Sue Lambkin - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

30 days ago

Kate Watson, Gregory Thayer, Fidel Martínez Ruiz and 2 others reacted to this

March 20, is my one year anniversary for aorta valve surgery. I could not have a Tavi, so needed full open heart surgery. Any insecurities prior to my operation ...Read more

March 20, is my one year anniversary for aorta valve surgery. I could not have a Tavi, so needed full open heart surgery. Any insecurities prior to my operation were forgotten by watching the stories from people on here, who have gone through the same, what an absolute blessing this website is. I had the best surgeon in Dr. Jennifer Higgins. The first week was very rough, but then out of the hospital in 8 days. I resumed looking after my husband with congestive heart failure and dementia after 1 month. I did not have a lot of pain when at home. I had a tissue valve, I am 77 and just had my 1 year echo gram. I am doing great. My strong positive attitude, I have been told had a lot to do with my ease of recovery. So grateful I had the surgery, and wish everyone here, a great journey. Yes, there is life after surgery. Thank you for the tremendous support, feeling blessed. (My son took this picture in ICU, he said I would not want to forget this!!)❤️Sue

Robert Miller Interesting. For my second surgery I was still intubated (you seems to be too) and they let my wife ... Read more

Robert Miller Interesting. For my second surgery I was still intubated (you seems to be too) and they let my wife in. Then another nurse chased my wife out saying she can't see me like that. Surgery is easy. Recovery not so much. But it sounds like you did rather well. Positive attitude always helps. Surgery for sure changed my life. I always valued family a lot but surgery made me concentrate on family even more. I guess a medical issue is a blessing in disguise because it makes you refocus on things that really matter. I hope your husband is doing good.

Sue Lambkin @Robert Miller, yes I was intubated at the time. It was not frightening for my 2 kids in their 50's, ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @Robert Miller, yes I was intubated at the time. It was not frightening for my 2 kids in their 50's, they have always been...deal with ..whatever..head on. They were my rock. I thought it would be difficult for them but they looked after me, house, cat, and their Dad in a nursing home 2 hours away. The nurses allowed only a few minutes for them In icu...more to be assured I was still breathing, L.O.L. All worked out good. I hope you are managing well. Love this website!

Rose Madura Congratulations on your one year anniversary! You are amazing! ❤️‍🩹👍

Sue Lambkin @RoseMadura Thank you so much, you helped keep my head on straight, and I am thankful for that. You w ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @RoseMadura Thank you so much, you helped keep my head on straight, and I am thankful for that. You were my 🌹 rose, I took comfort in. You and everyone here have held everyone up, through uncertainty and unknowing what can possibly happen. Instead of I shoulda, coulda we all share in the same outcome...healing and going forward.
Life does go on, and we are still here, blessed. Thank you 🌹 Rose.❤️

Rose Madura ❤️❤️

Pamela Gregory congratulations for one year!!!

Sue Lambkin @Pamela Gregory, Thank you. One year ago today was a very different story. We all know the before, bu ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @Pamela Gregory, Thank you. One year ago today was a very different story. We all know the before, but hard to imagine the outcome with such skilled surgeons and so many people in the same boat, sending heartfelt wishes for a great recovery. Thankful I found this website, with the blessings. Wishing you a comfortable
outcome as well.
❤️Sue

Marie Myers Happy Anniversary!!

Sue Lambkin @Marie Myers, thank you. I read your story, you were a few years before me, thankful you have a good ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @Marie Myers, thank you. I read your story, you were a few years before me, thankful you have a good outcome as well. I agree, totally with you. Thankful you are there.❤️Sue

Grace Mason Happy 1st valveversary!❤️‼️

Sue Lambkin @Grace Mason, thank you, nice to hear from someone who knows the ropes on here. Hard to imagine 1 yea ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @Grace Mason, thank you, nice to hear from someone who knows the ropes on here. Hard to imagine 1 year has passed. I remember before op.-- continually saying--this too shall pass, and live my life by that. In reality it does pass, and apparently quickly! Wishing you well always. ❤️Sue

Monica Freeman

Lorenzo Iannazzo That’s great news and thank you for sharing!!

Sue Lambkin @Lorenzo lannazzo, thank you so much for your kind words. This website has been more than a blessing ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @Lorenzo lannazzo, thank you so much for your kind words. This website has been more than a blessing to all of us. It is very daunting not knowing what is before us, just incredible to read the stories on here, it shows we are never alone.
❤️Sue

JULIA LAFEAR Thanks so much for sharing. This site is amazing as we all can share our stories and stay strong aft... Read more

JULIA LAFEAR Thanks so much for sharing. This site is amazing as we all can share our stories and stay strong after our surgeries. Happy Easter

Sue Lambkin @Julia Lafear, wishing you a Happy Easter as well. We all share a common ground, and it is great to s ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @Julia Lafear, wishing you a Happy Easter as well. We all share a common ground, and it is great to share among people who know and understand, can it get any better than that!
❤️Sue

Sue Lambkinposted an update

371 days ago

Maria DeMarco, Rose Madura, Jessica F and 4 others reacted to this

Wishing all a very Happy Easter, from my heart to yours, with many, many thanks to the uplifting, caring people on this so-o-o needed website. Heartfelt wishes, ...Read more

Wishing all a very Happy Easter, from my heart to yours, with many, many thanks to the uplifting, caring people on this so-o-o needed website. Heartfelt wishes, Sue

Rose Madura Same to you. And I'm so happy that your surgery went well and that you have a great support system in ... Read more

Rose Madura Same to you. And I'm so happy that your surgery went well and that you have a great support system in place.

Sue Lambkin @RoseMadura Thankful to hear from you, I feel fine, now almost 3 weeks later. I did listen to your up ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @RoseMadura Thankful to hear from you, I feel fine, now almost 3 weeks later. I did listen to your uplifting notes and it helped. I got on this website because of my not knowing and apprehension prior to surgery, but you eased my mind, and my surgeon...was happy to see me wake up. I aspire to be the inspiration you are.
Thank you, Thank you. Sending hugs.

Ana Brusso I wish the same to you dear Sue and your family. Like Rose I am glad that you have a great support sy ... Read more

Ana Brusso I wish the same to you dear Sue and your family. Like Rose I am glad that you have a great support system and you are being spoiled. I got on this website for the same reasons. Blessings 🙏❤️🐥🐣🐤🐇

Sue Lambkin @AnaBrusso It seems most of us have similar stories and if the saying goes...if I only knew the outco ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @AnaBrusso It seems most of us have similar stories and if the saying goes...if I only knew the outcome, I would have been more aware of my situation. I too had a fabulous lady surgeon, who I have nothing but praise for. Thinking of you, with blessings.

Pamela Gregory Happy Easter!

Sue Lambkin @PamelaGregory
Wishing you a wonderful Easter.
I loved reading your story, you were a few years ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @PamelaGregory
Wishing you a wonderful Easter.
I loved reading your story, you were a few years before me, like I say, in hindsight what we could have known to ease any anxiety, and I found that with all of the stories I have read, what a wonderful website this is.
Hugs, Sue

Sue Lambkinposted a photo

399 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut, Diren P reacted to this

Dear Bentley, 🐈misses his Grandpa, Long story was daughter's cat, now ours.
Grandpa at nursing home, for a few weeks while I recover from open heart surgery ...Read more

Dear Bentley, 🐈misses his Grandpa, Long story was daughter's cat, now ours.
Grandpa at nursing home, for a few weeks while I recover from open heart surgery on Thursday, March 20/ 3 days.) Kitty just sits and waits. I have friends moving in to watch house and cat until I get back in one week.🤞. ❤️Sue

Ana Brusso Handsome grandpa also must miss him. It will be over soon and they will be reunited again. My brother ... Read more

Ana Brusso Handsome grandpa also must miss him. It will be over soon and they will be reunited again. My brother who also has Dimentia is also very attached to his cat. They are great company for them. 🙏❤️☘️

Jessica F What a loyal companion!

Sue Lambkin Ana and Jessica; they are best friends, the cat so attached to Don, and it shows. Nurses at the nursi ... Read more

Sue Lambkin Ana and Jessica; they are best friends, the cat so attached to Don, and it shows. Nurses at the nursing home laugh, Don has a t 👕 shirt pj top, has a picture of Don and cat under blanket, with their names.❤️Sue

Rose Madura Aww, cats are amazing.

Sue Lambkin @RoseMadura: He definitely is, but he is also such a good cat, he is now 15, we had him since he was ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @RoseMadura: He definitely is, but he is also such a good cat, he is now 15, we had him since he was 3.❤️Sue

Suzette Schear Hope you’re doing well, and you’re feeling good. Hopefully you’ll be reunited soon

Sue Lambkinposted a photo

401 days ago

Valerie Allen reacted to this

Deena Z you have a great attitude, Sue. You have a lot going on between you and your husband. How great tha... Read more

Deena Z you have a great attitude, Sue. You have a lot going on between you and your husband. How great that your two children will be there by your side; make sure they get some protein in you!
You will get through this successfully. I say this because the odds are so very, very in your favor. Know you will be more exhausted than you could ever imagine when you wake-up after surgery, which is perfectly normal. It takes several days to get considerably less exhausted, but you will get there. Will be thinking of you and will say a prayer for you right after I post this message.

Sue Lambkin @DeenaZ.... Awww, that's the ticket! I am on this website ..to find out..ahead of time from others, ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @DeenaZ.... Awww, that's the ticket! I am on this website ..to find out..ahead of time from others, like yourself, who have gone through this. Somehow, my nerves are getting calmed by the kind, honest remarks from you and others that have gone before me. This is not something I would wish on anyone, preferring to have the TAVI, less invasive, but Dr's. said no. I can go by my theory...this too shall pass, as it always does. I asked the anaesthesiologist if he was going to hold my hand the whole time, he laughed and said...not a chance, it says here, you said..I got this! Sometimes brevity gets us in deeper. L.O.L. I am ready, need to be at the hospital by 5:45am, they will not need to put me out, I will be out when I get there😇. Thank you, thankyou for your caring note to me, it is heartfelt and appreciated! Just, Bless you Deena.
❤️Sue

Sue Lambkin @DeenaZ....P.S..pic is my son and I, he drove an hour to see me, as soon as he found out I needed ope ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @DeenaZ....P.S..pic is my son and I, he drove an hour to see me, as soon as he found out I needed open heart surgery. My daughter is staying with me for 1 week, after my nurse is here for 1 week. Can't get any better than that❤️Sue

Sue Lambkinposted a photo

401 days ago

Yumiko Ishida, Kimberly Eisenhut, Pamela Gregory and 1 other reacted to this

My husband Don and I, (Sue), Valentines day, 2025, at our beautiful retirement community.

Ana Brusso What a romántic and beautiful picture of two love birds 💘🙏❤️😍🥰

Grace Mason Lovely photo Sue and Don!
Wishing you well in your upcoming surgery Sue❤️

Sue Lambkin Thank you, Ana ad Grace, happy to be.. where people get it!

Rose Madura What a great photo!

Sue Lambkin Thank you Rose, we try to keep upbeat, and normal, under our circumstances. Everyone here seems so c... Read more

Sue Lambkin Thank you Rose, we try to keep upbeat, and normal, under our circumstances. Everyone here seems so caring, wonderful website!

Suzette Schear Wishing you well on your upcoming surgery and journey. Beautiful hearts within the heart. Great phot ... Read more

Suzette Schear Wishing you well on your upcoming surgery and journey. Beautiful hearts within the heart. Great photo.

Sue Lambkin Oh my, thank-you Suzette. I am new on here, only 1 day. I checked your story as well, I hope you are ... Read more

Sue Lambkin Oh my, thank-you Suzette. I am new on here, only 1 day. I checked your story as well, I hope you are mending and doing well, your story will help me. I have one of the best lady surgeons in our area, she actually trains others, so I am no doubt, in good hands, as we all are. I hope it is normal to be questioning going into open heart surgery. I don't think any of us would ellect to have our breast bone broken and heart removed. Definitely not for the squeamish.
I am finding all the stories uplifting and so supportive.
My surgery is in 4 days, finding this group was a blessing.
Thinking of you, with many thanks.
❤️Sue

Darrell Malone Very nice. All the best on your journey.

Sue Lambkin Thank you for the kind words, Darell. I read your story Darell. I lived in Kitchener for over 50 year ... Read more

Sue Lambkin Thank you for the kind words, Darell. I read your story Darell. I lived in Kitchener for over 50 years, then moved to Tillsonburg, Ontario 3 years ago. My surgery is at St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener, ON. on March 20, 2025. Wishing you the best as well.
❤️Sue

Pamela Gregory Great picture!

Best wishes and prayers to you for a successful surgery

Sue Lambkin Thank you Pamela. Hoping you are well.
Surgery is getting close, 4 days now.
It is now sinking ... Read more

Sue Lambkin Thank you Pamela. Hoping you are well.
Surgery is getting close, 4 days now.
It is now sinking in, what they have to do for open heart surgery, I will be better when I am in recovery for sure, and this is waiting is over. This is why this website is so important for people about to have surgery. You, and others wishing me well is the boast we all need beforehand. Thankful you are there.
❤️Sue