Helen Daw - Heart Valve Journal

Rose Madura Helen, congratulations on your 6 month anniversary. You are doing the right things. Enjoy life!

Susan Killian It is good to hear you are doing well, but sorry you need another surgery. Enjoy Europe. Take care of yourself!

Gina Fiorentino Helen, It is good to hear your health update. I cannot believe it has been 6 months for you. So glad to hear your doing well.

I do wish you well on your ... Read more

Rita Savelis A vacation is a good idea. Enjoy.

Susan Lynn Helen - Congratulations on your 6 month anniversary! Sorry to hear that you have another surgery coming up, but it's one that you can put behind you when it's ... Read more

Jennifer John Enjoy your trip!

Michael Cline Enjoy your va-ca….well deserved!!

Anita Edmonds Thanks for posting, good to know here in AZ with 112+ degrees.

Judy Shaw Thanks. Good to know.

Jennifer John Yes, we’ve had a similar heat wave here in southeast Michigan, nearly hitting 100 yesterday. I stayed inside today and walked from room to room, counting dust bunnies!🤗

Kathy Blank I had some issues when I tried exercising in the heat within 4-5 months post op. I had to stay on top of hydration and exercise in air conditioning. This year, ... Read more

Bobbi Alford The heat can take the starch right out of you, that's for sure! Thanks, Helen for the reminder.

Ivana Okereke Thanks for posting. I am only a week post-op and somehow I thought it was a good idea to walk through Central Park in 90+ degree weather and then around NYC ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hello Helen,
Glad to know everything is going well for you.
Have fun planning your trip.

Deb Lewis I love your perspective and honesty in allowing yourself to see the silver lining in this!

Don L Great follow up Helen, thanks for sharing.

Kathy Blank Great news Helen! I figure the surgeons need to spend more time doing life saving surgery so their staff helps follow up with the post op patients. Good luck ... Read more

Carmel Power Hi Helen. You are doing amazingly well! I’m six weeks post mitral valve surgery and I am booked to go to Italy and Spain in June. I am going even if I am ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen Wow! I would have been pretty exhausted after all that.

Bonnie Stone-Hope That is quite a day! You may feel very tired tomorrow. My experience is that if I had pushed myself one day, the next day I had to do much less. Of course, ... Read more

Sonia M Walking is great, however when in comes to house work or shopping be careful you don’t pick up anything too heavy specially this soon after your surgery. All the best.

Susan Killian Just listen to your body, no sense in hurrying through it!

Rita Savelis Naps are good.

Michael Neverisky The cold temperatures take more out of us. And, yeah, naps rock.

Kathy Blank I remember one day I slept for 8 hours during the day and woke up to eat and slept a full night sleep. I agree with everyone- your body will tell you what is too much! You are doing great Helen!

Nancy Surprenant Takahashi Thank you Helen, I'm due in April and wonder if I will have the courage to show up. I would think that as you get stronger and stronger you will not cry. ... Read more

Barbara Wood That sounds like excellent progress! I didn't have the crying jags, but many people have mentioned them. Best wishes for the rest of your recovery!

Michael Neverisky Wonderful progress Helen! Hm, I just took a 20 minute walk and didn't think to measure distance. As instructed, I've been increasing the time every other day. ... Read more

Lise Bowles Helen,
Don’t forget, your body has been through a shock and most of us feel a good deal of anxiety and fear before, during, and after the surgery. Depression ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope Great progress, Helen. So happy for you. Some days will be better than others, as you recover. Just take it one day at a time. It will be fine.

Susan Killian So glad to hear you are able to walk so far already. I to have read depression is normal after cardiac surgery. Hope it will pass soon.

Kathy Blank You GO girl! Keep it up!!!

Mark Wilbur You sound very positive and upbeat! Have your 23 year old read the comments on this website and maybe that will help him understand that many people have successfully ... Read more

Helen, My 27 year old son was more anxious than I was. I believe that his anxiousness helped me remain somewhat stronger and able to get through it. We laugh ... Read more

Fatema Yaqubi Hellen, we will have the surgery on the same day, good luck to us I’m sure we can do this🙂

Helen Daw Fatema, I know. I will try to update my journal when I can, please try to do the same. And I'll keep you in my prayers and I ask that to please do the same for me. Good luck!!

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hello Helen,
I also found it very strange to be told OHS was necessary when feeling so well. Life is full of surprises. Looking forward to reading your posts ... Read more

Susan Killian Thank you for your comments on my story. I will keep you in my prayers and will be thinking of you at my appointment tomorrow!

Marie Myers Helen- That is exactly how I felt. Never in my life did I think I would have open heart surgery!! But you WILL get through this. All the best to you in your journey!

Patrick Loy Hi Helen - had the tears my self - when myself and my wife ruth came out of the cardiologist office first time - it was tears all the way - You will be doing ... Read more

Michael Neverisky Snowing here in New Hampshire, Helen. My surgery tomorrow came as a shock to me too, but Patrick has the key. Stay present, acknowledge those thoughts then let them go.

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hello Helen,
Yes, open heart surgery was not on my "bucket list" either but you will be able to deal with this, and be very proud of yourself afterwards.
Best ... Read more

Kathy Blank Helen- exactly one year ago was my night before surgery. In the 6 months since I was told surgery was inevitable- it took me 2-3 months to take a proactive ... Read more

HOME

COMMUNITY

LEARNING CENTER

SURGEON FINDER

HEART HOSPITALS

VIDEOS

ADAM'S BLOG

ADAM'S BOOK

INCISION SHIELD

ABOUT US

AWARDS

CONTACT

JOIN US

SIGN IN

Helen's Journal

Helen's Journal

New Patient Posts

The Patient's Guide

Heart Hospital Map