James Utter - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1180 days ago

Two weeks post surgery today! I could of never imagined that I would feel this good two weeks after open heart surgery. ❤️‍🩹 Don't get me wrong I still ...Read more

Two weeks post surgery today! I could of never imagined that I would feel this good two weeks after open heart surgery. ❤️‍🩹 Don't get me wrong I still have some discomfort in my chest when I turn or stretch the wrong way but I will take it! I am so grateful for my surgery team and the progress I have made so far.🙏❤️

George Gardopee Hey Jim - that’s great to hear! I too consider myself to be very fortunate for how well I felt alm ... Read more

George Gardopee Hey Jim - that’s great to hear! I too consider myself to be very fortunate for how well I felt almost immediately after surgery. Please be careful with yourself - I forgot about my sternotomy and three weeks after my repair I yanked on a stuck door. That caused more pain than I had right after surgery but luckily it didn’t seem to damage anything. It can be easy to forget when you feel so good.

Rose Madura It's amazing to think about what would have been the fate of all of us if we were born 100 years ago... Read more

Rose Madura It's amazing to think about what would have been the fate of all of us if we were born 100 years ago. So glad you are doing great!

Richard Munson We would be older than we are right now.

Adam Baumgartner Awesome

Herb Greenberg Stick with the protocol and you'll be shocked at how quickly you shift into high gear. For me, after ... Read more

Herb Greenberg Stick with the protocol and you'll be shocked at how quickly you shift into high gear. For me, after the two-week mark, the improvement was surprisingly stead and rapid. By two months I was back to my old exercise program. You get first-hand experience at seeing just how remarkable the heart and body can be when it comes to healing. Best going forward.

James Utterposted an update

1186 days ago

Patsy Stewart, Adam Baumgartner, Timothy Andre reacted to this

Hi everyone, I just wanted to give a quick update. I am finally home and resting in our own bed which by the way is amazing! They had alot of problems getting ...Read more

Hi everyone, I just wanted to give a quick update. I am finally home and resting in our own bed which by the way is amazing! They had alot of problems getting my Coumadin levels right. Besides that I was ready to come home on day 3 not day 9. I am feeling pretty good considering they just cut me in half 1 week ago.Ginny has been my angel! She has been by my side the whole ride so far and I have no doubt she will be there for anything. I am a lucky man to have her in my life.❤️ I know I still have a long recovery but at least I know I'm going the right direction. I have been thanking God everyday for giving me another chance at life.🙏❤️‍🩹 Now if I can get this ticking out of my head all will be good!

George Gardopee Excellent news! Thanks for letting us know how you are doing. Things will get better very quickly.

Deena Z Awesome, James!! The hardest part is over; welcome to recovery.

Hello James, thank you for your update. Glad Ginny has been by your side and you are grateful for her ... Read more

Hello James, thank you for your update. Glad Ginny has been by your side and you are grateful for her. One day at a time. God bless you

Kristine Schroeder Welcome home! Sounds like you have an invaluable partner. Rest easy in your own bed….must feel wond ... Read more

Kristine Schroeder Welcome home! Sounds like you have an invaluable partner. Rest easy in your own bed….must feel wonderful. Congratulations!!

Rose Madura Wonderful news. Glad you are home and all is well. It's an awesome feeling when you know God brough ... Read more

Rose Madura Wonderful news. Glad you are home and all is well. It's an awesome feeling when you know God brought you through it.

Timothy Andre Welcome home James and welcome to recovery. The comfort of your own bed is amazing. It's the little... Read more

Timothy Andre Welcome home James and welcome to recovery. The comfort of your own bed is amazing. It's the little things in life that mean the most

Richard Munson Interesting how just being home can speed your recovery. Utterly amazing. Keep it up. Better days ahe ... Read more

Richard Munson Interesting how just being home can speed your recovery. Utterly amazing. Keep it up. Better days ahead.

James Utter Thank you everyone! I appreciate all the support I have been given by complete strangers. It is so n... Read more

James Utter Thank you everyone! I appreciate all the support I have been given by complete strangers. It is so nice to have a community like this with no negativity in today's world. I feel very blessed to be a part of it.

James Utterposted an update

1191 days ago

Rose Madura, Timothy Andre reacted to this

It is such a difference one day can make! Did 15 laps, a set of stairs and went outside with my nurse Jeff. 😊 I also took a shower for the first time... Read more

It is such a difference one day can make! Did 15 laps, a set of stairs and went outside with my nurse Jeff. 😊 I also took a shower for the first time after surgery and it was amazing! I know everyone recovers at different speeds but just stay with it and listen to your doctors! I am so grateful I had my girlfriend by my side for this whole journey. She definitely made everything easier on me.I am looking forward to continuing my recovery and going home tomorrow will be a great start

Richard Munson Home is the place to be. I found showering at home to be the toughest and that includes treadmill. It ... Read more

Richard Munson Home is the place to be. I found showering at home to be the toughest and that includes treadmill. It is flat out tiring.

Susan Lynn Yes - I agree, Richard. Exhausting! I didn't find out until attending cardiac rehab that long... Read more

Susan Lynn Yes - I agree, Richard. Exhausting! I didn't find out until attending cardiac rehab that long, hot showers drop your blood pressure. James - Keep them short and warm and you will be fine.

Rose Madura Great news! Having someone by your side sure helps a lot. Listen to your body. Rest when you need d ... Read more

Rose Madura Great news! Having someone by your side sure helps a lot. Listen to your body. Rest when you need dmto and you'll feel better each and every day!

Richard Munson Although a new puppy at 80 might possibly rival a shower after ohs. Not sure if a trip to the backyar ... Read more

Richard Munson Although a new puppy at 80 might possibly rival a shower after ohs. Not sure if a trip to the backyard at 4 am raises or lowers blood pressure but it beats cleaning it up off the kitchen floor.

Marie Myers Every week will bring more stamina. Keep on going!

Deena Z welcome home, Jeff!! It's such a great feeling that it is all over and successful. Exhale; enjoy yo ... Read more

Deena Z welcome home, Jeff!! It's such a great feeling that it is all over and successful. Exhale; enjoy your favorite foods and watch how much stronger you will get each day. The first steps, as someone on HeartValveSurgery said is much like the moonwalk in the beginning. And then before you know it, you are doing better than ever.

James Utterposted an update

1191 days ago

Susan Lynn, Rose Madura, Kimberly Eisenhut and 1 other reacted to this

Just wanted to update everyone. Surgery went well. I've come a long way in the last few days. I am so grateful to be here and a part of this wonderful community! ...Read more

Just wanted to update everyone. Surgery went well. I've come a long way in the last few days. I am so grateful to be here and a part of this wonderful community!

Susan Lynn Woo-hoo! Welcome to recovery fellow Pennsylvanian and neighbor! Sounds like you're doing well. Wis... Read more

Susan Lynn Woo-hoo! Welcome to recovery fellow Pennsylvanian and neighbor! Sounds like you're doing well. Wishing you continued success and good health!

Rose Madura Wonderful to hear! Welcome to recovery. May it be uneventful.

Marie Myers Glad to hear all is well! You will notice more improvements every day. One day the surgery may seem l ... Read more

Marie Myers Glad to hear all is well! You will notice more improvements every day. One day the surgery may seem like it was in another lifetime, as it does for me.

George Gardopee Fantastic news!

Kristine Schroeder Super news.

Welcome to recovery and God bless you

Deena Z Best news, exhale…!

Timothy Andre Congrats James, welcome to recovery

James Utterposted an update

1196 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut, Klara Čičić reacted to this

My anxiety is through the roof right now. I can't wait for this all to be behind me.

Kimberly Eisenhut I will say a prayer for you today and you will be in my thoughts. Go outside, get some sun on your f... Read more

Kimberly Eisenhut I will say a prayer for you today and you will be in my thoughts. Go outside, get some sun on your face, breathe and know we are all here for you and will be here when you need us

Marie Myers Totally understand the anxiety! I was not a happy camper hearing that I needed heart surgery in 2017 ... Read more

Marie Myers Totally understand the anxiety! I was not a happy camper hearing that I needed heart surgery in 2017 following a routine echo. It takes time to accept the situation. I also found that my fears did NOT live up to the whole live experience..Prayers headed your way for peace during your wait!

Kristine Schroeder Hey James. I am 11 days behind you for my surgery. I get it! I have my faith and also have made plans ... Read more

Kristine Schroeder Hey James. I am 11 days behind you for my surgery. I get it! I have my faith and also have made plans for after surgery and a few weeks of recovery…a little weekend getaway for me and my husband and tickets to a comedy show later in the fall. Five months ago I was living without a hint of heart trouble. It’s been a process, but I am ready to get this mitral valve fixed and get on with recovery! Trust your medical team and your own strength. We can share experiences on the other side and be ready to lift up future heart valve patients. Crush it and I am praying for you!

Rose Madura Waiting is the hardest part! Try to do something relaxing. You will be in recoery soon. Godspeed! ... Read more

Rose Madura Waiting is the hardest part! Try to do something relaxing. You will be in recoery soon. Godspeed!

George Gardopee Hi James. We all get your anxiety - but you’ll do great. I think most of us have found that the fea ... Read more

George Gardopee Hi James. We all get your anxiety - but you’ll do great. I think most of us have found that the fear was more traumatic than the surgery. One of the best feelings is waking up after and knowing it’s behind you. Good luck on Wednesday.

James Utter Thank you everyone for all the positivity and prayers! It is so nice to have a group like this with ... Read more

James Utter Thank you everyone for all the positivity and prayers! It is so nice to have a group like this with so many people who been through very similar surgeries.

Upcoming Surgeries

Janet Gaffney
Aortic Stenosis
October 28, 2025

Barry Nelson
Aortic Stenosis
October 28, 2025

Donavan Colwell
Aortic Stenosis
October 29, 2025

HOME

ABOUT US

COMMUNITY

LEARNING CENTER

DOCTOR FINDER

HEART HOSPITALS

VIDEOS

ADAM'S BLOG

NEWSLETTER

STORE

CONTACT

JOIN US

SIGN IN

James's Journal

James's Journal

Upcoming Surgeries

Heart Valve Hospitals

Surgeon Spotlight