I think you are all coping amazingly well. Delighted to hear Penny is now free of all wires etc. Hope the journey home is as stress free as possible.
Love to you all,
Julie xx

Good morning

What a great start to the day to know that Penny is progressing and slowly but surely returning to her old self. Machine-free and ready for a short trip outdoors!

It's a goregous morning here with clear blue skies and sunshine, so just think what it must be like at Cookshill - thoughts of home and time to get better in your own surroundings...

Thinking of you all, Wendy x

Thank you for the update...was getting a little worried that we hadnt heard after the 100m dash. So pleased progress is being made and know that the walk will bring a smile to Pennys face. Good luck with the long car drive back to Scotland...

Love and hugs to you all
Sharlene

Steve, thank you for keeping us updated on Penny's progress. You, Penny & Georgie are in our thoughts and prayers every day. Hope tomorrow's walk brings a smile to Penny's face.

Matthew and Amy Machtay

Hi Steve, Georgie and Penny
So glad to get an update. I was getting a little worried. Penny has had a time of it for sure but obviously things must be improving if she is now machine free. That's a good feeling though. Hope the walk tomorrow goes well. Her appetite will eventually return and she will start showing signs of improvement each day. The drive home will be an aggressive move forward, that's for sure. You and Georgie sound so tired. Hang in there. Prayers go out to all of you to continue with your inner strength and stamina. Hi to Penny. Cheryl, Ontario

Hello Penny, Steve and Georgie
The best news ever!! Sure you'll perk up with a walk outside. Prayers have been answered. Hopefully a discharge on Friday. Keep posting, feel as if I know Penny through all the journals. I will also have both valves worked on, but already know mine will not be repaired but replaced with tissue valves. Not sure yet if I will be a "mooer" or an "oinker". Am thinking they will be bovine. Will wait for your next update. Prayers continue.
Fran Zilko

Penny, Steve, and Georgie!

I am always grateful to get on update from you guys. Thank God Penny is doing so well. It really is just one step at a time. The long drive back home to Scotland doesn't sound like much fun, but the payoff is huge! Home! Know that we think of you and pray for you often.

Duane & Peggy Hunt in central Florida

Hi Penny,
Please keep an eye on the weight gain and nausea, those were the key things for me that signalled fluid around the heart after my tricuspid valve replacement last April.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Adrienne in Utah

That is good progress! Look out for the squirrels on your trip aswell ? The drive is bad at the best of times, but back home will be worth it for both of you. Axx

Hi Georgie

How is Penny? Is she getting ready to be discharged from the hospital yet? You are all in my prayers. Say hi to her for me. Cheryl, Ontario

Good afternoon
Hope no news is good news. Waiting to hear Penny is up and walking the hospital halls and eating. Prayers continue.
Fran Zilko

Hi Penny and Georgie & Steve,
All and all it sounds like Penny is still doing OK (easy for me to say). She has so many of the same things that Richard had - when he sneezed the firs time he thought it was worse than the entire operation! His appetite was not good for almost his entire hosptial stay and really took a good 3-4 weeks - he kept saying everything tasted tinny. Improvement is like a roller coaster - up and down - Richard feels improvement and then like yesterday - even after beng out of the hospital for 3 1/2 weeks, felt pretty lousy - today a little better. Spring and sunshine will hopefully help - although I do not know what the Spring is like in Scotland - New England isn't usually great but today was beautiful here.
Georgie & Steve, it is difficult on you all too. Everyone said it is difficult for the caregivers and I never believed it and actually felt embarrassed for someone to feel concerned for me - who me - I am not the one going through major scary freakin surgery! But it is true - it is trying, scary, touching and emotional to worry and care for someone you love so much and it does take its toll. Hang in there - I love your 7 drawf analogies - Happy will be around more and more - it just takes time!
Tell Penny Richard and I say Hi!
Richard's wife, Susan

2nd March
Glad to hear that you are moving in the right direction although we know that it is not easy. We are sure each day will be better than the one before. Thinking of you
Love Eleanor and Charles

Thanks for the update....my loving thought and prayers are with you all...Georgie and Steve,,may you both be surrounded with lots of peace,strength and patience as you help care for dear Penny... i remember it wasnt always easy and I think Grumpy visited me many times...my poor husband...thank goodness is happy... Have a good good day and please give Penny my warmest wishes. Sharlenexx

Hello Penny
Glad the tubes and catheter are out. Being a nurse I wondered from yesterday's post if it was the Haldol that caused a lot of the sleepiness? Anesthesia can take a terrific toll on the body, but today was better than yesterday, so pray tomorrow will be even better. Be strong.
Fran Zilko

Hello Penny! I can totally relate to the jello & juice diet! My surgeon said that it was the anesthesia that caused me to feel excruciatingly nauseated and have no appetite.
I should have had my surgery in the UK - no spirometers - yeah!!! I can do the deep breathe & hold for a second exercise.
Each day will get better - very slowly.
I am one of those people who was so used to doing practically everything by myself that I am having a hard time having to have others help me. But, I think God is teaching me the patience I need to learn!
Will continue to send my good wishes and prayers to you and your caregivers!
Kathy Jamison-Patnode, the piper in Tulsa, OK

Penny, Georgie, and Steve:

I too noticed that my vision was blurred when I began to use my laptop after I came home from the hospital, but it has cleared up completely as of today (post-op day #11).
It's a good feeling when all of the wires, drains and monitors start going away, isn't it?

Penny, we hope tomorrow is a better day for you and that the breathing gets easier soon.

Warmest wishes,
Amy and Matthew

Hi Penny, Georgie and Steve

Don't despair. This is like post-partem blues I think. You put so much thought, emotion and effort into getting through surgery that it really hits you at how slowly recovery comes. We all keep saying babysteps. It's no doubt discouraging to still see Penny nauseated but she's on a lot of drugs that she normally doesn't take. I keep saying give it another day or so and I stand by that. She'll perk up.

She's going to be fine - she still needs a little time. Each day after the surgery is a milestone. Gosh, she walked a fare enough bit. Tomorrow. Tomorrow will be better!

Positive thoughts. You and Steve are tired so be careful to not get rundown. 4kgs of weight gain isn't much - my first weigh-in was 13 lbs and of course, I had fluid in my lung.

Knowing you don't have spirometers there - we're all saying, yeah to that!

Chin up. Sending more prayers across the sea. Tell Penny she'll apprecaite the real weight loss after the forced days of nausea. Cheryl, Ontario

We have been keeping up to date with your operation and progress and hope that everything goes well for you. Lots of love from sunny Spain, Lynn and Gary

Penny,

It's late afternoon Monday where you are, still early morning here. Hope today was a better one for you.

Steven in Calgary.

Hi Steve, Georgie and of course Pen, we are so grateful to hear that all went well. Lots of prayers and thoughts were sent your way. We know what a remarkable woman Pen is, and she will once again come through this triumphantly. All the family send all their love and a big hug and kiss to Georgie from Lauren and Elliot and Olivia. Hang in there. Much love

Hi Steve & Georgie,
Was asking some of my heart op patients from cardiac rehab about sleepiness post surgery and it seems to be part and parcel, so no need to worry. Sleep is a natural healing process for the body after any trauma and allows the body to concentrate on healing itself without other demands being placed. So, hold her hand and allow nature to do its thing, sleeping beauty will awake when she is ready. Hope this helps. Take care of each other.
Luv Susie xx

Just back from Rome. best wishes as it all progresses to plan, rgds,bill

Hi Georgie and Steve

Not at all unusual to want to sleep with all the drugs Penny is on so don't worry and perhaps they'll begin to cut back soon as it will be important to get using the spirometer. The water weight gain is also quite normal and that is one of the things the doctors will be keeping an eye on so they can tell if fluid is settling into the lungs etc. and if so, there'll be more work and drugs for that.

How is Penny's pain? It's a no win situation with taking drugs for pain and then nausea sets in so you can't eat to regain your strength. But, all in good time.

The AF is only a small disappointment at this stage. You have to give the heart more time to adjust to the surgery etc. Tomorrow I'm five months post-op mitral valve surgery and my heart is still trying to settle down.

Hope you and Steve are keeping rested as well because once you return home, you both will be on call big time. Prayers to you all of you. Tell Penny I'm looking forward to her return home and being fully well again. Cheryl, Ontario

Small steps of progress. Time will be the best healer. Every day helps, Axx

Hi Penny(and your scribe, Georgie)
Wow, sleeping beauty, huh? Is it the dopamine and when do they discontinue that? Glad she was able to get up in a chair, did she then fall asleep in the chair? Praying for her to recover and feel better. Hopefully the a-fib will settle down and then disappear. Thanks for your updates with so much info, it is greatly appreciated.
Fran Zilko

Hi Georgie & Penny, I am going to assume that Georgie may still be in control of the keyboard as I read everything and see that Penny's surgery had been delayed. I was surprised it got delayed by 2 days. Richard had gone in at 6:30 am, much like Penny (as Georgie described almost excited to get it going and over with), that morning but didn't end up having it done until like 4:30 that afternoon as there were just surgery backups (an emergency we were told) that was bad enough and dampens the spiritis a bit, but Penny's was far longer to wait. Although I am sure the candlelight and crystal glass meal helped making it feel like a pleasant reprieve!
I am glad to hear she is doing well. Cool that she did not end up with the replacement and the repair was a good solid answer with the maze. It will be great not to have to be on medication and no AFib - awesome!
Sounds like she has still been through enough which there doesn't seem to be any way around, that is for sure - nausea and dreams - Richard went through that because of medications and as Penny may recall had hallucinations with Oxycodin and asked to be taken off of it.
Hopefully her nausea and dreams will get better pretty quickly and help her to rest, you can't rest in the hospital, sorry to say (ha-ha). Sitting up in recliner is great quick progress.
I expect to see her words in the journal soon and couldn't agree more that she should strive to be a boring patient/heart valve journal participant - but one thing for sure is that you won't see any of your co-heart valvers not being thrilled with your doing exceptionally well and being boring in that regard - it will be exciting to hear from you and have your pleasant journals continue with all your stories and I am sure, much for others to glean from your experiences! Looking forward to it. PS Richard says Hi (as I read him all the updated info) and wishes you his best and a fast recovery! It DOES get better, as hard as it is to believe at the time you are going through it - it DOES get better. He is beginning to feel better and is anxious to get to drive. He still gets tired (already as we speak, he just knonked out and is taking a cat nap since I started writing this).
Richard's wife Susan

Thanks Georgie ..you made my day and my morning ritual so worthwhile by letting us know how your mum is doing.....I am so pleased that Prnny is making progress and with each new day comes a new milestone passed. Hope you and Steve are doing ok and holding up.....sure you must be exhausted as well. Lots of love,peace and strength to all of you... Sharlene

How vividly I recall the "run over by a truck" feeling you have in the first couple days and the jungle of wires and tubes. But, I also remember so strongly feeling, "I made it," and "it's over." Of course I had to go add some complications to my mix, but don't you dare. Keep on progressing! We'll keep on praying.

Duane & Peggy

Hi Georgie
Great rendition and very accurate of how to move your butt and legs. Now if you could just explain the twenty knives sticking in her chest. I'm glad the tubes are starting to get removed. They are so bothersome. Removing things just gives you a little personal satisfaction that things are moving along as well.

Tomorrow you should begin to see some real improvement and perhaps they'll begin the walks.

Please tell Penny I am praying for her and wish her well. I hope her pain levels begin to drop and she is able to tolerate the discomfort.

How are you and Steve holding up now? I do hope you are experiencing some sense of relief and can relax enough to get a decent night's sleep.

Good luck. Cheryl, Ontario

Glad to hear Penny is doing so well. Matt and I loved the dance steps, Georgie! Matt said to tell Penny that a Number 2 will make the nausea go away (LOL). I do remember going through many of the same stages, but I am so glad to hear they removed her chest tubes today. Hopefully that will decrease the pain during her post-op period.

Please send Penny our love and prayers.

Amy and Matthew

Pen, Steve and Georgie - we think you are all doing amazingly well and we are allowing ourselves a small sigh of relief. It's quite difficult to think of the right things to say, but we are still with you all the way and looking forward to the next bulletin. Pen - you are obviously in the best place with so much love and support around you. With much love from still amazingly snowy Abderdeenshire, Birdie & Brian xxx

Amazingly good progress, just to think she was only operated on yesterday. Jelly and juice diet - don't think it will be catching !! Axx

Jason for Melissa-
Hang in there Penny. We hope you have a speedy, painless recovery. Melissa will be posting soon.

Jason & Melissa
California Coast

So happy to get your update. Everyone seems to get nauseous, yuck! Glad jello is staying down. Tough way to lose weight. Sounds like she's coming along well and hopefully her pain level will get down to a more manageable 2 or 3. Prayers continue. Love the Brit expressions (the loo), remember that term when we were there.
Fran zilko

Hi Penny,
So relieved your surgery has gone well (even better than expected by all accounts which is fantastic news). Thinking of you and here's all the best for a speedy recovery.
Luv Susie xxx

Brilliant news, so glad Pennys on the mend now good job well done. Looking forward to the messages over the next few days saying she is getting stronger and stronger. Now time for you Georgie and Steve to get a few hours sleep and rest ready to take on the after care. Love to you all Lesley and Ged.

Really, really fantastic news. So good the surgery is finally over and that the repair work means less post-op drugs. We've been thinking of you all every day. Lots of love xxxx Jac & Alan

Oh wow - this is fantastic news! I'm so relieved and delighted to read that everything went so well.

Steve & Georgie - I hope you both got some rest knowing that Penny is ok. Keep updating the journal so we know how Penny is progressing each day. Wendy x

So excited when I came downstairs to do the morning ritual .....and there was a message from you..Georgia. Thanks so much for keeping us informed and I to feel so relieved that Penny is out of surgery. The new road to recovery begins and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Give her hand a squeeze from me and tell her that I send lots of love and warm wishes her way. Take care....Love Sharlene

Hi Georgie and Steve
Just got in and read your most welcome update. I too will head to bed with my mind at ease knowing Penny is well. How wonderful to know both valves were repaired. Please give her my best and I will keep you all in my prayers that Penny's recovery goes well . Tomorrow as she begins to come 'round she'll be horribly sore as she waits for the morphine to kick in and take hold. Give her a hug from me. Cheryl, Ontario

What fantastic news!!! Got concerned waiting for your post. Tried to remember there was a lot on your minds. Repairs instead of new valves is wonderful news. I will also have the MAZE procedure and how wonderful IT WORKED!!! Give her a big group hug from all of us who have been praying for her in the Heart Valve Journal family.
Fran zilko

So glad to receive this word. We have been praying throughout last night and throughout today, and we are now singing the Hallelujah Chorus with you in central Florida!! It's so great that the valves were repaired! And we'll keep it up! Penny, you will surely feel, as did I, great relief to have this behind you. Recovery is no picnic, but the worst is over, barring no complications like I had, but that's another story. And you, Penny, are going to make this all boring, right?

All the best, love & prayers,

Duane & Peggy Hunt

Hooray for Penny!

Great news that your valves were repaired -- Your surgeon is awesome!

Also wonderful news that you're awake and it sounds like everything went very smoothly.

Warmest wishes,
Susan Murphy(KS)

This is the most wonderful news, especially that they were able to repair both valves! Matt and I have been anxiously waiting all day for a post. Please tell Penny hello for us in the morning, and we do hope she is able to rest well through the evening. Will look for most posts tomorrow, Georgie. Our love to you, Steve and Penny.

Amy and Matt
Raleigh, NC

Get some rest you two !! Ax

HI PENNY 15.50 HERE IN MALLORCA SO YOU SHOULD I HOPE BE BACK UPSTAIRS AFTER A SUCCESSFULL OP. WILL READ JOURNAL TOMOROW TO SEE WHAT STEVE AND GEORGIE HAVE TO SAY. STAY RESTFULL AND RECOVER QUICKLY. LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR CARERS S AND G.
LESLEY AND GED.

Hi Georgie and Steve
It's almost 10 am here, near Toronto, Canada so I would hope Penny is done. I'll be anxiously looking forward to your next journal entry telling us all she is safe and sound. I can well imagine how tense you and Steve are but just have faith Georgie, mom will be fine. She has been in my thoughts constantly and definitely in my prayers. Big smiles and thumbs up every time you see her in ICU. Keep letting her know she's okay and to not worry. Cheryl, Ontario

Sending prayers and healing thoughts to Penny for a successful procedure and speedy recovery. Georgie, thank you for your updates and will be looking forward to your next post. With loving thoughts, Lori (Hood River, OR)

Thanks for the message, Georgie. Awoke at 3:45am and said a prayer for your mom as she told me it would be 8am your time and 3am my time. Will wait for an update when you can. Praying for a successful surgery and quick recovery.
Fran Zilko