Hey, Melissa. Sounds like you're making great progress. Kathy told me about the El Torito story...too funny. Sorry I didn't drop a note yesterday...I was flying all day and am now in Costa Rica. No, not for pleasure...strictly business. Hang in there, sister! Love to all, Sharon

Great job Melissa!! ..and wonderful son and husband, Jason! :-).

So glad to hear of all the forward progress. It probably seems really tough now, but each day will get better, as you noticed. So wonderful that it is all done and you will never have to do this again.

Will keep this short since you have lots of family and friends notes to read!

Take care

Love,

Janice

Sierra is sitting on my lab and she wants to write to mama. She says it's about time to come home. (That really is what she said.) I love you mama. I'm a good girl. I went to the Children;s Museum. I ate my peanut butter sandwich. How about be home. I love you mama.
Sierra XOXOXO

Oh, I have no doubt that your parents are totally spoiling the girls. I know how you feel about sort of wanting to stay in the hospital a little longer because you will be watched over. I'm sure they wouldn't cut you loose unless it was time. Jason will take good care of you and you know your Mommie Dearest will be there, too. You will think the kids have grown when you see them even though it has only been a few days. Love you, Ida

Hi Melissa!

There are so many of us out here who so relate to everything you journaled. Congratulations! You're normal. Sounds like you're doing very well. Nobody told us it was going to be easy. But it IS behind you, and isn't that wonderful?! May you continue to progress in your recovery and go home when the time is right. Prayers continue for you and your family from Florida.

Duane Hunt

Hi Melissa
It's always a real positive step when the patient herself gets to journal. What a wonderful family you have, all that needed help for your girls. Continue to heal and I would think being in your home will be a better bet than the hospital. Prayers continue for you.
Fran Zilko

hi there - I am glad to hear you are doing so well. It was so good to see you yesterday looking so well... I called mom and dad when we left so they could hear if from me too, that you are doing so good - they were releived to hear that you looked so good! I told then that your cheeks are rosy and that your coloring is wonderful - and your hands are still warm...:)I am on the job hunt this afternoon so i will come up later today or tomorrow am before you elave - if you get to leave :) I love you! Kathy and Jackie

Hey Sis. Just wanted you to know we're all thinking of you. Stairs.... I'm impressed.... :) Just think, pretty soon it'll be those two flights of stairs without getting out of breath! :) (get it? tee hee) Love you lots and lots and lots!!!! Yeah, you, too Jason!
Love, Deb

Hi Melissa Glad to hear you are making foward progress. Thinking of you and the family Sheila and George

Hi Melissa and Jason

Good news to hear how well Melissa is coming along. At this rate she'll be home in no time. Tell her to continue to keep strong. Keeping her in my prayers. Cheryl, Ontario

Melissa & Jason,

Keep on with the slow, gradual progress. That's great! It's really normal to have a more down day in the mix from time to time. Isn't wonderful to have the surgery behind you?! I am four weeks post-op and making good progress as well. Prayers and best wishes are coming your way from central Florida!

Duane Hunt

Hey Melissa, One step or one floor at a time will do for now. I'm sure you will soon gain some energy and be going all over that hospital. I was told that it takes time to recover from anesthesia so don't be disappointed in your feeling tired. You are a strong woman! Love, Ida

Walking and stairs...who would have thought the two activities could be such a treat! Take your time, Melissa. We don't want you getting a traffic ticket in the hospital for going too fast! Love to you all. Sharon

Yay for walking around!!!! :) Glad to hear everything is progressing so nicely. We love you and are thinking about you constantly! And Jason...you hang in there too! :)
Love, Deb

um...Guys, not to worry about tsunami alert back home. It's only an advisory. Repeat. Only an advisory :)

Hi Melissa, I am glad to hear that you have handled your walking ok and are coming along slowly but surely. I am having my aortic valve replacement done on Tuesday 2 March in Melbourne. Take care, Thalia Faunt.

That is great news! I am so very proud of you! you are a very strong woman and you will recover quickly! keep up the great work... Jackie and I will be there tomorrow so let me know if you want anything special :) I love you baby sis!

Kathy

KUDOS~ She's walking more than I do! Sharon - embarassed with my lack of activity Still love you all!

I hope you realize that the time stamp on these messages is east coast time - I'm not keeping your kids up all night! Kayleigh's tooth is out, but she was concerned that the tooth fairy wouldn't know that she was at our house instead of hers. We solved the problem - I called the tooth fairy and left a message telling her where to find Kayleigh. All's well at last! Good night, sleep tight & be even better tomorrow. Love, MD XOXOXO

Hi Mom - My wiggling tooth is now hanging on one corner and I think it might come out tomorrow. Well you know how it happens, it happens the same as the big fast tooth did.
Love, Kayleigh

Hi Melissa and Jason
This is amazing progress. This is one determibned lady and thank goodness she is having a decent post-op experience. Give her my best. Prayers. Cheryl, Ontario

Melissa, you are doing great! Glad to hear they removed the chest tubes. One of my nurses said she had a patient once that called them "monster tubes". Keep up the good work, and you will be home with your beautiful family before you know it.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Amy and Matthew
Raleigh, NC

Hi Melissa
Walking over all over. Don't try jogging yet! Everything sounds like it's coming along perfectly. Rest well tonight and be ready for more healing so you can get home. Prayers to you.
Fran Zilko

Melissa, You are such a strong person,I am wishing you a speedy recovery.
Camille

Up and walking - whoohooo!!! It's getting very stormy and Dad made a big pot of his marinara sauce so I've decided to keep the kids at our house tonight. I got powdered sugar donuts for Kayleigh & little muffins for Sierra so we're all set for the morning. I'll have Kayleigh send you another message when I bring her home from school. Love you bunches - can't wait to have you home. Love, MD
XOXOXO

So glad to hear Melissa is doing well.

I hope you will be home soon and better
than new!!!

Marilyn Dever

Congratulations on a successful surgery Melissa! I'm sure Jason's stress level is much lower now that your surgery is over and recovery is going well. Michelle and I are planning on heading down to San Diego next weekend so maybe we could stop by to see you, Jason and the girls either on the way there or on the way back home. (That is if you're feeling up to it of course). Sounds like you'll probably be home by then. Anwyay, we hope for a speedy recovery for you.

Hi Melissas and Jason
This is great news that Melissa is progressing so well. Amy also had great pain with her chest tubes whereas mine never bothered me. I am sure she is looking forward to getting home and getting her recovery underway. Keep us posted. Wish her my best. Prayers. Cheryl, Ontario

Melissa, we are delighted to hear how well you are doing and keep our fingers crossed you can come home Monday.
Love, Ruth & Bob

YOU GO GIRL...just don't go too fast! The messages about Taco Bell are making me hungry! Take care and Love to All!

Yeah Melis!!! Keep up the great work. Don't push yourself too much!! :) I'm sure you are both looking forward to coming home. - Pamela

Hey - I'm assuming that you could tell that Kayleigh dictated her message for you and I wrote exactly what she said. I'm sure you can just hear her talking about Taco Bell. She's so cute. Love, MD

Good morning Miss & Jason. The girls were excited to go back to school this morning - they are doing great, but they'll be very happy when you're finally home. Sierra asks me where the two of you are on a regular basis, but she accepts the answer and is fine. We love you are are looking forward to the next update. Take care. Love, MD
XOXOXO

What wonderful reports! Great to hear that things are progressing normally.
Take Care
Dianna Curtis

Guess I should have signed that huh. Its your dingy mom Jas.

That is so good that things are progressing well. Glad Kayleigh got to see her today too. How long will she be there? Love you guys so much.

Hi there - I am sooo excited that all is still moving in the right direction - sitting up is the first of many steps to come - soon you will be climbing three flights of stairs :) LOL We love you both so much! see you Saturday - let me know if you want or need anything - if you are eating by them perhaps a Jamba Juice :) Love ya baby sis! Kathy and Jackie

Melissa, I'm so glad you have such a wonderful support system. Keep improving Missy. Love you, Ida

Hi Mom. I loved it today because when we got to Los angeles we went to Buelton's Taco Bell. And I also love it today because it's awesome that I went to Taco Bell for lunch and dinner. Well good night. Here's a kiss. XXX
Love, Kayleigh

We're home & very happy that everything went so well - better than any of us expected. I'm so glad I was there to see how well you're doing because I'd be worrying if I hadn't been there. The girls are tired and vegging out on our bed watching TV and I'm thinking about what to put in their lunches for tomorrow. They have been absolute jewels. Good night, chickie - I love you. Mommy Dearest :)

Great news and being able to see one of your daughters has to be a morale booster. Keep healing. Continued prayers.
Fran Zilko

Thinking of you during your recovery. Best wishes to you and your family. We miss you at work!

Lisa W.

Right on! I suspect tomorrow Melissa will be doing laps around the hospital. Jason, perhaps you should buy her a new pair of running shoes! Take care...both of you and God Bless. Sharon

Hi Melissa
So glad to hear you are progressing so rapidly. Remember to take it easy and be kind to yourself. It is so much better once you are registered in a regular room. Nice to hear the doctor is happy with your surgery. Good luck. Continued prayers. Cheryl, Ontario

Very happy to hear that everything is progressing normally and that you will be getting out of CCU shortly. Jason and the girls have to be really happy about that too. Love, Doug and Kathy

Yeah I am so happy for you and the whole family. I know the girls will be excited to see you. I am so glad that you are doing so well. When do you get to go home. Love you honey.... Mom and Rocky

Excellent! I'm sure the girls are TOTALLY excited to see their mommy. Love to all!
Sharon

Great news! Melissa, I'm sure you are obeying those doctors and nurses because you are such a wonderful person. Love you, Ida

The awesome news just keeps coming!! Thanks for keeping us in the 'know' :) - Pamela

YEAH!!! I am so gland things are good this morning! I will be there tomorrow or Saturday to see you! I LOVE YOU BABY SISTER!!!!!