Linda H and Elsie posted a note for Susan that says: Happy New Year to you too. I know it is going to be a better one for you and you can change those cat naps for kitty strolls. Good luck to you and I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs.

Jim Jones posted a note for Susan that says: Susan
Happy New Year! Let 2014 be the Year of Susan's Splendid Valve!

You have done so well this year to get ready. I hope 2014 will deliver the health gains you deserve.

All the best, my good friend!

Gabi x posted a note for Susan that says: How is my biddy friend going and how was your Christmas? My younger daughter and husband and 5 yr old twin girls are coming to stay over New Year. My older daughter lives with her husband and 3 children in Marlofstein, Germany so it will be a nice talk on the phone to them all. Happy New Year my dear Susan - it will be a biggie for you! Keep me posted please.

Vicki (Rachel's sister) posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan,

I just wanted to let you know that your card arrived yesterday and we took it into rach this morning. She was really grateful and enjoyed the photos you had enclosed too! A big thank you from rach and all the family! hope you have a lovely Christmas!

Gabi x posted a note for Susan that says: Way to go Biddy! You can so do this. I use avocado instead of butter or marg. I am going OK thank you. Working on my fitness as I think this will help with my feelings of depression. However, we are in for a 41degree heat wave today so I am not going to the rehab gym. Will do what I can with home strengthening exercises and stay cool. You are amazing with the weight coming off. So proud of my biddy friend!

Jim Jones posted a note for Susan that says: Susan
Thanks for the update. Good luck on the gastro. Your weight loss is incredible. I can see how motivated you are. This will all help for the surgery.

Dr Habib, from Bangladesh. posted a note for Susan that says: Dear Susan,

I always enjoy reading your journal. I hope your son is ok. I'm like you, I try not to worry and leave it up to God.

Thanks,

Biddy Gabi x posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan how's it goin? You said you were going to the Gastro dude today, how did that go? I am bidding you good health biddy!

Lawsom posted a note for Susan that says: Sorry, that should say 'shown their kindness from afar' not 'freak kindness' - an autocorrect moment there which I hope brings a smile!

Lawson posted a note for Susan that says: Hello Susan!

This is Lawson, Rachel's partner. This is long overdue from me given the unbelievable support, prayers and honourable mentions you've made in your own journal entries but I wanted to extend a heart-felt thank you.

You're ever so sweet for helping us through our own journey with Rachel and, as Vicki has said below, you too are in our thoughts as you make your own journey.

The messages you leave are always uplifting and make a real difference to our daily outlook which in turn helps us remain positive for Rachel.

As I've mentioned to others who have also show freak kindness from afar, it's important to know that you make a real difference to our lives and for this we are very grateful.

What the doctor may not have told you is that you have a very warm heart. This is just as important.

Best wishes,

Leslie Holtzclaw posted a note for Susan that says: Susan,

I always enjoy reading your journal. I hope your son is ok. I'm like you, I try not to worry and leave it up to God, but some times that is hard for me.

I had severe mitral valve regurgitation and had some of the symptoms you mention. I feel so much better and do not drag and feel so tired during the day. And I don't hear my heart beating or have the palpitations any more.

I know you will find the right surgeon for you. I was so blessed to find a wonderful compassionate, kind and caring surgeon who treated me like family. I looked outside of my area and went to USC. My surgeon was recommended and one of the best surgeons in California.

Leslie xxxx

Aubrey posted a note for Susan that says: Susan, do not be afraid to look a little further outside the radius if your plan will allow it. Depending upon your situation, there may be a number of different valves and procedures available that would work for you and your cardiologist should lay out the options they know of. Also, I found that the surgeons really have a single solution they lean to based on their training and experience. I visited a number of them before I made a decision. It made a significant difference in my choice to talk to more than one. If you can not, then really pin your cardiologist down for the options discussion and they should know who does what procedures around your area. Good luck and keep us posted. Please know that being and engineer, I god very technical with them and ask very detailed questions and they are not afraid of someone that wants to understand. Find you comfort level, however you need to.

Deb Ziegler posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan,
Gastro problems are what led me to my heart surgery, and what I learned is that when your heart is not working properly, it starts to affect other systems of your body. My gastro problems did clear up after my surgery ( the symptoms kind of came and went until then), so you might want to ask your gastro doc about that.

Good luck with your journey. It is a stressful one, but you will get through it.

Godspeed and good luck!

Vicki (sister of Rachel) posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan,

I just wanted to thank you for your support for Rach - I can't tell you how much it means when I keep reading journals and seeing her name pop up. Especially when you all have every excuse to be just thinking about yourselves. I hope that you do find a simple solution to the gastro issues. I also wanted to say that although Rach found the stage of the journey that you are at difficult, I think it was really good that it took a while and that she found a good surgeon. I think it made all the difference that she went into surgery in a calm and positive state of mind knowing that she was in safe hands. I hope and will be praying that you will have this feeling about one of the surgeons that you have been given the name of.

Take care of yourself

Carol Jackson posted a note for Susan that says: Susan,
Glad you got more detailed information from the cardiologist and that he gave you 2 surgeon's names. You can check them out. Everything will fall into place for you.

Jim Jones posted a note for Susan that says: Hey Susan
Great job on your weight. Well done. Glad you had an informative talk with your PCP. Good luck on your search for the right surgeon and hospital. I encourage you to talke your time and consider your options. I think it is a key decision in this process. Have a great day!

Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12 posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan, Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you. Congrats on the weight loss. That will really help you for your surgery. Keep up the good work and don't over do.Better days ahead.

Carol Jackson posted a note for Susan that says: Susan,
You are on a roll with losing weight. Way to go! (even with all the Thanksgiving goodies!) I know you will find the right place for your surgery and the right surgeon. Hang in there.

Marie Mancini posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan,I have read your post and I just want you to know I will be praying for you.I pray the Lord Jesus will touch you with His Spirit and give you strength.I pray he will guide you in the right direction and send people your way to help meet your needs.God loves you and no one can be closer to you than God. So take a walk in that spiritual garden and talk to Him and get in His Presence. You know that old song, Just A Closer Walk With Thee? Well sing it to Him. Sing it to your soul and spirit. Hum it to yourself as you go about your day and other hymns you may know. Here's a scripture for you. I hope it encourages you and all those who read this.
Psalms 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Sidney Nash posted a note for Susan that says: Susan,

There are doctors out there that literally perform thousands of these. I can't agree with Carol enough. I, too, left a reasonably good size town (Columbia SC) to go to Duke about 4 hours away to have Dr. Chad Hughes fix my bicuspid valve. He is Director of Aortic Surgery and does 6-8 of these per week. Might be worth a call as they have insurance specialists that can help you. If I can be of help, let me know.

Jim Jones posted a note for Susan that says: Hey Susan
Great post. You have done a great job losing weight. Keep it up!
Does your cardio have any recommendations for a surgeon and hospital?
I found for me that surgeon, team and hospital were what mattered in that order.
Good luck as you work through these decisions. Best.

Carol Jackson posted a note for Susan that says: Susan,
Where is your town compared to Jacksonville, FL? Have you thought about getting a 2nd opinion at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville? I had my surgery done at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN which is 3 1/2 hours from my home. Mayo is one of the top places to go for heart surgery. Call them and I think they won't take Medicare but you can some how buy their insurance. It wouldn't hurt to check and get the details about their insurance. Good luck.

For example. My surgeon at Mayo does surgery on aortic valves and aneurysms 3 days week (2 surgeries each day and the next week 2 days ( 2 surgeries each day). I could have had surgery in Des Moines, but I realized the surgeon did not do enough of my type of surgery.

Hope this helps. Let me know what you find out. I can't believe that your cardiologist is making such a big thing about losing weight!?

Marie Mancini posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan, I'm glad I found this site and finally joined. Thank you for reading my Journal and for your encouraging words.I'm sorry it was so long and forgive me for my mistakes. I wish I kept a journal all along the way and just for me to see and had my family take pictures or movies of all this from the beginning to the end. I'll be praying for you for everything to go right and a speedy recovery. Believe me God is with you even when you you can't speak or even think to call on Him. Thanks again for your encouraging words.

Gabi x posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan, The tiredness you speak of is most prob the dodgy valve putting more strain on the heart and making it work harder. I remember that feeling very well, if I attempted to do a yoga class or enjoy a swim one day I was exhausted for the next two days. I am happy to say that I don't have that fatigue now so take HEART pun intended LOL. I still have breathlessness due to AFIB but I can handle that and hope to be zapped into the normal sinus rhythm very soon. So I hope you feel encouraged that although it sucks and we didn't want this we can just do the Nike tick and just do it. Love hearing about your life and experiences. Very similar to mine we old biddies rock!

Jim Jones posted a note for Susan that says: Hey Susan
Good morning to you. So glad you have joined this merry band of intrepid travelers. You will find a great deal of caring and support here. We know we are all in this together. Thank you for your wonderful support during my hospital stay. As Lynn has told you, we are a dodgy group of people but we do care for one another. So glad you will be healed. Please ask any question you have. You will see that I did and the response was overwhelming. Have a great day!

Linda H and Elsie posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan, A lot of people I've noticed have a knee/leg problem. Just do what you can. I have arthritis in my right knee and I just try keep on going but sometimes it says no not today. When you go into rehab they will know what to do for you. After I got out of rehab I joined the YMCA and do Silver Sneakers, and Balance and Strength along with swimming arobic class for arthritis. It helps in a lot of ways. You are going to feel so much better afterwards. Good luck to you.

Barb Brooks posted a note for Susan that says: Susan,

Just do what you can to get through it. I'm sure the doctor's will say the same. I think you'll find you're stronger than you realize -:)

Jackie posted a note for Susan that says: You will just fine, get the surgery behind you.

Dan Sinclair posted a note for Susan that says: Susan,
For sure you are heading in the right direction, keep it up! We are rooting for you!

Aubrey posted a note for Susan that says: Congratulations on the weight loss. It helps you feel better after the surgery and you can keep up the process of healthy eating during the recovery, just need a few more calories and protein for the healing process. Keep up the good work.

Barb brooks posted a note for Susan that says: Susan,

You're absolutely right! It's great that this community knows, and can relate. Glad you're doing really well!

Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12 posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan, You are right. Before I had surgery, I had those same thoughts but try it with an annuersym. People kinda look at you like you might explode or something. Take care.

Carol Jackson posted a note for Susan that says: Susan,
Glad you are joining the patient community. I look forward to following your post.

Dan Sinclair posted a note for Susan that says: Hey Susan,

Your story and many others sound like carbon copies. It is nice to know that you are not the only one, at least it was for me and I am sure you feel the same.
I live on the west coast of Florida and have also been going for echo's every six months, my time is near. Scheduled for VRS on the 14th of this month. I am not going into this without a little kicking and screaming but proceeding. The best of luck to you as you proceed down the same road! We should be hearing from Jim's better half, Lise anytime now. Take Care!

Lynn Ennis posted a note for Susan that says: Welcome Susan! This sight will give so much information and peace of mind! The stories are amazing! The characters are a bit dodgy but…..

I also have a bicuspid valve…I am having my aortic valve replaced the day after tomorrow after a very long 5 month weight. I have come thru so much to get to where I am today and have the great people on this site to thank for it!
Congratulations on the weight loss- that will certainly make recovery easier. All the best,

Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12 posted a note for Susan that says: Hi Susan, Your story is a little like mine. I was told to loose weight also, that it would help in my recovery. So I lost 50 lbs. thru Weight Watchers. The fun thing was buying new clothes. My surgery was 13 months ago. Please read my journal. The worse part of all of this is the waiting. The surgery is ok the recovery is long but very doable and you will see big good results everyday. I still brag how I walk and not run out of breath. You will do fine, the doctors are all wonderful. Just get one that has done a lot of them.

If you have any questions we all are here. I will watch you and put you in my prayers. Good luck to you.

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Susan that says: Welcome Susan.

As you know there are A LOT of "zipper club" members, so you are NOT ALONE!

Be positive. These heart surgeons, this is what they do for a living, and they are good at it, so don't worry.