Joy Fowler - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2703 days ago

Adam Pick, Don L, Helen Daw and 7 others reacted to this

Mom's home and doing better than expected at this point. She's sleeping most of the time and certainly no where near ready for visitors, but the nurse came ...Read more

Mom's home and doing better than expected at this point. She's sleeping most of the time and certainly no where near ready for visitors, but the nurse came out today and is very pleased with how she looks already. I'm officially heading back to Chicago to work but I'll visit when I can. Soon she'll likely be up for putting her own updates. She just wants to sleep! We are happy to see her in good spirits but some aches and pains are enough that she's not up for entertaining! The prayers and well wishes are appreciated as always! Good bless. Happy Sunday!

Adam Pick Yay Joy!!! Thanks for the update. Fyi, Joy is inspiring thousands of people at Facebook. I posted a ... Read more

Adam Pick Yay Joy!!! Thanks for the update. Fyi, Joy is inspiring thousands of people at Facebook. I posted a few pictures of her. So far, the post has 3,300 Likes!!! If you are logged into Facebook, you can see Joy's post at https://www.facebook.com/heartvalvesurgery/photos/a.493519294062096.1073741825.142324929181536/1847949451952400/?type=3&theater

Susan Killian Glad to hear and glad she can sleep!

Bonnie Stone-Hope So happy to hear Joy is doing so well!
Sleep is so important for healing. Sleep and nutrition help s ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope So happy to hear Joy is doing so well!
Sleep is so important for healing. Sleep and nutrition help so much.

Marcie Babbitt Get your rest, take care of yourself. I'm glad you're home and have had such good help.

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2704 days ago

Adam Pick, Dave Dionne, Toni Z and 9 others reacted to this

Well today's the day Mom is getting out of the hospital. All get lines are pulled, she's bruised as heck, she's sore, but she's excited to get home. Still a ...Read more

Well today's the day Mom is getting out of the hospital. All get lines are pulled, she's bruised as heck, she's sore, but she's excited to get home. Still a long road to go but Wonder Woman has exceeded all expectations to this point. She's a fighter for sure. Thank you everyone for all the well wishes and prayers. Mom will likely take over the updates here soon!!

Adam Pick Yay Joy!!!!

Helen Daw So good to hear! Wishing her a very speedy recovery

Jennifer McInerney Great news!

Rose Madura Great!! Welcome to the recovery side.

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2705 days ago

Mark Wilbur, Phyllis Petersen and 4 others reacted to this

Mom actually called me to update me and she sounded great on the phone. They are getting her jugular line out today and removing the pace-maker. If all goes ...Read more

Mom actually called me to update me and she sounded great on the phone. They are getting her jugular line out today and removing the pace-maker. If all goes as planned she's getting freed tomorrow. I told her if she doesn't feel ready to go then she should stay but she said she's looking forward to getting home and getting some actual sleep. I'm coming back tonight so I'll be able to help out over the weekend!!

Bonnie Stone-Hope So happy to hear your Mom is doing so well.

Bob Fessler That was the worst part of my hospital stay. Besides getting woke up all the time, I had a hard time ... Read more

Bob Fessler That was the worst part of my hospital stay. Besides getting woke up all the time, I had a hard time sleeping in their very uncomfortable beds. I can understand her need to get home.

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2706 days ago

Bonnie Stone-Hope, Helen Daw, Don L and 5 others reacted to this

So Mom got her chest tube and Foley out and got moved to the SPICU which is one step down from the SICU. Not as good of service though so we'll have to advocate ...Read more

So Mom got her chest tube and Foley out and got moved to the SPICU which is one step down from the SICU. Not as good of service though so we'll have to advocate for her (the nurse left her in a chair for 40 minutes when she told her she was ok for just a few minutes. The room was only 65 degrees, so they had to put warm blankets on her once the nurse Finally came back - we are not happy!) but the good news is she's glad to have less tubes and still in good spirits, just very very tired!! What a trooper! 💪❤️

Susan Roberts Gosh not a good experience Hope the nurses will improve the service.

Susan Killian I too am sorry that happened, make sure she has a call bell in reach at all times.

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2706 days ago

Helen Daw, Tina Williams, Bonnie Stone-Hope and 7 others reacted to this

Mom's still sore today but she's not having the dizziness when they get her up. She's back in sinus rhythm as well. The plan is to get into the step down unit ...Read more

Mom's still sore today but she's not having the dizziness when they get her up. She's back in sinus rhythm as well. The plan is to get into the step down unit (ICU) this evening. By that point many more times will be removed. She's still worried about this long recovery ahead of her, but she feels that everything so far has been better than anticipated so I can see her optimism. I have to head back to Chicago today unfortunately but I'll be back in town tomorrow night and I will try and continue updates from the rest of the family in the meantime. Mom certainly still wants limited visitation and we just went ahead and left her cell phone at home to make sure she's resting. I'll do my best to keep the updates coming as best as possible.

Rita Savelis I hear your mom on the limited visitation. Visitors are helpful, but also exhausting. I didn't have a ... Read more

Rita Savelis I hear your mom on the limited visitation. Visitors are helpful, but also exhausting. I didn't have a cell phone for weeks. A needed breaK.
Wishing her and you some much needed rest.

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2707 days ago

Marcie Babbitt and 4 others reacted to this

Well Mom got up and moving today, just to the door and back, but it's a long arduous walk at this stage. Unfortunately her blood pressure drops each time so ...Read more

Well Mom got up and moving today, just to the door and back, but it's a long arduous walk at this stage. Unfortunately her blood pressure drops each time so it looks like she won't get to the ICU until tomorrow at this point (better visiting hours once she's free from the SICU). She ate a little bit but they have her on a diabetic sorry sure to get meds so she said it tasted like they sucked all the sugar out of the fruit! 🤣 She's a trooper for sure 😁 Dad got to visit her this afternoon too ❤️

Toni Z Best wishes to your mom. I was got insulin shots and diabetic menu too.

Susan Killian Hope all goes well tomorrow. Praying for quick and easy recovery.

Bonnie Stone-Hope So good to hear this news!

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2707 days ago

Marcie Babbitt and 1 other reacted to this

Mom is still cheery and chattering away but getting good sleep between visits! No change except I got some food ordered for her. She's on a strict diet due ...Read more

Mom is still cheery and chattering away but getting good sleep between visits! No change except I got some food ordered for her. She's on a strict diet due to all the medications but I'm not sure how much she'll want to eat anyways. Glad she can still laugh and make jokes right now! We could tell she was ready to go back to sleep after the short 30 minute visit. Thanks again for all the well wishes! She's very grateful! ❤️😇🙏

Bonnie Stone-Hope Attitude is so important!
Sounds like she has a wonderful attitude:)

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2707 days ago

Marcie Babbitt, Deb Lewis , Helen Daw and 6 others reacted to this

Visited mom today, she's chattering a lot! She's certainly hurting but things are going well. Her rhythm is back but they are keeping the pace-maker on for ...Read more

Visited mom today, she's chattering a lot! She's certainly hurting but things are going well. Her rhythm is back but they are keeping the pace-maker on for now and will wean her off with time and start removing some tubes too (which she is Thrilled about)!! Long road ahead but it's a great start for sure. She is officially Wonder Woman 💪❤️

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2708 days ago

Nick DeGennaro, Susan Killian, Shannon Gray and 7 others reacted to this

Mom's got her tube out but she's still on a breathing apparatus that she's not a fan of (think of a heavy duty CPAP mask). Her heart rhythm isn't normal so ...Read more

Mom's got her tube out but she's still on a breathing apparatus that she's not a fan of (think of a heavy duty CPAP mask). Her heart rhythm isn't normal so they had to put a temporary pace-maker on her. I guess this can be common (though we wish we had known that prior to surgery) but there is a risk she'll need it permanently if it does not return to normal in a couple days. Hopefully it's just from swelling. We will get to see her one more time tonight then we'll be kicked out till tomorrow morning.

Susan Killian Praying for a good outcome. My surgeon did tell me about the wires that would e there in case they n ... Read more

Susan Killian Praying for a good outcome. My surgeon did tell me about the wires that would e there in case they need a temporary pace maker so it evidently is pretty common.

Rita Savelis Temporary pacemakers are common. Just as the breathing tube, they are there to make sure all is okay ... Read more

Rita Savelis Temporary pacemakers are common. Just as the breathing tube, they are there to make sure all is okay before they are removed.
About 3% of OHS surgery patients end up needing a permanent pacemaker (like me).
Wishing you and your mom a peaceful recovery.

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2708 days ago

Helen Daw, Sandy Laine, Dan Marcantel and 6 others reacted to this

We were able to speak with the surgeon, mom's surgery went great there were no complications. She should be going to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit soon ...Read more

We were able to speak with the surgeon, mom's surgery went great there were no complications. She should be going to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit soon and we will be able to see her in a couple hours. Great news!!! Though we weren't worried 😉❤️💪

Bonnie Stone-Hope Wonderful news! So happy for you.

Gerald Poulton 👍

Helen Daw Great news!! Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Susan Killian So happy for you all around! Hoping all goes well!

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2708 days ago

Helen Daw, Mark Wilbur, Rose Madura and 6 others reacted to this

Joy is now off bypass, so her heart is once again pumping on its own. We are currently waiting to speak with the surgeon. They are closing her now. She will ...Read more

Joy is now off bypass, so her heart is once again pumping on its own. We are currently waiting to speak with the surgeon. They are closing her now. She will still need time for them to get hey if the ventilator. Likely several more hours at least before we can see her but the scariest part of step 1 is over!! Long way to go yet!

Joy Fowlerposted a journal

2708 days ago

Bonnie Stone-Hope, Helen Daw, Rose Madura and 7 others reacted to this

Today's the day. I'm checked in and getting prepped now. Surgery is scheduled for 12:30pm and should last about 4-6 hours. Nerves are wracked but everyone is ...Read more

Today's the day. I'm checked in and getting prepped now. Surgery is scheduled for 12:30pm and should last about 4-6 hours. Nerves are wracked but everyone is optimistic. I know surgery is the easy part though. Recovery will be the hard part, but taking one step at a time. See you once I'm officially Wonder Woman with my fancy titanium breast plate 😉❤️