Kevin Woodard posted a note for Tom that says:
Good luck Tom all will go well and you will be on the road to recovery soon!
On December 27, 2013...
Peter Willard posted a note for Tom that says:
Tom do you know what kind of valve did John Fox get? I had a bovine valve put in Feb 2010
Pete
Tom Bender Not sure what John Fox got. I got a bovine valve (my surgeon likes them better than the pig valve). ... Read more
Tom Bender Not sure what John Fox got. I got a bovine valve (my surgeon likes them better than the pig valve). The surgeon made a new aorta to make it the closest to what it should be in size and shape.
Tom
On December 27, 2013...
Marcia posted a note for Tom that says:
Good luck Tom you will do great.My prayers are with you and your family today.
On December 27, 2013...
Susan Smith, a prayer warrior posted a note for Tom that says:
Sending up the prayers. God is with you and the surgical team.
On December 26, 2013...
Susan Smith posted a note for Tom that says:
Tom, you are in my prayers for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery. God uses the doctors and medical team to do his work. You will be fine.
On December 26, 2013...
Bill Bean posted a note for Tom that says:
You're in my thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Tom Bender Thanks Bill.
To anyone reading guest comments, Bill is one of my good friends and coworker and lives ... Read more
Tom Bender Thanks Bill.
To anyone reading guest comments, Bill is one of my good friends and coworker and lives relatively close to me. We met early in my career. He has a college friend that had a valve replacement eons ago.
Tom
On December 26, 2013...
Jim Jones posted a note for Tom that says:
Tom
I can tell you are ready. Stay calm and focus on your faith, loved ones and friends now. I think you are going to do really well. Will be thinking of you. Best.
Tom Bender Jim,
Thanks. Feeling good right now. Hope I mentally stay that way until they give me the good stuf ... Read more
Tom Bender Jim,
Thanks. Feeling good right now. Hope I mentally stay that way until they give me the good stuff for surgery.
Tom
On December 26, 2013...
Ashley and Evan Johnson posted a note for Tom that says:
Hoping you have a successful operation and app edgy recovery, Uncle Tom!
Tom Bender Ashley and Evan,
Thanks. I know that God and his staff and we have our share on his staff in heaven, ... Read more
Tom Bender Ashley and Evan,
Thanks. I know that God and his staff and we have our share on his staff in heaven, will get me through the surgery and recovery. Looking forward to seeing your Italy trip slide show. I've got the b.a. recliner and tv ready. Now for a little surgery and mending. Note: I miss HIS staff, especially DeAnna (My second best friend on this earth). I especially miss her calling me Thomasville and her hugs. She made me a hugger. But how could you not hug her. My second Dee from church helped create our army of huggers. Their tie to me is just another one of Gods works.
Talk to you soon. See you soon.
Uncle Tom
On December 25, 2013...
Carolyn Stone AVR, PFO Closure 9/25/2013 posted a note for Tom that says:
Tom,
I haven't tried the walking trail at the new site. I have however had a personal plan set up with the trainer at the new gym. It was very helpful. I need to go back and see if I met my goals. As far as sleeping the night before I read a good book. I was still a little restless after I closed my eyes so I did some meditation. That's about all I really needed.
My Thoughts and prayers are with you,
On December 25, 2013...
Jim Jones posted a note for Tom that says:
Tom
I hear you re: dodging sickness during the run up to surgery. We all did it. It was one of our biggest worries-will illness move our date? Keep dodging my friend.
Re: your middle daughter can you FaceTime or Skype? That is a fun experience also in this situation.
You hit on another worry we all have-will I make it? I believe you'll do fine and accomplish your goal of a long life with this issue solved. This has become a safer and safer procedure.
The funny part that I found is that my pre-surgery worries(none of which happened) after surgery were immediately replaced with post surgery and recovery worries (none of which have happened!)
Enjoy the day, Tom, and enjoy Christmas in the Park. You folks in KC are known for barbecue? You could have some for me-I love BBQ!
Tom Bender Jim,
We did not make it to see the lights. But hat's OK. Instead we watched the first Star Trek mo ... Read more
Tom Bender Jim,
We did not make it to see the lights. But hat's OK. Instead we watched the first Star Trek movie? We had our family traditional BBQ at my mother in-laws on Christmas Eve. And the Vicki made a turkey with all the fixin's today. Listening to the last night of holiday music on the radio as I type.
1 more day.
What did you do the night before to keep from freaking out? Or to help sleep?
Thanks for the support. As fast as time since I picked a surgery date has gone, the worst will be behind me before I know it, I hope. Time just goes by too fast!
Tom
On December 24, 2013...
Jim Jones posted a note for Tom that says:
Tom
You are getting close. So glad the pre op day went well. This week will go quickly for you.
I hope your family and you have a wonderful Christmas. All the best.
Tom Bender Thanks for the support. You have a nice journal. There are so many here to read. Two days from now ... Read more
Tom Bender Thanks for the support. You have a nice journal. There are so many here to read. Two days from now I will be in the hands of the surgeon and his team with the good Lord watching over me (and the surgery team I hope). Tonight I think we might take the drive thru Christmas in the Park. It is a campground all decked out for the holidays. That and the Plaza lights are KC's holiday highlights (maybe you have heard of them or you can check it out on the Internet).
Hoping to physically see our middle child and our grand daughter before surgery, but they just had the flu this past weekend, so I'm very apprehensive about that. In a strange twist they spent Christmas at home, just the 3 of them, since they had been sick and his relatives had some type of cold. I've come to mental terms with not seeing them before surgery, but that little thought of "this could be the last time to see them" is dangling in the background. I really want to be around to see our little angel grow up, this surgery is a roadbump AND the ticket to that journey. Turns out that several of Vicki's relatives had variety of colds, so I spent most of last evening in the far corner.
Tom
On December 24, 2013...
Marcia posted a note for Tom that says:
Merry Christmas Tom and good luck on the 27rd will keep you in my prayers and hoping for a speedy recovery..
Tom Bender Marcia,
Hope you and your family are having a Merry Christmas. I had a nice evening with Vicki's sid ... Read more
Tom Bender Marcia,
Hope you and your family are having a Merry Christmas. I had a nice evening with Vicki's side of the family. It's just 2 days to my huge Christmas present. Have a Happy New Year. I won't be partying much next Tuesday nite. But like you I am looking forward to a happy and healthy new year.
Tom
On December 22, 2013...
Carolyn Stone AVR Sept 25, 2012 posted a note for Tom that says:
Hey Tom,
I'm so glad you signed up! I'm happy that you're enjoying HVJ. It's great to see such a positive attitude towards your surgery. You're almost there. One of the hardest parts of heart valve replacement is the waiting. You'll be recovering and healing before you know it.
P.S. Thanks for the shout out.
Tom Bender Carolyn,
Thanks for giving me the details and the link. Only 3 days of my favorite music season. On ... Read more
Tom Bender Carolyn,
Thanks for giving me the details and the link. Only 3 days of my favorite music season. Only 4 days at home before the big event. I've received comments and inspiration from several already-and several from our area. Truly a small world. Have a good break. Have you been at the new place to use the walking path? Just curious.
Tom
On December 22, 2013...
Carol Jackson posted a note for Tom that says:
Welcome Tom. You can take a look at my journal. I also had a bicuspid aortic valve which was diagnosed when I was 3. I was diagnosed with ascending aortic aneurysm 5 years ago. My surgery was Oct. 8 at Mayo in Rochester, MN where surgeon fixed my aneurysm and was able to save my aortic valve for hopefully another 15/20 years. I could not have survived waiting the last 5 years, then preparing for surgery ,then post surgery without this website. Welcome to the community. You will find a lot of peace by writing and reading.
On December 22, 2013...
Marci Stanwix posted a note for Tom that says:
Hi Tom, Welcome aboard. I had my AVR on December 10th at KU Med. Where are you having yours done? I really liked my surgeon and the staff was fantastic. I assume you are there or St Lukes? At 21 days out I feel pretty good, just a slow moving train. Let me know if you have questions about KU Med. Good Luck
Tom Bender Marci,
My surgery is at Research Hospital. Dr Seligson. My wife and I were really impressed by him a ... Read more
Tom Bender Marci,
My surgery is at Research Hospital. Dr Seligson. My wife and I were really impressed by him at mu consult on Nov 20th. My cardiologist, Dr Hockstad, says Dr Seligson is the best guy to have especially since I need the aorta root, transition area (the trickiest part) and the aorta valve all replaced.
Scary, and nervous, but not scared - yet!
Seems like several hospitals in the KC area do this heart surgery.
How long we're you at KU? I'm guessing you are from the KC area.
Looking forwarc
Tom Bender Looking forward to journaling. Thinking it will help pass the time, especially when I'm cooped up at ... Read more
Tom Bender Looking forward to journaling. Thinking it will help pass the time, especially when I'm cooped up at home for the first few week.
FYI - I hit the submit button instead of the correction highlight.
Tom
On December 22, 2013...
Ernie A.S. posted a note for Tom that says:
Welcome to the website. You're going to do great. Take it slow to heal quickly. Positive attitude brings positive results.
Good luck.
On December 22, 2013...
Susan Smith, pre-op avb and waiting posted a note for Tom that says:
Welcome Tom to the community. When is your surgery set up for? Sounds like you are ready and enjoying the Christmas songs except for the icy weather. I am grateful to be living in Fla. Do keep us posted on your progress. God bless you and your family.
Tom Bender Dec 27th at 8am
Thanks for inquiring and commenting.
God bless you and your family, especially with y ... Read more
Tom Bender Dec 27th at 8am
Thanks for inquiring and commenting.
God bless you and your family, especially with your surgery and recovery.