Cheryl's Guestbook

Cheryl Batzing  Sweet Elaine, Thanks for your kind email! Happy 2 year anniversary to you as well, my dear! I agree--heart sisters forever! Wishing you a Merry Christmas as well...and hope to hug you in person one day. Blessings!

Cheryl Batzing  Glad to be of help, Ashley! Please stay in touch and ask any questions! You can also reach out to me offline at pcbatzing@att.net.

Cheryl Batzing  Cheryl, I'll post on your page. Mine was not robotic, but I believe called port access "minimally invasive." Went through right side. Understand your nerves! Would love to chat/support you, dear!

Cheryl Batzing  Thanks Jackie! It's 2:15 CT and I hear they are both now recovering in their ICU's with successful surgeries. Praying for quick "off the vents"!

Cheryl Batzing  Linda, let's talk! Feel free to email me at pcbatzing@att.net. I had an option to have the DaVinci robotic repair, or a port access repair. I went with the surgeon who I was most comfortable with....and he did the port access repair. I think either would have been fine and fixed me well, but the other surgeon was a bit abrupt and didn't listen to me well. In retrospect, the nurses told me the "minimally invasive" portal access is alot more painful than the mid incision, or Davinci. Now they tell me! BUT, recovery is alot quicker for any minimally invasive. I was bored at 2 weeks and back at work part time. Started cardiac rehab at 4 weeks out of surgery, and quit at 5 weeks out and went back to my gym slowly. Slept well at home from day 1. Did have a bit of pain, but I'm a wimp, and still have nerves "waking up" even though I'm 6 months out now. Please ask questions, or read my journal. And email me! Will keep you in my prayers for wisdom and a successful repair.

Cheryl Batzing  I'll go double-check Tammy! Hope it works out to meet you and Melinda! I actually hurt my foot 2 days ago and cant' walk. I went to CareNow today to see if it was broken/fractured, etc. She said it was "strained" from over use. That made me smile, as I have been really walking tons more than I used to prior to OHS. So a good thing--exercising more than ever! Bad thing...hurt foot that puts me out for awhile. Making sure I can walk on it ok before I head to Florida! Will let you know!

Tammy Pilcher  Oh no, well I'm glad it's not broken! You're right though, if it's gonna be hurt at least it's from exercising! I hope it gets better soon! Hugs!

Elaine Foster  Cheryl so sorry to hear about the strained foot. I, too found my "old joints" are complaining about all this exercise too! They are saying" look lady, we liked the slower pace" Haha. Sure hope you get to meet up with Tammy and Melinda, I wish I was close by to meet you heart sisters! God bless you all

Cheryl Batzing  Curtis, the cardiac rehab group was great. They know my co-pay situation and were very willing to work with me. If you let them know your needs and situation, they seem to want all to succeed no matter what. Will pray your cardiac rehab goes well.

Sandy Wratten  Hi Judi.......thanks for asking!!! I had my aortic valvereplaced with a bovine tissue one week ago today. I got home yesterday!!! It feels soooooo good to be home, and I am doing well! I wish you the best of health with your new heart!!! Please let me know when you have your surgery.

Cheryl Batzing  Judi, would love to chat off site here if you want. My email is pcbatzing@att.net. Bottom line, I was 5 weeks post surgery this past Tuesday with a mitral valve repair and really doing well. I'm a huge wimp, so the actual surgery and first week were hard, second week was moving slow but improving, and by the end of the second week I was feeling good and ready to drive, go back to work. They would not let me, of course. Other than having a bout of afib during my hospital stay once the pacing wires were removed, I have had no major "bumps" or set backs. I'm an exerciser and was able to start cardiac rehab at 4 weeks post op that felt great. I'm pushing hard there, and they are holding me back. I have 2 part time jobs and went back to one the beginning of week 3, and added the other one the beginning of week 4. So pretty much back at full life pace now. Ask any other questions you have!

Cheryl Batzing  Hi Rob! Yes, we're in Richardson. What a gift to be a speech/language pathologist! Your wife might have done some testing on my son, who's a senior this year. My cardiologist is Vallabhan at Cardiology Consultants of Texas--small world! I've heard of Shumacher. I actually saw my cardiologist today for my 4 week followup after surgery. I had surgery at Heart Hospital Plan vs. downtown Baylor. So you are doing well? Thanks for saying hello!

Cheryl Batzing  Emily...I don't think I'm supposed to be back at work....but I was so bored at home! So I sort of released myself knowing I could come home if needed....and I did about 3 in the afternoons. I go for rehab orientation this Tuesday, Jan. 13, then they'll set me up to go M, W & F on a regular schedule...so I"ll see what they say on Tuesday. I was told to walk 15 min, 4X a day, but with the weather so cold and rainy lately, it hurt to walk outside to breathe cold air deep. I went to my gym and did the treadmill there first slowly, then a little faster, and it's been fine. I've been doing that during week 3 & 4 post op for 15-30 min, about 3X a week. Best of luck to you Emily! You'll really like the Heart Hospital.

Cheryl Batzing  Tina....I'm very blessed with my 2 part time jobs. I work part time for a children's furniture company "virtually" from home, and I am the Communications Director part time at my church that's 7 minutes away. I only go in there 3X a week. Both have been very understanding/flexible during my surgery. Again...feel very blessed.

tina fluhrer  ;) good stuff! I work from home too! ~ for a home builder in our community. ~ My dream job would be for a church! (I (we, (hubby and I) serve in the marriage ministry now and did kids ministry for 15 years with our kids) I worked for Joey for 17 years. (commute, long hours, lots lots of work, stress, blessings, work, work work- commuite home again) ~ I am so thankful to work from home now. The owner is growing and in due season, I will have an office to visit occasionally. :) As I dreamed of what kind of job I would most excel at and enjoy (with all the perks).... I dreamed of what I am doing now from home ~ Its a God thing! ~ Pinch me! :) My gifting is admin and would love to work at a church one day. ~ right now, my full time ministry is in my home ~ "love it"

Emily Shively  So I think I must not have been logged in when I sent my original message bc my picture and full name didn't show up. Just wanted you to know it was from me!

Cheryl Batzing  Don, I'm really feeing great! Just having trouble realizing I'm healing and to not overdue it until I crash, plus the cold weather is making walking outside 4X a day very difficult, as I hate the cold. I've ended up going to my gym and doing the treadmill for 30 minutes a few times a week, but should be walking more. I'm not even 4 weeks post surgery yet....and back at 2 part time jobs, since Tuesday. I did the "heart valve clinic" thing at downtown Baylor--they did the TEE, pulmonary tests, bloodwork, and then I met with 2 surgeons, a cardiologist, and a nurse for my "evaluation." You'll get great advice with the Baylor team whether downtown or in Plano. And local or Cleveland seem to be great places for surgery with great surgeon track records in the thousands. The only difference I seem to see from this website is Heart Hospital Plano does not have a step-down room after surgery & ICU. The room they take you to is the room you stay in for the entire hospital time. I didn't understand how nice that was until I experienced it. I got out of surgery in my ICU room, which converted to my regular room. I had chest x-rays there, all meds there, and only left to walk around the floor for exercise. Even when I ended up with afib and needed cardio conversion, they brought the equipment to my room, along with the cardiologist & anesthesiologist and I just stayed put until I was released. That was very nice! Praying for your decision--you'll know what's right for you!

Cheryl Batzing  I was released to drive today as well, Ben. Yea for both of us! I don't have my follow up with Dr. Ryan until Jan. 20, and am scheduled for cardiac rehab on Feb. 12. Glad you are recovering well. I work about 7 minutes from my house and went in today for staff meeting and to see how long I'd last. I did great from 9-2:30 pm, then crashed. Came home and took a long nap. Blessings during your recovery. Happy new year to you.

Ben Schraegle  Thanks Cheryl. Don't push yourself too hard this early! I am having a hard time not being as active as I usually am. I see Dr. Brinkman on Jan. 19th and then to rehab. Where are you doing rehab? We live in McKinney and wish I could do something at The Baylor Heart Hospital but kind of far to drive every day. Take care and all the best to you for a healthy and happy new year!