john roland - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Update posted on...

March 24, 2021

I can't believe it has been a year since I got my new aortic valve and aneurism repaired. Man time sure flies. Thanks to the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Roselli, and all the staff. For those of you waiting I can honestly tell you the waiting is the worst part. After the first week it is an incredible journey to full recovery. My wife took care of me the whole time and within 12 weeks I was completely healed. Thanks also to Adam and all of you guys and girls for all your insight. Life is short so play hard and enjoy all your journeys. Be safe, be well, and talk soon.

Like | Rose Madura, Shannon Gray likes this

Here's my newest picture!

April 2, 2020 Like | Frank Giovanniello , Phyllis Petersen, John O'Neill and 5 others like this

Now this is it. Larry Studmuffin Manshel is on the left and I am still in my pajamas on the right. Larry got discharged a day ahead of me but he still called to check on me. Our wives also found support from each other which was very comforting. Larry and

Susan Lynn You guys look fantastic and are certainly brightening our day! Love the yellow sock, too, John! Glad you're both doing well and setting a great example for ... Read more

Susan Lynn You guys look fantastic and are certainly brightening our day! Love the yellow sock, too, John! Glad you're both doing well and setting a great example for the folks who are on deck for their surgeries - you did it - they can, too!!! You both are rock stars! Success with your recoveries!

Lorraine Mobley Happy Recovery! You both look great!

Chris Calhoun ah the yellow socks - memories....................I could not even put them on by myself right after surgery- being able to put them on myself was a milestone!

Update posted on...

March 31, 2020

I left CC today to go back to the hotel until Saturday. I had a few incidents that made my recovery longer. I am telling you Dr. Roselli, his great anesthesiologist and the rest of the great team were super terrific. I could not see my wife the whole week and I missed her terribly. To all the NP's, Nurses, and all the other staff I thank you from the top of my heart. Larry and I stayed in touch throughout the ordeal along with our wives.It was good to talk to someone we even took another picture together. I never want to do that again and I truly feel sorry for the upcoming surgery board members because of the no visitor policy. It really made for a rotten experience. The CC members did their best to help out and I am happy for that. The journey has ended and I am now in deep in recovery. If anyone needs a push for the CC talk to me, it was impressive and worth it. I can't wait to visit in 3 months and hand out a cookie package to the staff units that took great care of me. Signing off

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Susan Lynn John - Happy you're at the hotel and reunited with your wife. I'm sure it wasn't easy. The thing you did do is spare her the trauma of going through this ... Read more

Susan Lynn John - Happy you're at the hotel and reunited with your wife. I'm sure it wasn't easy. The thing you did do is spare her the trauma of going through this surgery, too. Yes- I think our loved ones go through every step, but without the anesthesia and great drugs! I left my husband and twin sister at the door of pre-op and instructed my surgeon that they were not to see me until the breathing tube was removed. I didn't feel either one of them needed that picture burned into their memories.
Our spouses take this event much harder than I ever imagined. I was home for a few days before I noticed how stressed and relieved my husband was. While I'm sure your wife wanted to be there, it's better that she supported you at a distance.
Wishing you a speedy recovery! ❤

john roland Great point Susan!

Herb Greenberg John, I can't imagine how difficult this was for both you and your wife. Glad to hear you are on the mend.

Bradley Dunn I can't imagine no visitors after this surgery.

Adam Pick John, This just made my day. Congrats on getting to the "other side". You made it. -- and, in very, very, very, very difficult and trying time. You truly ... Read more

Adam Pick John, This just made my day. Congrats on getting to the "other side". You made it. -- and, in very, very, very, very difficult and trying time. You truly are a #HeartWarrior. Great job buddy! Fyi, I'm imagine the CC team is already looking forward to that cookie-package. Be well. Take it easy. Stay safe!!!

Pam Hascall Glad you're on the road to recovery John! I too had a great experience at the Cleveland Clinic. They are the best and are always striving to do even better!

Tracy Fallu Congrats on being on the other side! You did it. Remember to rest, walk, rest, walk, repeat. May God bless you and your wife as you navigate the recovery journey.

Phyllis Petersen I can't imagine how difficult it had to be not having any visitors. We all know it's necessary, but surgery is hard enough. Glad to hear you're sprung and on the road to recovery.

Surgery went well

Journal posted on March 27, 2020

Surgery went well, still in ICU but everything is looking good to hopefully go to the step down unit Saturday or Sunday.
Will post more in a few days.
Thank you for all the good thoughts and prayers!

Like | Frank Giovanniello , Joe Tarango, John O'Neill and 13 others like this

Herb Greenberg John, thrilled to hear. The ICU nurses there are tops. Take care of yourself. Every day gets better. Stay in the uncomfortable bed as little as possible. Opt ... Read more

Herb Greenberg John, thrilled to hear. The ICU nurses there are tops. Take care of yourself. Every day gets better. Stay in the uncomfortable bed as little as possible. Opt for the chair! And walk, walk, walk. Looking forward to your updates.

Frank Giovanniello Don't rush things, listen to the nurses, WALK. ALL THINGS GOOD

Ana Brusso Semper Fi warrior! Glad you’re on the side of recovery. OOH RAH! Blessings

Marie Myers Welcome to recovery!

Susan Lynn John - Thanks for the update!! Welcome to recovery! Walk. Rest. Repeat. You'll be home before you know it! Take care!

Here's my newest picture!

March 20, 2020 Like | Susan Lynn, Herb Greenberg, Dan Baltazor and 8 others like this

Hello Adam and all the heart valve warriors. I hooked up with Larry Manshel shortly after we both had our heart catheterizations. Comforting we are scheduled for our surgeries at the Cleveland Clinic the same day. Small world. The website comes thru again

Susan Lynn That's so cool! You guys look like you're doing great! This site literally brings heart warriors together!

Adam Pick You... Yes, you... John and Larry... Just made me smile. I cannot tell you how special it is to see you together as you prepare for your surgeries. There ... Read more

Adam Pick You... Yes, you... John and Larry... Just made me smile. I cannot tell you how special it is to see you together as you prepare for your surgeries. There is no doubt. You just made my day, my week, my month, my year, my decade with this photo. It is a gift to see our community members unite, in real-time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now... Let's have Drs. Gillinov and Roselli do their thing and get those tickers ticking. All the best! My thoughts and prayers are being sent out from Los Angeles to Cleveland. March 24 will be a great day! Thanks again! Adam

Larry Manshel Stumbled upon this site about a week ago. What a gift! To have someone going through this at the same time, at the same hospital makes it just that much easier. ... Read more

Larry Manshel Stumbled upon this site about a week ago. What a gift! To have someone going through this at the same time, at the same hospital makes it just that much easier. Looking forward to the days after surgery when we can celebrate from 6 feet 😀. Especially now that no visitors are allowed.

Dan Baltazor This is so cool! Heart brothers in real time!

Frank Giovanniello Dan said it just right!!

Nancy Chavez Go heart bros! What a great photo. It has been such a crazy week with social isolating, shelter in place, figuring how to get supplies and wondering if surgery will be canceled. We get you ❤️

Kim Owen What a heartwarming story! Blessings to you both on your journey.

Larry Manshel John: this is my cell if you want to contact me directly. 985.789.2459

Larry Manshel Texting might be easier.

Rob Sparling Awesome! A bond to keep strong!

Update posted on...

March 17, 2020

Just got a call from Dr. Roselli's office. They have an opening for my surgery on March 24th. I jumped at the opportunity. My heart Cath. is scheduled for this Friday the 20th. Monday we meet with everyone and Tuesday the 24th is it. Thanks Adam for this site and thank all of you for your postings. Reading thru all of them is very calming. Some are actually funny, no offense Herb. Thank God the medical field is so full of great people and the advances keep making life easier. I will stay in touch as my wife and I weave through or journey. Ooh Rah

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Herb Greenberg Best of luck, John. It's quite the experience. The heart catch is a piece-o-cake. They actually (and surprisingly) found I needed one wayward bypass. Let me ... Read more

Herb Greenberg Best of luck, John. It's quite the experience. The heart catch is a piece-o-cake. They actually (and surprisingly) found I needed one wayward bypass. Let me know if you need any insight into the lay of the land there and we can hop on the phone. As we were leaving they were tightening a lot of the conveniences - something to be aware of for visitors, spouse, etc. We stayed in the connected IC next door. VERY convenient.

john roland Thanks Herb, we Just realized there are 2 Intercontinentals. We booked the one with the suites on Euclid. There is another one Carnegie. I hope we made the right choice.

Ana Brusso You will be just fine John. Safe travels to you and your wife. Will pray for a successful surgery and recovery. And as Gibbs says on TV .....Ooh Rah for the Marines! God bless you

john roland Thanks Ana, Semper Fi

Herb Greenberg John, we stayed at the other one - the one connected to the clinic. Made it very easy on my wife regardless of the hour. It was about a 5 minute walk inside ... Read more

Herb Greenberg John, we stayed at the other one - the one connected to the clinic. Made it very easy on my wife regardless of the hour. It was about a 5 minute walk inside to the hospital. All 3, including the Holiday Inn, are owned by the clinic. Tip: if you pay $200 to join the Intercontinental Club they'll boost you to the next level if they have space; at the hotel that means a suite, not likely needed if you go to the suites!

john roland Thanks Herb, We have changed plans 3 times and my wife is comfortable with the suite and the little 1 block walk. We are members of IHG and they didn't say ... Read more

john roland Thanks Herb, We have changed plans 3 times and my wife is comfortable with the suite and the little 1 block walk. We are members of IHG and they didn't say a thing. Hmmmmm, well If my wife is happy I'm happy.

Herb Greenberg That's all that counts, John. Remember, we are from California and walking in weather is not in our DNA.

Here's my newest picture!

March 1, 2020 Like | 1 person likes this

Here's my newest picture!

December 8, 2019 Like | Shannon Gray, Rose Madura, Joey Hardee and 5 others like this

April 9, 2020 is my scheduled surgery with Dr. Eric Roselli, Cleveland Clinic to replace my bicuspid aortic valve and aortic aneurism. I got 58 years out of this valve issue and I'm sooo thank full it can be fixed/repaired. Adams site along with his book

john roland make it a lot easier to accept. There seems to be a lot of tough people that post here and I hope to be joining the ranks on the road to recovery. Stay strong Warriors.

tim miller you picked an awesome surgeon and great person. He fixed me on July 30th and i just had my 4 month follow up with him last week.

Susan Lynn John - You can do it! You'll go through the emotional roller coaster until next April, but we all did. Nothing in the process is worse than waiting! You'll do just fine.

Randy Johnson Hi John. I'm responding to your post about my picture. The anticipation and worry is way worse than the the surgery. I found I needed to be patient after ... Read more

Randy Johnson Hi John. I'm responding to your post about my picture. The anticipation and worry is way worse than the the surgery. I found I needed to be patient after surgery. I thought only my sternum would be sore. My whole chest and back was sore for 8 weeks. Only took Tylenol or Advil. This led to difficulty sleeping. I took home a bedside urinal from the hospital so I didn't have to get up often in the middle of the night. Also for the first 8 weeks I could feel my heart beating and if I laid on my side I could count my pulse in my ears. I used white noise to help me sleep. This all resolves but patience is needed. Cardiac rehab is good because it gives you confidence that your pulse and heart rhythm are fine. And you get to swap stories with other cardiac patients of all ages.