Mava's Heart Valve Journal

Dear friends, I have taken your advice and just concentrated on my own healing this past week, despite the desire to keep updated & posting. This week has been up and down for me, physically, emotionally, & mentally. Some days good, some bad, but always moving in the right direction. I found out my natural desire to hold back on medication wasn't a good idea at this point in my recovery. Fortunately I have a very attentive family who stepped in when I needed it, getting me back on track with painkillers & muscle relaxants, making all the difference in my emotional & physical well-being. Being kind to myself has been my goal this week, & today I am enjoying this beautiful Florida Sunday. I'm grateful to God for this blessing of renewed life & a future of improved health ahead of me. Whether you know or not, & whether I have responded or not to your comments & posts, you have made my recovery so much better. I know that my recovery is my own, so I'm not setting out to break records in goals accomplished. That's just not me, but I am making sure I do what makes me feel good & healthy in my recovery. God bless those of you who are about to have surgery, & those of you who are recovering now. May your hearts & minds be full of good things today!

Just checking in at the end of day 6. I am still too tired to post very much, but wanted to check in anyway. Everyone's positive comments are so helpful! Thanks everyone. Each day is better than the last one. My time is filed with lots of sleep, walking, & breathing exercises. I have to work on my oxygen level remaining where it should. So that's all for now. It's great to be in my own comfy bed, without all the iv's etc. God bless each of you who are recovering or anticipating surgery soon! ❤️❤️

Nurse Jessica hugging me as I'm heading home. The whole staff at the hospital is amazing. Advent Health Orlando is so uplifting & thinks so much of the patient first. I was in no rush to leave because of it. Thanks to everyone who prayed for us across th

Nurse removed surgical bandages. Hard to describe how I feel. Happy and emotional all at once. Picture from 2/9/19.

My family & friends were there for me at my surgery, which went without a hitch

I've made it to the big day at last! God is good & I'm grateful for my family & friends & all of you heart warriors! I'm at peace & ready for this. Thanks to those who prayed for me! Blessings!

Count down is for real now! 5 days to surgery! It almost seems like a dream sometimes & I am moving in automatic mode! But much better than dealing with nervous anxiety like I sometimes have had. I am trying to get everything ready on my list for the hospital now, & pack a bag. Because I am full time caregiver for my parents (98yrs & 92yrs), much of my concern has been getting the right help to come assist them during my surgery & recovery. Since my hubby will need help I have a wonderful agency that is starting tomorrow & that helps my peace of mind. I appreciate the kind thoughts & prayers sent my way, & pray for those who are coming up for surgery. God bless you all!

Count down is for real now! 5 days to surgery! It almost seems like a dream sometimes & I am moving in automatic mode! But much better than dealing with nervous anxiety like I sometimes have had. I am trying to get everything ready on my list for the hospital now, & pack a bag. Because I am full time caregiver for my parents (98yrs & 92yrs), much of my concern has been getting the right help to come assist them during my surgery & recovery. Since my hubby will need help I have a wonderful agency that is starting tomorrow & that helps my peace of mind. I appreciate the kind thoughts & prayers sent my way, & pray for those who are coming up for surgery. God bless you all!

Enjoying a fun day at Disney in 2017, with my husband Chuck.