Thanks for the new pics. You look great. I can't believe you're out of the hospital so fast! I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Jeannine
On August 11, 2010...
Richard, if I didn't see those pictures of you at the airport I wouldn't have believed it!!! OMG! Its just 4 days after heart surgery! Absolutely amazing. To say you're doing well would be a gross understatement. How about saying that you are doing supercalifragalisticexpialidocious!!!! (as Mary Poppins would say). Perhaps you're too young to remember that. Good job. I'll talk to you from home .
Love you and hello to the family.
Judy
On August 10, 2010...
Volpe, I am so glad I was able to find this and see the pics. Hope you have a speedy recovery bro. I can't wait to see you at the rink. see you soon. Rory and the boys.
On August 10, 2010...
Hey Richard,
I am going to miss these journal reports. Give Teresa a big kiss. As Tammy Wynette says, she is Standing by Her Man. And after seeing you in your hospital gown, I know that love does indeed conquer all.
Uncle Stu
On August 10, 2010...
We are so happy to hear your wonderful news. Our thoughts and well wishes are with you and yours.
Mark, Tammy and Joshua
On August 10, 2010...
Great to hear all went well...Congrats and get well soon!!!!
Sara & Jim Benson
On August 10, 2010...
Congratulations Richard!!!!!
So great to read your journals and see your pictures.
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick
On August 10, 2010...
So happy for you Richard.
CC is the greatest place. I wish you well in your recovery. I will be going in on Friday for my surgery. Your upbeat journal really is helpful and your photos awesome. Linda Stahl
On August 10, 2010...
Richard. Good to see your pictures. Looking good. Hay rich we love u. See u soon. Love maria,mia,izabella & fatman aka Jimmy
.
On August 10, 2010...
Great!!!!! Guess you'll be able to start painting again. Any time time next week is great for us.
Elliott
On August 10, 2010...
Who's sleeping on that red pillow tonight??? xoxox Auntie Cori
On August 10, 2010...
Great news on being released - enjoy your new found time before your checkup on Friday! I know you will pass with flying colors!
Love Elana
On August 10, 2010...
Happy to sea that it was smooth saling for you. I wanted to play in the fountain but my wife would not let me. I had Dr, G fix my broken heart on St Patricks day, it has been rough seas at times, but man it was worth it. I feel great thanks to Dr Gillinov and his awsome staff at Cleveland Clinic. Be sure and walk even if you dont want to!!!
happy boating
captain bill
On August 10, 2010...
HEY RICHARD HOPE Y0UR RECOVERY IS GOING GOOD. WHEN YOU COMING HOME THE SOX NEED THEIR HOTTEST BEST FAN SEE YOU SOON
DOUG
On August 10, 2010...
Richard,
Loved the pictures. Goes to show that they can't keep a good guy down. Must be because you're a Sox fan and have lots to look forward to. Teresa, you are the best. Prayers continue.
The Santa Claus family
On August 9, 2010...
Richard..last message from me...amy malter
On August 9, 2010...
Hi Richard,
So happy to hear you are doing well. Great photos! I never saw you without a baseball cap on.
On August 9, 2010...
Richard, I was so glad to see your pictures...I knew you would recover fast...nothing is going to keep a good guy down...love your Aunt's comments....Teresa, you're a good wife...I'm so glad that we met at the games. Take care and God Bless..Marikay
On August 9, 2010...
Hi Rich,
Glad to hear that everything went well! My thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. Loved the pictures!
Renee
On August 9, 2010...
Richard,
Sounds like you are doing tremendously so keep up the work. The more you do, walking-breathing-moving about the quicker you will recover.
Like Cheryl said, it look s like from your pic you ended up with a median sternotomy. I did as well. I thought my recovery would be more difficult, but it was not. I was back at work at 6 weeks, and playing golf at 9 weeks. Just avoid the lifitng and cushion yourself wehn sneezing and you will heal quickly.
Your positive attitude will help you too.
Great job!
Mark
Keller, TX
On August 8, 2010...
I loved seeing your upbeat words on the screen, it is like I can hear you saying them. Teh pitures are great too - you look amazing for just having surgery! I am so glad that you so brave to take this journey with your family and doctors - we need more Richard love in this world!
I wish you speedy recovery! We love you.
Love Cousin Elana, Matt and Micah!
On August 8, 2010...
It was really hard to leave today. But we came home to Chicago with that good warm tummy feeling. Richard is doing better than great and Teresa has barely left his side. I am grateful for these blessings. And btw, you have not lived until you've seen Richard walking the CC halls in a hospital gown and his "cape." Love to Mr and Mrs Volpe xoxo Auntie Cori
On August 8, 2010...
Richard. I love being able to check your progress. It was really cool to see the pictures too (once I figured out all I had to do is click on "my photos" duh. Only took but a minute but still "duh"! You are looking splendid to say the least. Stu and Cori looking good too. When do you get to go home? Looking forward to talking to you once you are home. Love you......Judy
On August 8, 2010...
Hi Richard
Glad to hear you've come through your surgery well. I saw reference to you having minimally invasive surgery but you still have quite a cut. Did they still crack open some of your sternum
Cheryl, Ontario
On August 8, 2010...
Hi dad its jason I thought the scar would be smaller.I think its big.The day you come home with that heart pillow im sleeping on it.Good by love you have a good day take care.
On August 8, 2010...
Wow! Richard, I love pictures of hot bare-chested dudes!!!
Looks like you made it in fine shape. I'm a bit irritated. I was out of the clinic so fast that I never even got the red heart-shaped pillow! Guess they couldn't wait to get rid of me.
I see you had minimally invasive surgery - I think that's the secret to my speedy recovery. I know it's the reason I went to CC and I certainly don't regret that.
Keep on hugging' that pillow!
Anne
On August 8, 2010...
I bet it feels like the SOX feel right before a big game !
SOX win !
COngratulations ! Take your time healing :)
hugs, The Martorano's
On August 8, 2010...
Hi Richard,
We are so happy to hear the surgery is over and you are doing well. We hope to see you in the near future.
Linda and Phil Simons
PS Welcome to the club!!
On August 8, 2010...
Hi Richard,
Great news that just keeps getting better. I've spread the good news in our building and we're all pulling for you. Looking forward to hearing new updates.
Bestest,
Nancy Briga
On August 8, 2010...
HI RICH GLAD TO HEAR YOU RECOVERING GREAT
ROOTING FOR YOU FROM TWO RIVERS WI. SEE YOU SOON . DOUG
On August 7, 2010...
Richard,
So happy to hear all is well...keep resting and look forward to seeing your truck driving past on the way to paint store soon.
amy malter
On August 7, 2010...
Hey Richie,Glad to hear your voice earlier,happy that everything went well.Get you`re rest,look forward to seeing next week.Take care Richie,Paul
On August 7, 2010...
VERY happy that all went GREAT!! We all had faith that all would go well and Im glad all our prayers were heard! Like I said b4 you have a few angels up there, watching over you and protecting you, we all love you and cant wait til you come home!!
xoxo, Mrs.T, Cathy, Jill, Breanna, Meghan, Jim, Maria, Mia, Bella, Kelly, Matthew, Marissa and of course R.I.P. Mr. T. aka "The Legend"
On August 7, 2010...
Dear Richard,
The best is yet to come! It seems like everything is right on schedule for a quick recovery.
It has been three weeks since I was in CICU at CC and I can't believe how good I feel. There really isn't much I don't feel capable of doing - except those forbidden things like picking up heavy stuff and racing up stairs. I sometime wonder if, indeed, Dr. Mihaljevic really did something. I feel far less fatigue but it just doesn't seem right that I am this energetic.
If I HAD to go to work on Monday, I am very positive I would be capable of doing it. Fortunately, I have been retired for four years and I am VERY good at being retired.
In no time you will be back at your son's baseball games. With your positive attitude, everything will be fine in short order!
Anne Shannon
On August 7, 2010...
Hi Richard
Isn't Dr Gillinov the best? Of course he did my surgery in March so I am prejudiced! Sounds like you're off to a great recovery.
Fran
On August 7, 2010...
Hi Richard,
Glad to here you are doing well. I'll keep ya in my prayers.
Jeannine
On August 7, 2010...
We had no doubts about your getting well fast. You are to ugly to stay down. You need my cookies. I need you to get much better much faster I NEED MY PLACE PAINTED.
doris
On August 7, 2010...
Good to hear from you...you will soon be back in Illinois doing what you do best. I know Teresa is a big help to you...make sure you give her a big kiss for taking good care of you! Your Wisconsin Italian Friend-leo
On August 7, 2010...
MAZEL TOV!! Stu Fried
On August 7, 2010...
Tats great keep up the work
Gary
On August 7, 2010...
Richard -
We're so glad that the surgery is over and you're doing so well!
You've been in our thoughts and prayers,
All the best,
Susan and Jeff Blumenfeld
On August 7, 2010...
Richard,
It just gets easier and easier each day from here on out. Use your spirometer and get that walking going. Congrats to you and your family and keep on reccovering..
Mark
Keller, TX
On August 7, 2010...
Teresa, you're doing a great job keeping us informed....thank you...so very happy to hear that Richard is doing so well. Have Richard keep us informed even after he goes home....Marikay and Leo
On August 7, 2010...
I'm so glad to hear that you're on the mend so quickly, although it probably seems like a lifetime to you when you're going through it. I hope to talk to you sometime soon. Maybe Teresa can supply a phone number when you are able to talk. Love,
Marla and family.
On August 7, 2010...
Richard, we have been keeping up on your progress. We are so glad this is behind you and you are well on your road to recovery. You have a great support system! We continue to send our well wishes to you and your family.
Tammy, Mark and Joshua Noel
On August 7, 2010...
I am so proud of my niece Teresa Volpe. She is grace and courage all rolled into one. Richard would not be where he is today without her love and support. I love you Teresa xoxo Auntie Cori
On August 7, 2010...
We visited Richard last night on day one of surgery. He felt well enough to offer a dinner suggestion, which we followed. If you want to consume three days' worth of calories in a single meal, do what we did and visit Melt Grilled. In honor of my nephew's heritage, I ordered the GODFATHER, a lasagna sandwich on two inch white bread. Fries and cole slaw "come with." Richard, even under your post op fog, you know how to eat. I love you xoxo Aunti Cori
On August 7, 2010...
HEY NUMBER 1 SOX FAN GLAD TO HEAR YOU DOING GOOD AND THAT SURGERY WENT GOOD. GET WELL SOON DUDE THE SOX NEED YOUR SUPER SUPPORT.
BEST WISHES TO YOU RICHARD AND YOUR FAMILY AND GLAD YOU DOING OK
DOUGIE DOG SEE YOU SOON I BE IN CHICAGO WHEN YOU ARE HOME.
On August 6, 2010...
We visited Richard this evening and he looked great.If one eliminated the tubes, he looked like nothing was done. In fact, I wonder if he was faking all this just to get a little attention. They did not do the sex change operation, but he will still always be my niece Rene'. Seriously, he looked an sounded great. I got him laughing which may not have been the smartest thing to do as it hurt when he laughed. If Joey was here we probably would be banned from the hospital. I feel good and relieved that all went well and he looked as good as he did. Uncle Stu and Aunt Cori
On August 6, 2010...
Great News! Our prayers are with him. When he is ready have calls let me know. Joe wants to speak with him. We need to here his voice. kelly.vlasak@abbott.com
Thanks for the new pics. You look great. I can't believe you're out of the hospital so fast! I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Jeannine