Hi Shirley:

I'm looking forward to the three of us going swimming.

'Huggie Bear'

I'll be rootin' for you! -- DVB

Hi darlin' guess who? You have a restful night and Ipray that all will be well in the am. What did u do all day, while waiting for tomorrow?
love ya, MJ Hey, I am walking w/o my cane ,now, yeah! 27 days later.

Hi, Shirley, will miss you again tonight as we sign. Lori is off on the grand adventure if Bob's back holds out. Pam and I will meet and try to sign alone. I know we will talk too much but... You are in my thoughts and prayers! Jo

Another day in Cleveland with our mother. This place reminds my of a crazy hospital, everything is so white and modern and omg crazy clean.... Mother is definitely in good hands here!!!!!!!

Hi Shirley,

Your response to my guestbook post got cut off. You were just about to tell me where you live in the Denver area.

You are a KICK!! I love your attitude and it will go a long way to making this whole process a lot more bearable.

You are in my thoughts - keep smiling!

Anne Shannon

Oh, Shirly, my dear HVJ friend....I had the same thing happened to me. I had done all of my primping the week before.....got my mani-pedi, a facial, a 2 hour massage, and my outfit for the hospital. Felt like I was getting ready for the prom....and then I received that call moving my date to the next day....got flashbacks of when Bobby Fedderson cancel our date to the Homecoming dance the day before. (It turned out better for me since I got to go with a friend of my brother who was a senior). And,it was the same with my date being moved....I had more time to tie up loose ends.
I hope you are staying calm!!

Sheila Garrison

Hey Shirl's,
Good luck tomorrow.
LOVE and PRAYERS for you.

ac

Dear Shirley,

Here's wishing you peace and calmness on the eve of your surgery. You'll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sheila Garrison

Hi, Shirley baby, Itis so hot today. I will be thinking of u on Monday and I can not wait for Dillion's message as to how u are doing .

hey my girlfriend you will never be fat--really looking forward to your Mesa visit--yes you will be a new spring chick- ha--can not wait see you Shuffling--you take care, just be at Peace and know everything will be okay--after all we all need you to teach us signing--dancing--Face painting--Clowning--Cooking--Would love to see you in your clown make-up soon-- We love you Missy---

Hi Shirley,

Sounds like you're having fun in Cleveland! We will be thinking about you on Monday. What time is your surgery? Happy you like you're doctor. See you on Thursday. I know you will come through just fine! We all love you. Your onliest true sister, Maxine

Hi Shirley!

Dr. Sabik replaced my aortic valve in May 2010 . . . he and his entire team are the best! You are in great hands so relax this weekend and you'll soon be on the road to recovery.

And if you have a nurse named Teresa Hill, please say hi for me.

You'll be in my thoughts on Monday.
Ricki Shine

Okay girl! Behave yourself in Ohio! No wild parties while you're there! Bob and I are leaving tomorrow for Ouray. Will be thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers while we're down there photographing. Will be back August 2nd. I'm making Pam and Jo do extra sign homework while you're gone! I think they're glad to be rid of me! : )
Many hugs and best wishes and prayers for a successful surgery! Love ya!
Lori

HiShirley I hope everything is working well for ya at this time. I am praying for you. I know you will do well and we will be dancing up a storm. I am walking 95% of the time w/o the cane.So chin up and know I love you! MJ

Hello Good Lady Shirley, happy to hear you've had some time in Cleveland to relax & enjoy the grand kids.
Glad you won't be there in the winter.
It's time to wink at your surgeon and give him the OK, and let him know how strong and wonderful you are.
My thoughts & Prayers are for you to have a successful surgery,.
Lots of love from papa moose.

Hi Shirley,
I have your name on my calendar and wanted to let you know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I'll look forward to reading your post.

Blessings to you!

Sheila Garrison

Hi, Shuffles! With your attitude, you will be out and dancing in no time. Keep smiling! Whuffo

I don't know where in Denver you live but I am in Evergreen. I went to South Denver Cardiology for Cardio-rehab. By all means do rehab! This is a lovely facility with a great staff and I recommend them most highly!

I'm sure you are in better shape than I was but I have made great strides in taking advantage of my new lease on life!

Anne Shannon

Dear Shirley,

I too am from the Denver area and had surgery on 7/16/2010 at CC. Best place in the world. It's kind of like Spaceship Enterprise, isn't it?

My experience was so positive that I never shut up about it! One year later and I feel a million percent better. With your positive and upbeat attitude, I suspect you will do great. I love your bright and breezy journal!

On a really positive note, I met an 88 year old woman in Evergreen who, at my urging, went to CC for her aortic valve replacement. She had great results and was back at her apartment, living on her own, within three weeks.

I realize all situations are different but you will be in the best hands anywhere. From the ICU staff to the nurses to the people who take care of you daily, they are the best.

I have a journal if you would like to read it. If you have any questions, by all means, ask me or Ricki Shine or Barry from New Mexico.

You made the right decision to go to CC and I will send all positive thoughts your way!

Anne Shannon

Hello Mother,

Just thinking about you. You left this morning and we miss you already. Keep Dillon and Jadyn in line for us. See you soon I love you.

Your favorite daughter!! Katrina

Shirley, best of luck to you during your surgery. I know you will be in great hands at the Cleveland Clinic. I will be praying for you and really appreciate your posting to me when I was in surgery. I'm still home recovering but things are going well. I will be checking your posts and following along as you make your journey. Your friend Tammy Golchert in Dallas, TX

Hi, Shirley, just got your e-mail about this site. It will be a great way for all your friends to keep updated. Know I am and will continue to keep you in my prayers through the surgery and recovery. We need to keep those fingers flying! Jo Domokos

I'll be looking for you girl-- Mesa in Zumba and we'll be doing the "Shuffle" 'YOU GO GIRL' I know you will be in better shap than I--Shirley I can tell you what an inspiration, talented, fun loving, caring,imspiring person you are--YOU ARE WONDERFUL, I want some of that Spag. you are going to cook--now I'm hungry--Gloria is trying to connect you--told her to write in your Journal--Roxy and Lizzie send there licks Lots of Hugs--LOL

Shirley, we really have enjoyed your company
at the dances. We will be hoping and praying
for the best results from your surgery.

My darlin shirley, You are the bestest friend. Thank you for everything and the time you have helped me, mom, and Johnny. We wve you. YOU MAKE ME HAPPY WHEN YOU TRIED TO BECOME AN ITALIAN BY MAKING MY RECEIPE FOR THE SAUCE. UMMMH GOOD! WHAT TIME IS DINNER WILLIS! I expect you to follow through with dinner on your return, CARLO ROSSI WILL BE THERE WAITING. I love you! Don't dissappoint me-- GET ON BACK HERE. Mary Jane

Hey Missy
This is so much fun and what a great idea that your grandson will keep us posted--Pics will be good cause we want to see that smiling face of yours :):) I know our minds can play tricks on us at times and be negative but you have a wonderful surgeon --what a successful track record--you're in good hands---you are loved by many :)- We are keeping you in our hearts and prayers--I want to see you in your clown make-up when you feel better--okay-- lol Janet

Hi Shirley Whirley,

Nice to talk to you again. Happy you are doing so well. Looking forward to seeing you. Love your journal. Happy you got to see our brother and that he is doing well. Love you and see you soon. Love, Sister Maxine

Dear Shirley, My thoughts and prayers are with you always. I know you will come through with flying colors! All the Colorado Clowns miss you, and you know I am your Number One clown fan.
Frank "Whuffo"

Dear Miss Shirley; I am keeping you in my heart and my prayers and I just know you will be back here with all of us who love you dancing up a storm again sooner than your doctors will expect you to!!!! You can get to me at francucci@msn.com if you with to but I will keep checking up o you this way!

Love, love, love you. Maggie

Hi Shirls,
This is a great idea. You are in my thoughts & prayers.
I'm sure you are going to well, you're one tough but wonderful cookie.
I'm here if you want to talk.
love you,
ac.

Hey girl!!!

Thought I'd check in on you to see how things are going. Have been keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! Thanks for sending me the link to your heart surgery blog. It will be nice to be able to keep track of you as you go through the process of surgery.
Bob is doing better since back surgery. He had a rough time with the anesthesia but once he got past that part, he has done well. Still has to be careful not to bend, lift or twist with his back but that is the main restriction for 6 weeks. After that I can have peace and quiet again! I can hardly wait!! : )
Will continue to pray for you, and will miss seeing you at sign class. When you are up to it, we will either come get you for class or meet you near your house.
Take care, and am thinking warm thoughts of you!
Lori and Bob : )

Shirley, this is Emilyrae. Tomorrow I have mital valve regurgitation surgery tomorrow at ClevelandClinic, Dr Jaber is my cardiologist and Dr Marc Gillinov is my surgeon. I am also 68 and considered a fun "bubee" (grandmother) so I am ready to get onwith it but right now I am a little weak in the knees.
God Bless us both.Let's make 68 proud.

EmilyraeHelfen

you are a special lady Ginger Rogers, I'll always call you that because of your style and grace on the dance floor :) Our prayers and thoughts are with you--Have peace-- he is holding your hand--Lots of Love from Arlan and "me" Roxy and Lizzie send you lots of hugs and licks---love reading your journal, you should be a writer--lol

Dear Shirley,
Thank you for dropping in and visiting my journal. It means a lot to me. I thought I was at peace with my approaching day (and for the most part, I am). But, once or twice a day, those negative & scared feels pop in and I have to stop, deep breathe & talk with God. I try and keep my heart filled with Him and that's why I'm doing fine 90% of the time.
I will be following your journey also and keeping you in my thoughts a prayer.

Sheila Garrison

I found your response just fine. You are doing everything right to me. Just to let you know, I wanted to get a robotic surgery but, my surgeon advised against it. He said robotic is still not quite what he wants it to be. So, I had a mini sternotomy and they opened me up, repaired my mitral valve and a hole in my heart and closed me up in 2 hours. I was in ICU for maybe 24 hours and then I walked from ICU to my regular room with a push roller walker. It wasn't a short walk but, I wanted to walk the whole way. Well, just wanted to share a few things about how my surgery went for you to compare with others. Wishing you well,

Robert Elliott

Hi Shirley,

Welcome to Heart Valve Journals!

Glad you're figuring out how to communicate with your support group and meet other patients!

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick

Hi Shirley, my name is Robert Elliott. I had mini sternotomy mitral valve repair and am at 3 weeks after surgery right now. All has gone pretty well. Are you getting robotic or sternotomy surgery? Either way, I hope it all goes smooth for you.

Robert Elliott

Shirley, welcome to the site. You will find much information and support here. I read your story and ours are very similar. I am 68 also and having my mitral valve repaired at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on July 12. I also have an afib ablation in 08 and pvc ablation in 09 - all successful and at CCF. By the grace of GOD I did not need a pacemaker and I am in NSR with no meds for afib. Years (10) of afib and pvcs took a toll on my mitral valve and I will be having it repaired in July. Trying to get all ducks in a row is hard with 10 grandchildren and 9 within 12 miles of us - lots to do always - they don't understand why Bubee has to go get her heart fixed, she is doing just fine with us, playing basketball, pitching & hitting ball with the 9 yr olds, on the road it seems all the time going from one event to another so yes, I am active but have noticed that it takes more out of me and more time to recover - my mother died at 85 of congested heart (valve disease) so........I feel blessed that there are these methods to fix things before it goes to far. GOD has blessed me good. You will be in my prayers and hope you will keep me in yours.
Emilyrae Helfen