Lisa Coombe - Heart Valve Journal

Marie Myers I am sorry you are having a tough time. It is more difficult to go through this journey alone, with the responsibility of single-parenting too. I found my emotions ... Read more

Lisa Coombe I’m feeling better now but i just bottled everything up to breaking point, my niece and a friend will be here to help out while I’m away to care for my ... Read more

Victoria Baker Lisa, let us know if you need to talk via phone. We are here for you. Seriously, just a call away. I happen to be off tomorrow as well. You need to talk to someone who understands all this.

Lisa Coombe Thanks, I’m in Australia though

Bob Fessler Lisa...I had an aortic valve replaced 4 years ago and it is not as bad as you think. Hang in there. You WILL be okay. I wish I could hold you and reassure ... Read more

Rose Madura The entire journey is a roller coaster of emotions. I pray you find peace with your situations.

Lisa Coombe You guys are so beautiful with your kind words, wish I did have someone that could hold me during my tough days

Marie Myers How frustrating! I hope you hear back from them soon.

Rose Madura Unfortunately, with surgeons and emergencies, these things happen. I'm sure everything will work out

Adam Pick Ah yah yah Lisa... So sorry. Unfortunately, frustration can be part of this process. You just brought back several memories - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/01/12/the-patients-frustration-how-to-prepare-yourself/ ... Read more

Patient Frustration: Before & After Heart Surgery

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/01/12/the-patients-frustration-how-to-prepare-yourself/

Learn about the frustration patients may experience before heart surgery.

Lisa Coombe I’m just hoping the appointment is rebooked soon, waited long enough for this and now have to cancel flights that were booked by a program we have in Australia ... Read more

Susan Lynn Sorry to hear that, Lisa! Hope you can get rescheduled, too! Hang in there! ❤

Lisa Coombe The PATS team were great, they just put the flights on hold now I just have to wait for new appointment

Laura Julius I'm so glad the team was great and hoping you hear back quickly on a rescheduled appointment. My initial appointment with the consulting surgeon was cancelled ... Read more

Marie Myers It is a pretty easy test. The docs were able to go through my wrist, so I did not have to lay flat. If they go through your groin, you would have to lay flat ... Read more

Lisa Coombe My dad had one 9 years ago, that’s where they found out all his arteries were blocked

Joseph Heinzmann I thought this was one of those (few) added benefits to having valve repair. You get a coupon for a test that you wouldn't normally get and you have a shot ... Read more

Lynn Loudermilk The prep for it was worse than the test. It was over very quick. I hope there are no blockages for you.

Richard Buckley I had one a day before surgery. It was pretty easy even though the doc went in through my groin. I was actually surprised that I was not under a general and ... Read more

Adam Pick Go Lisa! Go! THAT'S AMAZING!!!!!!!!! 27 KG???!!!! Keep it up! Thanks for sharing!!!! I imagine your words are going to inspire many patients in our community. If you need anything, please let me know!!!

Lynn Loudermilk Great job, I have lost 40lbs using Keto/Carnivore. I feel so much better eating like this, inflammation is almost gone.

Lisa Coombe My GP was impressed this morning when I went to see him, will keep going with my diet and try get to a healthy weight before surgery, to get to where I want ... Read more

Lisa Coombe Adam if you haven’t done a conversion yet that around 59lbs

Marie Myers That is a great accomplishment that will positively impact your life! And you have a good reason to buy some new clothes...

Lisa Coombe Not easy getting it down but the progress is such a great thing to see

Lisa Coombe Now up to 30kg

Marie Myers I bet you enjoyed seeing your coworkers again!

Lisa Coombe Seeing me fav client, she loved having me today, I’m a disability support worker

Elyse Sherman Lisa, prior to retirement, I was a case manager for families and individuals with disabilities! We have a lot in common! I’ll bet they were thrilled to see you!

Susan Lynn Lisa - I can only imagine how tiring it must be, but work can be a good diversion while you wait. Plus, the work you do is so incredibly important - the appreciation ... Read more

Lisa Coombe The scheduling team have made sure I only get easy clients and not to much working but I’m happy with that, at least I have something to focus on and not sitting at home waiting

Ana Brusso Elyse and Lisa, I also was a case manager for individuals and families with disabilities and seniors. I’m sure everyone was happy to see you. It was a good ... Read more

Lisa Coombe Only have 2 shifts next week so that’s a good thing for me

Marie Myers I think it is a good distraction, also! Hang in there!

Lisa Coombe Such a good feeling to get back into doing what I love, I stopped working in September last year and I’ve missed my clients I had

Marie Myers I totally get it. As I was getting thru recovery, it was important to me to get back to work, just to “be normal” again. I was back at my job in the operating ... Read more

Lisa Coombe My work is great, they kept me on even though for a while they didn’t want to risk my health, my first client I have is one I do like having and she will ... Read more

Steven Methot That will be great for your morale, I am sure!

Lisa Coombe I looking forward to getting into it, can’t do all I use to but what I can will be great

Steven Methot Lisa, as I said, you're an inspiration to me and i am sure to many others.

Eddie Patton I didn't need them last time but could see where they may be handy.
I was just finishing up my list, here it is if it helps:
PJs (short sleeve button up and ... Read more

Lisa Coombe We don’t have COVID restrictions here anymore but thanks for the list, that’s very helpful, there is some extra thing I an putting on for my bag, I can’t ... Read more

Rose Madura Throat Losengers will be a big help for you. They were for me. Additionally, the best thinf for me (and it was recommended from someone on this site) was ... Read more

Susan Lynn Lisa - I didn't have any throat discomfort after the breathing tube. It can't hurt to bring them.

Rita Savelis I had no throat discomfort after the breathing tube. The only item I really needed in hospital was a hair elastic to keep my hair tied back.

Dolores Meier I didn’t have any throat discomfort from the breathing tube. I was grateful to the nurses for bringing me a small fan to help with my hot flashes. Normally ... Read more

Elyse Sherman Good morning, Lisa and a peaceful Christmas to you. I understand that fatigue is very normal in our situation and that once you have the surgery and are on ... Read more

Marie Myers

Great advice from Elyse. Be aware of the emotional effects of impending heart surgery, also. I know I was in a mental slump after finding out I needed surgery. ... Read more

Lisa Coombe Thanks, I did pick up as the day went on, my son was happy to just have ham even though I did cook a wonderful chicken as well. I had a great sleep last night ... Read more

Frank Giovanniello Those days are here and there. But, each time you awake is a blessing!

Tom Everson Hi l made a list of questions to ask the surgeon and put the list on my phone . Listen carefully to what he says , if possible bring someone with you ( and ... Read more

Steven Methot Bring someone! Tom is right. You set an agenda of questions, and alternate questions. What do you need to know? Make sure you have it in front of you and ... Read more

Lisa Coombe This is second appointment, it’s over the phone. I asked many questions first time that were answered.

Steven Methot Duplicate that I cannot delete.

Steven Methot Good Lord that must be frustrating.

Lisa Coombe Very frustrating, bad enough I couldn’t spend Christmas with my family, they are 5 hrs drive away, I get really tired now days very easy and my mum understands ... Read more

Lisa Coombe Have another phone appointment booked for tomorrow, I don’t think surgeon will call but I will be surprised if he does

Liz Draeger Before I had valve surgery, I suffered from terrible fatigue. I would have to lay down each day. I had open heart May 2019. It took time to recover but ... Read more

Lisa Coombe I generally don’t sleep during the day, once the sun is up I’m awake

Rita Savelis Fatigue is hard. I spent so much time on the sofa and moving slowly through the house. One has to take it easy but it's hard. There is so much to do and one ... Read more

Lisa Coombe I have started having problems getting to sleep at night, this isn’t easy for me, I’m a single mum and my son has autism, he has been great dealing with ... Read more

Rita Savelis I wish I had asked my surgeon to take a photo of my heart while he was in there....

Lisa Coombe It’s the only thing he wants, surgeon said he would do it but wants a thank you card from my son. The photo will be printed and framed in my lounge room for all to see

Sue Sommer Want to wish you the best. The fatigue is normal with aortic stenosis, and often just from the stress of knowing about it! I was diagnosed at 43, had my valve ... Read more

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