Guestbook of Diane T

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Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2586 days ago

Gina Fiorentino posted a note for Diane that says:

Hi Diane, Thinking of you... I hope you are doing well in your recovery. I have been benefitting so much from reading the book, "Prepare for Surgery, ...Read more

Hi Diane, Thinking of you... I hope you are doing well in your recovery. I have been benefitting so much from reading the book, "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster". The CD is beyond helpful in my daily practice as I prepare for surgery, and I have a phone session scheduled with Peggy tomorrow to help me further with this healing method. Thank you again for the referral...

Diane T Gina, I am SO glad Peggy's book is helping! I ended up emailing her a few times and she ended up havi ... Read more

Diane T Gina, I am SO glad Peggy's book is helping! I ended up emailing her a few times and she ended up having one of her trainees work with me on the phone, which was really helpful. I know you're in the countdown phase, and I'll be sending healing thoughts your way on Thursday next week. Honestly, I think the anticipation is the worst part. I know you will come through this like a champ, and afterwards you will be shocked at your progress day to day. The human body is amazing, including yours! xo

Gina Fiorentino Thanks Diane! Just read your update and glad to hear you are doing well, and finding your "pace". ... Read more

Gina Fiorentino Thanks Diane! Just read your update and glad to hear you are doing well, and finding your "pace".

In response to this post- I did the same thing and actually have an appointment with her scheduled for tonight! Would you be open to me emailing you a couple of questions related to your experience? Or short phone call? If so, my email: gjfiorentino@gmail.com

Diane T absolutely.

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2600 days ago

Don L reacted to this

Mike posted a note for Diane that says:

Diane, Thanks for the honest, upbeat journal. I am going in for Mitral Valve surgery this Thursday. Nice to know you are getting the recovery you deserve. ...Read more

Diane, Thanks for the honest, upbeat journal. I am going in for Mitral Valve surgery this Thursday. Nice to know you are getting the recovery you deserve. Your notes helped me keep things in perspective. Mike in Minnesota

Diane T Mike, that makes me so, so happy. My hubby was teasing me when he saw me writing my post, so I busted ... Read more

Diane T Mike, that makes me so, so happy. My hubby was teasing me when he saw me writing my post, so I busted his chops while explaining how important and helpful it was for me to read both the good and not-so-good stories here to stay grounded and realistic and not whig out! So.... advocate for yourself, ask for help when you need it (you can email me directly if you like) and go get ‘em! I’ll send my thoughts and prayers on Thursday!

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2601 days ago

Diane T reacted to this

Tony posted a note for Diane that says:

I'm so happy for you - it's over and you are on your way to a new life! No more leaks! Yay! Best of luck in the future. Tony

Diane T Yay is right. Thanks Tony -- same to you!

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2608 days ago

Diane T and 1 other reacted to this

Bonnie Stone-Hope posted a note for Diane that says:

Hello Diane, I will sending prayers for you for a successful surgery tomorrow. Look forward to reading your posts after surgery.

Diane T Thx so much Bonnie :-) May I have the kind of recovery you're having (i.e., "I'll have what she's hav ... Read more

Diane T Thx so much Bonnie :-) May I have the kind of recovery you're having (i.e., "I'll have what she's having!")

Bonnie Stone-Hope You go, girl! You can do it.

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2609 days ago

Michael Neverisky posted a note for Diane that says:

Diane - my best wishes for your surgery tomorrow and for a smooth and uneventful recovery. From what I read on this forum that is not an uncommon experience. ...Read more

Diane - my best wishes for your surgery tomorrow and for a smooth and uneventful recovery. From what I read on this forum that is not an uncommon experience.

Diane T Michael, thank you so much. I wish the very same for you, and will send good thoughts your way on the ... Read more

Diane T Michael, thank you so much. I wish the very same for you, and will send good thoughts your way on the 8th. P.S. I like your hiking companion ;-)

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2610 days ago

Gina Fiorentino posted a note for Diane that says:

Thinking of you as your surgery approaches. I'm probably a month behind you... so at some point we will be both recovering. Thank you for making a connection ...Read more

Thinking of you as your surgery approaches. I'm probably a month behind you... so at some point we will be both recovering. Thank you for making a connection with me earlier in the week and sending the songs and blog post. Very helpful!!! I am wishing you the best in the coming days.

Diane T Thank you, Gina. Good luck to you, too! You've already done the really important work of advocating f ... Read more

Diane T Thank you, Gina. Good luck to you, too! You've already done the really important work of advocating for yourself and finding the doctors and hospital. You go, girl!

Gina Fiorentino :) thanks for the vote of confidence. Same to ya'!

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2612 days ago

Diane T, Nancy Surprenant Takahashi reacted to this

Bonnie Stone-Hope posted a note for Diane that says:

Hi Diane, Wishing you a successful surgery and very smooth recovery. Just had my mitral valve repaired and so glad I did! All good now.

Diane T :-)

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2612 days ago

Gina Fiorentino posted a note for Diane that says:

Hi Diane, I am new here too. Thank you for the recommendation of the book in your story. I'm going to get it now! Will be thinking you as you get closer ...Read more

Hi Diane, I am new here too. Thank you for the recommendation of the book in your story. I'm going to get it now! Will be thinking you as you get closer to your date... as I simutaneously prepare for mitral repair surgery very soon as well. Have a lovely day.

Diane T Hi Gina. Let me know if the book helps -- I think it will! My "heart sister" has been my guide throug ... Read more

Diane T Hi Gina. Let me know if the book helps -- I think it will! My "heart sister" has been my guide through much of this process, and she told me about a song that's been scientifically proven to be relaxing: inc.com/melanie-curtin/neuroscience-says-listening-to-this-one-song-reduces-anxiety-by-up-to-65-percent.html. Also, she wrote two blog posts that I found especially helpful: supportnetwork.heart.org/blog-news/christine-rekash-wagner-my-journey-operation-backward-blood-part-2/ and supportnetwork.heart.org/blog-news/christine-rekash-wagner-my-journey-operation-backward-blood-part-3/. Meanwhile, I'm sending my good thoughts your way!

Gina Fiorentino Diane! It's wonderful to recieve this information, and I appreciate you sharing these resources. I ... Read more

Gina Fiorentino Diane! It's wonderful to recieve this information, and I appreciate you sharing these resources. I have found the EFT texhnique to be an invaluable tool for anxiety and fear in general. Are you familiar? It's very similar to acupressure, except you can learn to do it n minutes yourself for free. Let me know if you'd like a few YouTube links on guided EFT tapping tutorials and happy to share!

Sophia Ridley Christine’s posts were the reason I found this community, I was looking for advice for post op. Sou ... Read more

Sophia Ridley Christine’s posts were the reason I found this community, I was looking for advice for post op. Sound advice on these links, recommend to all.

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2617 days ago

Adam Pick reacted to this

Tony Netto posted a note for Diane that says:

This surgery - mitral valve repair - is actually so routine now - and that's a good thing! The doctor told me "your going to feel better" to which I responded ...Read more

This surgery - mitral valve repair - is actually so routine now - and that's a good thing! The doctor told me "your going to feel better" to which I responded "I feel fine now". He was right, you do feel better - and I think in part it's because it's over (I had three years to think about it) and the stress is gone. Had I known what I was in for, I wouldn't have wasted a minute worrying. It truly was an amazing experience. Please let me know how your surgery goes and I'll be thinking of you!

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2617 days ago

Don L reacted to this

Tony Netto posted a note for Diane that says:

Diane you will do just fine! I had Mitral Valve repair 4/5/2017 and honestly, it was not a bad experience at all. In fact, it was a great experience and then ...Read more

Diane you will do just fine! I had Mitral Valve repair 4/5/2017 and honestly, it was not a bad experience at all. In fact, it was a great experience and then when it is over, you look back and realize just how great this is - having your valve repaired. I had no symptoms either, just worsening echo's! Severe prolapse - all gone and yours will be too! God Bless, and good luck, and keep on smiling!

Diane T I'm gonna re-read this message a lot, Tony, I can tell. Thank you!

Diane T Tony, you were right on the money. Thank you, again for this post. I kept repeating it in my mind and ... Read more

Diane T Tony, you were right on the money. Thank you, again for this post. I kept repeating it in my mind and now I feel the same!

Diane Tgot a new guestbook post

2619 days ago

Phyllis Petersen posted a note for Diane that says:

Your story seems similar to mine in some ways. My doctor thought he heard a heart murmur when I was 28. They did an EKG (not too helpful) and I went on my merry ...Read more

Your story seems similar to mine in some ways. My doctor thought he heard a heart murmur when I was 28. They did an EKG (not too helpful) and I went on my merry way. After 9/11, I developed shortness of breath, so besides a pulmonologist I was send to a cardiologist. An echo showed MVP with regurg, but it was mild, so monitoring only. At some point, I found Adam's original site and bought his book (version 2!). It wasn't until I needed knee replacement in early 2015 that my regurg was diagnosed as severe and needed repair. The last few months before surgery, my shortness of breath increased and fatigue was really annoying. With the time before your surgery, explore as much as possible, especially the experiences of others. I found it answered questions I didn't even know I needed to ask. Do you know whether he will be doing minimally-invasive surgery? If you have any more personal questions, feel free to email me at fabphyllis@gmail.com. All the best to you!

Diane T Thanks, Phyllis -- you_are_fab! I've spent these past 4 months gathering so much info. I was fortunat ... Read more

Diane T Thanks, Phyllis -- you_are_fab! I've spent these past 4 months gathering so much info. I was fortunate that my cardiologist put me touch with a patient of his who was "younger" and went through this 4 years ago (and it turns out that she used the same surgeon, too). So I've been lucky to have a heart sister guide me thru this.

Like you, I like to understand everything that's going on. I'm finally feeling good in that dept. And like you, I'm doing visualization (and deep relaxation, which has made such a difference. As you mentioned on your page, it_has_been an emotional rollercoaster.

Unfortunately, I'm not a candidate for minimally invasive, so my repair will be done the old-fashioned way. Funny, but I didn't have any symptoms until a few weeks after being diagnosed (and for a while I thought that might be in my head!) -- and even then, I'm not sure I would have put 2 and 2 together. I'm definitely looking forward to being on the other side of this. I feel like I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Thanks for the post and encouraging words, Phyllis!

Phyllis Petersen All the best for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery Diane! I'm glad you have someone to sha ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen All the best for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery Diane! I'm glad you have someone to share this with. When I started connecting with people from this community in person, it made it so much less stressful, even if they were having different procedures and/or valves. I also met a lot of kindred souls in cardiac rehab. I'm also glad to hear that you are using relaxation techniques, as I know how much they helped and continue to help me.