Maggie's Journal

Dear Friends and Family-

Today marks 4 weeks since my surgery and I am doing very well!  Recovery is slow yet I can see the progess weekly.
My days are filled with naps and short walks.  I am now walking daily throughout the neighborhood and I should be able to drive again in the next month.  My last visiting home nurse visit was last Friday and my cardiac team is thrilled with my steady and uneventful recovery, too!

I cannot thank you enough for all the support, love, positive energy, cards, guest book posts, journal posts, emails, calls, texts, prayers, and sincere good wishes... gratefully, they have carried me through.  I appreciate each and every one very much.
This will be my last journal entry but I hope to hear from you or see you ASAP in the near future.
Love, M

Hello Friends and Family-

I am home!  
My family picked me up in SF yesterday and I am now home in Santa Rosa.  It was a bit emotional reuniting at the curb after 7 days!
It's just great to be here where everything feels comfortable.  I'll be home recovering for a while following all the rules. 

Your sincere support, messages, well wishes, positive energy, prayers, encouraging words etc. have carried me through this.  I am forever grateful. 

Love, Maggie

Hi Friends and Family,

Megan here again with more updates!

Maggie has been steadily hitting her recovery milestones at the hospital. There have been a few days where she has had tough bouts of nausea and not enough sleep but overall is making the improvements her doctors want to see! The hospital staff in the cardiac unit has been wonderful for her!

We are looking forward to welcoming Maggie home this afternoon!! 

Megan

Hi Friends and Family,

Megan here again!

More good news today! Maggie is doing very well. She has had her chest drainage tubes, atrial IV line, AND her temporary pace maker removed. Yesterday she was able to take several walks, one for over 220 feet and this morning she walked another 180 feet. Great milestones!

She would like to thank everybody for their positive thoughts, messages, and prayers. She is looking forward to returning home on Monday or Tuesday if things keep progressing like they are! 

Megan

Hi Friends and Family,

This is Megan, Maggie's daughter posting on her behalf again.

More goods news from yesterday! Late afternoon my Mom was moved from the ICU to the regular cardiac care unit. This means everything is moving along according to this acute portion of her recovery journey. Hopefully by being in this new, quieter, department of the hospital she will be able to get better rest/sleep.

She was able to take TWO hallway walks yesterday afternoon.... sounds like the over achiever we all know! She says her pain management is "better", her sprit its are OK, and she is "doing well" according to her own self reporting.

It is pretty incredible to think that just the day before she was experiencing major surgery and the next day she is a bionic woman with a newly upgraded heart! More soon.

Megan

Hi Friends and Family,

This is Megan, Maggie's daughter, posting on her behalf. 

My mom has successfully come through her surgery! Yesterday the surgeon reported she did "very well" during her time in the OR. She was able to be taken off of her respirator shortly after and is hitting all milestones for recovery so far. 

Today they are working to manage her pain. With the next nursing shift change they are hoping to get her up and walking. She may even transition to another floor of the hospital.

All signs are pointing to good things so far. Please keep my mom in your thoughts and thank you for following along her with her progress. We will update more soon!

On Behalf of Maggie,

Megan

Hi Friends and Family- All pre-op tests are completely normal, and I am confident all will go well as I head to SF tomorrow. Your love, support and messages are greatly appreciated. You should receive a journal update soon after my surgery. I hope to see you soon after my recovery. MM

Hi Friends and Family- I am getting ready to head to SF tomorrow with confidence that all will go well on Wednesday. All pre-op tests are completely normal and there are no underlying medical conditions other than my heart and valve situation. The worst part so far is that I can't shave my legs for a week before surgery! The best part so far is that as of today I haven't completely lost my sense of humor. An update will be posted after the procedures. Your love, support and messages are greatly appreciated. I hope to see you soon after my recovery. MM

Hi Family and Friends- This is my first journal entry as I get ready for my surgery. The next few weeks will be busy with pre-op tests and appointments. I have already had some of the required tests as the surgery date - March 2nd - approaches. All results are good. Fingers crossed that the Covid surge subsides as March approaches. I think this journal will be a great way for anyone who wants an update as this journey unfolds. MM