I had an appointment with him this past Wednesday but it was interrupted by an emergency.
For some reason I am nervous about this appointment. I am looking forward to it but sort of afraid. I do not know what he will say. I will be nervous if he says no, not now let’s wait for a few months. I will be nervous if he says let do it soon.
It is a great help reading yours and the rest of the folks journals.
God bless you!

Jason
Monterey Park, CA

Melany,

Great to read the post from you. Ain't it great to be home? My wife and I felt the same peace of God you did. Unexplainable. May the Lord continue to give you smooth sailing in your healing and recovery. God bless.

Duane Hunt, FL

Hey Melany, I am so glad you are home. God is really good to us and I know that He answered prayer on your behalf. You looked so good on Sunday when we visited. Hope to see you at home, but I will give you a few days to rest...love ya, Pam

Melany,
I am so happy you are doing so well! I've been praying for you. I'm at Cleveland Clinic this week...my heart cath was this am...I had such a perfect peace surrounding me...it was a humbling experience to know so many people are praying and that the Lord Most High has everything under control. Surgery is this Thursday.
Continue trusting in the One who holds you in His arms,
Carla Hansen

Hi Melany
Great to read your post. Am so glad you had such peace going into surgery. That's what I felt. Continue to recover.
Fran Z

Hi Melany

Welcome home. You obviouslya are doing really well and I continue to pray for your speedy recovery. So you had an ace in your back pocket - your mom! How great is that?

You take care and be patient.

Cheryl, Ontario

So glad that you are home and recovering so well. I guess I'm up next.

Tim from Greensboro

Home Sweet Home!!
Fran Z

Yaaay Melany!

Congratulations on your homecoming. Here's wishing you the most uneventful and quickest recovery possible!

Susan Murphy (Overland Park, KS)

Hey Mel,
So glad to hear you got to go home early. Tell Eric thanks tons for updating the journal every day. I will call in a few days when you are feeling better.
Love and prayers,
Aunt Patty

Melany,

WELLLLLCOMMMEE HOOOOOOOOOME!!!

Thanks for the update Eric!

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick

Eric & Melany,

It's so awesome that you're home sweet home! Melany, you must be doing great! Praise God! And now there's just one thing left to say--Welcome home, Strader family, welcome home!

Duane Hunt, FL

MELANY,

VERY GLAD YOR ARE DOING WELL. WE MISS YOU AT WORK. GET WELL SOON AND ENJOY YOUR TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY WHILE YOU ARE OUT. CALL IF YOU NEED ANYTHING!! CRYSTAL

Good Morning Eric & Melany
Some special potion in those 2 units that made Melany like the Energizer bunny. Great, and being in the step down unit (hope it's a private room) will allow more rest. Keep progressing and you'll soon be home with your 2 little ones.
Fran Z

Hi Eric

Melany is doing pretty fantastic. That is great news.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Melany,
Glad to hear you have done so well. I have been reading Eric's updates daily. Giving you and your family a little breathing room, will visit soon. Amanda

I also needed a unit post op. Apparently had lost about that much and my hemaglobin was too low for their satisfaction so I was transfused. Wasn't doing cartwheels afterwards, but it did help. Hope today will be a better day and Melany will be walking those halls. When I walked I sometimes would think that last year, Robin Williams had walked those same halls before me (Cleveland Clinic). Wondered if he cracked jokes as he went past the nurse's station?
Fran Z

Needing blood is very common. Don't be alarmed by that. Amazing how blood can perk you up. My surgeon had me donate a unit of my own blood before my surgery. They gave that to me post-op. My blood counts were low during my hospital stay and they talked about giving me more blood, but the counts went up and it wasn't necessary.

Here's to a great tomorrow and a regular room. Continued prayers for you guys.

Duane Hunt, FL

Hey Melany, I talked to Gerry and she told me that you were doing great! Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers...love you, Pam Page

Hi Eric,

Keep up the continued good news! A regular room will make it so much easier on you. Encourage her to take her pain meds often at this point. No need for heroism. Weaning later is good. Prayers for God's presence and healing!

Duane Hunt, FL

Hi Eric

Tell Melany I'm thinking about her. Today may be a tough one as she wakes up to her discomfort. It's great that you are able to be there with her and hold her hand. I'm praying for continued healing.

Cheryl, Ontario

Eric,
thank you for the update. We were very glad to hear the good news and relieved that the surgery is over.
We are praying for her speedy recovery and that she has a good day today. We'll see you soon.
Huey and Susan