The best thing I brought to the hospital to help was a neck role that is made of terrycloth and filled with oats on the inside. You put it in the microwave to warm it up. It was the greatest thing I used stomach on my neck on my side anywhere that hurt the nurses were really accommodating with warming it up ! If you don't have one get one
Mine was from bed Bath and beyond

Can't wait to get up tomorrow and take a shower and wash my hair! Lots of ups and downs and feeling So grateful! I was so afraid of having a second stroke so I am thrilled that I went well.i can tell it is going to be long recovery . Unfortunately lots of issues with my stomach, no appetite, nausea SNES etc. I think it's from the pain meds and iron pills. I'm really trying to reduce payments and just take Tylenol. My new best friend is buying beautiful recliner chair that my husband bought me.
Any recovery tip so welcome. Thank you for brothers and sisters for your support❤️I truly could not have done it without you! ❤️

Post - op surgery Day 4!

Hello everyone, my name is Greg and I am Jeanette's brother. She asked me to give an update when her surgery was completed. Her doctor said everything went smoothly, they completed the valve replacement and triple bypass. She is currently in the ICU and we are told she will be off the respirator in about 2 hours.
Thanks to all of you for your support for my sister

As I am settling in and getting ready for tomorrow , I want to take a moment to thank all of you. Love to you my heart brothers and sisters who have helped me so much during my suffering, anxiety and brought me peace on many days when things were really hard. Your prayers and support have meant so much to me. I can't wait to tell you my story on the other side . May God continue to bless all of you on your healing journey 💞

"COMING TO KNOW GOD THROUGH MY SUFFERING"

As an eight-year-old girl, I vividly remember going on a spiritual retreat. I can still bring myself back to the joy that I felt in my heart as I came to know the Light of Jesus alive inside myself. From that moment on, I had a hunger to be more like God and live a humanitarian and spiritual life. As I grew older, I began to face many of life's challenges and had a hard time dealing with human suffering. Confusion, anger and disbelief became new feelings to me.

I had cancer when I was 35 years old, and was a single mother needing to go on welfare to survive. I remember praying to God the day of my diagnosis and asking Him, "How could You possibly add this to my plate Lord,due to my current circumstances." I knew I must draw closer to Him instead of questioning His plan for me as hard as that seemed. That is when the Lord became a waterfall in my life. He would speak to me through others. I began to learn that if my heart was open and I would see Him in everyone and everything , He would reveal himself to me. Divine serendipitous moments came to me often. While I was undergoing extensive radiation treatment, I remember feeling moments of peace. I would lie in my bed in the afternoon resting and literally feel a beam of light directly coming to my body. I suffered, but nowhere to the extent of what the doctors were expecting. I knew it was all the people that were praying for me as well as the Lord carrying me.

Three years ago I had a stroke. It was related to the cancer radiation treatment which damaged my heart. I was working as a Bereavement Counselor for Hospice at the time, doing the most meaningful and fulfilling work than I ever have done in my life. My heart was so full and complete. I was halted and brought to my knees at the time of my stroke. I couldn't speak, I couldn't write, I couldn't read . Today I am 85% improved and no one would even recognize that I suffered a stroke. I know that my God saved me. The only words that I could speak at the time of my stroke were "Oh my God". During my healing journey I became closer and closer to God. I feel his spirit alive within me. I feel that I am a vessel to help others heal . As I share my testimony, counsel and empathize with other survivors I feel very blessed to have had these experiences. My soul is well and satiated.

I'm now getting ready to have open heart surgery on Monday for a valve replacement and double bypass. Again caused from the radiation treatment. I visualize every day the Lord with his hands touching my surgeons hands and guiding the procedure. I am scared, and I know the Lord has a plan for me and is watching over me. With each obstacle I become richer and live a more meaningful life. There is Joy in my heart is and my light shining from my spirit! I have a servants heart and I pray that the Lord will help heal me and continue to bless me so I may continue to touch others. My mantra is that in every crisis there is an opportunity. In My crises the opportunity has been personal growth, the ability to live in the present moment and help others grow and heal emotionally . I have been truly blessed!

If this munchkin can do it, so can I! This beautiful little girl had open heart surgery less than 24 hours before this photo was taken. When asked why she was up so quickly, she replied her Hello Kitty slippers make everything better.😥❤️

Miracles can come to us and through us in many ways and in many forms. A message , a moment , a touch , an exchange, a healing. I choose it to be my miracle when I believe and receive .
Feeling hopeful today as surgery is drawing near! 💕

Today my heart ❤️ is really OPEN,
as I get ready for OPEN HEART ❤️SURGERY. It makes me think about what it really means to me to OPEN MY HEART.
For me, to open my heart is to be listening to God - ready to hear His teachings. Opening the eyes of my heart, so I can see God in everyone and everything. Learning to see something a different way from how I've seen it before. An open heart receives with joy, love , and gratitude that is offered to it. To me, it means to have the ability to love and accept another for who they truly are ! ❤️❤️❤️

Although my surgical date isn't scheduled, I'm meeting with my surgeon tomorrow and really believe it's going to be within the next week , according to what the cardiologist has shared with me So today, I really started to get myself organized. I have my list with all the things I want to bring to the hospital . I'm very girly so my cute boxer shorts, toiletries in addition to my spiritual things mean a lot to me. I am meticulous with my house so I wanted to get all the laundry put away, cook some soup, and then make it very easy and comfortable transition back home. I thought I would do something cute for my husband so I took a bunch of my business cards, wrote loving messages on them, and placed them in a bunch of his shoes. I am in a good place, cooked some soup, and got some heathy favorites in the house. Eating really clean, playing my worship music, and thanking God for all the wonderful things that are to come. Heading to a beautiful shrine near my home today with my mom to light some candles and pray . God bless you brothers and sisters have a wonderful day 💞

Has anyone had a lot of arm pain from their Cardiac Cath? It's astonishing to me how much it hurts. Forgive me to everyone who is recovering from surgery because this is no comparison I understand ,but I just think it's odd.My doctor said there's a lot of internal bruising and maybe he hit a nerve. Would love to have some feedback my brothers and sisters!❤️

Did you ever feel like you were ready? You know when it's time? So here I am thinking of going to the Cleveland clinic and starting with another surgeon , yet I've been feeling a few symptoms and changes. It is time..,I need to get my date on the calendar ASAP. My surgeon here in Florida is coming back from vacation in a week and I think when we meet we should pick our date . I've been doing this process since last December and I really feel like I have declined , ( more tired, fluttering in my chest) so I wouldn't call myself a symptomatic anymore . Maybe now that I know I have two issues going on I'm driving myself a little crazy too! Happy Father's Day! I wish you all well! ❤️

So after getting this news yesterday that I need bypass and valve surgery at the same time this definitely makes me more concerned. It complicates things on many levels . Since I've been on this blog I just keep hearing about Dr. Svennson at the Cleveland Clinic . Sounds like he's number one in the country. I'd love to get some feedback from anyone who traveled to Cleveland and used him. Any input would be greatly appreciated!❤️

As you all have known, I was feeling nervous about my catherization procedure that I was having today . I read so many of your stories and many walk away feeling excited that things are clear, but my results turned out differently. Turns out I will be needing a triple bypass in conjunction with my AVR surgery. This in fact leaves no surgical option and I must have a full sternotomy. I did not cry when I got the news and continue have to have faith that I have a lot more work to do on this planet !!! It was a good experience to get comfortable at the hospital . It was a little bit of a trial run of what it will be like the day of surgery. So as the day is coming to a close , I feel grateful for my doctors, for my family and friends, and for all of you my heart brothers and sisters !❤️

Having my heart Cath on Thursday. It's starting to get real. Feeling my anticipation getting greater and greater. It's anxiety , impatience and anticipation. I just want to get it done and move on to the next stage of life. Feeling a little concerned about the recovery process I just feel like I completed my stroke recovery and now having another . I'm also feeling more tired - probably a combination of stress and a more incompetent valve. I really appreciate your prayers and support!❤️

Hello my heart brothers and sisters ~
I was wondering if anyone has had radiation treatment to the chest, like I had. Having lots of studies this week so the surgeons can decipher the best way to go about my surgery. They might have to do something less invasive, which is a good thing and a bad thing . Has anyone had a similar experience? ❤️

" A Divine Intervention"

It was a teary day. I was coming to a level of acceptance. We went to Benihana to celebrate SHELLY's 75th birthday. We sat at a table and a couple came to join us. We struck up a conversation and learned that the gentleman sitting beside me was a person who had an aortic valve replacement surgery 13 years ago. Oh my, God is good! The Lord literally placed this man beside me to comfort me, support me, and tell me his story. I can't even explain to you the emotion that I felt during dinner. I seemed to be reminded in many ways, that I will be okay, and life will go on! I feel truly blessed today! He is surely my heart brother. 😥😘

Spending a week vacation with my husband, in one of my favorite places at our timeshare on the beach. After Reading some of the posts I decided I better be pretty cautious. Definitely feel so much more tired after being out in the heat. So it's going to be on under the umbrella, lots of fluids, and only on the beach when it's really breezy for short amount time. I am asymptomatic today and want to keep it that way until my surgery in about two months . I have to say does get scary though, staying in that hyper alert mode . Good wishes , my heart brothers and sisters and take good care ! ❤️

"Starfish"

I love Starfish!!!The starfish has the ability to re-grow their bits and pieces, which is symbolic of healing and renewal. We can regenerate our attitudes, our beliefs, our mind-sets the same. We can grow knew limbs of thought . We can grow new limbs of thought that take us to higher levels of experience. We can lop off parts of our belief systems that no longer serve us. We can replace these phantom limbs with higher-minded ideals.

Seeing healing and all positive blessings today. Trying to put into practice , my training as a mental health counselor! It's so much harder to help yourself than it is others! 💕

May you allow fear to soften and melt away.
May you release all regrets and resentments.
May you see the world with wonder.
May you imagine only good things.
May hope lie within you.
May peace wash over you.
May your heart open.( no pun intended 😉)
Make joy emerge.💕

Very positive feelings today. I feel very much like myself again, feeling like I can do this. Sang My heart out in my car today. Released a lot of positive feelings! Gaining a sense of control with diet, exercise, and taking blood pressure. Embracing these days of peace and joy for now! Feeling STRONG!!💕

Went to Holy Cross Hospital today ,where I will be having my surgery , to meet a new medical cardiologist. I wanted to establish a relationship with him prior to surgery since he will be following me in the hospital. Scheduled the cardiac Cath ,CT scans for June 18 Th! Based on the studies they'll be able to decide The best route to repair my valve. Feels good to begin to get the ball rolling setting up some dates. Feeling absolutely drained and exhausted tonight !❤️

Today when I thought about the surgery ,I thought about that part of my being that is just a "body". That's the part of me that doesn't matter as much as my "soul." As long as I am well with my soul , that is all that matters. I'm going to work on detaching myself from the physical aspect and fear of pain and suffering and stay in a peaceful spiritual realm. Today I can accept that I am having surgery. 💕

Goals After Surgery🚴🎨📝✈️
🌸Get Really Fit!
🌸Strength Training Class
🌸Belly Dancing Class
🌸Bike riding up to 10 miles
🌸 Cruise- NY/ CANADA
🌸Family Cruise to Alaska
🌸 Trip back home where I grew up to Long Island
🌸Develop Psychotherapy Practice for people recovering from medical conditions
🌸Continue Counseling Stroke Survivors and their spouses
🌸 Condo in Texas to visit the kids often
🌸Art Class
🌸Make tons of meaningful memories with my family

As a bereavement counselor with hospice, I always loved work by Elizabeth. I hope this resonates with you !💕

"Our Deficits Make Us Stronger"

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."
Elisabeth Kubler- Ross

My thoughts really get the best to me at night. Can't sleep some nights, wake up at 2 AM. So all the anticipatory anxiety. I see myself in preop, during surgery, post surgery . Livin my thoughts really get the best to me at night. Can't sleep some nights, wake up at 2 AM. So all the anticipatory anxiety. I see myself in preop, during surgery, post surgery It comes to me in my dreams... That's when the fear creeps in ...yikes! 😍

So I've been battling these 20 pounds ,which is so hard to get off! So I made a decision to finally get real tight with my diet and get there. As you all know , I can't exercise the way I like to,but at least doing my 1 mile walk for some heart health helps and gets my blood flowing! The doctors have shared that its if I drop the weight it Will only help
me post surgery on many levels. So working today on acceptance, staying strong, and living life to the fullest. Many blessings my heart brothers and sisters !💕

Riding the roller coaster most days. I feel pretty good so I try to trick myself and say " well I don't have to have surgery . I can go on like this ."However, I know it is inevitable. Going to have an angiogram the latter part of the month which will give more info. Feeling TERRIFIED! I am a fighter, A stroke and cancer survivor , but just scared about post surgery complications. I had one stroke already and I am doing so great! Don't want another! Blessing to you all my heart brothers and sisters!💕

"HYPOCHONDRIAC"

As every cancer survivor knows ,once you have cancer in the back of your mind you always fear that you will get it again. So it becomes challenging to live with any little ache and pain because you're mind goes to the space of asking yourself the question , "Do I have cancer again?"

I think with my situation it is even more complicated and so hard for me to settle in with, because it's multilayered. So I have those cancer "bites"
that I get , and now I get stroke "bites" too!
With each funny pain I get in my head ,or heart or dizziness , or feeling off balance ; which are symptoms that I live with on a daily basis, subconsciously that fear comes and "bites" me. It usually gets me right in my gut. So daily, I have intermittent moments of blocking those fears coming into my mind.

Now , it's even that much more complicated with this heart condition because now I get heart "bites" , too. I check my blood pressure because if my heart is beating too fast, it concerns me ,or if I get a fluttering in my chest, it concerns me . Again, if I get dizzy or feel really fatigued , it concerns me.

So the doctors and all my friends say ....just have fun go about your life ...live normally. I don't think I'll ever be able to live "normally"again. My body has failed me in so many ways that I don't trust HER anymore. I try to treat HER with compassion and a lot of times I tell her to be quiet , but it's an ongoing challenge. I sometimes feel like I am just a become a full-blown hypochondriac!!!!!
I am not going to present to the world something that should be pitied. There are private moments that are very difficult , but as always I will forward on with optimism and courage!💕

So I finally selected a surgeon! I also learned that he's recommending a mechanical valve. I have lots of questions and concerns and was hoping to connect with someone else who has a mechanical valve!