You're my idol! So happy for you. I wil be leaning on you HARD to help me thru it.
Jeff
On February 8, 2012...
Welcome home! I bet the girls will be so excited to see you! Congratulations on making the next step on your road to recovery! Still sending lots of good thoughts and prayers your way!
Stacy (Identity)
On February 8, 2012...
Mitch - I am excited for you that you could be on your way home today. That is just AWESOME!!
I hope when you get home you feel the comfort that only being home can give you and you are able to relax and push yourself...
It's hard to believe that I have a week and half to go for my 'V" day. It really doesn't hit me hard until I stare at my family then all kinds of emotions come over me.
I am ready man. I am ready for the next chapter of being living...
Thank you for your courage and humility you shared with all of us on this site as you continue your Journey. It has truly helped me!!
Jimmy Johnson
On February 8, 2012...
YOU NAILED IT -- DVB
On February 8, 2012...
Good Morning Mitch:
Congratulations on your imminent release. It’s great to learn how well your recovery is going.
I ‘ve been unsuccessful in my attempts to call you. It’s not important, other than I didn’t want you to think Maddy and I were not concerned about you.
Your blog was sensational in keeping us informed and gave me new insight about you. Great job!
Continue your return to good health.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Warren
On February 7, 2012...
Yay Mitch....home is the best way recover. So happy for you. You will love going home....the first shower is THE best!
Jamie Todor
On February 7, 2012...
Hey Mitch Way to go. :) Glad to hear you are going home.Until Later Linda H
On February 7, 2012...
Good luck with your home recovery. Once you feel up to it, don't forget to sign up for rehab. It will be the next step in recovery and will give you more confidence to get on with your life.
I will be celebrating my three year anniversary, April, 2012.
Sylvia Woolworth
On February 7, 2012...
Congratulations Mitch -- Really proud of you. I hope to exude as many positive vibes when I'm at your stage of the game.
You're an inspiration!
Chuck Holmgreen.
On February 7, 2012...
Hi Mitch...great to hear that you are going home tomorrow....May everything be"clear sailing" henceforth!....warmest regards, Warren and Maddy
On February 7, 2012...
"There is no place like home', "There is no place like home" said Dorothy as she clicked the heels of her ruby red shoes together.
Warning, it feels a little scary when you first get outside. The feeling goes away really fast.
You will do fine.
Jane
On February 7, 2012...
DYNAMITE, Mitch.
More love and support from Mimi and Tom
On February 7, 2012...
Hey there. I with the stars in your eys. - great talking with you. My kids are starting to post. Beard. They are dangerous. So glad we spoke. Be well
On February 7, 2012...
Mitch,
Home sweeeeeet home!!!
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick
On February 7, 2012...
Hey Mitch
I am so thrilled you may go home tomorrow! I have been anxiously awaiting every blog entry and can now breathe easy that you are one strong son of a .....:)
Please let me know when you are up for a walk in the hood, it would be my pleasure.
Love ya
JSW
On February 7, 2012...
Good for you!!!!!!!!! Careful not to do too much. :) Wahooooooo!
Christy
On February 7, 2012...
Mitch - That's awesome. I would be and will be balling as well when I am told your going home.
What's the mobility like? Any movements that should be avoided?
Glad you can start your journey on getting stronger and starting a new and improved life!!
Thank you for sharing you updates and looking forward to hearing more about your progress.
Jimmy J
On February 7, 2012...
I forgot to ask. How big is your scar? How about a picture
On February 7, 2012...
hey Mitch. I am happy for you and happy that you are happy. You are strong and caring and have all the tools you need to be better than ever before. Your surgeon touched your heart and that is an indescribable experience. I was so moved by how well trained and dedicated everyone at UCLA was when I had my surgery. In fact after I started my rehab I would regularly go back to the ICU and "7 west" to look for them but never did. They were angels brought down to help me on my journey through life and I am just hoping I can contribute to others the way they unselfishishly took care of me. Have a great week, take your pain pills even if you think you are mr tough guy, and thank God for getting you through this. Your family is counting on you. Take care and be well. Jeff P
On February 7, 2012...
uh...that would be "rain". :-)
On February 7, 2012...
:-) :-) :-) :-)
(trying to match your smile!)
Soooo happy for you and praising God for your great recovery! " I can see clearly now the pain is gone, all of the obstacles in my way, gone are the dark clouds that had me down...gonna be bright..bright sunshiney day!!"
Enjoy your victory laps around the floor today and write everything down now while it is still fresh...it will become a distant memory in no time...and I want to know everything before March 13th!
Please keep in touch and again my friend, you rock!!
Getting closer...Linda
On February 7, 2012...
Mitch
I'm so happy that you are now officially on "the other side" of your journey and that everything as gone as well as it has! Good luck with your continued recovery!
Jamie McGuire
On February 7, 2012...
MITCH :
YOU SOUND GREAT ! GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOUR RECOVERY IS GOING WELL AND YOUR RETURNING HOME.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING TO YOU SOON.
CONTINUE THE GREAT RECOVERY!
WARREN
On February 7, 2012...
I am so happy for you. I had no doubts that you would make it through with flying colors! You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Here's to more sunshiny days ahead...
Debbie xoxo
On February 6, 2012...
Mitch's
Here's Tuesday's morning wake-up call:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7JVlpm0eRs
Happy Tuesday, buddy- boy! Happy you're out of ICU!
- Poly
On February 6, 2012...
you DA man... so where are my notes? agggg. going in wed./ for cath.. yada yada then Thursday Big. day. OK OK I can do it I can do it. I can do it.. hugs and so glad you're up and about. Nanc....yeah cuz Nancy
On February 6, 2012...
So happy for you, all good!! Janis Kielbasa
On February 6, 2012...
Oops. Forgot to sign my name. That "woo Hoo" one was me, Jeff.
On February 6, 2012...
Woo Hoo! So proud of you Mitch!! You're my idol. I want to be done and on my way home soon too. Way to go!
On February 6, 2012...
Way to go Mitch! Now get yourself doing more laps around the ward. Soon you are going home! -- DVB
On February 6, 2012...
Hey..I would say you are winning the battle. You even conquered the dreaded (or maybe not) bathroom milestone..HaHa
Keep it going bro - You are my motivation for when I start on 2/20.
Jimmy J
On February 6, 2012...
Mitch, you rock!!! Now I AM REALLY JEALOUS!! You are almost on your way home, you climbed that sucker and are on your way down the other side!! I am so happy for you, I am crying myself! Keep it up!! And behave yourself!
Now I'm hearing "Gonna Fly Now"??? (Is that the song in Rocky???)
Getting closer...Linda Dixon
On February 6, 2012...
Mitch,
Great update!
:)
Adam Pick
On February 6, 2012...
Yay! No more ICU! So happy to hear you are doing well.
God Bless You!
Niki Dixon (Chris Dixon's wife)
On February 6, 2012...
Congratulations on the step down Mitch!! I'm surprised to hear you're not running the place yet!!! In all seriousness, glad you're feeling better and in rhythm. Just needed to change the song selection!
Keep the updates coming - I have what I believe will be my last surgical consult prior to choosing a surgeon.
On February 6, 2012...
Mitch, you will feel like a different person in a step down room. You're going to feel REALLY tired a lot due to the meds. One breath at a time. Once they get you up walking and you're doing the breathing exercises, you will feel like a new man! Wish I were there to cheer you on! Well, you're getting it from Atlanta! :)
You can do it!
Christy
On February 6, 2012...
Hi Mitch, so happy to hear you are leaving ICU. Thinking of you and hope you feel stronger every day. xo Cindy
On February 6, 2012...
Great News, you are on your way!! so happy for you! Love, Janis Kielbasa
On February 6, 2012...
Bless your heart Mitch, so happy for your good news and we all want to hear continued good news for you! We're all behind you!
Michelle
On February 6, 2012...
Congratulations on getting out of ICU! You will be so much more comfortable in your own room. Now that you will be getting up and walking, I want to tell you about a little trick I learned about on heart valve journals. To sit up painlessly, hook your feet through the holes in the footboard of the bed ( assuming you have holes), and you can use your stomach muscles to sit upright. It is so much easier than any other way to get out of bed, and it is painless.
Also, I had really low blood pressure too, and on the day I was supposed to be discharged, I got up to get in the wheel chair to leave, and I passed out. That required two more days in the hospital, but they determined it was from the meds I was getting to treat my A-fib. I was getting a little too much, and it was causing low blood pressure. Just thought I would pass that along in case you continue to have problems.
Be strong.....
Deb Ziegler
On February 6, 2012...
Mitch:
Glad to hear your leaving the ICU !!
Sounds like you are recovering well.
Hope to visit you when you are up for company!
Wishing you the best.
Warren
On February 6, 2012...
Mitch - Getting those tubes out will do wonders for how much better you will begin to feel. After that, you are really in the recovery phase. Stay strong and just focus on getting better knowing the hardest part is over. You're in my prayers.
Dick Miller
On February 6, 2012...
That is fantastic news!!!!! What a relief! Must have been the giants that did the trick.
So happy for you.
I see you this afternoon
Stuart
On February 6, 2012...
YES YOU CAN!!! You're on the home stretch now my friend!!! You're moving on up (or down to step down, as the case may be)!
Still waiting...Linda Dixon
On February 6, 2012...
So happy, Mitch,. and relieved too. take your time healing. Remember, this is all about YOU,
Love and hugs!
Alice
On February 6, 2012...
Awesome News!! Now this is the way to start off a Monday!!
You can do this. You are doing this .You did do this.
Way to go..Soon you will be home and on your way to getting back to normalcy.
Jimmy J
On February 6, 2012...
Dear Mitch,
You have made my day!
Hooray!
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx's k
Mimi and MiuMiu
On February 6, 2012...
You made my day. I can leave for work so happy today. You are great. Your have the best outlook. I am honored to have meet you, even if it had to be this way.
Jane
On February 6, 2012...
Great news Mitch!! And whoever wrote that post about living in the NOW is right on!
Jeff
On February 6, 2012...
Yes you can do this!!! I'm thrilled for you.
Debbie
Jeff