On June 7, 2012...
Steven,

It's great to hear from you, happy to hear you're on the road to recovery, take it easy at work next week, I'm having my surgery Monday, it seemed like just yesterday when I made my first entry, and you responded, thanks for the support you have shown me over the past months, I too look forward to recovery... I'll keep in touch, and you keep posting the encouragement is spiritualy lifting...

Donald Lee
Steven Kantor  Don,
I'm thinking about you and your Monday procedure. If it helps, the second you get nervous or an ... Read more
On June 7, 2012...
Thanks for the call......U come from good genes......uh ....um.....just say in.....love u.....Elise.....Rick......Eric....Twiz and da Gus......Eric asked about the nurses...hmmmm......
On June 7, 2012...
Great update!! Glad things are finally looking good.

Enjoy the family and the new lease on life!!

Jimmy Johnson
On June 7, 2012...
Hey Stevie, everything sounds wonderful. I believe in one of our meetings I once said I was told that "Speedo has a lot of ideas, too bad they are connected to his mouth!"... Well, the analogy is that you have a lot of feelings, too bad for us they are connected to your keyboard!! hahahaha... I think it's great. I have learned two life lessons from YOUR experience (beside all the medical stuff): 1) that you are truly a great guy and I don't care how the RoundTable talks about you when you are not there!! .hahaha... no, really, sharing your feelings and letting loose when facing adversity is admirable and human, and 2) this Journal has renewed my faith in humanity. There are a lot of good people out there that are caring and helpful and I am glad that they have shared your journey and helped you. I makes be realize that our fast-paced, hip-hopped world, is not all me-centric, but that people still genuinely care about others! Looking forward to getting picked-on once again by you at oure next meeting! I'm getting nervous that with your new $6M body, you may look better than me in a Speedo!!!!!
On June 6, 2012...
We are thinking about you every day brother. So glad you are okay. Stay strong and be well. -- Steve Davis
On June 5, 2012...
Sounds like it has been a wild ride. I hope you are finally, solidly on the road to recovery. Good luck my friend. I think of you often.

- Mitch Friedman
On June 5, 2012...
Called you to see how you were doing and you were "life coaching" me.....I am so lucky to have you as my cousin and friend....love you strong spirit....elise......btw...eric sends his best.....can you smell him at your house? did I say that out loud? Oh no I did dent....oh yes I did.......Happy Tuesday!!!
On June 4, 2012...
Ok, now I know why you aren't responding to my texts and phone message. I'll let it pass... For now, anyway.

Love you, fishy!

-E
On June 1, 2012...
Steve, oh my goodness! You have really been through it this past week! So sorry to hear about your SVT, but also amazed at how positive you are through it all. Way to go!!! How was the ablation done? Was it invasive? through the groin? Heal well, take it easy and listen to your body, although it sounds like you do very well at that! Thanks for the update.
Holly P
Steven Kantor  Thanks Holly.
Ablation was done via my femoral vein. It took a couple of hours. It was non-invasive ... Read more
On May 31, 2012...
I am so glad to hear you are home. We have all been thinking about you. We will be around to visit soon we jsut wanted to give you some space to rest. Let me know if you need anything, you have my number.

Wendy
Steven Kantor  Thanks Wendy!
On May 31, 2012...
Steven, it's great to hear from you, sorry for your recent events, but it seems as if you have made it through, I had been checking to hear from you and had gotten a little worried, I'm scheduled for my surgery June 11th. I'm excited to get this done, it's been a short period leading up to the surgery but it has seemed lika an eternity. Take care and keep posting.

Donald Lee
On May 31, 2012...
Hi Steve, I enjoyed reading your newest journal. It wasn't to long so dont worry about it. It is always good to hear all the things that happen to us. That way I think we are all aware it could happen but hope not. Its a little scary but not if that makes sense. Glad you are doing better now and keep on the right track.
For the long haul
Linda H
On May 31, 2012...
Hi Steve-
Your blog was not too long. I enjoyed reading it. I agree it is truly amazing what can be done to heal us. There are mixed emotions for sure, but that is to be expected. We do need to put faith in our doctors, nurses, family and friends to be by our side and support us in this journey. Yes, I too got made fun of. My family found an app in the I store 'I'd cap that' and has managed to take pics of me and have captions randomly assigned that really fit the bill. The laughs are needed. I am out of ICU and plan is to go home Saturday. During surgery the surgeon found my mitral valve(left) to be more damaged than the echo and other tests conveyed. The surgery took longer and they were able to do a successful repair, but the right side of the heart had some swelling and slipped into Brady sinus (slower) rhtyhm. They had me on a temp pacemaker in case I needed some compensation, but that has been removed as of this morning, wires left intact, in case I need to be reconnected. I cannot wait to get home. I am sorry you had some occurences thereafter and ended up back in the hospital, but hopefully they have every aspect under control no. Hope you get the opportunity to get out soon to see your daughter's soccer game and enjoy the weather now that the humidity has passed. Karen Campo
Steven Kantor  Karen,
How are you feeligng now? Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to your message.
Thank you! ... Read more
On May 31, 2012...
Glad to hear all went, your kinda milking this surgery aren't you? LOL. Miss you!! Denise. ( Sarahs mom incase you forgot!)
On May 31, 2012...
Wow, Steve, you are an inspiration. I am so sorry that you had to go through all that but I am so happy that you are now fixed. I have enjoyed reading your posts and following your journey as I prepare for mine. (I will have Mitral Valve Repair at Mt Sinai in NY on June 18th).

Hope you continue to heal uneventfully. Again your outlook and attitude during this has been inspirational.
On May 31, 2012...
Sorry to hear about the detour, Steve, but I am glad you are home and getting better.
Peter
On May 31, 2012...
Thanks for the update Steve. Frankly I was a little concerned that you'd not posted in a while - so I was very happy to see the notification that you had. I'm familiar with the ablasion as my Mom had a succesful one following her heart surgery. Admittedly - hers did not involve the aorta - nor did the ablasion occur so soon after teh surgery. Anyway - glad you are home and recuperating. Get even better soon! Regards, Rich
On May 31, 2012...
Wow Steven! And to think I have been whining about a case of bronchial pneumonia! Good thing you aren't playing poker in Vegas...your "hand" really stinks! HOWEVER...once again...you were able to be fixed (fingers crossed?). So many people aren't, either incurable diseases like cancer or sudden death from conditions they know nothing about. Not to mention those who do not have the financial resources to "pay for" fixing. Oh well...'nuff of that. So happy you are once again on the road to recovery. I will just caution you (from my own experience) be careful of colds, stomach bugs, etc. If you read my journal post, you will see that after acing OHS, what started as a summer "head cold" quickly turned into bronchial pneumonia and after almost 4 weeks I still am not completely over it. Take care and don't fret about long posts, I enjoy reading them.
Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12
On May 31, 2012...
Wow, Steve, that's quite the story! it must have been very scary for you but so gratifying to be"fixed"....finally.
We're so lucky to live in the age where our heart disease is detected before it kills us. Twenty years ago we would have just died early from a heart attack and that would have been it.
I guess we're lucky, huh?
Take care,
Nancy B
Steven Kantor  Nancy!
How are you feeling?

You are so right. We live in an amzing time. I'm fairly certain in 10 ... Read more
On May 30, 2012...
Stevie K, Glad to see you are progressing. Keeping a positive attitude, accepting help from family and friends, and seeing yourself healthy and back to your "normal" self, is 95% of the battle.
Hope to see you soon,
Mike pallozzi
On May 29, 2012...
love you k...stay strong...be positive!!
On May 28, 2012...
Steve, glad to read you are progressing. YOU are strong enough to win and be better than before . If that is possible.
On May 27, 2012...
Hi Steve

So glad to hear you sounding so strong and energetic, but that I realize Is just who you are. Still, I so admire you for that and all the courage, good humor and optimism you have had throught all this. It is just like you too to in the midst of all this you're focused on others - your precious daughter of course, your parents, other cardiac patients, our kids at CARES and the list goes on. Just so proud to call you a friend. Continued wishes for a speedy and perfect recovery! Love, Esther
PS Not much of a cook, but if there is anything else I can do - please don't hesitate to ask.
On May 23, 2012...
So happy to hear of your amazing recovery.......want to come visit soon.....when there will be another good hair day.....just kidding....not really....oky maybe a little......love, elise
On May 22, 2012...
Awesome that you are doing so well!

Robert Tucker
On May 21, 2012...
Free food is always good, gotta love those loving relatives and friends!


Patricia De Leon
On May 21, 2012...
Wow, time flies when you're not the patient! :)
Glad to hear you're doing well. Beware, if you look too healthy people will stop bringing food...its a fine line.

Nancy B
On May 21, 2012...
Steve,
Good to hear from you keep getting better, and keep us posted.

Take Care

Don L
On May 21, 2012...
Sounds like it is all going well! Good job!
Peter L.
On May 21, 2012...
Glad to hear all is going well, keep up the good work! Denise
On May 21, 2012...
Steve,

Great to hear that you are doing well. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Ira Krassan
On May 21, 2012...
Steven

I'm so happy that you are done and on your way to healing. Keep up the good work and positive attitude!

Jamie McGuire
On May 21, 2012...
Hi Steve. Glad to hear that things are going well. Please let me know if I can help you in anyway. Best, Rich
On May 21, 2012...
Thanks for your note, Steve. Honestly, I think I have ptsd from the whole week. Unfortunately, I didn't have the great week I had hoped for. In the end, though, having a "new heart" is all that counts. I have PT and RN coming to the house today. ..muscle spasms on-going to my right back, shoulder, and the usual fatigue and weakess.. but it is all so more bearable now that I am in my own bed. Truly home sweet home, dirty floors and messy kitchen included! KR
On May 20, 2012...
Hi Steve, just glanced at your note; I am glad you are home. I am with you.. I hated it, too. Listening to the birds from my bedroom window this a.m. never felt so good.
Best wishes, kind regards, Kate R
Steven Kantor  Awesome Kate! Yeah, it was so good to get home and get out of that hospital. I love the birds, the ... Read more
On May 19, 2012...
Hi, Steve --

I don't think we've had a whole lot of contact, basically because we were going through pretty much the same thing at the same time. I reported to Mt. Sinai at 5:30 AM on May 11, and got home yesterday around 2:00 PM.

Nope, not a walk in the park but man o man, after a week in the hospital, one sure does look at the world in a new light. I just walked down to the end of my very lumpy dirt driveway (and back!) in beautiful sunshine, looking at the trees and the rhodies and irises and couldn't be more glad to be alive.

I wish you and your family a peaceful healing and look forward to watching your progress.

Selma Kaplan
On May 19, 2012...
♥ What a JOYful update Steve! Your energy and enthusiasm oozes from your pores!
Love it!
So glad for your walk and your fresh air and sunny outook ☼. and a fantastic support group!
~glenda
Mom's surgery date 5/24, which is my Dad's birthday! Hoping for new Mom with so much energy it will be the best gift Dad ever received! :-)
On May 18, 2012...
WOW....GREAT NEWS!!!!! I am not surprised~.......love elise.....welcome home.............!!!
On May 18, 2012...
Steve,
I'm glad to hear that you have made it home, take care of yourself and listen to the doctors, hope to hear from you soon.

Don L
On May 18, 2012...
Steve,

Welcome home!

Adam Pick
On May 18, 2012...
Steve: Gald things are going well. Was thinking about you. You will be up and running on full speed in no time.

Talk soon. Lou
On May 18, 2012...
While we will miss your short updates (did I remember he was concerned about your spelling or grammar?) it will be nice to hear from the horse's mouth how he is feeling both physically and mentally right now.

Thanks for doing a good job letting us know he made it thru okay and is now home.
On May 18, 2012...
So glad to here that you are home and all went well, take it easy and don't feel guilty about making me walk by myself last week, I forgive you. Denise
On May 18, 2012...
♥Home is where the heart is!♥
So glad! hope your recovery at home goes well, keep us in the loop! :-)

glenda
On May 18, 2012...
Home!!! That is my favorite word to read on HVJ. Way to go Steve. - Mitch Friedman
On May 18, 2012...
Good for you! Getting home is so nice, and a real motivator! Be careful and take it easy, keep walking and pay attention to your body! Sounds like you did awesome! Keep it up.
Holly P
On May 18, 2012...
P.S. I bet I picked you to follow because my beautiful daughter was a soccer goalie all through school and 4 years of college! Goalies rock! :-) Rock on my friend ☼
On May 18, 2012...
I have been following your journey and getting the email updates!! So happy for you to be going home today! My Mom JoAnn age 77 is having her valve replacement surgery next Thursday in Duluth MN. I picked you to follow, don't know why.... just did! :-) She has no internet or computer so I have been reading and studying. She feels ready to roll the sooner the better. Parents live in Ely Minn. Take Care Steve! I'll be following........
Sincerely,
glenda Harbaugh
On May 18, 2012...
Steve I am so glad you are heading home today!!So happy to hear everything went well with surgery.I will continue to pray for your speedy recovery!Laura
On May 18, 2012...
STEVE K Welcome Home
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