Julia Hsu posted a note for Rebecca that says: I had trouble with the spirometer after surgery, even now! I think I just don't have good lung capacity. I also had trouble coughing properly. I think it's because I throat was severely irritated by the tube. The nurses worried that I will get pneumonia, but I never did. Wish you the best. I hope the pace maker will solve your heart issues.

m in cornwall posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca and family - thank you for posting update and good to hear you are now on the recovery trail. I am now first on the list for thursday 31 - love to you and your family and well wishes.

Meredith Bray posted a note for Rebecca that says: I had trouble with breathing right after as well. It just hurt SO much, and it seemed like everyone just wanted me to breath deep and I just didn't wanna. I'm so thankful and grateful for the science and medicine that has me here today :) Thoughts and prayers to all of you, each day is a little easier!

Barb hoth posted a note for Rebecca that says: Thank you for posting. Thinking of you and sending wishes for much smoother days. Hopefully the worst is over and you will soon be making steady strides to health. Wishing a lovely reunion with your daughters very soon.

Terrie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hello Rebecca & Family
Thank you for posting us an update.
Sorry to hear of the damage but good they are on top of things. I hope you
continue to get better & into recovering.
Please know how many people are out here in the community sending prayers and well wishes to her(You). She will be stronger the minute she lays eyes on the girls! Take care all of you.
Love, Terrie

Clare Auten posted a note for Rebecca that says: Sorry to hear about the heart damage. I know it is so hard not being able to see the girls. Still praying for a speedy recovery for you.
From St Louis, Missouri

Karen Pineda posted a note for Rebecca that says: Thank you for the update. So sorry to hear that she has damage and needs a pacemaker. I will continue to pray for her and you and the girls for strength. We here will continue to cheer her on and God will help her heal so she can continue to make her way out of the hospital and back to her family.

Hugs and prayers for you all.

Kels x posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca glad to hear everything went well.Onwards and upwards look forward to hearing how well your doing take care

Karen Pineda posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca,

Just sitting here thinking of you. Hoping you are doing well and perhaps even heading home by now. I keep thinking about your little girl also and hoping she is feeling better about all of this now. I continue to pray for you.

Take care and hang in there.

Tim posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca

I hope that you are fighting fit!!! Look forward to hearing more about your recovery!

Terrie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hello Rebecca-
Terrie here, hovering out in heartland sending you prayers and well wishes as you begin your recovery taking you one step closer to going "HOME"!
I bet your Girls and Husband are beyond JOY!
Take it easy and do what they tell you to!
Love from the community of hearts!

Meredith Bray posted a note for Rebecca that says: Yay! It'll be rough, but it only gets better from here. Stand up straight , and keep breathing!

Clare Auten from St. Louis posted a note for Rebecca that says: Glad the surgery went well. Keep us posted.

Mary (Mia) posted a note for Rebecca that says: Thank you for letting your heart family know that Rebecca is doing well. That means so much to all of the heart community. Wishing her a fast recovery. The worrying is all over and now she is on the road to a
life filled with joy, love and a healthy heart!

Sending hugs and kisses her way!

Robin Szymanski, Phoenix AZ posted a note for Rebecca that says: I am so glad that the surgery is over, and now the healing can begin. I had an Aortic Valve Replacement 17 months ago, so I get it. I know it is different for each one who has heart surgery, but it is awesome that you have a great support system. God bless you, your husband and family!

Terrie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Great News! Thank you so much for posting to us when we realized how difficulit this is on you and the Girls!
So happy and can just feel how you all must be so relieved!
Give Her our love and tell her we will patiently wait for word of how she and the family are doing.
She needs to focus on just doing what they tell her to do so she is back at home soon!
Thank you again for taking the time.Still sending prayers! Oh yeah! Tell her Terrie wants to know how it feels to be looking" out the rear view mirror!"

pam posted a note for Rebecca that says: I am really glad your wife is doing good. God bless.

Karen Pineda posted a note for Rebecca that says: Thank you so much for the update. Many prayers are going out to Rebecca and the whole family. I hope she has a restful night and that this will be her LAST surgery.

Best to you all.

Terrie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hearts are with you all in the UK today and praying for Rebecca to have a smooth and successful day today and that She is on her road to recovery!
Much Love from across the pond!

M in Corwall posted a note for Rebecca that says: Thinking of Rebecca today and sending good vibes and love for a successful surgery. I am sure she will soon be back with her family and ready to take on the world.

Terrie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hello again.
Headed to bed tonight with thoughts of Rebecca and sending Love and Prayers that all goes well tomorrow.
Many, Many prayers from us all are going out tonight and until you are back at home recovering with your loving Family. Love you. Terrie

Meredith Bray posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hello husband, I know it won't be easy, so try to get some rest tonight. My home will be sending up prayers for your home. My husband's presence during the day was so comforting to me while I was in the hospital.

Mary (Mia) posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hello my heart sister Rebecca,

Thinking of you as the day that you will receive your healthier heart is tomorrow.

I will remember you in my prayers, and look for notes about your fast recovery.

I will be having my surgery on the 29th of July. This heart family that we are a part of is amazing. The support is unbelievable. It is so nice to connect with our heart sisters and brothers as they have already had surgery, thinking about surgery, or in the near future planning for their surgery.

I have found that the site is addictive and so well needed.

Sending butterfly kisses your way! I work with preschoolers and always tell them I am sending butterfly kisses. They love it. I love to look at the beautiful butterflies and how free they fly. Pretty soon you will be back at home and feeling fantastic.

Looking forward to hearing from you after you are on your way home!
Your new heart sister!

mike short posted a note for Rebecca that says: Will be thinking about her tomorrow - I hope she is early on the list - the waiting really is the worst part

Terrie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hello there! Thanks for the update and please let Rebecca know we are all out here praying and sending our love for her and You/Family as well!
Hope she has a good nights sleep and a smooth and successful surgery.
We will be waiting for updates when you get the chance.
Take care of yourself as well.

Julia hsu posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca,

Hope you get a good night sleep tonight. Good luck tomorrow.

Joyce U posted a note for Rebecca that says: Praying for you during your surgery and afterward for your comfort. I am 7 months post aortic heart valve replacement and so thankful for thee success. I will be anxious to hear all is well.

Kelly posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca all the best for a quick recovery..Look forward to your update
best wishes

Rhonda Wills posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca, lots of love and prayers heading over " the pond". This time next week I will be following you as my surgery is the 28 th. I guess it's time for us to " let go and let God"! Can't wait for a wonderful update from you post surgery.

Terrie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hello Rebecca. I agree with you that this community is special and aren't we lucky to be a part of so many people who set aside time in their lives to share their feelings and support us at a time in our lives where so many really don't understand what it is to get a diagnosis such as ours and all that it entails?
Here we can gain access to Doctors, cardiologists, surgeons, educational tools and support so necessary to move in directions that keep us going in an upward position instead of being left to flounder.
I especially enjoy when one of us enters into the surgery arena and is out and sharing with all the rest of us so that their successes become like a person in our Family can continue on with their lives. It is so great to feel the joy and warmth of it all.
I am really especially proud of how you have jumped up to the challenges before you with the ability to ask great questions and share your feelings which will help you greatly the closer you come to your day too.
We all will be here for you and I hope you feel all the love that your posts are already generating for both you and your Family. So carry on heart sister and continue with your posts.

Clare Auten posted a note for Rebecca that says: I read your note in my guestbook. Pain was not nearly as bad as I imagined. More stiffness, discomfort, achiness. Just make sure to take the pain meds when you need them, especially the first few days. My husband had to go back to work very soon after I came home and I was able to manage for my youngest and myself during the day. You should do great. I will be praying for your successful surgery.

m in cornwall posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca - i know it will be alright and you will do well. lots of well wishes and love coming to you from all on this blog. perhaps your daughter needs to have access to a counsellor so she can express her fears and worries. hopefully i too will be recovering around he same time as yourself.

Clare Auten posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca,
I know how difficult it is for you, as the mom, to see your child upset/worried because of your surgery. And, 11 is a tough age anyway. My kids were 13, 7 and 4 in January when I had mine. Each one dealt with it differently but my middle one was the big worrier. I am sure you have a good support system for her. Make sure you continue to get support when you get back home. It was a little while before I could really do all the things that I usually do as the "mom". Good luck with everything.

Terrie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca-
It is beautiful that you are so in tune with your daughter and that you are taking great pains to keep her from worrying. It says a lot about the kind of Mother your are and the fact you are caring for her so touches every heart.
Karen has a great idea below about leaving her messages and I hope you do just that because It is something that will help Her. Great idea Karen.
It sounds like you have had to pull together great strength in the past with medical challenges and I think that the love you have for your children will help you find that strength once again and you will be home again renewed. That is my prayer for you tonight and hope that your surgery runs smoothly.
Love from one more "soul" in your/our
heart community. Be Well.

Karen Pineda posted a note for Rebecca that says: Oh Rebecca,

I can't even imagine having to explain all of this to an 11 year old. Will you be able to have access to the internet in the hospital? Maybe it would help her if you can email her while you are in the hospital. Or if you aren't feeling up to it after the surgery, have a nurse or someone visiting send her personal updates so she'll feel connected to you while you are in the hospital. Maybe that would make her feel a little better to know you won't be all that far away from her.

Maybe even write down a few things to her before Wednesday while you aren't in pain and save them to send after the surgery when it might be harder to think clear enough to compose messages.

I think if she can just feel you close by, even it's via email, or even if she can count on someone else to send her personal messages, she might feel a little less stressed. And think of how special she would feel getting updates. If that's something she can look forward to then maybe she will calm down a little now.

Just an idea.

Just think, a week from now you'll probably be thinking about getting ready to go back home.

I'm going to follow your story and keep you in my prayers.

Karen Pineda posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca,

I totally understand that panic you speak of. Having had a couple of surgeries already (unrelated to my heart but surgeries nonetheless), I planned and planned and planned and I ALWAYS found that in the end I forgot some things I thought I should have done. Meanwhile, I did a gazillion things I never needed to do...lol.

BUT that's what we do. It's our way of feeling in control of something. It's not easy to hand the control of your life over to another human being who is going to be your link to living. I suspect you will be just fine when all is said and done, it's just hard to let go of what we think we can control. I did it in the past with surgery and I suspect I'll do it again when my heart surgery is scheduled.

Good luck to you. We will all be thinking of you and awaiting your first post-op message telling us all how wonderful you feel. :)

Take care!!!! Speedy recovery.

Patti posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca-
You will do wonderfully well because you have a great attitude. Because there are not any dress rehearsals for OHS, those of us who like to prepare can only do so much. Knowing that there are bound to be a few unplanned moments despite our best efforts we have to fall back on how we deal with the unexpected. This is where your great attitude comes in to play and why you will do well.

To repeat what is known, the time pre surgery is tough. I read a book you may know called Keep Calm and Carry On by Mark Reinecke. It is about 100 pages, a quick read but gives 20 quick lessons on managing worry, fear and anxiety. I reread one chapter again on morning of surgery.

I will have you in my thoughts. Just remember soon you can drive your new car with OHS in the rear view mirror. It's an even better ride!!!!

Victor Williams posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca!!

Just a few days?!? Knowing my turn is soon to come ... I can almost feel a bit of what you're feeling!!!

I KNOW you're going to be okay, and better than before!!! I look forward to reading months from now when you are feeling so much better, and all of this is in the rear view mirror! My bet is you are much stronger than you realize!!

Stay tough!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick Ford posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hey Rebecca,
Sounds like you really have everything planned out well. I am 11 day out from an AVR, It was such a great relief to get the procedure in the rear view mirror. Recovery for me has been very good. Going back to work next week actually, although, I may come home from time to time to take a nap if I need to.

You are going to do great!

Karen Pineda posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca,

Wow, you really did your work to get ready for the hospital AND your return home. We can all make a list from your post. You seem to have covered everything. I'm very impressed.

I wish you the best of luck. May your surgery go smoothly and without any complications and may you have a speedy recovery.

Take care,

Norman K posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca...

...sounds like you are READY !! nice going... I am 90 days post-op for an AVR and am really starting to feel "normal" again.. (BTW, I am 67 so I'm pretty confident my recovery time will be substantially longer than yours) Your list looks perfect.

I'm quite looking forward to hearing about your post-op progress....keep smiling.

Peace be with you......

Norman

m in cornwall posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca - thank you for your advice went straight out and bought myself pair of flip flops and dry shampoo spray. Am really stressed now as my surgery has been delayed due to emergency. Only one day but just burst into tears when i read the letter. I will be thinking of you and sending positive thought for your surgery and quick recovery.

Tim posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca

Not sure if I have any advise as to what else you should pack for you trip to the hospital however, I just want to say good luck and I wish you all the best. I look forward to hearing about your recovery!

Cheers
Tim

Dora posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca, I had a sports bra that buckled in front, that helped a lot. I used a wedge pillow, not a recliner and I was fine. Didn't really use my dry shampoo. I had to wait until I got home for a shower (hospital would not allow a shower, spong bath only) but it was the best shower I can ever remember! Best wishes, you will be fine.

Patti posted a note for Rebecca that says: Your list is perfect :-)
Mine was identical and worked great but yours is better- I forgot the new car!!!!!

David Davis posted a note for Rebecca that says: My best tool when I arrived home was my recliner. I slept in it for several days. The Vic is kind of scary but you won't remember much about it by reason of the drugs. I remember the removal of the ventilator tube and what a relief it was. Once you leave Vic the rest is easy. Remember their instructions not to use your arms to lift your self up. The anticipation is far worse than the procedure. Let me know if you have any questions since I had the same procedure last October.

mike short posted a note for Rebecca that says: Good to see you are getting well prepared. Having an i-pod was my saviour right through critical care and my further few days in hospital - it really, really helped to drift off to another place even if I couldn't really get a comfortable nights sleep for the first few nights. But those pressure stockings are a real (but essential) nuisance that I was eventually so so glad to discard. Keep smiling - we will all be with you on your journey .

Ursula posted a note for Rebecca that says: Dear Rebecca, Good luck and lots of strength for your operation. I am also in England ( Gloucestershire) and had my aortic valve replacement almost 4 years ago. I was never offered a rehab programme which surprised me at the time. Since my op I have been to Australia/NZ , Israel and today I have come back from working in Cape Town for 2 weeks. I am 62. I could never have done this if I hadn't had the operation. So I encourage you to trust that you will feel a lot better after a few weeks or even if it is after a few months like it was with me. Warm thoughts, Ursula

beverly gehlken posted a note for Rebecca that says: by the way Rebecca my condiion was exactly what you have. But like I said its human to get the anxiety thing, scared, calm, it will all be a memory soon. Love and prayers.

Beverly Gehlken posted a note for Rebecca that says: I had a aorta valve replacement 5/1/14. I did fantastic!! In rehab as we speak. My only problem was oxygen falling when off. I am now off except for nite and rehab. Nite is very low...@1.5. I also must purse breath to keep it up over 92 during the day. Hopefully that will go away. But your feelings are normal. I am 72 and did great. Where will you have this done? Good luck to you.