On June 24, 2011...
William,

My email address and a kiss for you.

Annette
On June 24, 2011...
Hi Bill (William)

Sending you a prayer all the way from the sunny Virgin Islands. Wishing you well with the surgery and I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Take good care Bill.

Love You! Annette
On June 23, 2011...
that last post was from

Kent Kersey, Salem, OR
On June 23, 2011...
You'll do great Bill. I'm right behind you (next Thursday)
On June 23, 2011...
Dear Bill,
I just said a big prayer for you & your day tomorrow. May you be able to get some sleep tonight..
Looking forward to reading (and giving a sigh of relief) that you're out of surgery ok.

Sheila Garrison
On June 23, 2011...
How you doing, buddy? Just try to relax and rest. All the stats, numbers and odds are on your side, BIG TIME!!

Looking forward to reading that you are out of surgery tomorrow.

You're in my prayers, you're going to do great.

Matt Fountain
William Keefer  Hi Matt,

I'm doing well here, just getting things down before morning. Then hit the bed. I can not w ... Read more
On June 22, 2011...
Hey Bill, you're going to do great. Can't wait to read your recovery posts.

Praying for you my friend.

All the best,
Matt Fountain
On June 22, 2011...
Hi Bill!! You don't know me, but my name is Annie and I work with your sister, Leeann. She is a very special lady and I love her dearly. You and your doctors will be at the top of my prayer list for a very successful sugery, and a quick recovery. God speed!
On June 22, 2011...
Hi Bill,
You don't know me, I am a friend of Vicky's. She has told me so much about you that I sometimes feel like I know you.
I just wanted to say that I am praying daily that everything goes good with everything you are going thru. Will have even more prayers going on Friday. It sounds like you have some great doctors and awesome friends.....I'm sure it will all go just fine.
Hugs & Smiles, Janie
On June 22, 2011...
Hi Bill,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and for a calm mind these next few days. Please keep us informed as you have lots of friends on this site who really care.

Ok, now....breatheeeee :-)

Sheila Garrison
Apple Valley, CA
On June 22, 2011...
Bill,

Your friend Matt has some good advice for you and so does Pam. Relaxation and visualization are great ways to remove yourself from the stress and tension. Let us know how the appointment goes today.

XOXO Vicky
On June 21, 2011...
Praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery
On June 21, 2011...
Looking forward to having a great day with you tomorrow honey. All is going to be ok since I know that you are having butterflies. I will be there right beside you so no worries ok! 143-Me
On June 21, 2011...
Hi Bill. Your Doctor should be able to prescribe something to help you sleep. You might want to ask him/her if you're having trouble sleeping.

Take care,
Matt Fountain
On June 21, 2011...
Bill, just got on line after having company and relatives over the past month. I had no idea you were going through this. Charlie and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayer. Always remember that a positive attitude is the best medicine and take care of yourself. Kathy
On June 21, 2011...
Hi Bill. The hardest part for me was leading up to surgery. The day I checked into the hospital (day before my surgery) I felt somewhat relieved; I had made my decision, had a good surgeon and was ready to put it behind me. The surgery was a piece of cake for my surgeon, as I am sure it will be for you as well.

I am excited for you to get it done and put it behind you.

You're going to do great. I can't wait to read your recovery posts.

You're in my prayers.

All the best,
Matt Fountain
William Keefer  Hi Matt,

This is mostly likely why I'm not sleeping at night, from the waiting part. Take Care Bill ... Read more
On June 21, 2011...
Bill,

Hang in there buddy. I'm sure friday gives you mixed emotions. You will do fine. Even though I will be out of town, I will be following your journal. You are in my prayers.

Keep On Tickin
Jeff R
On June 21, 2011...
Bill, I'll be praying for you. It is true when they say thy the worrying is the worst part. I look forward to reading your journal during your recovery. God bless. Jon Farmer
On June 18, 2011...

Bill,
While I was speaking with a fellow psychologist about my anxiety concerning my diagnosis and surgery, she recommended a really great book to thay really helped her through a challenging surgery.
The book title is Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster, by Peggy Huddleston. There are accompanying relaxation tapes that have anchored me every day and especially as I drift towards thinking the worst which is so counter-productive but ever so human.

My daughter placed the relaxation tapes on my i-Touch and I was able to listen to them during my CATH. I will listen to the tape while I am in the "holding room" at NYPH next week and while in recovery. I know that I will be in pain but the tapes really help me to view surgery and recovery in a very different light.

Peggy Huddleston is a doctor of divinity and social work from Harvard U and she cites a great deal of research that is surffacing about the impact of relaxation techniques and meditation on the healing process.

Like this website that Adam Pick created, this book is another very useful support for those of us dealing with a very difficult situation.
I know/hope we will all have great success in our surgery and recovery but we need a little help in this process.
Pamela
PS
You can google the book title and order the book and CD online.
On June 17, 2011...
Hi Bill,
Just wanted you to know that I will have AVR on June 24th as well. Your notes seem written with a very calm sense about them.

I will be thinking of you on 6/24 and I know you will be fine and I hope we have a very successful recovery.

Pamela
On June 17, 2011...
William
Best of luck to you. I'm trying to prepare as well. I will be having surgery in September. If the waiting is the hardest part, I sure have a healthy dose of it. Good thing as I still have my wisdom teeth and heart cath to get through. Best of luck to you and a speedy recovery. Will keep you and your family in my prayers
Jim Davis
William Keefer  Hi Jim, I know what you mean the waiting has been the hard part. I was surprised by the surgeon want ... Read more
On June 17, 2011...
I know there are alot of things racing through your mind my friend. My pre-op testing is monday morning, but my surgery isnt until the 30th.

When all of your emotions and concerns start to build up remember this; your doctors found your condition in time! Without this surgery you would not be here. Some of the best professionals in the world are there to save you in the nick of time.

It's a beautiful life and yours just got extended my friend :)

Keep On Tickin!
Jeff R
On June 16, 2011...
Bill,
My prayers and thoughts are with you. The surgery will go fine and I'll talk to you later. Take it easy.

Debbie L.
On June 16, 2011...
Hey Bill,

I'm glad to hear your surgery is scheduled for the 24th. You'll be bionic. Very cool. I know you'll come through all this with flying colors. Rest and relax. Can't wait to see you in shorts sitting in that Lazy Boy.

XOXO Vicky
On June 15, 2011...
To my Brother Bill-
I know that we have recently reconnected but I never stopped thinking about you. I now wish that we wouldn't have let such petty little things come between us. I think our future should be a little brighter:) I think we can agree to disagree on certain issues and hopefully not let them come between us ever again. We don't know how much time we have left on this planet but I don't want to waste another year on crap! I know that you will come out on top and beat this. You're getting new parts as you have given so much of your old one's that's what I believe:) and when you get your new part's then your big heart can keep on giving:) Always carry my love with you in your heart as I will do the same and will always think about you and do think about you always even though I haven't seen you in forever. Please listen to what the pro's have to say and follow order's put your stubborn way's to the side so that we may have you on this earth for another 50 years! I love you very much and my thoughts and prayer's are with you. Your sister Leeann
On June 15, 2011...
Bill,

June 24th will be a good day.

Looking forward to your post-op update.

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick
On June 15, 2011...
OMG, I just saw the post about the Hawaiian shorts and the recliner. I need pictures.

Love You, Vicky.
On June 15, 2011...
Hi Bill,

Good to hear you came through the procedure today. Let's hope you can get that valve replaced soon.

Love, Vicky
On June 15, 2011...
God Bless you,Bill.

I am a future open heart surgery person.

Prayers will be with you!
On June 15, 2011...
Bill,
I just read your latest post in your journal. I am glad you did well at your cath.

It looks like we will be getting our valve replacement surgery around the same time. Mine is thursday, June 30th.

Hang in there and Keep On Tickin!
Jeff R
On June 15, 2011...
Bill,

I hope all goes well with your cath today. Mine went well and fortunately I didn't need a stint or angioplasti. You will do fine.

Take Care,
Jeff R
On June 15, 2011...
Hi Bill. I read your journal today. Good luck with your catheter today.

Wishing you the best.

Matt Fountain
On June 15, 2011...
Hey Billy,

Tell Bryan thank you for taking care of you. You're going to be an expert on the heart like I am on kidneys. Thinking of you today and everyday.

XOXO Vicky
On June 15, 2011...
Hey Bill,

Sorry to hear you have to go for heart surgery. I'll be thinking about you all the time and sending best wishes and thoughts across the Pacific.

Luv ya

Eileen
On June 14, 2011...
What a great idea so everyone can be beside you all the way and keep up on your progress.
Can see you have many prayers going up for you and many caring friends and family. Please know we care also Love you
Aunt D
On June 14, 2011...
Hi Hon just wanted to let you know I'm here and don't worry about a thing just take care of yourself and leave the pampering to us for a change. Love Ya!!! :)

Mo
On June 14, 2011...
Thanks for sharing your Journal with us Tin Man. We love you and will miss you while you are out of the office. I'll try not to drink all the Dillano's :-)
G
On June 14, 2011...
Honey, you will be fine. We will all be there with you and you do not have to worry about a thing other than getting better. The other worries are for us to take care of for you. I will be there when you wake tomorrow. (No, it won't be a nightmare your having and I wont be the ceiling fan!!) I love you!
On June 14, 2011...
William,

I know there are a lot of changes going on for you. Be thankful they found your condition when they did! You will be fine my friend, just trust your doctors and stay positive.

Jeff R