Tom Mcinerney - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Update posted on...

February 7, 2017

Good luck to our friend having surgery this morning. Tom

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Update posted on...

March 8, 2016

Hi everyone and you to Peter Lucy and I just got back from a 1 1/2 mile walk around Lakewood park and about half was up hill. We will be going out tomorrow if it doesn't rain too much. Remember baby steps Tom

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Update posted on...

January 15, 2016

Today I went to the Cleveland Clinic to see my heart Doctor for my check up after testing and all he said I was in great shape. He said I have norestrictions accept NO SNOW SHOVELING AT ALL other then that see me next January and take it slow , i'm 70so what's new. I'll keep in touch and good luck Peter from

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Pat Bijas Good for you!

Elaine Cutri Congratulations! Hopefully you have a mild winter and good help for snow removal :-).

Wanda Mroz Yay... That's great!

Lisa Amiri Dad, I think we should put your bird feeder on a pulley system so you don't have to "shovel a path" to your bird feeder. Can we do that?

Sophia Ridley Lisa - sounds like you're doing the shovelling!

Update posted on...

December 31, 2015

JUST WANT TO SAY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE GREAT PEOPLE ON THIS SITE. TOM

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Elaine Foster And to you Tom! God bless you

Update posted on...

December 10, 2015

Good evening everyone I haven't posted for awhile but feeling real good and just finished my 36 times at rehab they thought I did well and had some improvement, so now it's up to me to keep it up on my treadmill and long walks in the park. I want to lose enough weight to get rid of most of my pills. My heart doctor said no problum. See you later remember baby steps.Tom

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You and I have the same goal. Good luck!

Enrique K Exercise will do the trick Tom! Keep up the good work

Update posted on...

November 23, 2015

Well sat. Afternoon I had this feeling in my chest around my incision like punching or little shocks, or loose wires. Talked to the doctor Sunday he ..said might be cold weather but wants a cheat X-ray to be sure. My person at rehab said it could be the nerves growing. Let you know later what everyone says

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Tammy Pilcher Hope it turns out to be just nerves reconnecting, Tom. God bless!

Doran Herritt Ditto. Prayers your way! Drn

Lisa Amiri Dad, just posted a message. Hopefully we will get some responses to see if anyone else has had the same issues.

Update posted on...

October 10, 2015

It's been awhile but we are doing fine Lucy's letting me do a little more and no more "sit. Stay" her favorite saying. Just finished three weeks rehab, no big changes just baby steps. I'll be reading

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Tammy Pilcher Great news, Tom! God bless!

Steven A Husted keep up the good work one step at a time time is the best healer

Shirley Turner Healing thoughts coming your way Tom. Slow and steady wins the race. Hugs Shirley

Gerald Schaffer You will be surprised how well you'll be doing soon. In the mean time don't push it too hard. Just try to do a little bit more each day.

Lisa Amiri Remember Dad, it's not a race it's a marathon. Doesn't matter when you get there you'll get there when your good and ready!

Update posted on...

September 14, 2015

Today was my first of many rehab visits and it wasn't to bad but I'm sure it will get tougher soon first day tread mill for 30min. Then biking for twenty five in, saw a bunch of strange machines around the room but I guess it's baby steps. That's about all for now I'm going to look around and see if I can find a book like we all read only for liver transplants my good friends wife just had one and he's going to need all the help he can get. See you soon Tom

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Jean Raber Have a friend with hemochromatosis (too much iron produced in the liver), whose disorder is being well controlled with meds for now, but is looking at a liver ... Read more

Jean Raber Have a friend with hemochromatosis (too much iron produced in the liver), whose disorder is being well controlled with meds for now, but is looking at a liver transplant at some point. Mayo Clinic's liver transplant patient stories might be a good place for your friend to start: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liver-transplant/care-at-mayo-clinic/patient-stories/prc-20014076

Liver transplant Patient stories - Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liver-transplant/care-at-mayo-clinic/patient-stories/prc-20014076

Hildred "Peggy" Lyons' first signs of liver problems occurred back in 1968, around the time of her son's birth, when her physician noticed she had elevated liver enzymes. An otherwise healthy woman who worked and also volunteered as a fitness instructor at her church teaching several classes a day to both adults and children, Lyons [...]

Update posted on...

September 1, 2015

Well I'm at the clinic and the doctors here have dropped all my restrictions so as long as I take it a little easy. So now I can cut the lawn when it gets cooler. Tom

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Lisa Amiri Dont forget about driving too :)

Elaine Cutri Congratulations Tom!

Autumn Griffin That is great!

John Jones good news Tom. I am happy for you.

Clare Auten I was in the same boat last year. Doctor said I could mow the lawn so my husband quite doing it......should have told the doctor not to mention it to my husband. I was enjoying relaxing while he mowed. ;)

Gloria Savannah-Austin Yeah YOU......that is great news.

Bob M Yes, good advice, take it easy!

Naomi Ivker Wonderful!

Update posted on...

August 22, 2015

Good evening all my doctor told me to do three ten min. Walks a daywell today I was going a little bit more and looked ahead it was all down hill so I walked 3/4of a mile in twenty five not bad but I think I'll keep it there for a bit. KEEP WALKING untel you can ride your bike.Tom

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Jeanette Davidson Nice going! Glad you are improving!

Update posted on...

August 22, 2015

I wrote this once and lost it , I found lots of good info in the learning center ,take a look. Tom

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Update posted on...

August 13, 2015

Hi everyone just got back from my third ten min. walk in time to go into the train room and turn on the Browns game and cleaning off my desk. I have been feeling real good but to remember baby steps. I think by Friday I'll be into a little longer walk add five min. Have a good night .Tom

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Bob M Great recovery! Take it easy heart brother!

Tammy Pilcher Way to go, Tom! God bless!

Mary K Keep up the good work, and be kind to yourself!

Here's my newest picture!

July 30, 2015 Like |

Meredith Bray That's pretty awesome!

Lisa Amiri Were so proud of you dad! Congrats again on the magazine cover and the great article :) Child labor of helping you make the trees and track as a kid really paid off, lol!

Update posted on...

July 22, 2015

One little thing seeing as I'm into model railroading I told my wife Lucy I was thinking of getting a set of tracks tattooed over my scar want to guess what she said to that....

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Steven A Husted HI TOM I DONT LIKE TATTOOES BUT THAT WOULD BE CUTE I AM A MODEL RAILROADER ALSO N AND HO HAVE HAD SEVERAL LAYOUTS BUT WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF IT NOW KEEP UP ... Read more

Steven A Husted HI TOM I DONT LIKE TATTOOES BUT THAT WOULD BE CUTE I AM A MODEL RAILROADER ALSO N AND HO HAVE HAD SEVERAL LAYOUTS BUT WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF IT NOW KEEP UP THE HEALING PROCESS YOUR HEART BROTHER STEVE (POPEYE)

Jim Kelly-Evans I have a layout too...collect antique tinplate trains...published a book on them last November...it's a fun hobby but I don't have andy train tattoos.

Update posted on...

July 22, 2015

Four weeks out today and went back to see R Johnson about a clicking in my chest after my aortic replacement and said not to worry after x Ray everything is great hearts beating good and lungs are clear, just keep walking, no lifting and be careful and try not to sleep on my side if I can. We have another meeting in four weeks. Dr
Jab or. (Heart dr) next week for a couple tests. Just letting you all know Tom

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Tammy Pilcher Great news, Tom! So happy you got a good report! Prayers for continued healing! God bless you!

Bob M Sounds good. Take it easy heart brother!

Update posted on...

July 18, 2015

Hello to all my friends, just a question if you don't mind. Has anyone had a click you can feel in your upper chest when you breath deep mine started a couple days ago. Going in to see the doctor wed. It's just once and awhile. See you soon. Tom

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Greg Johnson Pre or post surgery? What type of valve?

Terrie Syvertsen Hello Tom. Yes. I had the full sternotomy with my valve replacement and early on into recovery had a small click in the upper portion of that area. Especially ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Hello Tom. Yes. I had the full sternotomy with my valve replacement and early on into recovery had a small click in the upper portion of that area. Especially when getting into "sleep" positions when moving a little too quickly or turning from side to side(again, too quickly). I talked to my cardiologist early on and he said that was the sternum adjusting while recovering from stress of surgery and to keep being gentle and not to hard on the sternum area as it continues to heal. I had no pain when this happened. If there is pain I would check with a health care person to be sure. Take care and Happy Healing. (By the way, my clicking lasted on and off a couple of months. Went away1

Update posted on...

July 13, 2015

This is starting my third week home and have gone back for one checkup and passed got rid of my gout and finished with some pills . Been going for walks almost four times a day and can sleep on the second floor. Steps were vary important to me because I'm really into HO model railroading and the Elk River Logging R.R.. Is in the basement. Lucy wants me upstairs so I can go get things and bring them up. Just like a kid. Will be going to the heart doctor. In a couple weeks for testing and to see how I'm doing. HOPE EVERYONE IS FEELING AS GOOD AS I AM Write you all later my glue's drying Tom

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Eddie Patton Right there with you, walk, walk, then walk some more but I got a great checkup at my 2 week appointment last week. Other than some soreness I feel great, glad to hear you are too.

Bob M Great recovery heart brother!

Update posted on...

July 4, 2015

Good evening everyone been out of the hospital almost a week with only one minor problem besides a new valve I brought home a case of gout in my wrist. Will be ok as soon as I can take some drugs the won't affect my heart or anything else. For now just watching my diet and keeping up with my walks. Have a good weekend .Tom

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Bob M Take it easy heart brother!

Update posted on...

June 30, 2015

Good morning EVERYONE this is the first day out of the clinic and the suns out. Today I'm starting over with my life and eating in future posts. Right now I just want to thank everyone ending things in I'll be in touch soon Tom

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Bob M Yes, starting over with your life with a fixed heart! God bless and rise up!

Finally Home!

Journal posted on June 29, 2015

Tom's daughter Lisa again. So happy that my father is home and on his way to recovery! It's been a long week for us but it does not compare to the week he has been through. I'd like to thank all of my friends, family and clients for all of your prayers and support. A BIG thank you to Dr. Wael Jaber for being the wonderful doctor that you are! Dr. Douglas Johnston for fixing my Dad's ❤ and all the nursing staff on J5-3 at the Cleveland Clinic. We really appreciate everything that you do! I also wanted to thank you all on this site for the your guidance, advice and support! You have all been so wonderful!

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Tammy Pilcher Yay Tom! Prayers for continued recovery! Thanks Lisa!

Bob M Home is where Tom's fixed heart is. God bless and rise up!

Kelly Weisgarber Thank you Lisa and Tom I hope you feel stronger every day.

Update posted on...

June 25, 2015

Tom here, my daughter is making me check in. My kids took me for a walk, made me do 1/3 around the floor this time. Taking each day as it comes.

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Tammy Pilcher Yay Tom! I'm glad you're able to post! Take it one day at a time and don't over do it. You are now on the best side of OHS heart brother! God bless!

Cheryl Batzing Glad to hear from you Tom! Keep walking! You'll be home before you know it.

Rhonda Rawles Keep up the good work!

Gerald Schaffer Congrats Tom, hope you're doing laps soon.

Patrick Dowd Just a wee jog, Tom

Kyle Väth You've got this! Keep it up!

Eddie Patton Fight on!

Bob M Feeling better day by day heart brother. Take it easy.

Day 3 behind us looking forward to Day 4

Journal posted on June 24, 2015

Well, hopefully this will be the last post I make for my father. I told him tonight when I left that tomorrow he will be leaving his post:)
The night leading into this morning was not good. Basically......DRUGS SUCK! Well, narcotics do anyway. Throughout the night and a good part of the morning, my dad was someplace else. They removed the strong pain meds and a few hours later, my dad was back. At times there is a bit of fog which is expected from the mixture of anesthesia and drugs. His doctor said it takes 3-6 months to fully leave the body in older adults.
On the bright side, by the end of the day he walked down the hallway three times, does not complain doing his spirometer and his pain level has been moderate. I'm hoping he has a great night and tomorrow will be one day closer to recovery. Good night all, take care ❤️.

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Bob M One day closer to recovery! Amen!

Tammy Pilcher Prayers for continued recovery! God bless!

Update posted on...

June 23, 2015

Hi Heart Family,
Tom's daughter Lisa again with a report. Today looked promising, his doctor sent me a text photo of my dad to me from ICU and he looked good. When my mother and I arrived, he had really great color, sounded much better than surgery day but was still really sleepy and complained about pain. When they stabelized his BP, they moved him to a step down room where he got more rest but had nausea from time to time. as the day progressed, he would wake up confused and disorientated at times and other times his self? All that medication is doing crazy things. I wish I could wave a magical wand and make things all better. My mother is going to stay with him tonight so I feel good about that. My mother keeps making him do the spirometer so I'm not sure he's going to want us to be there much, lol. Till tomorrow, good night heart friends💗.

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Bob M Day by day heart brother. Lisa and Mom are Tom's Guardian Angels. God bless!

Terrie Syvertsen Tom, Lisa and Wife! It is hard to see the "right after" loved one coming out of the anesthesia and drugs that are necessary for our "Team" to do their
work ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Tom, Lisa and Wife! It is hard to see the "right after" loved one coming out of the anesthesia and drugs that are necessary for our "Team" to do their
work on our hearts but I wanted to tell you this is typical at first for all of us who went through surgery as we all have to make our way out of the fogginess of all that took place while we were "under" and we each experience it differently. Like Bob M. said- Day by Day.......Soon it will be like an old forgotten dream and as it gets better, little by little the pain subsides and strength returns while we all focus on recovery. My best to you and your family and you are blessed to have each other at such an important time. Prayers and good wishes for Tom to have a restful night and a good morning. Bless you with all our hearts........

Tim Goff The first few days can be tough especially if the meds do not agree with your system. Improvement comes with time and med changes and I hope all works out sooner than later

Gerald Schaffer Thanks for the update. Hoping each day he feels better and they get that pain and nausea under control.

Kelly Weisgarber Thanks for the update Lisa

Tammy Pilcher Prayers and best wishes! Thanks Lisa! God bless!

Update posted on...

June 22, 2015

Hello Heart Family, Tom McInerney's daughter here with a new report. It's been a LONG day! We were up at 4am, at the hospital by 5:15. Surgery started at 8:30 and we spoke to the surgeon at 1:00. All went well with the valve replacement, YEAH! they ended up having to replace the root of his aorta due to calcium buildup so he has two incisions rather than one. 4:45 we finally got to see him but he is still sleeping and has his breathing tube in. We hope to be able to see him by 6:30 awake and without the tube. Thank you all for your prayers and keeping him in your thoughts, we really appreciate it. Also thinking of Julie and Larry today and hope things went well for them.

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Tammy Pilcher Glad to hear surgery went well! Continued prayers for recovery! Thanks Lisa!

Glad to know everything is good. I hope he rests well tonight. Get some rest, he'll be ready for your visit tomorrow. Thanks for letting us know.

matt berry HI, Tom. Glad to hear you are doing well. I just noticed in your profile you live in Lakewood. I live in Westlake and grew up in Lakewood. Small world! Best of luck.

Gerald Schaffer Thanks for the update. I hope everything goes smoothly here on out.

Bob M God bless that the surgery went great! I pray that Tom's recovery will be uneventful. God bless and rise up!

Cheryl Batzing Thanks for the update! Will pray for Tom's quick healing and recovery.

Ericka Carlson Great news, so glad it went well!!

Update posted on...

June 22, 2015

Good morning heart family,
This is Tom McInerney's daughter Lisa. Picked up my parents bright and early (4:45 yikes) and arrived at the Cleveland Clinic by 5:15! They just took him up for surgery 7am and right on time. I'll report back once he's all done getting his new valve. Keeping Julie and Larry in my thoughts today as well as they have their procedures. Patiently waiting for good news from all!

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Kelly Weisgarber Sending prayers for you and your dad, hope all goes well today and you can focus on recovery.

Praying for you all. Thanks for letting us know.

Tammy Pilcher Praying for Tom! God bless y'all and thanks for the update, Lisa!

Terrie Syvertsen Good morning Lisa! Prayers and good wishes with you all today and we appreciate you stepping in for your Dad for updates. He could be in no finer hands today! Take care!

Petey Bello Sending prayers - God Bless!

Lora Lee Peterson Prayers for Tom and all of you!

Bob M Prayers for Tom.

Update posted on...

June 20, 2015

Well the Cleveland Clinic called yesterday afternoon and want us there at 5:30 and said they should be ready by 6:30. My poor wife Lucy will have to get up at 4:15 to be ready on time. That's all for now. Tom

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Lisa Amiri Hey what about your adorable daughter Lisa who's going to drive you both?

Linda Whitney Cleveland Clinic is the best place for you; I had mitral and tricuspid valves repaired there April 9th, and I cannot praise their surgeons, surgical staff, ... Read more

Linda Whitney Cleveland Clinic is the best place for you; I had mitral and tricuspid valves repaired there April 9th, and I cannot praise their surgeons, surgical staff, step-down team, and everybody else enough. They are wonderful! And in about 60 days, YOU will be wonderful too! Sending good vibes

It will be good to be on the "other side"...recovering.

Jeanette Davidson Wishing you all the best Tom! You will be in my thoughts and prayers!❤️

Bill Cherry I didn't sleep at all the night before. Now that I'm on the recovery side of the mountain, in my wonderful, peaceful valley, I sleep pretty darn good.

Wiliam Height You will sleep very good the morning of procedure, don't worry about not sleeping. "Getting a good nights rest" the night before doesn't exist.

John Jones You will be in prayers throughout the procedure.

Bill Hendrickson You won the best time slot at CCF ,I was on the late slot which placed me on the 2:30 am for emerg re surgery to correct cardiac tamponade ,

Lila Robinson Hi Tom, I was at UH (4/23/15) but had the Early Early time too; and it is nice because there's so much less chance of anything changing, etc. Wishing you well.

Bob M I pray your surgery will be textbook and your recovery will be uneventful. Monday will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. God bless and rise up!

Cheryl Batzing Tom, I had the second day slot back in December and it was not good. First slot rules! Congrats! Prayers for successful surgery and quick healing.

Update posted on...

June 19, 2015

Hi Julie and Larry I see we are all going to get better together I for one am looking forward to breathing better and going bike riding with my doctor. I will be looking in on your blog. Tom

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My Story

Journal posted on June 9, 2015

I was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis and am due to have my valve replaced on June 22nd at the Cleveland Clinic. The last three weeks I've been getting ready for my surgery. I started with my dental check up, followed by a cardiac catheterization which I was told I have the
arteries of a 20 year old. They are nice and clear so no bypass😃. I am finishing up with my last round of tests this week and consult with my
surgeon. I'm anxious to get this done so I can start my recovery.

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Jennifer Anderson Hi Tom! I had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on February 9th. It was a great experience (well, all things considered, lol). Good luck!!!

Ray Lockhart Hi Tom. I will be at Cleveland Clinic next month, so I hope you whip those guys into shape. Seriously, our thoughts are with you. Let us know about your experience and how you are doing.