So happy you are feeling better. Thank you for being such an inspiration! love you, Cheryl Thompson

Great news Sheila. You are inspiring me.

Wow! That's a great progress report!
Dan Cline

Good for you!! <3<3
kit

Just set your mind out there a year girlfriend and then daydream and list every single thing u have ever wanted to watch, listen to, write about, think about, learn about...then do it! EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD MAJOR SURGERY KNOWS A YEAR OUT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!!! Just be a lady of leisure for a while!!!! Enjoy the gifts that accompany this new experience...there will be many...u just have to let go of the old things and find and embrace the new....then WALA....you will be ready to do the other...if u want....before you know it!!!!!
I personally would love to read a book about all your experiences....new york best seller for sure!!!! Didn't you have a ton of foreign exchange students over the years???? Love to hear about that!!!!

sorry, the last post was from me
roxanne dropko
fellow hvj
3 weeks post-op

sorry to hear about the camping trip. When I heard about you going camping, it seemed like a lot to tackle so soon. There will be many more trips for you in the future! And better to realize before than to have had a really difficult time and regret going. You are just flying along with your recovery....it will be finished in no time! Hang in there, you are an inspiration to many!

i don't know about following the rules, but yes, you do need to let yourself heal...it wasn't just a little day type surgery...it was the real mc coy....so settle down little lady. If i was close by i would bring you some yummy ice cream...love and big hugs from Texas....xxooxx

Dear Shelia, I'm so sorry you couldn't go up north, but next time!!
Maybe you can read, watch movies, of course walk if you're up to it, and they'll all be back soon.
Take care of yourself, we love you!
Cheryl Thompson

Sorry you're missing the trip, but just think about all the great times you'll have in the coming years. Not fun now, but the rest will be worth it.

Keep strong,
Kent

Sheila,
When you posted that you were going on a camping trip I was a bit concerned given that you are still recovering from surgery. You seem to be in great shape and good health so I am sure that you will feel better soon and recover from your cold,. A few weeks ago I went to my beach house for the weekend and battled extremely hot temps in NYC to do this. Between the really hot air outside and the really cold air from air conditioning inside plus overdoing it that weekdend, I also had a low grade temp. I ended up on antibioitcs but feeling great again but also learned a lesson on my new limits for a few more weeks.

Best,
Pamela
NYC

Be careful Sheila! Let us know how the trip goes. BUT, be careful!!!!

Did you call about your vision?

Christy

whooo woooo....you are on the mend...Enjoy your time with the family...and of course don't over do!! xxoo

I'm almost 3 weeks post-op. My vision gets blurry when I do too much, like walking too fast. When I slow down, it's like normal. Roxanne Dropko fellow HVJer

Sheila,
Yes, I had blurred vision after HV R sugery. Also, I occassional see floating particles in the air - was told this was due to the pain mediciation which I have not taken in 3 weeks.

Starting Cardiac Rehab program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital this morning. Forcing myself to walk,walk, walk and rest, rest rest.

6 weeks post-op.


Pam

Kent - me too with the migraine lights. They looked like tinkerbell flying across the room. I saw them often at first but those too are going away. Sheila - looks like we should all be normal again some day.
Tammy G.

Sheila-
Mine was at first too but I wear glasses so I thought it was just me. I usually wear contacts and my eyeglasses are a little old. So I didn't think too much about it. I just started wearing my contacts again and they were blurry at first but are getting better. So maybe it is surgery related or our meds?

Tammy G

Hey Sheila. I've heard of that vision thing before. I didn't have blurred vision, but I did have strange migraine "lights" in my vision more than usual.

I hope you get it figured out.

Blessings,
Kent

You go girl!!!!! :)

Christy

so glad you behaved!! love and Hugs!! kit

Sheila - you are making fantastic progress. I hope I can come close to what you are achieving in your recovery when I have my own adventure in about 2 weeks.

Keep it up.

Rob F.

Driving?! You're such a rebel!

Keep up the good work.

Kent

Hi Sheila,
Thanks for asking about me. I'm doing just fine! I'm amazed at how well our bodies recover after a huge tramatic surgery procedure. I traveded with my brother today to San Diego and joined several high school friends for lunch, and two coaches from those days. I attended Clairemont HS in San Diego. It was a great time. Still have a little discomfort in my chest but it is improving daily.
Hope you are doing well.
Dan

1 mile! Way to go! Keep movin' -- DVB

Hi Sheila, Thanks for reading my story. I have to tell you I felt real good to see that you read it and wrote in my guestbook. Untill now I have only talked to my famiy and friends and of course doctors and nurses about my experience. I am lucky to have all of them but it is good to communicate with someone who really knows what is like to go through something like this. Its funny you mentioned cutting the grass. I am the type that has to have my grass perfect and I was just looking out there and I was temted to go out and start up the mower but will not do it. My nephew has taken over that for me this summer.
Being able to drive has been great. I took a ride this past week to Ocean City NJ with some family. I was able to get in the ocean and I think that was better than any meds I have taken over the past weeks since surgery. Maybe it was all in my mind but it felt real good!!
I found your story real interesting and look foward to reading more.
Sounds like you really like the outdoors. So do I. I took a trip several years back to Yosemite and went on the hike from the valley to half dome and I climed the cables to the top. It was a great experience and i want to do it again.

Did you get some clarification from the PA about those two contradictory statements? ...Gee Whiz! For YOU it sounds like fun to go on a backpacking trip.....for ME? oh, no.....not me. Your posts are really interesting. Thanks for continuing to use this journal.
Conni

Hi Sheila,

Funny you should mention how slow time can feel in the early recovery. I remember having a discussion with Robyn, my wife, about wanting time to speed up so the recovery would accelerate. That when she told me that this was one of the times in life where you need to just "Hurry up and wait."

Take it easy. Soon enough, this will all be a memory.

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

Dear Shelia, I think you are doing very well. Only 2 weeks since surgery! That's awesome. I bet sneezes would really hurt. I pray for your speedy recovery.
Love, Cheryl Thompson

Hi Sheila,

I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. I haven't had heart surgery, but I remember after abdominal sugery I was so tired for so long because it takes FOREVER for the general anesthetic drugs to work themselves out of your system. I remember describing it as feeling like a combination of the flu and being drunk. :-) You sound like you're doing great!

Kendra

.Good A.M. Sheila,
Sounds like you you are doing the right things to recover your strength. However please be careful with your exercise regimen. I am sure your family will see to that. What is nice is that you are communicating will all of us. That's exciting! Hope you have good day.
Thoughtfully,
Don

Hello Sheila! So glad you are getting out more. I appears that we like the same ice creams. God bless, Adrianne

good for you, getting out and about...REMEMBER, don't over do!! xxooxx
kit

Hi Shelia, it's so good to be able to read your posts and find out how well things are going for you. It IS very hard not to do all the things we want to do! But, praise God! you will be able to do all those things with even more energy and vitality than before. Personally, I LOVE ice cream, especially any kind with nuts and caramel like pecan praline which I can't find anymore.
I am so glad that your dad, your daughter, and your friends are able to be your help and support until you get all better.
Conni

Easy Day today, Easy Day tomorrow, Easy Day the next,....you will have plenty of time later to catch up...Enjoy your easy days and Ice Cream!! xx00xx00 kit

Dear Sheila,

I am about the same surgery date as you (7/8- MV repair). I just contacted a friend who does medical massages, you are right. The back is killing me since I have gone down to 1 oxycodone for sleep.

Glad to hear you are recovering well. It is a slow road, no matter how fast it goes. It is hard to put the brakes on doing too much when you recover well. I'm there too.

Best wishes for a good weekend.

:) Jennifer Turner

Good morning Sheila. Everything is coming along well here. I'm surprised at how much I want to nap. Walking is no problem. It's a 1,000 foot walk to the mail box so that has become my daily walk. I have a large place that needs watering, so that has become my other exercise. My kids are taking the greatest care of me!!! I'm eager for the constant feel of pressure on my incision area to ease. I feel the need to "really" stretch, but I'll wait a few weeks before I do that. It turns out that this valve replacement thing is easy!!!!! But I'm not going to rush back into another surgery.
Dan

Sheila,

Relax, and let life, karma and god's love come to you :)

You should have seen the look on the nurses faces when they would come into my room at night and I had my ipod and headphones on, listening to reiki music (tibetan crystal bowls) lol

Remember, grass is strong because it bends with the breeze! Smile, enjoy your victories during recovery, no matter how small, and soon it will snowball for you!

Isn't Life Awesome?!
Jeff R

what kind of valve did you have inserted?

Jack

Hi Shelia,
So glad you are doing well. Please, please rest!!! That way you'll be up and Adam in no time.
So happy you are done with surgery. That's a huge relief for you, no more anxiety waiting.
Love you, Cheryl Thompson

Hello Sheila!!! So glad you have a med that works for you. I hate the drunk feel of pain killers when all you want is for it to take the pain away. I look forward to your progress postings everyday and praise God when I see one.

Since your appetite is not up to par, eat what you can. Ice cream is a nice treat for now. :-) You will be back to eating more in no time. I remember the appetite loss after each of my surgeries. Fruit was the main thing I wanted to eat. Had to force a few bites of other food just for the nutrients and strength. I could not do the ice cream...darn it! LOL!

Keep up the great work Sheila, you are almost there! xoxo Adrianne

Sheila,
Your recovery is amazing me. I love getting your newest journal. Seems like for the most part the whole process has gone smoothly. So your just 9 days out but what kind of follow-up visits have you had/scheduled to have? Forgive me, but did you do mechanical or biological? If mechanical, how is the coumadin working for you? Please just get back to me when you are feeling up to it. Just so glad it all went so well. I thought about you everyday. Drove me crazy not hearing how you were LOL! Look forward to hearing from you and watching you improve daily.
Much Love, Melissa

Hey Sheila...It sounds like you are doing great!!! :) Keep up the good work and please take the advice of your friends and family and those who are still recovering with you...take it slow!! If you do too much you might have a set back that you don't want. At least for the first few weeks. You have the rest of your life to utilize your new found energy when you are healed. Remember...we went through a lot!!
All the best
Take Care
Mari :)

Sounds like someone is time enough for you. LOL! So glad you are seeing that you need to take it slow. I want to have some real fun when I come out there in October. Maybe you can share with me about running and stuff. Keeping you in my prayers, sweetie. Adrianne

YAY Sheila!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep, your body will talk to you when you've done too much!!!!! :) I'm so happy for you!!!!! Take care of yourself!

Christy

Sheila,
Welcome home! You made it through the surgery and sound great. I am 5 days away from my one-month anniversary for AV surgery and I feel so much stronger then I did when I was discharged. Recovery w rest and relaxation is like magic in that it builds the body and helps me to get back to where I was a month ago. Still trying to figure out how life will be different now but I hoping it will just get better and I am much healthier.
I wish this for you as well.
Pam

Dear Shelia, So happy you are home! You sound like you are recovering quickly. Be careful and rest a lot!! Love,Cheryl Thompson

You busted out!!! YIPEEEE!! welcome home sweet heart!!! two updates in one day!!! Lucky us!!...And thanks to Beth for the updates...
Lots more naps....don't over do!! xxooxxkit

Hi Sheila!
Sounds like you are beginning to pick up and will be ready to locomote (play on words) to home. In all seriousness I hope you are well and have, or will have no complications. I'm enjoying the Journal.
Thoughtfully,
Don

Hello Beth and Sheila!!! So glad Sheila's treks around the nursing station are doing her good. That is great medicine - to walk as much as you can. I understand about the shower and hair...go for it! LOL! The simple things in life can means so much. I agree, patience is definitely a virtue and will take you further.

Let our prayers and good thoughts gird you up as you TAKE YOUR TIME to heal properly and not too fast. Nothing worse than to have to go through another procedure because of doing too much too soon. I know some who have and it was no fun for them.

Our love and prayers are with you and your family.
xoxoxo Adrianne

ahhh the simple pleasure of a shower and clean hair....Very Soon Sheila....Patience is a virtue, which i do not have either...will keep you thoughtful that you can bust out of there today!!